Recommendations for M42 lenses/ Nikkor Manual Focus Lenses

[tOfOO13]

I'm looking for a 50mm, 135mm, 200mm, and a telephoto zoom.

[Mos6502]

Pancolar, orestor, Tele-Quinar, and I don't have any opinions about zooms.
If you prefer Japanese M42: Fujinon 1.8/55, Mamiya 2.8/135, Takumar.

[Lena]

50mm you have a few Nikkors available, depending on your budget. If it's tight, I can recommend 50/2 Ai or Ais.

[sichko]

[hifisapi]

[Lena]

[fotoreporter1975]

If you're to use them on a Nikon camera I would avoid m42 lenses; generally they will not focus to infinity unless used with an adapter with an optical element, that will compromise their quality.

If that's the case I'd go for:

50mm= an old Nikkor S, S.C. or K modified in Ai; they are cheap as dirt but of excellent quality, even for modern standard. Their biggest drawback, compared to more recent lenses, is a somewhat less effective flare resistance (just use a hood ). If you want to see an actual test comparing them to their modern counterpart http://tinyurl.com/c6zfsaa

135mm= if you don't need the speed then the 135/3.5 Nikkor is a good choice; given that you want a telezoom though I'd jump entirely this focal length replacing it with a Nikkor E Series 75-150/3.5; it's a great lens, sharp, compact and with a beautiful bokeh, excellent even for portraits.

200mm= I don't think anything can beat a Nikkor 200/4 K or Ai; super sharp and ultra compact, it makes even a decent macro if used with tubes.

If, instead, you asked of Nikon lenses but you have, for example, a Canon body I would suggest only one change:

50mm= all the variants of the Pentax Takumar are excellent, f/1.4 and you can have them practically for a song (if you're not sure you may check this post of mine http://www.addicted2light.com/2012/12/08/battle-of-the-50s-contax-60-vs-minolta-vs-olympus-vs-pentax-takumars/ to see how they perform).

Please keep in mind that all the lenses listed above even if dirty cheap are excellent performers, capable of deliver results of truly professional quality!