Nikon's new manual focus fixed-length lenses

[2F/2F]

Hello,

It is nice that Nikon still sells several manual focus lenses. Has anybody here bought the current models brand new? What versions of the lenses are these? Are they just AI-S lenses, or have they been redesigned? The prices certainly are attractive, compared to their autofocus stuff. If I ever seriously start using digital, I was thinking that these guys might be the way to go, as they will serve me with film as well. The prices really are not bad for brand spanking new lenses.

[Ihmemies]

Nikon hasn't made any new MF designs except the new PC-E lenses. So they are the same lenses as in 80's, just upgraded with newest coatings (not nano coating though).

My secret dream is that Nikon some day releases a new manual focus Ai-P lens collection using the newest optical designs used in 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 etc.

[lns]

Two words: Zeiss ZF.

-Laura

[jp498]

Nikon still sells a fm-10 film camera, so these lenses are probably to go with that, and for people like us looking to acquire more lenses that work with new and old hardware.

I bought a new 50 1.2 about ten years ago and sold it for what I bought it for five years ago. Now you could have sold it for more than I paid for it.

Earlier this year I bought a brand new Voigtlander 40mm SL2 for Nikon-F mount. It's a very nice new manual focus lens; nice to use and exceptional image qualities. Zeiss seems overpriced and brutally crisp at the expense of Bokeh.

[CGW]

Hello,

It is nice that Nikon still sells several manual focus lenses. Has anybody here bought the current models brand new? What versions of the lenses are these? Are they just AI-S lenses, or have they been redesigned? The prices certainly are attractive, compared to their autofocus stuff. If I ever seriously start using digital, I was thinking that these guys might be the way to go, as they will serve me with film as well. The prices really are not bad for brand spanking new lenses.

What new lenses, apart from the new-ish PC models? What remains are new but the same 30+ year-old designs. The little 45/2.8 Ai-P I have was rolled out with the FM3A and was among the last "new" MF lenses. That was 2001.

[CGW]

Nikon hasn't made any new MF designs except the new PC-E lenses. So they are the same lenses as in 80's, just upgraded with newest coatings (not nano coating though).

My secret dream is that Nikon some day releases a new manual focus Ai-P lens collection using the newest optical designs used in 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 etc.

They actually planned a line of "classic" chipped Ai-P lenses to follow the FM3A roll-out. But the FM3A was late to the party and the chipped 24/2.8, 28/2.8, and 105/2.5 lenses never happened.

[lxdude]

Two words: Zeiss ZF.

-Laura

Is ZF a word?

[2F/2F]

Nikon hasn't made any new MF designs except the new PC-E lenses. So they are the same lenses as in 80's, just upgraded with newest coatings (not nano coating though).

My secret dream is that Nikon some day releases a new manual focus Ai-P lens collection using the newest optical designs used in 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 etc.

This is what I assumed. I wonder how they do on digital. I will have to ask elsewhere.

[elekm]

I doubt Nikon is putting much effort into manual focus lenses. Why should it? The bulk of Nikon's sales are in digital cameras and lenses.

I agree that the Zeiss lenses are very nice, indeed. Or at least that's true of the ZM lenses that I have.

[fschifano]

What new lenses, apart from the new-ish PC models? What remains are new but the same 30+ year-old designs. The little 45/2.8 Ai-P I have was rolled out with the FM3A and was among the last "new" MF lenses. That was 2001.

That little 45 /2.8 lens might just be the same optical formula as the old 45 / 2.8 GN (guide number) lens. Both are Tessars. I have the GN lens, and it's pretty good.