Recommendations for 35mm MF Nikon lens for an FM

logan2z · Nov 18, 2019

I recently picked up a Nikon FM that came with the 50mm/1.8 AI lens. I'm more of a 35mm focal length guy and was thinking about adding one of those. For the type of photos I take I almost never shoot wide open so I don't really need a super fast prime like the f1.4. I was thinking about looking for an f2 AI-S but read that it suffers from some barrel distortion and vignetting, although (like most lenses) this improves when stopped down (I was also a bit surprised that they're in the $300 range for a nice example - I thought these 'vintage' lenses had fallen out of favor ). I've discounted the f2.8 since it seems that it is not one of Nikon's better lenses of this type.

Are there any others I should consider?

I shoot a lot of urban landscapes and some street stuff and am usually shooting around f8, so perhaps the f2's shortcomings wouldn't be apparent to me.

alentine · Nov 18, 2019

If you prefer 35mm, it's either 35mm f/1.4 AI-S or 35mm f/2 AI-S.
Could not recommend the f/1.4 Ais over the f/2 because it's blurry at f/1.4.
But, if you prefer 28mm, go with the later version of 28mm f/2.8 AI-S.
It's even better in sharpness than both 35mm.
AFD 35mm f/2 is better than 35mm AI-S, but comes in plastic shell as AF lens.
AFD 28mm f/1.4 is among the best wide angle lenses, but huge compared to other lenses mentioned above.
if I recommend one wide angle lens, it's 28mm f/2.8 AI-S(later type), solid construction sharp lens small and light weight.

BradS · Nov 18, 2019

I too would strongly recommend the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S. It is widely recognized as one of the best Nikon manual focus lenses.

jimjm · Nov 18, 2019

I have a 35/2 AI that I picked up a few years ago, to replace a 35/2.8 that was not very good at all. One of the few times I've given up a Nikon lens because of image quality, but the difference between the two was significant.
I've never noticed any distortion issues with the 35/2, but I just did a few quick test shots with mine and there is a tiny amount of barrel distortion at f:2, less at 2.8 and completely gone at f:4. Again, something I would never notice with normal use and the lens is otherwise an excellent performer. Like you, 35mm is a good "walking-around" length for me.
I agree with alentine that the 28/2.8 AIS is an even better lens. The AI version is a completely different design, so look for the AIS if you decide to get one. I use this one a lot for nature and landscape shooting, if I don't want to carry around a larger-format camera. A lot of folks still use manual focus lenses on their digicams, so the Nikons with good reputations (especially primes) are still pretty pricey.
Not sure about other 35's in Nikon mount, maybe Zeiss has one? I hear their F-mount 50mm lens is very good.

abruzzi · Nov 18, 2019

I’ve found the reviews at this site useful:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html

I’ve also found that I personally am not as particular and nit-picky as a lot of lens review sites. I’ve been happy with a NIKKOR-OC 35mm f2, even if it might not be the best lens in the world.

Pieter12 · Nov 18, 2019

One of the advantages of a fast lens is a brighter viewfinder, even if you never use it wide open. Something to consider.

macfred · Nov 18, 2019

BradS said:
I too would strongly recommend the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S. It is widely recognized as one of the best Nikon manual focus lenses.

This !

I have the 35mm f/2.0 AI-S and it 's a lens I really like.

logan2z · Nov 18, 2019

Pieter12 said:
One of the advantages of a fast lens is a brighter viewfinder, even if you never use it wide open. Something to consider.

Good point. I've traditionally used rangefinders so viewfinder brightness as a function of aperture is something I often forget about.

Christiaan Phleger · Nov 19, 2019

I have had many Nikkor 35mms pass thru my hands over the years and I think the Ai-S f/2 is the best balance of lens; relatively inexpensive, not uncommon, lightweight, sharp and reasonable bokeh. I kept two of the best tested lenses and often tested them against my own Summicron M and found the results almost indistinguishable. I consider the Ai-S f/2 the SLR Summicron and have gifted my son one of my own to use. When he is older I'll teach him how to clean and re-lube and adjust.

(Just a little tip for the DIY'ers; when cleaning pay attention to the torque of the front group and especially the rear group,)

Not to be too contrarian but no the AF and AF-D f/2 is absolutely not better than an Ai-S. Nope. Multiple samples of both. Af-D more barrel distortion and harsh contrast (I've long suspected the very first generations of Nikkors were tuned with a funny higher contrast to help the early AF sensors work more effectively. No proof other than lots of lenses used).
I've long owned all the 35mm MF Nikkors (started "collecting" before the rise of digital and did a lot of buy/sell) and as well the 1.4 is not 'blurry' at 1.4. If your copy is not sharp at 1.4 you should have the lens and body checked. Tiny errors in technique and individual sample precision of both camera and lens create huge errors in the final image, *especially with the 35mm f/1.4.

Huss · Nov 19, 2019

alentine said:
If you prefer 35mm, it's either 35mm f/1.4 AI-S or 35mm f/2 AI-S.
Could not recommend the f/1.4 Ais over the f/2 because it's blurry at f/1.4.

I highly recommend the 35 1.4, because it can shoot at 1.4. Try that on a 35 f2. And it can also shoot at f2, just like the 35 f2!
Yes it is soft wide open, but now that you know that, use that. Like so on Fuji C200:

narsuitus · Nov 19, 2019

logan2z said:
Recommendations for 35mm MF Nikon lens for an FM

The 35mm focal length is my personal favorite focal length for general subjects.

For the Nikon FM, I recommend the Nikon 35mm f/2 converted AI and the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AIS.

35mm Wide-Angles by Narsuitus, on Flickr

voceumana · Nov 19, 2019

The 35mm f/2.0 Auto Focus D lens is a good performer--it can be manually focused; the outer shell is plastic, but the internal mechanisms are metal.

I just bought a new, 28mm f/2.8 AIS, as they are still made (got it yesterday). If you go to BH Photovideo website, you can filter for Nikon F mount, manual focus, prime lenses for the current offering, and none of the lenses are particularly inexpensive, many are quite costly. I would not say that any of these lenses have fallen out of favor. Ken Rockwell has some good review of Nikon lenses, many with sample photos.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 19, 2019

BradS said:
I too would strongly recommend the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S. It is widely recognized as one of the best Nikon manual focus lenses.

Would that work on manual focus but light meter built in adjustable exposure Nikkormat FT3?

logan2z · Nov 19, 2019

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm leaning towards picking up either the 35mm f/2 AI-S or the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S. I realize that some of these lenses are still being made, but the FM is really a secondary camera for me (I use a Leica RF as my main camera) so trying to keep costs down by buying used.

manualcrank · Nov 19, 2019

Everyone raves about the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. I cannot believe I had the only two bad copies of this lens? Both were iffy/soft at middle/long distances. The 28mm f/2 is a better lens and gets as close as I've ever needed.

narsuitus · Nov 19, 2019

logan2z said:
(I use a Leica RF as my main camera)

Out of curiosity, which lenses are you using on your Leica rangefinder?

narsuitus · Nov 19, 2019

manualcrank said:
Everyone raves about the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. I cannot believe I had the only two bad copies of this lens? Both were iffy/soft at middle/long distances.

I purchased a faster Zeiss 28mm f/2 lens (left) to replace my slower Nikon f/2.8 AIS lens. I was surprised that at the same f/stops, the image quality of the Nikon was equal to the Zeiss.

Zeiss Lenses by Narsuitus, on Flickr

voceumana · Nov 19, 2019

Ken Rockwell indicates the 35mm f/2 AI-S is subject to "ghosting". Recommend going for the 35mm AFD f/2 instead (works fine on MF cameras, just turn off the minimum aperture lock) or the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. The 28mm has the classic Nikon look, the 35mm AFD looks like it belongs on a digital camera, if you care. I have a collection of classic MF and AF lenses that I used on my manual focus Nikons, as I care about performance and not so much about appearance of the lens.

logan2z · Nov 19, 2019

narsuitus said:
Out of curiosity, which lenses are you using on your Leica rangefinder?

My primary lens is the Summarit 35mm/2.4. I also have the Summarit 75mm/2.4 for the odd time that I need it.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 19, 2019

voceumana said:
Ken Rockwell indicates the 35mm f/2 AI-S is subject to "ghosting". Recommend going for the 35mm AFD f/2 instead (works fine on MF cameras, just turn off the minimum aperture lock) or the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. The 28mm has the classic Nikon look, the 35mm AFD looks like it belongs on a digital camera, if you care. I have a collection of classic MF and AF lenses that I used on my manual focus Nikons, as I care about performance and not so much about appearance of the lens.

What is the "classic Nikon look?"

Vilk · Nov 19, 2019

manualcrank said:
Everyone raves about the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. I cannot believe I had the only two bad copies of this lens? Both were iffy/soft at middle/long distances. The 28mm f/2 is a better lens and gets as close as I've ever needed.

oi, that makes two of us

voceumana · Nov 19, 2019

"Classic Nikon look", at least to me, is a lens that doesn't have a plastic exterior.

vlasta · Nov 20, 2019

Marco Gilardetti · Nov 20, 2019

logan2z said:
I'm leaning towards picking up either the 35mm f/2 AI-S or the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S.

Since your first question about 35mm has led you towards other directions, my (very personal, of course) hint is that you might keep the 50mm f:1,8 (notoriously one of the best lenses ever made by Nikon) and that you complement it with a 28mm f:2,8 with floating elements (which I can confirm being among the best lenses ever, all makes, all times).

Personally the 35mm focal length and the perspective it offers tells me nothing: it has been the "in-between" choice for cheap point-and-shoot cameras for decades and decades and it has annoyed me to death. Not long enough for decent portraits, not wide enough for decent architecture, it disappoints me most of the times so in the long run I got rid of it in my small format sets. But of course this depends on your idea of photography, and what you have eventually in mind to do with a 35mm.

Congrats for choosing a Nikon FM, excellet camera, an all times great classic.

wjlapier · Nov 20, 2019

If it were me I'd stick with Leica glass...

Recommendations for 35mm MF Nikon lens for an FM

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