Any benefit shooting with AF (dlsr) lens on a SLR body?

okmarzo · Dec 26, 2018

I apologize if this was discussed before because I can't exactly narrow down my question here.

I'm about a purchase a Nikon FM2 but I'm wondering if there is any benefit getting a dslr AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D over a classic AIS NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 lens. Is there any benefit of getting the AF lens over the classic AIS in terms of sharpness, image quality, and color on a SLR body? I do not need the auto-focus function because the Nikon FM2 is obviously fully manual. I'm not going to use the AF lens on a Nikon DSLR. This is specifically for the Nikon FM2.

I ask because you can conveniently purchase the any type of AF FX DSLR lens at any camera shop. If I should stick with the classic lens then I'll eventually purchase a version of the 35mm f1.4 as well. If there are no set backs for using a modern AF lens than I'll just purchase those in the future.

Which would you recommend? Thanks.

wasserball · Dec 26, 2018

with the D lens, can you read the f-stop on the SLR body? I know you can use a D lens on a DSLR camera by locking the lens to its highest stop down position, ie f16.

BobSC · Dec 26, 2018

For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

okmarzo · Dec 26, 2018

BobSC said:
For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

Yeah, I'd rather stick with AIS lenses with SLR cameras. The focus ring certainly feels better. Just wondering if AFD lenses are sharper for some reason. Either way thanks a lot.

BobSC · Dec 26, 2018

okmarzo said:
BobSC said:

For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd rather stick with AIS lenses with SLR cameras. The focus ring certainly feels better. Just wondering if AFD lenses are sharper for some reason. Either way thanks a lot.

I think in a lot of cases the AFD lenses were just AF lenses with a distance chip added, and the AF lenses were just AIS lenses in an AF barrel, but I know there are some AF lenses with no AIS counterpart (like the 35-70 2.8), so it probably just depends on the specific case. In other words, it's probably best to ask about each specific case you're considering. Like the old 35/1.4 was really soft when it was wide open. I haven't tried a new one, but I bet it's better now.

The earliest AF lenses were designed with manual focus in mind, since most Nikon cameras for sale at the time were not AF. They tend to work better when manually focusing than the newest lenses for MF.

Michael Benveniste · Dec 26, 2018

okmarzo said:
I ask because you can conveniently purchase the any type of AF FX DSLR lens at any camera shop. If I should stick with the classic lens then I'll eventually purchase a version of the 35mm f1.4 as well. If there are no set backs for using a modern AF lens than I'll just purchase those in the future.

The 50mm f/1.4 AF-D will have SIC coatings, as would a 50mm f/1.4 AI-s purchased new. A large number of used 50mm f/1.4 AI-s will have the older NIC coatings. SIC is an incremental improvement, but not a deal breaker for me. In fact, I'd suggest a used 50mm f/1.4 AI over either of those for an FM2, since it has a longer focus throw than either of the newer lenses.

For a 35mm f/1.4 you can only use an AI-modified, AI, or AI-s version on the FM2. On an FM2, due to the lack of an aperture ring a 35mm f/1.4 AF-S can only shoot at minimum aperture while metering as if it was at maximum aperture.

smithim · Dec 27, 2018

okmarzo said:
BobSC said:

For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd rather stick with AIS lenses with SLR cameras. The focus ring certainly feels better. Just wondering if AFD lenses are sharper for some reason. Either way thanks a lot.

The old manual lenses are better for manual focussing, and are often good optically. I found this site gave a good assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.

NÆRFOTO Bjørn Rørslett

The FM2 will need AI and above lenses.

Having said that, it also depends on what else you wish to use the lenses on, as manual lenses can be tricky to focus on a DLSR.

Stan Disbrow · Dec 27, 2018

Hi,

The AF lenses do not manually focus anywhere near as well as AI lenses do. And, AF lenses have terrible DoF scales by comparison. AFD will work, AFG will not, BTW. Nor the new E lenses.

AIS isn't necessary as the FM won't make any use of the S detect 'scoop' since it lacks Shutter Priority and Program modes. You need the FA or F4 for that. BTW, there have never been any Digital bodies that did, either. Not even the Df.

AI lenses are usually lower cost than AIS ones. Additionally, AIS went to 90 degree focus throws for the entire lineup. AI lenses had some with longer focusing throws and that might make a difference for you.

Stan

drt3 · Dec 27, 2018

Confirming the comments of a couple of other folks, the manual focus of the AIS lens is far superior to the AF-D lenses. They feel MUCH better. The IQ difference of the lenses will be trivial on film. I suggest sticking with AIS lenses on an FM2.

okmarzo · Dec 27, 2018

smithim said:
okmarzo said:

BobSC said:

For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd rather stick with AIS lenses with SLR cameras. The focus ring certainly feels better. Just wondering if AFD lenses are sharper for some reason. Either way thanks a lot.

Click to expand...

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

The FM2 will need AI and above lenses.

So as long as I get an AI and AI-S lenses I should be good to go with my FM2N?

smithim said:
Having said that, it also depends on what else you wish to use the lenses on, as manual lenses can be tricky to focus on a DLSR.

I'm not going to use these lenses on DSLRs so it's all good. Thank you!

BobSC · Dec 27, 2018

okmarzo said:
smithim said:

okmarzo said:

BobSC said:

For the FM2 stick with AIS lenses when you can. The AFD lenses will work, but the focus rings are really loose and they don't turn as far. Both those things make them harder to focus. It's not a big deal, but it's certainly more pleasurable to focus the AIS lenses than the AFD lenses.

If you're in the USA, KEH has pretty much every lens available for sale. They have a 14 day trial period, so you can test them out, and a six month warranty.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd rather stick with AIS lenses with SLR cameras. The focus ring certainly feels better. Just wondering if AFD lenses are sharper for some reason. Either way thanks a lot.

Click to expand...

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

The FM2 will need AI and above lenses.

Click to expand...

So as long as I get an AI and AI-S lenses I should be good to go with my FM2N?

AI, AI-s, and "AI'd" will all work. The AI'd lenses are all pre-AI lenses that have had an aperture index notch milled into the aperture ring. The pre-AI lenses are mostly uncoated or single coated, so the contrast won't be as good. That can be OK, depending what you're after. Especially if you're shooting B&W film, because you can process the film for higher contrast.

okmarzo · Dec 27, 2018

Stan Disbrow said:
Hi,

The AF lenses do not manually focus anywhere near as well as AI lenses do. And, AF lenses have terrible DoF scales by comparison. AFD will work, AFG will not, BTW. Nor the new E lenses.

AIS isn't necessary as the FM won't make any use of the S detect 'scoop' since it lacks Shutter Priority and Program modes. You need the FA or F4 for that. BTW, there have never been any Digital bodies that did, either. Not even the Df.

AI lenses are usually lower cost than AIS ones. Additionally, AIS went to 90 degree focus throws for the entire lineup. AI lenses had some with longer focusing throws and that might make a difference for you.

Stan

I really appreciate all your input. I'll stick with AI lenses when I can. All this info you've provided also applies with the FM2N right?

smithim · Dec 27, 2018

okmarzo said:
okmarzo said:

The FM2 will need AI and above lenses.

Click to expand...

So as long as I get an AI and AI-S lenses I should be good to go with my FM2N?

Yes - as far as I'm aware the FM2N, unlike some earlier versions, can't mount pre-AI lenses without damage, so stick to AI and AI-S and you should be fine.

The manual should tell you exactly what will and won't work.

smithim · Dec 27, 2018

You can find the manual here :-

cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/archive/FM2.pdf

Have a look at page 50 to see which lenses wouldn't be suitable.

okmarzo · Dec 27, 2018

Appreciate it.

BobSC · Dec 27, 2018

okmarzo said:
Stan Disbrow said:

Hi,

The AF lenses do not manually focus anywhere near as well as AI lenses do. And, AF lenses have terrible DoF scales by comparison. AFD will work, AFG will not, BTW. Nor the new E lenses.

AIS isn't necessary as the FM won't make any use of the S detect 'scoop' since it lacks Shutter Priority and Program modes. You need the FA or F4 for that. BTW, there have never been any Digital bodies that did, either. Not even the Df.

AI lenses are usually lower cost than AIS ones. Additionally, AIS went to 90 degree focus throws for the entire lineup. AI lenses had some with longer focusing throws and that might make a difference for you.

Stan

Click to expand...

I really appreciate all your input. I'll stick with AI lenses when I can. All this info you've provided also applies with the FM2N right?

As far as lenses go, the FM, FM2, and FM2n are all equal, so all that applies.

If you were to get an F4 some day (I almost got one when I saw it for $100) the aperture tab can fold down, so you can use pre-ai lenses with it.

Michael Benveniste · Dec 27, 2018

BobSC said:
As far as lenses go, the FM, FM2, and FM2n are all equal, so all that applies.

If you were to get an F4 some day (I almost got one when I saw it for $100) the aperture tab can fold down, so you can use pre-ai lenses with it.

The aperture tab also flips up on the original FM, but not on unmodified FM2s of any flavor.

—
Light travels at 2.13085531 × 10^14 smoots per fortnight. Catch some today!

smithim · Dec 27, 2018

BobSC said:
As far as lenses go, the FM, FM2, and FM2n are all equal, so all that applies.

No, the FM can also mount pre-AI lenses. It has a tab that folds out of the way.

Sounds like the same sort of thing as :-

BobSC said:
If you were to get an F4 some day (I almost got one when I saw it for $100) the aperture tab can fold down, so you can use pre-ai lenses with it.

BobSC · Dec 27, 2018

smithim said:
BobSC said:

As far as lenses go, the FM, FM2, and FM2n are all equal, so all that applies.

Click to expand...

No, the FM can also mount pre-AI lenses. It has a tab that folds out of the way.

Sounds like the same sort of thing as :-

smithim said:

If you were to get an F4 some day (I almost got one when I saw it for $100) the aperture tab can fold down, so you can use pre-ai lenses with it.

Click to expand...

I guess I forgot about that!

I had the FM2n for a lot longer than the FM.

Any benefit shooting with AF (dlsr) lens on a SLR body?

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts