D200 + Nikon AI Lenses = Post Images Here [Archive]

RayPA

09-07-2007, 21:37

peterc

09-07-2007, 21:41

I'm using my AI-converted, AI and AI-S Nikkors on a pair of old D1 bodies. The 50/1.2, 85/2, Nikkor-O 35/2, and Nikkor-P 105/2.5 are some of my favourites.

Peter

JayC

09-07-2007, 21:46

I am actuaaly trying to sell my 55 f2.8 micro, and 20 f2.8. The 20mm is so hard to see if focus is on. I feel that if I am investing in an electonic camera, I should make it earn it's keep by focusing the lens for me:p

Dave Wilkinson

09-08-2007, 02:22

Here's one with my old 50mm f1.4 (non AI)-from the sixties! not a D200, but a
Fuji S3 pro. :(

JOE1951

09-08-2007, 03:30

Really glad to see this thread.

I've been considering a D200, or now a D300 for my first serious digital camera, just so I can maintain my investment in my AI-S lens kit.

I've read other forums that the older nikkors don't perform as well. Glad to see thread that proves this wrong!!

Todd.Hanz

09-08-2007, 05:24

I love mine, the 50/1.2 is awesome and produces some very film-like images to my eye. At closer inspection there seems to be a double image bokeh thingy happening a bit though.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1033/871793298_898013dbea_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/867323522_b7040fadef_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1391/867323456_d438820c36_o.jpg

GeneW

09-08-2007, 05:46

I bought a D200 mainly because of my AIS lenses and I love using them. Mostly older lenses that I've picked up second-hand, but one new one in the mix: the CV 40mm f/2 Ultron SL in AIS mount. It's become my fave lens when I go out with a single lens attached. Here's the lens and some of the shots I've taken with it:

CV 40/2 Ultron
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1310/1154443168_e96cabbcf8_o.jpg

Newspaper boxes (bokeh test)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1149/1154576072_94f1700b46_o.jpg

Busker
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/1154658510_a7813799db_o.jpg

Artist's Brush
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/1155232371_b3f894d610_o.jpg

Gene

AusDLK

09-08-2007, 05:47

Me loves my Fuji S5 Pro.

But I gave up on manual focus lenses since the focus screen really is no help.

And I don't have the courage to self-install one of those Katz-Eye screens.

jl-lb.ms

09-08-2007, 05:52

Hi - this was one of the main attractors for me with the D200, to be able to shoot with classic AI lenses.

This one was made with a 50/1.2 non-AI that had been converted to AI:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/1132239751_949243ca68_o.jpg

Here's one with a 55 macro:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/386010132_16cc9024f2_o.jpg

With a Sigma 400 manual focus telephoto
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1097/860642797_e57ad8defe_o.jpg

John

Todd.Hanz

09-08-2007, 06:08

hey Gene,
that 40mm is a sweet looking little lens, nice work!

John,
your converted 50/1.2 seems to have a little smoother bokeh than mine, I need to drag out mine and shoot more.

Todd

GeneW

09-08-2007, 06:48

Todd, John, nice work. I love the 50/1.2 look and am keeping my eye out for one -- but they usually go pretty high. I got a nice 50/1.4 though that looks pretty good wide open.

Gene

zgeeRF

09-08-2007, 07:04

Using the old AI lenses was my reason for the D200 as well. Here is an example with my 24 f/2.8 shown in the second picture..
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=49453&stc=1&d=1189263700

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=49454&stc=1&d=1189263719

George

RayPA

09-08-2007, 07:24

I'm using my AI-converted, AI and AI-S Nikkors on a pair of old D1 bodies. The 50/1.2, 85/2, Nikkor-O 35/2, and Nikkor-P 105/2.5 are some of my favourites.

Peter

Peter, post your D1 shots!
...but one new one in the mix: the CV 40mm f/2 Ultron SL in AIS mount. It's become my fave lens when I go out with a single lens attached. Here's the lens and some of the shots I've taken with it:

Gene, I just bought this lens with the same hood. I'm gonna shoot with it today.

...
Here's one with a 55 macro:
John, I love the 55 macro. It's one of my favs. I shoot a lot of orchids with it.

:)

RayPA

09-08-2007, 07:26

I...At closer inspection there seems to be a double image bokeh thingy happening a bit though.

I've noticed this with mine too.

.

edlake

09-14-2007, 04:36

Here's a shot of the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. According to the website, it's 520 feet tall. The photo was taken with a AI'd 180 2.8 on a D200 two weeks ago. On the raw file you can "almost" see people's faces! Taken hand held.

Cheers

Warren T.

09-14-2007, 05:43

Ray,

I've been using a variety of ai lenses on my D100 ever since I bought it over four years ago :).

I use the D100's in-focus indicator as a focusing aid. As you know, the D100 does not meter with non-cpu lenses, so I deternine exposure the old fashioned way with the help of the D100's histogram and blinking highlights displays.

Here's one example. It's a shot of a historic Formula 1 racer exiting the paddock area, taken with my Nikkor 35mm f2.0 ai lens.

--Warren

peterc

09-14-2007, 06:32

Heron an minnow. Nikon D1 with AI-Nikkor 300/4.5
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/1313609543_0bae275fe7_o.jpg

Grooming wasp. Nikon D1 with Nikkor-P 55/3.5
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1174/1258932291_7c80880163_o.jpg

Frankie

09-14-2007, 06:45

I have many manual AIs lenses for use on my "ancient" F2. I have always hoped that Nikon will make a full-frame D...and now they do in the new D3. Reading between the lines in the recent dpreview.com news release, the D3 will accept "non-CPU AIs lenses" and allow some metering, A and M mode operations and manual focuing of course. That is all I want. Imagine focusing the lens, AE and bracketing at will...up to 9 fps...all supported by dual big memory cards...old fashioned news photog style.

Your pictures confirmed my fantasy is not fantasy at all...thanks.

willie_901

09-14-2007, 10:34

What's wrong with you guys?!?

Don't you know that using a lens that's not designed specifically for digital sensors produces poor images because of reflections from the lens elements that hit the sensor ?

At least that's what some dogmatic people on the Nikonian Forum insist on. In my experience this is rubbish.

My AI/AIS glass produces high quality images with the D200. When I'm not shooting commercially (which demands a super-wide zoom), I usually have an AI/AIS on my D200. My best is the 105/2.5 AI. The 24/2.8 AIS and 28/2.8 AIS do well too. Even my ancient AI'd Nippon 50/1.4 performs like a champ. I recently sold a 28-85/3.5-4.5 AIS zoom. That lens produced incredible results on the D200.

I will post some of my examples this soon even though they will pale in comparison to the beautiful photos posted abpve.

willie

peterc

09-14-2007, 10:46

What's wrong with you guys?!?
We're just too stupid to realize we're getting horrible results. :D

In my experience this is rubbish.
I have yet to find one of the old Nikkors (apart from the ones that were rubbish for film photography too) that doesn't give excellent results when used on a dSLR. Even the old single-coated Nikkors and Series E primes are great performers.

ampguy

09-14-2007, 10:49

There are great photos in this thread from D200s and the various lenses used.

I'm curious if any d200 users looked at or considered the fuji version of the d200 with high dynamic range?

Seems a growing number of us are using the Nikon D200 and twisting on manual focus AI lenses. It's a great feeling to shoot with a state-of-the-art DSLR, using manual focus lenses (and shooting in manual exposure mode, too). Post some of your images here.

Dave Wilkinson

09-15-2007, 03:34

There are great photos in this thread from D200s and the various lenses used.

I'm curious if any d200 users looked at or considered the fuji version of the d200 with high dynamic range?

I love my Fuji S3pro., ......don't think I would see much benefit by changing to the new S5!. :) .....heres a couple - with my old 50mm f1.4 non AI Nikkor.

willie_901

09-15-2007, 07:25

Left to Right:

35/2.0 AIS, 1/640, f4

28/85 AIS, 1/32, f8

Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 AI, 1/80, f2

mllanos1111

09-15-2007, 07:58

Here are a couple (girll) from a 50/1.2 test "roll" and one (boy) using a 85/2 (ignore exif, it's the f2). I find the 50/1.2 to have nice soft OOFA and a natural almost film-like look. Both 50/1.2 shots have no PS USM applied (although a bit of in-camera sharpening). The 85/2 shot has little USM applied.

\/

I have a 50mm 1.2 I just purchased and now I'm selling it. Not sure if it's my copy or just this lens, but it just seems too soft wide open. I thought it would be tack sharp wide open but it's very mushy. Is your copy like this as well?

peterc

09-15-2007, 09:29

A couple of examples from my AI-S 50/1.2, both at full aperture, taken with a Fuji S2.

Arrow
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/1387725002_8a48e40e93_o.jpg

Eyes
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/1387724604_1c412d56c4_o.jpg

GeneW

09-15-2007, 10:38

Nice images, Peter!

Here's a shot I took while cooking this morning -- frying some onions in olive oil before adding some garlic, then fresh chopped kale.

Nikon D200, Micro-Nikkor AIS 55/2.8

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/1387930972_316db1c090.jpg

Gene

peterc

09-15-2007, 11:12

Cooking with Gene. Looks good.

RayPA

09-15-2007, 11:24

I have a 50mm 1.2 I just purchased and now I'm selling it. Not sure if it's my copy or just this lens, but it just seems too soft wide open. I thought it would be tack sharp wide open but it's very mushy. Is your copy like this as well?

I'm not sure what "mushy" means, but I haven't noticed the results to be unpleasant looking. Maybe you can post an example. I found an image I shot wide open, and I think I have a good focal point. Let me know if it looks mushy. :)

Here are two Flickr groups folks might want to check out:

Flickr: Nikkor (http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikkor/)
Flickr: Nikon Manual Lens on DSLR (fairly new group) (http://www.flickr.com/groups/337726@N20/)

:)

Todd.Hanz

10-03-2007, 18:57

I just picked up a Nikkor 105/2.5 AIS, man this lens is sharp wide open on my D200...

Todd

Todd.Hanz

10-03-2007, 20:08

Nice pics Lewis,
is there anyway we can seperate these so we don't have to scroll sideways?

Todd

lewis44

10-03-2007, 20:12

Nice pics Lewis,

is there anyway we can seperate these so we don't have to scroll sideways?

Todd

I'm not sure, I'm scrolling down when I view them. I'll see if I can reduce the size.
Randy

RayPA

10-03-2007, 20:16

I just picked up a Nikkor 105/2.5 AIS, man this lens is sharp wide open on my D200...

Todd

Good lens. I've got that one in the stable, too.

Two treatments + 1
\/ \/ \/

lewis44

10-03-2007, 20:18

Some pics of my trip to the Oregon Coast. Nice to use MF Lenses on the D200. I've never mounted an AF lens on it.
Randy

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/1412640919_16ffa786be.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/1413524370_d01a8dedc1.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/1413524016_b3e89e6c9b.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1419/1413524580_e8f1cf56d5.jpg

willie_901

10-03-2007, 20:23

D200, Nippon Kogaku Nikkor 50/1.4 AI

Todd.Hanz

10-03-2007, 20:28

Nice shot willie, great light! My 50/1.4 won't fit my D200, it fits my FUji S2 fine but it only turns halfway on my D200.

Todd

willie_901

10-03-2007, 20:35

Thanks Todd,

I guess I lucked out with this lens because it fits. Of course this lens was AI'd (by somebody).

kalokeri

10-04-2007, 05:40

Don't you know that using a lens that's not designed specifically for digital sensors produces poor images because of reflections from the lens elements that hit the sensor ?

At least that's what some dogmatic people on the Nikonian Forum insist on. In my experience this is rubbish.

willie

You´re absolutely right, Willie. I´m using (old) AF-primes with my D80 - Ai or Ais do not work - and I´m very content with the results. Even a friend of mine who only uses lenses designed for digital saw no difference.

Maybe our eyes don´t work well enough ... and maybe we don´t really know about real quality because most of us use film and old fashioned cameras besides the digital ...

:)

Thomas

willie_901

10-05-2007, 18:50

Thomas,

Isn't it great to keep enjoying old friends?

willie

RayPA

01-14-2008, 07:41

Just Bumping this thread.
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
and adding that there is a new Nikon forum called, Nikon Camera User (http://nikoncamerauser.com/). It's only a couple of days old and it looks like it needs members.

Note: I've no affliation with the site; I'm just a member.

.

kalokeri

01-14-2008, 09:15

Thanks for the information, Ray. A whole forum about the yellow evil, great.

Thomas

bluelight

01-25-2008, 10:47

mllanos1111

01-25-2008, 11:40

I am a Canon DSLR shooter BUT I own quite a few Nikon MF lense (:-)

I have benn considering a S5Pro for its ability to take F Mount lenses and better high ISO performance than D200.

Just wonder for non-CPU'ed AI lenses, do I need to stop down for metering or I'll get auto aperture.

What I'm looking for is a good digital body that works like a FE2 to save on film.

Thanks,

Ed

I'm not sure about the D200, but I'm sure it's similar to my D300. I program in the lens and I can use matrix metering or set the camera to Aperture priority, manaul or whatever. I use my AI and Zeiss ZF lenses no problem.
I works great

bluelight

01-25-2008, 16:40

Thanks,

So when you change aperture, it is sill wide open in focusing and it will automatically stop when you press the shutter?

mllanos1111

01-25-2008, 17:18

Thanks,

So when you change aperture, it is sill wide open in focusing and it will automatically stop when you press the shutter?

Yes exactly

Rodinal Addict

01-25-2008, 17:43

Will my D70s work the same way, with Nikkor manual focus lenses?

bluelight

01-25-2008, 17:45

Thanks and I now need to save up for a S5pro....

Leighgion

01-25-2008, 18:53

There is a significant minority of Nikon DSLR owners who reap bargains on manual focus F-mount lenses and use them even on models that offer no metering support at all. For D40/x shooters like myself, we can even use pre-AI glass due to the lack of an AF motor. No AF motor, no AF coupling to damage!

I now own nine AIS-type lenses that do regular duty on my D40. Everything's got to be shot full manual with no metering.

24mm f2.8 AIS
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/1645333415_5647aeb558.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1645333415/)

50mm f1.4 AIS
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1295/1226777555_4c40a20bc6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1226777555/)

55mm f2.8 AIS Micro
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1145459935_dc3cd5b2e7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1145459935/)

85mm f2 AIS
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/2198525969_6211fd8e28.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/2198525969/)

Kiron 80-200mm f4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2219923490_ae42aa4003.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/2219923490/)

100mm f2.8 Series E
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/1817817000_c6b54d2c49.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1817817000/)

135mm f2.8 Series E
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/1702095535_ed69be0945.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1702095535/)

500mm f8 Reflex-C
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1466347018_ee7bc5ead2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighgion/1466347018/)