Manual focus Nikon lenses...do I need AI/AI-S?

Hi, I am considering delving into the world of manual focus lenses, and I am considering getting some old Nikon lenses to mess around with.

I was curious, is there any difficulty in mounting pre-AI or pre-AI-S lenses onto Canon bodies? I am considering getting some lenses that were manufactured before AI or AI-S came around.

Should I be looking at AI or AI-S or newer lenses, or does it matter?

Thanks

You can adapt non AI lenses to your EOS camera. AI/AI-S becomes redundant when adapted to EOS bodies.

Found a Nikkor Micro 55mm 1:3.5 with beat up exterior but clean glass. What a nice crisp lens! Love it!

There are many older Nikkors which are outstanding. Some of the best glass to come out of Japan.

Look out for 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 Nikkors, 85mm f/2 is a cracker of a lens as is the 20mm f/2.8 or f/3.5. The Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 is a classic.

I still have a bag full of Nikkors going back to the late 1970s, ranging from 20mm to 300mm which one day I'll adapt to my EOS DSLR cameras.

Check this out.

http://support.nikonus​a.com …-lens,-and-non-ai-lens%3F

yogestee wrote in post #12497262
I still have a bag full of Nikkors going back to the late 1970s, ranging from 20mm to 300mm which one day I'll adapt to my EOS DSLR cameras.

it's so easy to use them with adapters! i can't believe you've waited this long

banpreso wrote in post #12671891
it's so easy to use them with adapters! i can't believe you've waited this long

I don't have them with me They are in the hands of my niece in Australia who still shoots film.

I had always listened to all the Nikon hype about how any Nikon lens ever made will work on any Nikon camera ever made - unlike Canon. Ha. WE (us Canon shooters) can use any Nikon lens ever made - with an adapter, of course. But, Nikon DSLR owners cannot. They must have Ai or newer for it to even mount without damage to the body.

i'm curious to see what you have... there are some really nice nikkors.

if you are sitting on stuff like 35 1.4, 85 1.4, 300 2.8, or monsters like 200 f2 and 58 1.2, you're really gonna kick yourself in the head

gasrocks wrote in post #12672013
I had always listened to all the Nikon hype about how any Nikon lens ever made will work on any Nikon camera ever made - unlike Canon. Ha. WE (us Canon shooters) can use any Nikon lens ever made - with an adapter, of course. But, Nikon DSLR owners cannot. They must have Ai or newer for it to even mount without damage to the body.

lol we're saying that now, it did suck for the FD shooters back in the day who had heavy investments into glasses... but yah, it's nice to be an EOS shooter... we get most of the mounts adaptable to EOS.

banpreso wrote in post #12672028
i'm curious to see what you have... there are some really nice nikkors.

if you are sitting on stuff like 35 1.4, 85 1.4, 300 2.8, or monsters like 200 f2 and 58 1.2, you're really gonna kick yourself in the head

OK,, all AI-S Nikkors.. 20mm f/3.5, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/2, 135mm f/2.8, AI 200mm f/4, 300mm f/2.8 IF ED, 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5...

I have a the nikkor 50mmf/2 and a 28mm f/2.8 and love them.

I have primes from every gen of manual focus, from pre-ai to Ai and Ai-s......everything that has been said so far, plus the Nikkor pre-AI 35/2, 35/2.8 and Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 rev 1.

Early Nikkors were not multicoated...when comparing my single coated 85/1.8 to the later MC 85/1.8 the latter is about 1/3 F-stop brighter with better contrast.

The Canon 18-55 IS is better than the early 35/2 and 24/2.8 Nikkors...at least from my experience.

The focusing barrel of Nikkors earlier than AIS versions have a longer "throw" than AIS Nikkors, which some like better, for more gradual focusing in a video tracking shot...while others prefer the AIS's shorter "throw" so the point of focus "pops" in and out more quickly...

On my Nikon F bodies the smaller versions of lenses, like the 85/F2, seemed to "fit" better than the heavier 1.8 version...but on the 40D, the larger 1.8 seems to "fit" better....in my hands...
I went from the very good 135/2.8-Q to the compact 135/2.8-K, and though the "k" may be better, I miss the bulk of the earlier "Q"

See my sig below for Nikkors that are "WIMB"....I recommend them ALL....without hesitation...but with one caveat...focusing accuracy takes a lot of practice...getting the alternative MF screen by Canon or 3rd parties help a lot...check out the EC-A below....

http://www.focusingscr​een.com …61cbddddbd62b40​8cf02380cd

kitacanon wrote in post #12686525
On my Nikon F bodies the smaller versions of lenses, like the 85/F2, seemed to "fit" better than the heavier 1.8 version...but on the 40D, the larger 1.8 seems to "fit" better....in my hands...
I went from the very good 135/2.8-Q to the compact 135/2.8-K, and though the "k" may be better, I miss the bulk of the earlier "Q"

The Nikkor AI-S 85mm f/2 is a small lens. Not much bigger at infinity than a Nikkor 50mm..

I've got an AI-S 85mm f/2. This lens is crazy sharp even wide open and it renders beautiful contrast. Using this lens when shooting Tri-X I could get an amazing brightness range with just normal development in D76 or ID11..

What is it with 85mm lenses?? Something in their optical design which makes them special? My EF 85mm f/1.8 is also brilliant.

Ahhhhh D76... I remember it well.....my standard back in the day....waaay back...10min@70° was my ASA/ISO 2000 for night shots/indoor shooting...

85-105mm must be a special sweet spot for optics as so many wonderful lenses are in that range, special in it's own way, and not just easy to make like the 135mm FL of which there are so many good lenses too...

The 85/2 being an AIS is easy (well easier) to focus wide open as its narrow focal length and shorter barrel rotation makes the point of focus "pop" in and out more clearly...