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The Ultimate Nikon AIS set

Peter Osinski

Peter Osinski

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Hey guys,

Thanks to all of the input from members on this forum in my other thread you guys have basically talked me into getting a nikon ais prime set. I am trying to put together the best set possible but due to the fact that many of these lenses can't be rented anymore I need some help picking the best glass. Also, it is a given that I won't be getting exotic lenses like the 13mm 5.6. So here are my choices as of now:

nikon 18mm 3.5 ais
nikon 24mm 2.0 ais
nikon 35mm 1.4 ais
nikon 50mm 1.2 ais
nikon 85mm 1.4 ais
nikon 135mm 2.0 ais
nikon 200mm 2.0 ais

What do you guys think of this set? Am I overlooking anything? Are there better alternatives at similar focal lengths?

Thanks
 
I ended up putting together a set of the following AIS primes:
24/2.0
35/1.4
50/1.2
85/1.4
105/1.8

I'm pretty happy with all of them except the 24/2.0, which is pretty soft even stopped down (I'm looking into replacing it with a 20/2.8 and a 28/2.8 at some point, but my work right now mostly involves telephoto shots). The 35/1.4 is very soft and gauzy wide open, but has much better sharpness, color and contrast once you stop down to f/2 (I really like the look it has when stopped down, but some people just get a 35/2.0 AIS instead). The 28/2.8 is the most distortion-free of the wide angles, and might be worth considering if you're going to have anything with straight lines in your wide angle shots. Both the 105/2.5 and the 105/1.8 are fantastic lenses. It might be worth comparing the 50/1.2 to a 50/1.4 to see which one you like better - they're both very nice, but have a different look to them. Other than that, the telephotos you have in there are top-notch.
 
you are missing the 58mm 1.2 noct. replace the 50 with it. and of course the 105 1.8....
just sayin.....

Best place to buy used is keh.com
 
Yeah the 105 1.8 is kinda legendary. Even from the dark recesses of my Contax world, I quietly lust for the 105 1.8. I figure there is a reason some lenses are "legendary".
 
Nathaniel Kramer said:
Hey Nick, how are you?
I love my 105.. its vintage 1989... If they could get rehoused, you could have a 300 dollar lens (plus rehousing cost) that is a beauty and would hold its own against Arri Zeiss Super speeds
Click to expand...

Some of the best vintage lenses...is where it's at...have you tried a Rokkor 58 1.2? Getting TWO of them modded as we speak...DROOOOL.....

Also getting a Nikkor 200 f2 and 300 2.8 worked on by RP lens too. CAN'T WAIT!!!
 
i own a noct 58 1.2 and the 200 f2 ED EF i believe and the 300 2.8... biggest problem with 200 and 300 is supporting the weight. even with a lens support, i think the nikon mount is flexing.. it looks wack, but i stuff paper back books between the rods and lens plate, and use a lens support, but i think the rods are flexing.. I actually thing the way to mount is to mount lens to sticks, as it was designed, and then just let the epic hang on.
i dont know the rokkor
 
Nathaniel Kramer said:
i own a noct 58 1.2 and the 200 f2 ED EF i believe and the 300 2.8... biggest problem with 200 and 300 is supporting the weight. even with a lens support, i think the nikon mount is flexing.. it looks wack, but i stuff paper back books between the rods and lens plate, and use a lens support, but i think the rods are flexing.. I actually thing the way to mount is to mount lens to sticks, as it was designed, and then just let the epic hang on.
i dont know the rokkor
Click to expand...

Yikes (about the Nikkor weight). Getting both of mine Leitaxed to EOS mount. Maybe the Titanium EOS mount is needed?

I'll know in a couple of weeks when I get them back.

The Rokkor 58 1.2 is popular in the stills forum. Has CREAMY but SWIRLY bokeh. And sharp (enough) wide open. Has a loyal and vibrant following. If you have the 58 1.2 NOCT then you probably ain't missing much.
 
Peter Osinski said:
Hey guys,

Thanks to all of the input from members on this forum in my other thread you guys have basically talked me into getting a nikon ais prime set. I am trying to put together the best set possible but due to the fact that many of these lenses can't be rented anymore I need some help picking the best glass. Also, it is a given that I won't be getting exotic lenses like the 13mm 5.6. So here are my choices as of now:

nikon 18mm 3.5 ais
nikon 24mm 2.0 ais
nikon 35mm 1.4 ais
nikon 50mm 1.2 ais
nikon 85mm 1.4 ais
nikon 135mm 2.0 ais
nikon 200mm 2.0 ais

What do you guys think of this set? Am I overlooking anything? Are there better alternatives at similar focal lengths?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you're interested in purchasing lenses, you might want to check out the group buy I'm planing for rehoused Leica or Nikon AIs lenses. We might also end up getting Schneider Kreuznach's new Xenon FF lenses.
 
I have a decent sample of 24/F2 but I agree about wide open. I'm thinking of getting some new lenses in the 20-28mm range.

These lenses definitely stand the test of time and they are versatile as they can be mounted on many cameras which I do all of the time.
 
Evin Grant said:
FYI the 28mm F2 is much sharper than the 24mm F2 Nikkor.
There is also an 18mm F2.8 AF lens that is built just as well as an AIS.
Or go with the stellar 17-35mm 2.8.
Click to expand...

Thanks Evin, I appreciate your input. You kind of the nikon guru around here.

Here's the thing. I have had the 14-24mm 2.8, 24-70mm 2.8, and 80-200mm 2.8. I sold the 14-24 and 24-70 so I could get a 17-35 and 28-70 which have aperture rings. In the end I just cant stand the feel of the focus ring on AF lenses. Also the focus throw is about 25 degrees on some of them


I think now I am set on the following:

15MM 3.5
20mm 2.8
28mm f/2
35mm 1.4
50mm 1.2
85mm 1.4
105mm 1.8
135mm f/2


Do you by chance know what the focus throw is like on any of these lenses?
 
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