Will Nikon non-D lenses meter properly on Fuji S2?

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens (i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

Page 68 of the Fuji S2 manual: YES for AIS lenses.

BTW: My mothers maiden name was Fischer..

--
M. Haner
Bellingham,WA.

Page 68 of the S2 manual is about flash compatibility, not about whether AI-s lenses will meter.

To the latter question, the answer regrettably is No......you cannot meter on the S2 with AI-s lenses. You CAN, however, set exposure manually, and these lenses then work wonderfully. (I use several myself, especially the 105/2.5 and 200/4.)

Detlev, if you want a MF lens in approximately the normal range that WILL meter with the S2, then your choice is the 45mm f/2.8 P. It's a sweetheart of a lens, although a bit pricey.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,

David

MVH said:

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

Page 68 of the Fuji S2 manual: YES for AIS lenses.

BTW: My mothers maiden name was Fischer..

--
M. Haner
Bellingham,WA.

Click to expand...

MVH
Bellingham, WA

Detlev,

AIS lenses need to be metered manually, but can be converted to meter electronically by an individual who provides this service for approx $80. Typically this is done only on the more expensive longer focal length (e.g. 400mm, 600mm) lenses.

For non-converted AIS lenses, you go to manual metering, approximate the shutter/aperture settings, take a test shot and adjust accordingly. If you have the time and the subject is amenable, it's not so difficult.

Regards,
Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

First of all, thanks to everyone for responding.

As a user of a Fuji rangefinder, I am used to metering manually anyway. So if there is a real advantage in image quality with AIS lenses over the chip-löaded lenses (better contrast, faster lens allowing shorter exposure tines) I would go for a superior lens that does not offer metering. From reading conflicting comments about the Nikon 35 mm f2.0 (ranging from 'stay away from it' to 'great lens') I am still a bit uncertain anyway as to what the best lens for my preferred type of photography might be (for examples, see http://genug.weblogs.com/strassenszenen/ ). It's a kind of panoramic street photography, people being between 3 and 10 yards away. The actual result is composed from many shots - doing this digitally is of course infinitely easier than scanning all images (here, I had used a Rollei 6006). Since people move, shutter speed needs to be below 1/125 s. On the other hand, I like to have a reasonable depth of field. I read that results at higher iso settings are still quite good with the S2, which is encouraging.

Any recommendations as to best prime lenses are appreciated. While the samples look like wide angle, I found that higher distortion of wide angle makes it more difficult to merge different shots in photoshop - so a Nikkor 50mm/ f1.8 lens might be better? Just in case you have an opinion on this...

Greg S said:

AIS lenses need to be metered manually, but can be converted to
meter electronically by an individual who provides this service for
approx $80. Typically this is done only on the more expensive
longer focal length (e.g. 400mm, 600mm) lenses.

For non-converted AIS lenses, you go to manual metering,
approximate the shutter/aperture settings, take a test shot and
adjust accordingly. If you have the time and the subject is
amenable, it's not so difficult.

Regards,
Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Click to expand...

Gruess Gott, Detlev,

I had a quick look at your Strassenszenen. Sie sind ja ausgezeichnet. Here is one that I particularly liked:



In my earlier reply to your thread, I recommended Nikon's relatively new 45mm f/2.8 P. Having seen your preferred photographic style, I would repeat my recommendation.

The 45 P is small (VERY small), making it unobtrusive for street photography.

It is also very sharp, with excellent background out-of-focus rendition, and good color and contrast.

It is beautifully built and, as a manual focus lens, focuses smoothly and surely.

If you are willing to use a MF lens for your work, you simply cannot beat the 45 P in the normal range.

Best wishes,

David

Detlev Fischer said:

As a user of a Fuji rangefinder, I am used to metering manually
anyway. So if there is a real advantage in image quality with AIS
lenses over the chip-löaded lenses (better contrast, faster lens
allowing shorter exposure tines) I would go for a superior lens
that does not offer metering. From reading conflicting comments
about the Nikon 35 mm f2.0 (ranging from 'stay away from it' to
'great lens') I am still a bit uncertain anyway as to what the best
lens for my preferred type of photography might be (for examples,
see http://genug.weblogs.com/strassenszenen/ ). It's a kind of
panoramic street photography, people being between 3 and 10 yards
away. The actual result is composed from many shots - doing this
digitally is of course infinitely easier than scanning all images
(here, I had used a Rollei 6006). Since people move, shutter speed
needs to be below 1/125 s. On the other hand, I like to have a
reasonable depth of field. I read that results at higher iso
settings are still quite good with the S2, which is encouraging.

Any recommendations as to best prime lenses are appreciated. While
the samples look like wide angle, I found that higher distortion of
wide angle makes it more difficult to merge different shots in
photoshop - so a Nikkor 50mm/ f1.8 lens might be better? Just in
case you have an opinion on this...

Greg S said:

AIS lenses need to be metered manually, but can be converted to
meter electronically by an individual who provides this service for
approx $80. Typically this is done only on the more expensive
longer focal length (e.g. 400mm, 600mm) lenses.

For non-converted AIS lenses, you go to manual metering,
approximate the shutter/aperture settings, take a test shot and
adjust accordingly. If you have the time and the subject is
amenable, it's not so difficult.

Regards,
Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks, Greg. Following your recommendation of the 45 P I looked at whatever comments/review I could find on the internet, and as nearly always, there are some praising the lens an others being less impressed. On the whole, however, my impression is that it is a good choice - especially as it will allow in-camera metering. First I need to muster the courage to take the plunge and get an S2 though...

DF said:

I had a quick look at your Strassenszenen. Sie sind ja
ausgezeichnet. Here is one that I particularly liked:



In my earlier reply to your thread, I recommended Nikon's
relatively new 45mm f/2.8 P. Having seen your preferred
photographic style, I would repeat my recommendation.

The 45 P is small (VERY small), making it unobtrusive for street
photography.

It is also very sharp, with excellent background out-of-focus
rendition, and good color and contrast.

It is beautifully built and, as a manual focus lens, focuses
smoothly and surely.

If you are willing to use a MF lens for your work, you simply
cannot beat the 45 P in the normal range.

Best wishes,

David

Detlev Fischer said:

As a user of a Fuji rangefinder, I am used to metering manually
anyway. So if there is a real advantage in image quality with AIS
lenses over the chip-löaded lenses (better contrast, faster lens
allowing shorter exposure tines) I would go for a superior lens
that does not offer metering. From reading conflicting comments
about the Nikon 35 mm f2.0 (ranging from 'stay away from it' to
'great lens') I am still a bit uncertain anyway as to what the best
lens for my preferred type of photography might be (for examples,
see http://genug.weblogs.com/strassenszenen/ ). It's a kind of
panoramic street photography, people being between 3 and 10 yards
away. The actual result is composed from many shots - doing this
digitally is of course infinitely easier than scanning all images
(here, I had used a Rollei 6006). Since people move, shutter speed
needs to be below 1/125 s. On the other hand, I like to have a
reasonable depth of field. I read that results at higher iso
settings are still quite good with the S2, which is encouraging.

Any recommendations as to best prime lenses are appreciated. While
the samples look like wide angle, I found that higher distortion of
wide angle makes it more difficult to merge different shots in
photoshop - so a Nikkor 50mm/ f1.8 lens might be better? Just in
case you have an opinion on this...

Greg S said:

AIS lenses need to be metered manually, but can be converted to
meter electronically by an individual who provides this service for
approx $80. Typically this is done only on the more expensive
longer focal length (e.g. 400mm, 600mm) lenses.

For non-converted AIS lenses, you go to manual metering,
approximate the shutter/aperture settings, take a test shot and
adjust accordingly. If you have the time and the subject is
amenable, it's not so difficult.

Regards,
Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Would center-weighted metering work with AI ? Or Spot ?

Detlev,

Here's a URL I have used quite a bit in the past for info/opinions on AIS primes. I guess it won't be online much longer... so many migrants!

http://www.cs.kau.se/~nicke/private/photo/lenstest/

Subjective Lens Evaluations by Grover Larkins
Grumpy's Nikon Equipment Reviews

Cheers, Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

As a user of a Fuji rangefinder, I am used to metering manually
anyway. So if there is a real advantage in image quality with AIS
lenses over the chip-löaded lenses (better contrast, faster lens
allowing shorter exposure tines) I would go for a superior lens
that does not offer metering. From reading conflicting comments
about the Nikon 35 mm f2.0 (ranging from 'stay away from it' to
'great lens') I am still a bit uncertain anyway as to what the best
lens for my preferred type of photography might be (for examples,
see http://genug.weblogs.com/strassenszenen/ ). It's a kind of
panoramic street photography, people being between 3 and 10 yards
away. The actual result is composed from many shots - doing this
digitally is of course infinitely easier than scanning all images
(here, I had used a Rollei 6006). Since people move, shutter speed
needs to be below 1/125 s. On the other hand, I like to have a
reasonable depth of field. I read that results at higher iso
settings are still quite good with the S2, which is encouraging.

Any recommendations as to best prime lenses are appreciated. While
the samples look like wide angle, I found that higher distortion of
wide angle makes it more difficult to merge different shots in
photoshop - so a Nikkor 50mm/ f1.8 lens might be better? Just in
case you have an opinion on this...

Greg S said:

AIS lenses need to be metered manually, but can be converted to
meter electronically by an individual who provides this service for
approx $80. Typically this is done only on the more expensive
longer focal length (e.g. 400mm, 600mm) lenses.

For non-converted AIS lenses, you go to manual metering,
approximate the shutter/aperture settings, take a test shot and
adjust accordingly. If you have the time and the subject is
amenable, it's not so difficult.

Regards,
Greg

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Thanks in advance for replies!

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

My N70 (film based) will center or spot meter with an AIS lens, but an N80 will not. Neither will the S2, which is not backwards compatible to AIS.

sagill said:

Would center-weighted metering work with AI ? Or Spot ?

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Detlev Fischer said:

I am considering the purchase of the Fuji S2 and want to get a
light but good quality prime lens that equals a standard 50mm lens
(i.e., 35mm focal length on the Fuji). I do not need autofocus, but
I'd like to meter through the camera. Is that possible? Are the
stronger-built Nikkor AIS lenses usable on the S2?

Click to expand...

Pre-AI: Don't mount, can damage the camera.
AI/AI-S: Mounts, doesn't meter.
AI-P: Mounts, meters, some limitations.
AF non-D: Mounts, meters, no distance info used in metering or flash.
AF-I: Mounts, meters, distance info used.
AF-S: Mounts, meters, distance info used.
AF G-type: Mounts, meters, distance info used.

Pre-AI lenses can be converted to AI lenses for perhaps US$70 a lens.

AI/AI-S lenses and accessories (most, but not all) can be "chipped" to provide metering on the S2. See Rolland Elliott's site (about US$80 a lens).

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide & Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guides to the Nikon D100, D1, D1h, & D1x and Fujifilm S2
http://www.bythom.com