First manual shots - Nikkor Ai 50mm 1.4 , 55mm 3.5 micro

[Yebisu]

Recent convert to manual lenses. I grabbed a Ai 50mm 1.4 and a micro 55mm 3.5 a few days ago. Here are my first pics with the 50 1.4 on my D3000. (First time shooting with a manual lens so no sniggering at the back )

The lens itself first.










Like the bokeh in this one. The can isn't sharp enough though. Had a few too many probably!




Thanks for looking

[Esox lucius]

Twose are two absolute classics which still can rival or outperform many modern lenses, despite more than 30 years of history.

The 50/1.4 Ai has slower focus throw than the Ai-S, so it is delightful for manual focusing. It vignettes heavily wide open and contrast is low but immediately at f/2 the "bite" is excellent even when printed large.

The 55/3.5 is still a very high quality macro lens. Do get the extension tube, and try it out at 1:1 - you won't regret it.

[Attila]

Great experience isn't it ? I love these lenses pretty much!

[Yebisu]

A couple more pics with this lens. I'm loving using it!

[NikonD]

very nice... and a reminder to get one for myself

[Yebisu]

Thank you. I only "discovered" manual lenses a couple of weeks ago. I picked up an ai 55 3.5 macro as well as the 50 1.4. Here are some shots with the macro. Hand held but still fairly sharp

[Esox lucius]

You have already discovered the quality of these two lenses.

[Siswono]

so nice, sharp and look 3D

[AussieBob]

Lovely shots. I have both of these lenses & love them. The 50mm 1.4 lacks contrast wide open but as soon as you stop it down to f2 or more, it's a cracker. The macro lens is superb at all apertures

[Yebisu]

Thanks for the comments.

A month or two ago I was looking around for 50mm primes and macros for my D3000 but I gave up. I couldn't justify the expense; 45,000 yen for 50 1.4G, about the same for sigma equivalent, 60,000 yen for the Nikkor 60 2.8 micro. I'm sure these are great lenses and I'd love to use them but just can't afford them.

Then I stumbled into this forum and found out that manual lenses were a viable and affordable option. I live in Japan and there are plenty of places to buy used camera gear. So I picked up the Ai 50 1.4 (3500 yen) and the 55 3.5 micro (3000 yen with an F50 attached).

So a big thank you to the people who share their images and expertise on this forum.

[Yebisu]

Here are some shots I submitted to the Guardian Newspaper Camera Club's Car Assignment. Taken with the 50 1.4.



















Thanks for looking

[Yebisu]

A few more with the Ai 50 1.4
















Thanks for looking