Cheap manual Nikkors?

Hi all! Just had a sudden curiosity about cheap manual focus nikon lenses. I've got an old f-801 handed down by my dad (8008) and recently had 4 packs of film given to me for free, so I thought I'd just try it out. I'm also interested in using the lenses for my Canon 5D2 video.

I'm looking for the bang-for-buck stuff that's generally under 150-200 US Dollars, with focal length 50mm and below. Any gems I should look out for?

Gonna buy them locally, and I've got someone who wants to sell my the 35mm f/2 AI-S, and then someone who told me about a 20mm f/2.8 (not sure if it's AI-S or not).

Anyone? (:

I'm been thinking about getting (relatively) cheap Nikkors or Canon FD 1.2 lenses to play with very shallow DOF.

There's this Singaporean site: http://www.lens.sg/
and there is a 2nd hand lens store at Peninsula plaza, very near Benphoto, sorry I can't recall the store's name.

Hope this helps

Hi there cancan7, yes I do know about their website but any business will definitely have to increase their prices above the hobbyist trading market, and since I'm looking for the cheapest way to try out film, I'm gonna stick with asking around the local forums

Re the store at peninsular plaza, I believe you are talking about "The Camera Workshop". They too have very high prices!

Hey Zexun:
I would start reading over some reviews here: http://www.naturfotogr​af.com/lens_wide.html

If you plan to use it on that film body, make sure you keep to the AI /AIS/AIP/AI manual focus lenses, as the Non-AI ones could damage your film camera mount. (But work fine with an adapter on the F-->EOS)

Some good ones: Not sure if they are pricey.
nikon 24mm (AIS versions) 2/2.8
nikon (AIS versions) 28mm 2/2.8/3.5 (The 2.8 is great, has a real close MFD.) (The 3.5 is known to shoot very well into the sun.)

Also poke around here:
http://www.mir.com.my …rces/28mmnikkor​/index.htm

And if you just want to look at what others have done with them:
Take a peek on flikr (scroll down.)

http://www.flickr.com …discuss/7215760​0054401293

Hope this helps.
-Adam

hmmm now I'm thinking of buying manual Nikkor PC lenses. It's the cheapest way into tilt-shift lenses. Wonder where can I buy them besides Ebay

have you considered zuiko OM lenses if you want to play with manual focus? the wide angle ones are very good quality, very sharp and good value for money. eg the 28mm f2.8 for $140... http://cgi.ebay.com …3a61c3217f#ht_2​128wt_1140

Thanks for the help guys!

Yeap, all the 28mm lenses are expensive other than the f/3.5 which is a tad slow for what I want to do with them! Indeed the 28mm f/2.8 looks interesting!

As for OM lenses, I've definitely thought about them but I also want the lenses to be able to be used (without adding more cost to "OM" -> "F" adapters) with my Nikon F-801 / 8008 (:


As of now I'm down to these lenses after receiving messages from various sellers:

28mm f/2.8 E (SG $180)
35mm f/2 AI-S (SG $200)
50mm f/1.8 E (SG $90) --- VERY interested in this - so small and cheap!
50mm f/1.4 AI-S (SG $200)

Exchange rate is about 1.3 SGD = 1 USD

I'm thinking the 35mm f/2 would be a good buy for usability AND the 50mm f/1.8 E for compactness. Anyone wanna comment?

The Nikkor lenses will work O.K. with an adapter. In fact quite a few people use other brand manual macro lenses on their Canon cameras with adapters.

However, the problem with Canon FD lenses is that they will not focus to infinity with an adapter which doesn't include glass. With such an adapter (which is expensive and hard to find) image quality is compromised...

RPCrowe wrote in post #11534525
The Nikkor lenses will work O.K. with an adapter. In fact quite a few people use other brand manual macro lenses on their Canon cameras with adapters.

However, the problem with Canon FD lenses is that they will not focus to infinity with an adapter which doesn't include glass. With such an adapter (which is expensive and hard to find) image quality is compromised...

I understand about them FD lenses Won't touch them.

Headshotzx wrote in post #11534936
I understand about them FD lenses Won't touch them.

its too bad that they don't work, that FD 85 1.2 would be amazing on a 5D

Look over my gear list and ask me about any of my Nikon (or other) lenses.

gasrocks wrote in post #11535064
Look over my gear list and ask me about any of my Nikon (or other) lenses.

Not much to ask really the nikkor lenses all go for more than 300 SG bucks here in Singapore!

Just set up a viewing of the 35mm f/2 AI-S in a few hours. Hope it goes well. Is it a good lens?

Well, it's definitely a good lens:

Bought it! Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-S on 5D Mark II:

First two photos shot through window of rail train.

glad you're happy with your lens Zexun. You got a great deal for it?

How does it compare, price and optically to the Canon 35 f2?

Because you're giving up AE and AF, so that's a big sacrifice...