Nikon Thread

[Contarama]

I feel strange starting a Nikon thread on a Zeiss forum but Brian said it would be ok...

The Nikkor lenses are going to be higher contrast, and can blow the highlights in direct sun, and lose shadow detail when compared with the older German optics of the Contaflex.

What lens do you have on the FE? Feel free to ask Nikon questions here. I have SIXTY or so of them, and even more Nikkor lenses...


So some brief background...my sister is a Nikon fanatic and she got me looking into purely mechanical Nikons the F2 in particular...before doling out a huge sum of money for a pristine F2 I figured I better get a few of the cheaper ones just to see how they are. So I have an excellent+ condition EM that came with a Series E 50/1.8 the later version ($35) and a FE with a MD-11 and it came with an old version Series E 50/1.8 ($125) plus I have bought a Nikkor 28mm/f3.5 ($30) and I have a Nikkor Q 135mm/1:2.8 on the way($40)...bargain basement stuff I know...Rockwell says they are decent lenses so I guess they are decent lenses...

Yesterday for the Loyalty Day parade I took out the FE for the first time loaded with 100 Reala and using the new style 50mm...the photos are razor sharp for the most part but it was rather sunny yesterday and I probably had the lens wide open most of the time but there is a definate "brightness" to them...the streets look almost white! So I wasn't to impressed with the results but that probably has a lot to do with me and not the camera itself...I have since reread Rockwell's review on the 50mm and he says it is great at f4 and 5.6 so I guess I will try to close the aperture a little more next time and maybe use some different film???

I haven't shot with the EM yet but I really like the smallness of it and it seems to be a neat little unit (it is like new).

Now these "electronic" units that meter for you and all this jazz really do not turn me on...I like the purely mechanical stuff so maybe I would enjoy having a F2 much better I don't know though. And one thing I like about the Nikons are the Nikkors (there are just so many to choose from and I like a lot of options in life)

Any pointers or comments for an amateur guy like me??? The best lenses??? Is it remotely possible to convert Zeiss Contaflex lenses where they would mount to an old Nikon body (I guess not because of the Contaflex shutter in the body deal)???

Thanks!

[Contarama]

Here are a couple of the FE parade shots...these are moving (albeit slowly) vehicles! And boy I just love the Reala 100...I think it is my favorite film...like I said it probably is me and not the camera but it just doesn't seem to have that warm fuzzy quality that my Contaflex does...

* I have some parade shots in the gallery from both cameras I think...FE and Contaflex...

[Contarama]

What do you all think of the automatic exposure craze of the late 70's and early 80's???

I apologize to you guys because this thread probably makes you want to puke with it's utter basic been talked about more than it should material...I'm a rank amateur you all have probably forgot more stuff than I will learn in the next 10 years about photography...lol

[Brian]

I'm thinking if the lens was fairly wide-open, you were over-exposing. The top shutter speed is 1/1000th.

On the Nikon F2: my favorite SLR. A Pristine one costs a fortune these days. They work about the same as a "beater" or "user". I would go for one in KEH BGN condition, which gets it to under $150 easily. The F2A is "AI", uses most lenses and will meter with the new AF lenses. The F2 "Photomic" with DP-1 meter head uses all of the manual focus lenses, will meter "wide-Open" with all of them EXCEPT the Series E. It will not meter with AF lenses. You can use all lenses with stop down metering. The non-AI lenses tend to be cheaper than AI series lenses.

The RF Nikon line is based on the Contax II. The SLR's were based on the Nikon RF's.

[Brian]

Looks like you can get one in KEH Bargain Condition for under $100.

http://www.keh.com/search?store=camera&brand=Nikon-Manual-Focus&category=Camera-Bodies&k=f2&s=1&bcode=NK&ccode=2&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e


Black, BGN Condition, $109.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-NK020102006280?r=FE

Add a 50/1.4 lens- looking at $150 or so for camera and body.

[Contarama]

Hey Brian...do you have any first hand knowledge on the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF???

[Brian]

No first hand knowledge- but I'm sure it is atop notch. Not cheap!

[Contarama]

No first hand knowledge- but I'm sure it is atop notch. Not cheap!

I got off on a tangent there my apologies...:)

I am thinking about resealing my two Nikon bodies...I have surfed the web and came up with these "interslice" kits...I have a few questions hopefully someone will be gracious and point me in the right direction...

First, is resealing a Nikon EM or FE something I shouldn't attempt DIY (I am a car upholstery guy for a living so I am comfortable working with intricate mechanical stuff)???

And second, are these "interslice" kits the best way to go???

Thank you

Jeff

[Brian]

Jeff, I'm a software guy- so if i can do it, I KNOW you can!

I use the interslice kits on some of my rangefinders. They are the best going.

http://shop.ebay.com/interslice/m.html

I use Isopropyl alchohol to get the old seals off. You need to be most careful around the mirror bumper, try to keep all droppings off of the Mirror and Focus screen. On the FE, the focus screen comes out which makes it easier.

[s.west]

Hi Jeff,

Here is a link to Jon Goodman's instructions for resealing the Nikon FM, which should be good to cover the FE too. Jon Goodman is Interslice on ebay. I agree with Brian that you can't go wrong with his sealing kits.


http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/seal/Nikon_FM_FE.pdf


Have fun.

Steve

[Contarama]

Thanks gentlemen...I have some interslice kits on the way!

Here is a pic of my Nikon kit so far...just got the EM case a few days ago...have a SB-E flash coming for the EM and I also have a Series E F3.5 75-150mm zoom coming as well..it is supposed to be the cat's meow of the Series E lenses...

I guess I may have these non AI lenses converted...or should I leave them be??? That 135mm is heavy duty! You could whop somebody upside the head with that thing and knock them out I bet and not hurt the lens...haha

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/NikonKit.jpg

[Brian]

I would pick up a Nikkormat or Nikon F for use with the Non-AI lenses. Then you could use it for a hammer! Seriously, the Nikkormat FTn or EL would be cheaper than AI converting the lenses.

[Contarama]

I would pick up a Nikkormat or Nikon F for use with the Non-AI lenses. Then you could use it for a hammer!

Yeah a Titan with a 200mm Nikkor and Sean Penn wouldn't stand a chance!!! LOL

[Brian]

An F2 Titan with a 200 would be awesome.

I had one of those for work long ago.

[whitecat]

Well as long as we have a Nikon thread, let me add this. I have a L35AF which is the first autofocus camera put out by Nikon. This is one of my favorite cameras! Fantastic images for color and BW. Look for one on Ebay if you can afford it. They run about $10-$20 dollars. Fantastic lens and features not included in many cameras today.

[Contarama]

I been practicing with the FE and 135/2.8 Nikkor Q...what a nice camera...I still don't think it is as fuzzy and warm as my Contaflex but it has it's own good qualities...

I shot this picture of my son...

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/JewellNikon.jpg

Then I handed him the camera and traded him places...I think the boy has a little talent when it comes to framing a subject and manual focusing! :)

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/Jeff.jpg

[the mechanic]

I'm a little lost,with the various lines of discussion,but Ihad the choice to make between a used 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor or a new Zeiss same-I bought the Zeiss.Love it!

[Contarama]

First off let me say the Interslice Kits are a must buy for any old camera that requires foam seals that you may buy...first rate stuff!

Since the last post I have aquired a F2 Photomic... :)

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/F2Photomic.jpg

And a DE1 Eyelevel Finder for it!!! :eek:

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/F2Eyelevel.jpg

[Contarama]

I paid $750 for the mint in box Finder...crazy money!!! :eek:

The 1975 body just dang near mint super clean but needed the Interslice treatment was 385!!! :eek::eek::eek:

But it is what it is... :cool:

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/F2.jpg

And it works... (135Q Fuji 160S)

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h400/Contarama/PensiveAndrew.jpg

[Contarama]

Recently there is a lot of hoopla about the Fuji X100...and also lately we have micro four thirds bursting on the scene with great results...

Nikon??? Where are they???

Here is what I wish would happen...skip micro four thirds altogether...

A Nikon small compact around the size of the X100 but with a full size sensor a la D700!!! Able to use any and all F MOUNT LENSES and a new line of AF micro size F bayonet gems that work on EM's and F2's too!!! :cool::cool::cool:

[Contarama]

At the risk of really blasting my thread everything I read says the new Cosina made Zeiss lenses are nothing really to write home about but then there are the two with floating elements made in Germany. Man they sure are pretty. What say you all???

[deirdre]

I thought Nikon was out of the running, but with some of their competitors having issues, maybe they have time to catch up after all. Not the way you want it to happen, obviously.

[Contarama]

Zeiss Ikon has been out of the running for a long long time but the fact they are back in the game (and with a rangefinder no less) means something hopefully...

As for Nikon being out of the running (speaking strictly DSLRs here) yeah Canon is king but barely and apparently over the past few years Nikon has gained market share while Canon has lost it...interesting to me though is how much stuff the big Japanese players are outsourcing to China (very much like Zeiss's age old strategy of outsourcing to Japan)

And something I find to be completely amazing that I did not know until tonight...the sensor in a Leica M9 is made in the USA!!! :)

[farlymac]

Zeiss Ikon has been out of the running for a long long time but the fact they are back in the game (and with a rangefinder no less) means something hopefully...

As for Nikon being out of the running (speaking strictly DSLRs here) yeah Canon is king but barely and apparently over the past few years Nikon has gained market share while Canon has lost it...interesting to me though is how much stuff the big Japanese players are outsourcing to China (very much like Zeiss's age old strategy of outsourcing to Japan)

And something I find to be completely amazing that I did not know until tonight...the sensor in a Leica M9 is made in the USA!!! :)

By Kodak, no less. Probably the only thing that is going to save their hides.

PF

[Joanmc]

hi, can you tell the Nikon Camera how much Maga Pixels