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Digital Nikon with manual lenses

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
So here it is, the new thread for manual lenses on digital Nikon cameras. My first contribution is with the 105mm f/1.8 AiS with the D810. At f/5.6, and also at f/4, the lens shows amazing detail and sharpness. At f/2.8, it's still very useable. F/2.0 and 1.8 gives rather a rather "dreamy" look on this camera, but is still useable for certain purposes.

 

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
Here's a lens that I bought many years ago, but more or less forgot about since I was using DX format cameras, the 28mm f/2.0 AiS. Many say that it's mediocre because corners aren't sharp at f/2.0, but who cares anyway? Corners won't be in focus at f/2 under any circumstances, unless I were shooting brick walls, which I don't.

It sharpens up nicely already at f/2.8 and from f/4 it's great. My most used lens on the D810 so far. Here's one at f/8:

 

Godfrey

Well-known member
Love seeing all these photos with Nikkors and Zeiss F-mount lenses. :)
You'll motivate me to load my F if you keep this up ...

G
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Ah, forgot about the PC-E's being manual focus ;)

D800, PC-E 24, 1/2 sec at f8, ISO 100, no tilt:


D800E, 24 PC-E, 5 sec at F8, ISO 100, 1 degree tilt:

 

gurtch

Well-known member
This is a fun thread. As many have pointed out, certain "old" lenses have a "look" to the way they draw an image. However, I for one, have become spoiled as to how good modern computer designed, multi coated lenses are. Some "old" lenses were really not very good. I put an old 135mm f2.8 Nikkor-Q (AI'd) on a D800E. The lens has a built in sliding hood, which I used. ISO 400 1/160 sec, f11. To add to the fun, I processed the RAW image twice in Exposure plug in. Once to emulate Kodachrome 25, and one to emulate Fuji 50. Even though I used the hood, look at the veiling flair on the edges; especially the right edge (that's where the sun was).
Thanks for the modern lenses, although I know, carefully used, lens traits/flaws can be used in artistic ways.
Keep them coming!
Dave in NJ
 

SHV

Member
"I for one, have become spoiled as to how good modern computer designed,..."
****
That's been my limited experience, that the performance of film era 'blad lenses fall off when pushed to higher resolutions. I got a 'blad Zeiss 100mm 3.5 today and due to rain did a few shot off of a covered deck. I did a non-scientific comparison of the 100mm and the closest Nikon prime that I have, the 85mm 1.4. The second is a tight crop with the 100mm and the third is a similar crop with the 85mm. I think that the old 'blad did quite well.

Steve
 
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