New "old" toy for the D750

[JDDavis]

Got a new "old" toy for the D750. It's a Nikon 75-150 f/3.5 (early 80's). Somewhat of a legendary older manual lens. I've been lurking around uses lens sights waiting for a copy in pristine condition and this one is like it came right out of the box. The quality of these older lens really is top notch. I'm really enjoying the huge and smooth focus ring (it's a push pull zoom).

I got it mainly to try for video. I can manually focus it and zoom in and out with one hand simultaneously. It takes great stills too. Surprisingly sharp. One thing I think I've noticed about older lens is the new lens outperform them in low light at the same aperture. Maybe that's barrel diameter or coatings or some other tech that is in new lens.

Anyway. Just decided to share. BTW, it was less than $200.

 

[mofunk]

Wow it looks new. Congrats.

 

[Apple fanboy]

View attachment 577716

Got a new "old" toy for the D750. It's a Nikon 75-150 f/3.5 (early 80's). Somewhat of a legendary older manual lens. I've been lurking around uses lens sights waiting for a copy in pristine condition and this one is like it came right out of the box. The quality of these older lens really is top notch. I'm really enjoying the huge and smooth focus ring (it's a push pull zoom).

I got it mainly to try for video. I can manually focus it and zoom in and out with one hand simultaneously. It takes great stills too. Surprisingly sharp. One thing I think I've noticed about older lens is the new lens outperform them in low light at the same aperture. Maybe that's barrel diameter or coatings or some other tech that is in new lens.

Anyway. Just decided to share. BTW, it was less than $200.

Enjoy. Friend of mine swears by his collection of manual lenses on his D300. Personally I like auto focus 95% of the time.

 

[Hughmac]

I've actually just bought a Tamron Adaptall 200mm f3.5 manual lens - it meters fine in Aperture Priority but I haven't managed to achieve the tack sharp focus it's supposed to be capable of yet.
Need more practice I reckon.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[bhtwo]

I love these old Nikkors... super choice. I use my old Nikkor 28mm a lot. On a D2Hs.

 

[JDDavis]

Enjoy. Friend of mine swears by his collection of manual lenses on his D300. Personally I like auto focus 95% of the time.

The majority of the time I want autofocus as well. Two areas where I'm finding manual focus acceptable or advantageous are wide angle landscapes and doing video on the DSLR (from a tripod). The focus indicator on the d750 is very helpful and pretty accurate. I am finding that my eyes (without glasses) are at the max of what the diopter can correct for on the D750. If they get a little worse focusing the old fashion way will become harder. I already use the LCD for focusing for video.

I've actually just bought a Tamron Adaptall 200mm f3.5 manual lens - it meters fine in Aperture Priority but I haven't managed to achieve the tack sharp focus it's supposed to be capable of yet.
Need more practice I reckon.

Cheers

Hugh

I have a Nikkor 135mm f2.5 and now this 75-150 f3.5. Both 30+ years old and full manual. I also find it hard to absolutely nail a shot (especially hand held). The percentage of "nailed" shots are much lower than with a really fast AF (with VR) lens. The challenge is fun and I like the "look" of the older lenses sometimes. The nice thing about the D750 is with the AIS lenses I can input the lens into the camera manually and I get full metering. They function exactly like a modern lens (except for the AF of course).

I love these old Nikkors... super choice. I use my old Nikkor 28mm a lot. On a D2Hs.

I have the 28mm f2.8 AIS on my wish list. As well as the 55mm f2.8 AIS. I've read they are two of the best from that era.

 

[Hughmac]

I have a Nikkor 135mm f2.5 and now this 75-150 f3.5. Both 30+ years old and full manual. I also find it hard to absolutely nail a shot (especially hand held). The percentage of "nailed" shots are much lower than with a really fast AF (with VR) lens. The challenge is fun and I like the "look" of the older lenses sometimes. The nice thing about the D750 is with the AIS lenses I can input the lens into the camera manually and I get full metering. They function exactly like a modern lens (except for the AF of course).

Yes, my D7000 has the same functions.
Glad to know I'm not the only one to have trouble hand held, but I will persevere as I like the colour rendition of the older lenses.
I've just tried the Tamron on an old D80 and there's no metering at all, but it's still possible to use the lens in full manual.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[simonsi]

I still occasionally use my 30yr old Tamron 500mm f/8 Mirror with its Adaptall Mount. On my D200 and D300 I fitted KatzEye focus screens which did make focussing manual lenses easier (although not the f/8), when I also had an 80-200 f/4 Tamron zoom.

I see KatzEye have closed now and I haven't changed from stock on the D300s' I have now.

Nice lens BTW

 

[phrehdd]

Is that 75-150 an "E" designated lens? Some of the E lenses were lower cost Nikon lenses that proved to be actually quite good lenses. Either way, glad you are enjoying the lens and that it takes the images you want.

I have in a box a Nikon FM2 with a Vivitar Series 1 105mm macro. I would love to try that lens on one of the DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras. As for the FM2, it was the last of my Nikon gear and remains (along with the FE line up) as my all time fav 35mm cameras. Film cameras still hold a place in my heart as do many of the lenses.

 

[JDDavis]

Is that 75-150 an "E" designated lens? Some of the E lenses were lower cost Nikon lenses that proved to be actually quite good lenses. Either way, glad you are enjoying the lens and that it takes the images you want.

I have in a box a Nikon FM2 with a Vivitar Series 1 105mm macro. I would love to try that lens on one of the DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras. As for the FM2, it was the last of my Nikon gear and remains (along with the FE line up) as my all time fav 35mm cameras. Film cameras still hold a place in my heart as do many of the lenses.

It is an E series, so not a NIKKOR like my 70's model 135mm. It's built very well and is pretty smooth. I shot images around the yard with it and am pretty pleased but I'll have to get out soon to really try it seriously. I bought it to try for video. In particular because it's a constant f3.5 and for the large one handed zoom / focus ring. I can pan the tripod head with one hand while focusing and zooming with the other. I've even tried it with a 1.4xTC and in good light the results are still pretty great with video. (the TC gets it out to 210mm).

Honestly though, I just like the older lenses. I couldn't turn down a 35 yr old lens in mint condition for basically $150. Plus the story is that this is the lens (not the one I have of course!) that Galen Rowell shot the Rainbow over Potala Palace with (below). Not that it makes the lens necessarily legendary or anything I'm just a fan of Galen Rowell's work so I think it's cool.

 

[simonsi]

My entry for the oldest lens on a modern body...1987 Tamron 500mm F8 Mirror

 

[phrehdd]

It is an E series, so not a NIKKOR like my 70's model 135mm. It's built very well and is pretty smooth. I shot images around the yard with it and am pretty pleased but I'll have to get out soon to really try it seriously. I bought it to try for video. In particular because it's a constant f3.5 and for the large one handed zoom / focus ring. I can pan the tripod head with one hand while focusing and zooming with the other. I've even tried it with a 1.4xTC and in good light the results are still pretty great with video. (the TC gets it out to 210mm).

Honestly though, I just like the older lenses. I couldn't turn down a 35 yr old lens in mint condition for basically $150. Plus the story is that this is the lens (not the one I have of course!) that Galen Rowell shot the Rainbow over Potala Palace with (below). Not that it makes the lens necessarily legendary or anything I'm just a fan of Galen Rowell's work so I think it's cool.

Very nice work!

If you ever find the "90-180 Macro" from Nikon that is in good shape, grab it. It is an excellent lens.

I admit I find it sometimes funny when people complain about certain camera/lens combos that don't focus "fast" when in fact they focus at times far faster than we can with manual lenses. I spent the vast majority of my "pro" years with nothing but manual lenses and always had the shot(s) I needed.

 

[rocknblogger]

View attachment 577716

Got a new "old" toy for the D750. It's a Nikon 75-150 f/3.5 (early 80's). Somewhat of a legendary older manual lens. I've been lurking around uses lens sights waiting for a copy in pristine condition and this one is like it came right out of the box. The quality of these older lens really is top notch. I'm really enjoying the huge and smooth focus ring (it's a push pull zoom).

I got it mainly to try for video. I can manually focus it and zoom in and out with one hand simultaneously. It takes great stills too. Surprisingly sharp. One thing I think I've noticed about older lens is the new lens outperform them in low light at the same aperture. Maybe that's barrel diameter or coatings or some other tech that is in new lens.

Anyway. Just decided to share. BTW, it was less than $200.

Great buy!! Where do you shop for used lenses like this?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Great buy!! Where do you shop for used lenses like this?

eBay? Craigslist? Camera fairs?
Or most camera shops have a previously owned section.

 

[rocknblogger]

eBay? Craigslist? Camera fairs?
Or most camera shops have a previously owned section.

Yes I know about all these. I'm just wondering if the OP knows of any "Off the beaten path" places

 

[JDDavis]

Great buy!! Where do you shop for used lenses like this?

eBay? Craigslist? Camera fairs?
Or most camera shops have a previously owned section.

Yes I know about all these. I'm just wondering if the OP knows of any "Off the beaten path" places

Not really any secret places. Though if I did know of some would I really divulge them? Honestly, Amazon and keh.com have been the best so far. I've bought 3 used lens between the two and have been very pleased each time. I think the key is to pay the little extra for lens that are in "excellent" condition or "like new". It would be great to be able to try things out in person but I've had little luck with used gear from camera shops or yard sales. It's usually very used.

I almost bought a used Zeiss 21mm Distagon from LensRental.com. It was in great shape and really fun to use but in the end I'm not sure the images where that much better than the 24mm Nikkon. They were better, don't get me wrong...but I could get AF in the Nikon.

 

[JDDavis]

My entry for the oldest lens on a modern body...1987 Tamron 500mm F8 Mirror

Now that is a barrel.

 

[rocknblogger]

Not really any secret places. Though if I did know of some would I really divulge them? Honestly, Amazon and keh.com have been the best so far. I've bought 3 used lens between the two and have been very pleased each time. I think the key is to pay the little extra for lens that are in "excellent" condition or "like new". It would be great to be able to try things out in person but I've had little luck with used gear from camera shops or yard sales. It's usually very used.

I almost bought a used Zeiss 21mm Distagon from LensRental.com. It was in great shape and really fun to use but in the end I'm not sure the images where that much better than the 24mm Nikkon. They were better, don't get me wrong...but I could get AF in the Nikon.

Thanks. Wasn't familiar with keh.com

 

[simonsi]

Now that is a barrel.

82mm filter thread! (which was so large that filters were usually 30mm rear fitting). Lens hood doubles the length of the lens and of course on DX its a nifty 750mm equivalent, booked is still "poor" though as is on all mirror lenses.

 

[Hughmac]

My entry for the oldest lens on a modern body...1987 Tamron 500mm F8 Mirror

Produced 1976-1979

Cheers

Hugh

 

[bhtwo]

Here's my 28mm on the Fuji... not sure how old the lens is... mid to late 70's I think...

 

[simonsi]

Cool!

 

[Hey Jude]

Congrats on the new toy. I have a small collection of Nikkor manual focus lenses that I swear by as well. They all produce stellar imagery; my favorites are my 180 2.8 ED, and 105 2.5 Ai. The only lens that I might get rid of from the bunch is the 20 2.8 Ais as I seem to have an abundance of wider angle lenses.