Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Nikkor-S 1.4/50 on EOS 5D MkII
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:03 am    Post subject: Nikkor-S 1.4/50 on EOS 5D MkII Reply with quote
This lens has inadvertently become my favourite fiftysomething - if somebody had told me two years ago that I'd be using a Nikon lens on a Canon DSLR, I'd have laughed at them. After I had punched them for saying something so stupid Rolling Eyes

It's hard to describe, but this lens give me a greater sense of satisfaction than any of the other fast lenses in this focal length - Planar 1.4/50, Chinon Tomioka 1.4/55, all flavours of 50/55 Takumars, Sears, Porst, Revuenon, etc.

There - I've said it Embarassed



PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
nice portrait!


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah, you said ist Smile

Many Nikkor lenses certainly have something to them. Once you have discovered that, you simply have to try the 50mm F2,0 and the Micro-Nikkor 55 F3,5!


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
BenediktW wrote:
Many Nikkor lenses certainly have something to them. Once you have discovered that, you simply have to try the 50mm F2,0 and the Micro-Nikkor 55 F3,5!


Found a copy of the Micro-Nikkor 3.5/55 before Christmas in the store where I bought the 40D. Haven't tried it yet, but €26.00 seemed like a good deal to me...


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I had a Noink Pre AI 50mm S,C back in the summer. I compared it against the Takumar and it failed to impress so it was back on the fray within hours. There wasn't anything actually wrong with it, but just nothing special.

Maybe that was the wrong Nikkor to try, or maybe I missed the point.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hey, dont punch me, but i have observed that N lenses seem to desaturate color--so could be very good for portraiture, like above, which, btw, is really excellent. what say you?

also, i have an interest in a WA arsat, which seems to only come in nikon mount. i have 5d: what kind of adapter do you use to mount your nikon on your 5d, and does it have focus confirm?

thanks
t


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
@Mal1905:
Congrats to the 55mm Micro. That´s a very good price, auction results in Germany are normally around 70€.

@martinsmith99:
I also owned a bad copy of the old 50mm F1,4. Slightly decentered, and a little foggy on the inside, due to dissolving lens glue/cement. It had something nice to it anyway, but it wasn´t that sharp and contrasty.

If you like to try Nikkors, you should look for a 20mm F4, 28mm F2 or F3,5, 50mm F2, 55mm Micro F3,5, 85mm F1,8, 105mm F2,5 or a 200mm F4.
These are all excellent and have the typical Nikkor character.
If you want to start cheap, try the 50mm F2 and the 28mm F3,5!


Regards,

Benedikt


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
I had a Noink Pre AI 50mm S,C back in the summer. I compared it against the Takumar and it failed to impress so it was back on the fray within hours. There wasn't anything actually wrong with it, but just nothing special.

Maybe that was the wrong Nikkor to try, or maybe I missed the point.


Yours was just the coated version of the Nikkor-S that Mal is talking about.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
I had a Noink Pre AI 50mm S,C back in the summer. I compared it against the Takumar and it failed to impress so it was back on the fray within hours. There wasn't anything actually wrong with it, but just nothing special.

Maybe that was the wrong Nikkor to try, or maybe I missed the point.


I'm still at a loss to understand what AI, AIs and non AI mean when it comes to Nikkor lenses, but my 50 will be pried from my cold, dead hands Wink

Two more - taken pre-Christmas in my back-yard.





PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
rbelyell wrote:
hey, dont punch me, but i have observed that N lenses seem to desaturate color--so could be very good for portraiture, like above, which, btw, is really excellent. what say you?

also, i have an interest in a WA arsat, which seems to only come in nikon mount. i have 5d: what kind of adapter do you use to mount your nikon on your 5d, and does it have focus confirm?

thanks
t


Hey Tony,

No punches dude!!! I plan to use the Nikkor in studio at some stage (ie; when I next get a studio gig!), but do like the way it renders colour and contrast. That shot was taken when we were filming a TV commercial in December - there are others, but the mannequin is topless Embarassed

As to the adapter, I bought a bog-standard EOS-Nikon from eBay seller Roxsen - there's no focus confirm on it as any adapter I bought with confirm played up on me Wink

M


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just go myself a Nikkor-S.C 50/1.4, Nikkor-O 35/2, and NIkkor-H 85/1.8 for a great price, and will be checking this claim out myself soon Smile


So far I am liking the results out of the 85/1.8 and 35/2 (sharp!)


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks mal. may i suggest a topless manequin thread--i think would be of interest to many. perhaps in b&w gallery, where artistic nudity is acceptable. Laughing Laughing Laughing


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mal1905 wrote:

I'm still at a loss to understand what AI, AIs and non AI mean when it comes to Nikkor lenses, but my 50 will be pried from my cold, dead hands Wink


These terms refer to the meter coupling design. Non-AI (or pre-AI) uses a pin from the meter that engages the prongs that stick up on the aperture ring. AI uses a tab that engages an offset ridge on the back of the aperture ring. And AIs is functionally identical to AI for almost all Nikons. There is a small semi-circular notch in the back of the lens mount that is sensed on just a few cameras. The FA is the only one I can think of offhand.

AI lenses have both the prongs and the offset ridge, as do most AIs lenses. The earlier non-AI lenses can be mounted to later cameras, but only to those that have a metering tab that can be lifted out of the way. Except for some of the latest digitals apparently? I'm not sure what the arrangement is on those.

Many non-AI lenses have been "AI'd", some with the Nikon kit that includes a new aperture ring, and some by machining a notch in the aperture ring. If the machining was done properly, it is the functional equivalent of the Nikon kit, but doesn't look as nice, and hence tends to slightly affect the lens's resale value.

Well, that's the nickel tour on the subject.

I have a bag full of Nikkors, some old, some not so old, all of which I've used at one time or another with my EOS DSLR. I'm really quite fond of them all, including my 50mm f/1.4 AIs. Folks previously have mentioned some popular standouts. My favorites include the 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2 (mine is the OC non-AI), 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor, 105mm f/2.5, and 135mm f/2.8. I have an 80-200mm f/4.5 AI zoom that I've also found to be a solid performer.

Of the above lenses, probably the biggest "sleeper" in my opinion is the 135mm f/2.8. I love this lens for portraiture because it provides me with a bit of breathing room distance between the subject and myself. Very sharp, good color, nice bokeh.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cooltouch wrote:
Well, that's the nickel tour on the subject.


Wow - a comprehensive, yet easy to follow lesson in Nikkors - many thanks for that Wink


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For us Canon guys AI or pre AI means nothing.

I like the leaf shots. Yours looks a good lens so I may have had a Friday lens.

Here's mine at F4 back last spring, nothing wrong with it, but just nothing special:


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm not a Nikon man. Only have in 1972 a nikkormat with the 1,4/50 and 2,8/135.

Not used the 135 lenses. But the 50 mm was an excelent lens. Very sharp, in the cold side. I have a lot of slides to scan taken with the 50 nikkor.

It's a lens in my list to purchase if I find any cheap and well used.

Rino.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi Mal
I had the same feeling when I got my Nik50 1.4. Before I buy it my fav was the Tak 50 1.4. I guess my copy as yours are more than great. Laughing


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of their greats - and they have the typical nikon colour rendering. I find that my nikons give quite natural colouring, pretty close to what I see. My canon tends (even in RAW) to give a more saturated colour. These very very slight differences have led to a rather cynical observation that nikon colours are "cool" or even "cold".
If you really want to get hooked on nikkors - see if your pocket will let you collect the 105/1.8 and the 135/2. They are fairly rare and very expensive (nowadays) but they will give you what you see in the 50/1.4 in spades. The other recommended lenses are also spot on.

Have fun


patrickh


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
is this the lens? http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/f5014n.jpg


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It is! There were only minor changes with the Nikkor-S, one version has the inscription "Nippon Kogaku", one has "Nikon", but they are identical.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bruce wrote:
is this the lens?


Yep Bruce, that's the one - mine has the 'Nippon Kogaku' name inscribed on the beauty ring.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats Mal for this lens.
Some weeks ago, I discovered the Nikkors for my photographic work.
After using the 2,5/105, I really liked the sharpness and color rendition wide open.
Now, I had to sell some of my other lenses, because some cheap Nikkors with minor cosmetic faults crossed my way.
I couldn't resist buying a 2/24 and a 2/28 together for 280 Euro.
Still looking for a bargain on a 1,2/50.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mal1905 wrote:

Yep Bruce, that's the one - mine has the 'Nippon Kogaku' name inscribed on the beauty ring.


must be the same as mine then?!



what I really like of these Nikkors is that various aperture value are written in different colors which makes it easier for me to see without glasses which value it is.
Does anybody know why they chose white for f1.4 / 2 / 2.8, green for f4, again white for f5.6, red for f8, yellow for f11 and blue for f16?


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
patrickh wrote:
......These very very slight differences have led to a rather cynical observation that nikon colours are "cool" or even "cold". .....patrickh


Patrickh.

Excuse me, I spilled my opinion on a brand that I do not know deeply.

Rino.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kuuan wrote:
must be the same as mine then?!


Yep again, seems like it - even looking at it makes me smile Embarassed



Photo courtesy of CZ Planar MM 1.4/50; 1/200 @ f/8, ISO200 on EOS 40D
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2