wschwetz
Are there actually still any manufacturers of lenses for analogue cameras? I’m specifically looking for Nikon lenses, but I want to buy a new one.
Renate
Yes, they are available. You can still buy a brand-new Nikon F6. However, you need to make sure that the camera and lens are compatible. It depends on which model you’re looking for. There are even new lenses available for Nikon AI. It’s just that I haven’t seen any new lenses for manual focus (MF) without AI for quite some time.
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Best regards
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Renate
Bonderer
Nikon has already been mentioned, but some of their lenses may be unavailable or hard to come by in Germany.
Then there are a few from Zeiss, though without autofocus, as well as
Voigtländer? They had a few in their range too.
None of the ones I’m referring to here have autofocus.
I use Zeiss and Voigtländer lenses on my Leica M7 and the Zeiss ZM, and I’m more than happy with all of them.
jochen53
Hi Wilfried,
What exactly are you looking for for your Nikon, and which Nikon model? The few manual-focus prime lenses that Nikon had tucked away at the very back of its range until recently were incredibly expensive! Or do you need autofocus lenses? There’s a bewildering variety out there, ranging from excellent professional zoom lenses right down to rubbish plastic lenses.
The second-hand market is full of well-maintained used lenses. If you buy from a specialist retailer (e.g. Foto Sauter here in Munich), you’ll usually get a six-month warranty as well.
The Zeiss lenses (ZF 2) are top-notch, but also very expensive; even the sales-boosting lens hood is outrageously pricey.
Clemens
And, of course, third-party manufacturers such as Tamron, Tokina, Sigma...
Lenses designed for Nikon’s full-frame digital cameras (‘FX’) will also work on analogue models. Depending on the camera, you just need to check whether you need an aperture ring.
wschwetz
Thanks for the replies (I was unfortunately ill and then forgot about this post)
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I specifically use the Nikon F90 and the Nikon FE, but I also still have the F801 body. I’ve also been on the Zeiss website, but couldn’t find any lenses for film cameras anymore. So I thought they’re no longer being made. I’m mainly looking for a 50mm lens for my Nikons. AF isn’t really necessary, as I (almost) always focus manually, but it would still be good if it had that capability (for when I need to be quick, or in poor visibility – my eyesight isn’t particularly good).
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In this context, a question for the technically savvy: when using my Nikon FE with the Nikkor 50mm, there is often significant out of focus blurring in the bottom right-hand corner of the negative. Both pieces of kit are quite old and have probably been through a fair bit of rough handling. What could be wrong with the camera or lens to cause such severe out of focus blurring?
jochen53
Hello,
As far as I know, Zeiss does indeed still manufacture manual-focus lenses in the ZF II series, even with a sensor for modern cameras. However, price-wise, they are in a league of their own.
Manual-focus 50 mm lenses from Nikon are a dime a dozen. They’re all good, but you’ll get the best value for money with a 1:1.8/50 mm AiS or an E-series 1:1.8/50 mm; however, these can only focus down to 0.60 m. The 1:1.8/50 mm Ai is rare but very good, and can focus down to 0.45 m. A 1:1.4/50 mm AiS is also affordable these days and a very good lens; the Zeiss Planar is better, however, but also several times more expensive than a well-preserved second-hand Nikkor. Some people go straight for the very sharp 1:2.8/55 mm Micro-Nikkor. The autofocus struggles particularly in low light, and (unfortunately) you have two cameras with ancient autofocus systems. The f/1.8 and f/1.4 Nikkors are also available as AF Nikkors, though they’re made of plastic, wobble, and can’t be focused properly manually.
Regarding your issue with out-of-focus images: this can have several causes. A bayonet mount or body that has been jammed by an impact effectively means a total write-off or relegation to a parts donor for your FE (a new FE costs practically nothing these days). A lens that has become misaligned due to an impact means practically the same thing. A viewfinder focusing screen that has been inserted incorrectly could be easily corrected. It’s best to take the whole set to a camera repair shop and ask them to check the camera and lens using an auto-collimator; perhaps you’ll be lucky and you’ll at least be able to salvage one part. It’s no longer worth having it repaired.
wschwetz
I was looking for something else. You can still buy the Planar, but I can’t find it on the website anymore – or rather, it’s only in the archive and on the blog. 600 euros is quite expensive, but still affordable. I haven’t quite understood whether there are any new lenses for Nikon analogue cameras – and if so, which ones are actually any good. I don’t want to buy anything second-hand anymore. You have too many bad experiences with that.
jochen53
Hello Wilfried,
As far as I know, Nikon still offers a rather limited range of manual-focus AiS lenses at absolutely exorbitant prices; I believe the 1:1.4/50 mm Nikkor costs far more than the €600 you mentioned for the Planar (which, incidentally, I would prefer). These are usually hidden right at the back of the lens catalogue and have to be ordered separately. If you buy a second-hand lens from a reputable camera shop, you’ll get a warranty or a right of return. With consignment sales, it’s usually just a right of return. I’ve bought a great many second-hand lenses and have never been disappointed, except with an M 42 Pentacon Auto 1:1.8/50 mm for €3 from a flea market, where the focus ring was faulty.
