Classic MF Glass with Nikon DSLR & m4/3rd

[Stan]

Although, I've had a fair amount of classic gear of one type or another go through my hands over the years, I'd really like to concentrate on one area for a while. I'm currently a Nikon DSLR (D300, D50) user, as well as having a Panasonic Micro4/3rds (GF-1) for a light "carry" camera. Since I still have young kids, and will therefore be using the digital bodies for that for quite some time, I thought that maybe narrowing my collecting type somewhat might be a good idea.

That area being "classic" manual focus glass. I got a bit of a start with a Nikkor 50mm/f1.4 that's been AI converted as well as a CPU chip installed. I've been trying to relearn my long dormant focusing skills with it recently and having a wonderful time (although with uneven results so far). I was also given a broken EM with the kit "E Series" 50mm/f1.8 so there's that lens as well (it does not have a CPU chip).

I'd like to see if I could get some thoughts on what might be some good lenses to target as starters which wouldn't be too expensive. I'm already on the trail of the Kiron made Vivitar 70-150mm/f3.8 Close Focusing (two-touch). Probably for nostalgic reasons as much as it's reputation, since I had use of one in high school during my Yearbook photography days. It's my intention to stay with Nikon mounts as much as possible (although not strickly necessary with the GF-1 given the many adapters available) since that would allow me to use them on both the Panasonic and the Nikons.

Any thoughts or pointers would be welcomed! I'm pretty much an "old fashioned" straight photography guy and shoots virtually no video at all, so that's not a consideration.

[olroy2044]

First of all, allow me to add my welcome to you.  I think you will enjoy your time here.  I certainly do, and I've been here quite some time.

I'm already on the trail of the Kiron made Vivitar 70-150mm/f3.8 Close
Focusing (two-touch). Probably for nostalgic reasons as much as it's
reputation, since I had use of one in high school during my Yearbook
photography days.

I have one of those lenses, along with the 2X Matchmate teleconverter designed specificaly for use with it.  In my opinion, it is a superb lens, both on film and digital.  I just switched to a DSLR about 6 months ago, after being strictly a film user.  I purchased a used Canon 20D due to budgetary constraints.  I have a considerable number of K-mount and M42 lenses, and they work well on the 20D, with good adapters.  If you are able to locate one of the 75-150 lenses in Nikon mount, I think you would enjoy it.

If you take a look at the "Legacy lenses on the 20D" thread, I have posted several photos taken with my old lenses on digital.  Most of my lenses are third party, with the exception of "normal" lenses which were came on my collection of film SLRs.  I got started  collecting 3rd party lenses, and have just sorta continued with it.

As an aside, Vivitar also sold 75-150 lenses by other makers, Tokina in particular.  I have no experience with those so cannot speak to their quality.  Other Tokina-built lenses in my collection, however, are of generally excellent quality.

Hope this was useful

Roy (not too messed up by meds this morning )

Maybe I'm fuzzier than I thought!  Had to edit this post repeatedly to get it to make sense!

[Stan]

Thanks for the confirmation. Other than the 50mm Nikkor, I just haven't used much in the way of MF glass on my digital bodies at all. So I'm coming from the opposite direction as you, having had more experience with the digital end, and less on the MF glass. So I'm glad to hear that the Vivitar would be a good place to start.

If you don't mind me commenting on your choice due to "budgetary constraints" of the 20D; I believe the 6 & 8Mp DSLR bodies form kind of a secret great deal segment. IMHO, the vast majority of users don't need anything higher res except on rare occasions. I started with a Nikon D70 for the same reason, and have found that some of my best images are still from the long-gone camera! I tell people all the time, that it's all about glass, technique and being there. These things ranging from the various Canons, Nikons, Pentaxes and the really below the radar Konica/Minoltas are just great deals right now!

[olroy2044]

Skchen, I don't mind at all. I agree with you that glass and technique are probably as important, or more so, than simply getting the highest pixel count. What I was looking for was a comparable Pentax, due to the in-body stabilization. But the Pentax were more expensive because I would have needed to buy a complete camera to get an autofocus lens, whereas I already had an EF lens from my film Rebel. I was able to purchase a 20D body and equip it for less money. Research showed that the Canon would be the best fit for me, and I have not been disappointed.

Here is another shot from the Kiron with the matchmate: I REALLY like that lens



Roy

[nikonbob]

Hey and welcome skchen. There are some things to be aware of, if you are not already, when using legacy lenses on your D300. Do not attempt to mount a non ai lens as it may damage the camera, ai or ai converted are generally fine. Achieving focus manually with the supplied focusing screen can be hit and miss. You are best off to use the AF focus indicator or at least cross check with it to confirm what you have manually focused on the screen is in focus. You can reassign the function of some buttons to make things easier too with manual focus lenses. Can't comment on manual focus lens use on a D50 having never owned but I think there are some restrictions there too. Have fun.

Bob

[Stan]

Thanks for the heads up on the AI issue. Up to this point, the only MF lenses I've acquired are the 50mm/f1.4 Nikkor that has been converted to AI as well as having a CPU chip put on and a Tokina 500mm mirror lens that's AI. It's definitely something I'll keep an eye out for as I look at picking up more MF lenses.

I actually think I might be through with buying autofocus lenses completely and might just stick to MF only from here on out. I kind of wish that I had an FX sensor'd camera (eg. D700) so I could take better advantage of classic Nikkors without losing that 50% angle of view. I'm actually in the process of selling off some of my AF lenses "as we speak"!

On the focusing issue; that's an area that I'm still trying to figure out, and decide whether I want to buy a focusing screen. I found that in daylight, I actually focused better by eye vs. trying to use the confirmation light. However, I was far less successful inside a dimly lit building trying to shoot pictures at my nephews' birthday party last week! I strongly considering picking up one of those inexpensive rangefinder/microprism screens out of HK/China and giving that a try. Then if that turns out well and as I acquire more MF lenses, maybe getting the "cats-eye" screen for it.

I'm actually not concerned about the D50. I had picked up up as a backup to the D300 and a lightweight carry camera in lieu of it. However, I've recently acquired a Panasonic GF-1 which will take over this role. And given the proliferation of adapters for the Micro4/3rds format, give me great flexibility to experiment with virtually any lens.

[nikonbob]

Oddly enough I have gone the opposite route and use mainly AF glass now. Yea, the supplied focusing screen on a D300/D700 was not really intended for use in manual focusing and may go a long way to explaining difficulty focusing in bad light. A replacement screen intended for manual focusing might be the way to go. There also can be one slight problem that can add to miss focusing manually. It has been brought up on other forums and has to do with the focusing screen itself not being set at exactly the correct position to ensure accurate manual focusing as AF has nothing to do with the focusing screen. It need be only close enough that with diopter correction you see the screen clearly enough. If you send the D300 to Katz Eye to have the screen installed they will make sure it is shimmed to the proper position. I have an assortment of Nikon factory OEM shims for that purpose for my D700. Not all cameras have this slight miss match though. If you do a Google you can find lots of discussion on that issue.

I know exactly what you mean about the crop factor and wanting a D700. That is why I bought a D700 when they first came out. I bought a second hand D300 to use with my tele glass for animals/air shows where the crop factor becomes a benefit not a draw back.

Bob

[Stan]

Oh, I don't mean that I'm going to use my AF lenses less. I just feel like I have pretty much what I need to use....as long as I stay with DX anyway. I have a 18-200mm and a 18-70mm, which I find that I use the most. I wanted something that was smaller and lighter. The 18-200mm is great all everything when I just want to carry one lens out and about.

I had not thought about the possibility that the focusing screen being a little bit "out". That's definitely something to think about.

I know that thought of moving up to a D700 will continue to weigh on my mind, but I've only had the D300 for about a year and just not getting really comfortable with it. My upgrade route was a little weird, moving from a D70 to a D200, then to a D70s, THEN to the D300. The reason being that I sold the D200 when the market price on them was starting to fall, not wanting to keep it too long. And instead of going right to a D300, I had to save up for a while, so I picked up a D70s for very little since it had a problem of not being able to turn off (had to pull the battery).

[nikonbob]

I came at it a little differently with my first DSLR being the D700 as I already had manual focus glass and some older AF glass and did not want the crop factor to deal with. That and I did not want to buy a whole slew of DX glass. I found that it was hit and miss with the older glass, both MF&AF, as to what would work well on digital. The two issues that ruled some older glass out was excessive colour fringing and general unsharpness. That lead me to get two of the latest, at that time, generation of AFS VR full frame glass to take full advantage of what the body had to offer. I did that while I was still working because retirement was looming and it was a now or never type thing. Very happy I did that.

Like I said not all Nikon DSLRs suffer from that focusing screen issue.

The only reason I now own a DX lens was to go with the used D300 I had bought. It males the kit lighter when when I am primarily trying to shoot animals overseas. The 35/1.8G is a decent lems but boy my old 55/2.8 micro manual focus lens blows it out of the water for sharpness on digital. One of the success stories with older glass making the transition to digital.

Bob

[Stan]

Apr 22, 2013 7:06:05 GMT -5 nikonbob said:

The 35/1.8G is a decent lems but boy my old 55/2.8 micro manual focus lens blows it out of the water for sharpness on digital. One of the success stories with older glass making the transition to digital.

Hopefully, I'll be able to say the same thing when I've gotten the hang of using the 50/1.4 Nikkor! Of course, all the Micro Nikkors are legendary regarding their sharpness!

[Stan]

The Vivitar 70-150mm/f3.8 CF lens arrived recently. Unfortunately, it's arrival coincided with our busiest time with, state and national exams, followed by prom and banquets, etc. So there's been no time to shoot with it. However, I'm struck by how small it is!