What and Why?
Got a few emails, bet you knew that already! Quote from one, “Please make sure I get this right, you are dumping every single piece of Nikon equipment you ever owned!!??” No, and I didn’t say that, I said I hadn’t used my Nikons for over a year, and that I was selling off some Nikon equipment, not that I’m washing my hands of Nikon altogether. So what am I keeping and why?
For 99% of my day to day work I’m shooting the Fuji X-System, I love it, it meets all my needs, and it’s a kick to use. I do still have an ember in my heart of Nikons and Nikkor lenses. I have a particular love for the Nikkor lenses of the AI-s era. These mechanical jewels are a beauty to behold and hold. Translation they provide a tactal sensation going back to the days of Leitz lenses from Wetzler! These Nikkors are amazing in quality and fun to use. So, I’m holding on to a single Domke bag, filled with a manual system for the occasional times I need a Nikon manual fix!
So what’s in that bag? The body is a D700. In my opinion one of the best DSLRs Nikon ever made. It is essentially a D3 in a smaller package. Image quality is superb and it plays well with the manual lenses. Just in case you were wondering, These same lenses are also suberb on the D800/D800e and I’m sure the D810 as well. So why is my body not a D800 series camera? Too much resolution for me, just don’t need it, the storage issues or the slow computer blues!
The lenses I chose are some of the “Legendary” Nikkors of all time, AI-s lenses.
The Nikkor 24mm f 2.8
The Micro Nikkor 55mm f 2.8 AI-s
The 25-50 AI-s f 4 Nikkor zoom lens. An incredible zoom with super sweet color.
The Nikon 105mm Micro Nikkor f 2.8 AI-s
The Nikon 80-200 f 4 AI-s Nikkor zoom.
Nikon 50-135 f 3.5 AI-s Nikkor
I also threw in a set of Automatic Extension tubes and some electronic cable releases. So for those that are worried, I still have some Nikon stuff and enjoy it on rare occasions. Does this mean that I think the new auto-focus glass in inferior? No the modern glass is certainly great, but in order to allow micro motors to move the focusing mechanism the lenses must be made lighter internally, and there goes the smooth, old world feel! A part of my past is using these old type lenses for the majority of my early career, and to be honest, I have a real love for the gear and the memories!
So all our decisions are not based in hard cold facts and specs! Photography is a part technical but even more aesthetic and this is some of my aesthetic love affair with the gear of photography!!!!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
A special thanks to my buddy Ken Rockwell for his wonderful product images. I’ve checked out gear for years on his site!
Oh yes, and I use my 400mm f 3.5 IF-ED AI-s, 300mm f 4.5 IF_ED AI-s, and 200mm Micro Nikkor f4 AF on both the Nikon body and with adapters on the Fuji X bodies.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
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I had to smile seeing the Micro Nikkor 55mm f 2.8 AI-s on the list. Last week I gave in and bought a nikon lens converter ring for my Fuji X-T1 just for this lens! I used it at work back in the 80s (w/extension tubes) for slide copying. Focus is quite stiff from sitting in (poor) storage conditions but still sharp as ever.
Actually being stiff is good! It will loosen some with use. It is still one of the sharpest lenses ever tested! For years it was one of a couple of lenses that Kodak used to test film resolution!
I love my crazy old Nikon 55mm f/1.2 lens. It’s about as sharp as a bowl of mud at 1.2 but that actually gives it a dreamlike quality you can’t replicate with new glass.
I do appreciate the old glass, it often has magical properties! That’s why I’ve held on to so much of it.
Bill,
I have the Fuji 60 micro but am curious as to your opinion of the 105 2.8 AIs MF Micro vs the 200 f4 AIs MF Micro. I still could kick my hinny for getting rid of my 200 AF Micro…..ugh!
Bill:
My wife Kathy and I are fifty year Nikon shooters. Wednesday we are about ready to buy into a the Fuji Film X system for our light camera bag. We’d like to use some of our Nikkor lenses with the Fuji XT-1 body. What lens adapter(s) would you recommend? We always appreciate candor and advice.
Met and talked with you at the Kenmore Camera Show several years ago
God Bless,
John and Kathy Willson
Swede Hill Dahlia Sunflower Farm
This is the adapter (Nik-FX) I purchased.
http://www.fotodioxpro.com/fotodiox-lens-mount-adapter-nikon-nikkor-f-lens-mounts-to-fujifilm-x-mount-camera-adapter-fits-fuji-x-pro1-mirrorless-cameras.html
Hi Bill,
I am another of the guys who shot the D700 for years and have pretty much stopped all FF in favor of my XPro1 and X-T1. Here are a handful of recent shots http://www.achanceencounter.com/centralcaliforniacoast/h6b50123#h6b50123
But to the point of this thread. I have only kept 3 Nikkors.
70-200 for use on my Nikon 1 for a wildlife lens until the 140-400 comes out.
55/2.8 Micro
105/4 Micro – My absolute favorite macro lens ever – love shooting it on the Fuji! Blisteringly sharp.
Currently have the 8mm fisheye from Rokinon, 14/2.8, 35/1.4, 18-55, 55-200.
Looking at the 56 pretty hard right now 🙂
Enjoy your site and hope to join you on a workshop.
Update – took the plunge on the 56 today – looking forward to shooting this weekend.
Hi – I’ve got all the old Nikon glass and just got a Fuji X-Pro1! What adapter do I need to use with the 24mm f2.8, 105 f2.8 macro, 80-200mm f2.8, 85mm f1.4 and 35-70 f.2.8?
Would you please at least link to my site if you’re going to use my image of the 25-50mm without permission?
7 – RESEARCHING THE STATE – University Publishing …