Amazing vintage lenses that DON'T BREAK THE BANK | Nikon AI-S
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Today I am testing out my set of vintage Nikon AI-S lenses. With the crazy prices increases on Canon FD and Leica R glass it has people looking elsewhere for that vintage lens look and the Nikon AI-S lenses seem to fit the bill perfectly! Hope you enjoy the video and let me know what you think in the comments below!
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:49 History of Nikon F
01:25 Build Quality
03:00 My Set of Lenses
04:32 Image Quality
05:47 Lens Flares
06:23 Focus Breathing
06:52 Pricing and Availability
08:50 Alternate Lenses
09:55 AI vs AI-S
11:38 Conclusion - Krátké a kreslené filmy
The only reason to pay extra for AI-S over AI is if you have the Nikon FA. Even with the FA, the only advantage of AI-S is for shutter priority. I shoot film on the FA, and choose AI-S, but very rarely need shutter priority. Adapted to digital cameras this is a non-issue and AI is just as good, but half the price. Since AI was introduced in 1978 and AI-S in '81, there is no visible difference in lens coatings. AI-S was an update exclusively for the FA, but all subsequent Nikkors are AI-S up to G series.
Really appreciate the input!
@@calebbrunkow There was only slow progress on coatings technology, despite manufacturers doing things like giving the coatings special names. The big leap had happened around 1970 when Olympus solved the problem of how to manufacture multiple coatings and then licensed the technology to other manufacturers (Yes, every Nikon lens purchase in those years was sending a little money to Olympus.)
But between 1978 and 81 Nikon coatings did not change in any significant manner, so coatings are not a reason to choose AI-S over AI.
There was one coating difference, but it was in the E-series lenses. They were budget oriented and Nikon restricted coating layers on those E lenses, and restricted what coatings they had to just a single element, and just one surface.
Despite the simplied designs in the E series, some of them are very good, especially the longer focal lengths.
I was a photographer buying cameras back in the 60's and ever since, so I saw all these developments come along. I remember the introduction of AI and AI-S. AI was a bigger deal than AI-S. The FA was the big statement camera to prove that Nikon was just as technically advanced as Canon. But Nikon misread the market. Nikon traditionalists didn't want electronics, and Canon users wanted lower prices, so the so-called Technocamera got stuck in the middle and didn't get as much love as Nikon wanted. A pity, because it's matrix metering (first in the world) is fabulous. But even today the Nikon snobs look down on the FA as being beneath their dignity. So that launch of AI-S for the FA was a bit of a waste until they brought out other cameras that could take full advantage of it a few years later.
Another change, on a few lenses, was to make the aperture linkage a bit more linear, to help with using shutter priority.
@terrygoyan3022 that’s really cool, never knew that
@@artistjoh was olympus or was Pentax with the smc?
I own the pre AI 50mm f/2 and honestly it's one of the best lenses I own. Hardly ever use it wide open, but the image you get at f/4 is CLEAN. I love how these lenses match each other in the grade and just how reliable they are. Great video
That’s awesome, sounds like an amazing lens. Those older Nikons are super cool. Really appreciate the input
Currently have 38 Nikon lenses in my collection. I've used everyone extensively and look forward to talking about them. They remain a hidden gem for the video/cine world. Tons of photographers love them. I remember in like 2010/2011 there was a surge of people buying them up. But the excitement faded and people started chasing other old/new cars down the street. I love my collection, and still say they are some of the best vintage glass to mod and use for video/cine, as well as stills. They all have character and are well built up through the D series (D series got a little lax with many elements being "hard plastic", quality hard plastic. but still a plastic composite). Yet optics quality, coating and a manual aperture ring makes them some of the most adaptable lenses on the market that look amazing. And the F-mount has been the same from like 1960-mid 2000's so you have lot's of lenses to choose from that are all compatible with Nikon and other camera bodies through cheap adapters.
Thank you so much for sharing! That’s an impressive collection
I've been using Nikkor lenses since 1975. The only lenses that use any plastic elements are a couple of lenses that use aspheric elements. This is because precision grinding of aspheric elements is very difficult. One of these composite lenses is the 17-35 f/2.8 with one aspheric element. Most D lenses are based on the pre-D lenses without any optical changes. There are NOT many D lenses with plastic elements!
@@terrygoyan3022 I said elements, which could be read as lens elements/optical elements. But was commenting on plastic parts, such as the front filter ring, aperture ring, and other parts of the lens frame and/or body. That's also why I said plastic composite. I know that type of material is easier and cheaper to manufacturer compared to older lens bodies that are all metal construction.
@@MajorProgress Fair enough. Although when anyone refers to elements in lenses, they are usually referring to optical elements i.e. lenses. You are correct about the slow decrease in build quality of Nikon lenses. My old ais lenses are built to last for a lifetime and more. Their AF f-mount lenses not so much. I'll admit to some dismay when I saw the first generation auto-focus lenses. The plastic 180 f/2.8 and 55 micro were a big disappointment to say the least!
I use my 28mm f2.8 AI-S, which I bought new in the 1980s, on a full-frame Nikon DSLR. It’s such a nice lens and so much smaller than the modern G-series lenses.
Love it!
Not only build, and optics are great contrast is comparable to thousands dollars movie lenses, Love and use them
Very true! There’s a reason the zero optik Nikons are being used so much
Nicely done Caleb! ❤
Thank you so much!
Excellent. Thanks
I recently got back into shooting film on a Nikon SLR and have the 24mm 2.8, 35mm 2, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 2, and 135mm 2 AIS lenses. They all are good, but the 50, 85, and 135 are superbly sharp. All were very affordable, especially compared to modern lenses.
What a great selection of lenses! Are you shooting on an F2 or something else?
I’m using an FM2 and a lot of TMAX400. I just love the look.
won't break the bank? the 85 1.4 has a say in it.
While not cheap, the 85 1.4 is very well priced compared to the competition and modern day glass
well done! I'm after all of them well actually I have already 3 of the ones you showed... the 85 is an absolute star but not only that one... the 135 is superb! and so is the 35
Glad you enjoyed the video and got something out of it! Which ones do you plan to add to your set?
Damn. Nice set of lenses. I have a few, but you’ve smashed it.
Really appreciate it! It took a while to build
I remember I bought Nikkor AI-S 85mm 1:2 and Nikkor AI-S 200mm 1:4 for two pennies ("due lire") in the '90s because were considered consumer lenses and nobody wanted them.
Today they are priced more than I spent at the time.
They’ve definitely been going up in value a bit lately
It's surprising just how versatile some of the f Mount lenses can be. I love my old Promaster AF (Tamron) 28-200mm Asph LD (IF) Zoom f/3.8-5.6, Nikon AF sure it's mostly plastic but it's a very versatile telephoto that has seen me through since the start of my photography days back on my full frame film SLR. I'm currently using it on my Fujifilm xt20 with an adapter and focusing manually. Vivitar made some fantastic f mount lenses back in the day as well as my dad gave me his old Vivitar 300 mm.
That’s awesome! Haven’t used any old af f mount glass but may have to try it out
These flare really nice! Impressive.
Love the flares! Their coatings are super consistent too so they have very similar color reproduction
Now you'r'e talking, Caleb; AI & AI-S lenses are superlative, & because they're all F mount, every Nikon body I own - from 1962 up to my D850, marry perfectly. Nikon glass is oft overlooked - primarily because it's considerably less expensive than Canon & Leica (& for which I have nothing personally against); I like the fact that Nikon focussing rings run in the opposite direction to the above counterparts, & apart from owning a couple of original OM series SLR's, I am uniquely a Nikon man: I like the weight; the positive clicks on the aperture rings - & for the most part, the wonderfully smooth focus; ultimately, there's nothing I don't like. I'll be using these lenses until I shuffle off the mortal coil. Excellent overview.
Glad you enjoyed the video! I really love these Nikon lenses. I wanna do a video comparing my Nikons to my FD’s, Leica R’s, Contax Zeiss, and Olympus OM’s
Book me a seat for that show, Caleb - I'll be there to watch it ! 👍
I own the AIS 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, and 85m f2 and paired with my Lumix S5iiX + BRAW, it's absolutely incredible.
Such a great combo!
I also have the 35mm F2...I wonder if the 35mm F1.4 will bring bokeh that it's worth it
Switch to ProRes Raw, you'll thank me later
@@jaimykim6417I shoot with Prores RAW as well, it's a bit better especially if I'm using a lot of Super35, but the file sizes and smoothness of BRAW helps a lot.
I'm looking to getting a set for my S5 do you have any recommendations for mounting and using them for video ?
I haven't bought any Nikon vintage lenses yet but I will be buying a 35 mm AI f 2.8, soon, for video... one shout out I can give these lenses from my recent research is the fact that Nikons from that era seem to be among the easiest vintage lenses to adapt to Canon EF Mount cameras...I use a Canon C100 and, unlike the process of trying to adapt other vintage lenses to Canon ef, (Canon FD is especially costly) the Nikon to EF adapters are notably small, relatively flat, made of metal, and very affordable, & do not use/need any additional glass elements... this is reassuring to see and is a major help...
They are so easy and cheap to adapt to ef which opens them up to so many people to be used
Good to know!
Vintage prime lenses that I own, like, and use include Nikon F, Pentax Takumar m42, Leica M, and Zeiss.
My Nikon and Pentax vintage lenses focus the same way.
I have the 14mm, 18mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 180mm, 400mm, 500mm, and 1000mm Nikkor vintage lenses.
That’s an awesome collection of lenses!
You 2:22 have a first class collection! Any favourites? Have you tried Minolta?
The original Star Wars movie was made with Nikon lenses. This was advertised by Nikon at the time. There was a piece in “American Cinematographer” magazine after the movie came out that explained why Nikon was chosen (unmatched variety of lenses was one reason).
That’s super cool!
I recently bought a Nikon Nikkor 105mm F/2.5 AI lens by accident and I must say I'm blown away by the sharpness and the colors it produces! I'm using it on my Sony A7 IV and it's simply amazing. I'm going to check out some of your recommendations, thanks for the video, mate!
That’s awesome! I believe the famous National Geographic ‘afghan girl’ cover photo was shot on that 105 2.5 lens. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@calebbrunkow Truthfully the "afghan girl" photo was the reason I wanted that lens but I'm not so sure which version it was actually taken with, either the AI or AI-S. Wikipedia says AI-S, I've heard/read from other sources it was the AI one, so I have no idea but the. optics inside of the two are the same tho. Either way I'm happy with it. Check it out if you haven't, won't be disappointed!
I’ll definitely check it out!
Great video! ...maybe not only knows but Kubrick shot some of his masterpieces on Nikon lenses!
Oh wow! Never knew that, thanks for the insight
I love my 20mm! Def a fun focal length
It’s such a cool little lens! I was so surprised that the front didn’t rotate when I got it since the canon 20mm does
Interesting, never thought of Canon FD glass as being particularly desirable. Grew up thinking Nikon glass was far superior. (Of course my dad shot Nikon, so that may have had something to do with it...!)
A lot of the canon glass was very mainstream but they have a few that are incredibly rare and expensive
I own , 300 f/4 Ais , 200 f/4 Ais, 180 f/2.8 Ais, 135 f/2.8 Ais , 105 f/2.5 ais , 85 1.4 Ais and planing to get a wide angle Ais . All are exceptionaly fantastic, super sharp and with lot of chrachter.
That’s awesome! You love your telephotos!
yes
@@calebbrunkow
Great collection! For the lens cap from Lenzbuddy, did you create your own custom design for the front graphic? I see the focal length italicised with the aperture below and a Nikon logo at the top and an AIS shadow in the background. Did you design that in Adobe Illustrator?
Thank you! And yes I designed it myself in photoshop
The Nikkor 180mm f2.8 is absolutely amazing. Found one in decent condition for $180 USD in February. Its worth buying.
You’re definitely making me want to add one to the set! I also have two zooms I didn’t mention cause they’re in another case. It’s the 25-50 f4 and the 50-300 f4.5
@@calebbrunkow GET IT! It its amazing! And if you ever have time do a individual review of each of your Nikon lenses. You'd be surprised how few are out there when trying to research.
@classic.cameras I’m gonna have to get a new lens case, I only have room for 10 lol
@@calebbrunkowhow do you like the 50-300? I’ve had my eye on getting one of those for a longggg time but have never pulled the trigger
How well to the Nikon control lens flare like the Pentax SMC Takumars? Also I think the Takumars look nicer out the camera because of the orange tint but I think these Nikons are better for shooting neutral and grading later.
The Nikons definitely control flare better than the SMC taks mainly since they’re newer but they still flare very nicely which I love. The flares don’t consume the image as much as the taks from what I’ve seen, they each have their use cases for sure, love them both
@@calebbrunkow Thanks!
@actualityfilms you’re welcome!
Great lens and presentation. The Nikkor lenses are great vintage glass.
A few things to add, for the 85mm category, another budget option is the Non AI 85mm f/1.8 which is a great alternative lens. Some online actually to prefer it over the 80mm f/2 AI and AIS. Some other great lenses that are great are the Nikkor Micro 55mm f/3.5 and 55mm f/2.8. They are among the sharpest vintage lenses on the market and can be found easily under $100. The 55mm f/3.5 you can find between $30-50 for instance. Another great Nikon lens I have been trying to get my hands on is the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI which is renowned in portrait photography. As for the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, I would actually recommend the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AIS long nose, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI, or the 50mm f/2 AI over it. From what I have read, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI /AIS lack the sharpness of other contemporary 50mm f/1.4 lenses from Minolta, Canon, etc. Also the lens suffers from more aberration compared to the f/1.8 and f/2 lenses. From personal experience, in the center frame, the 50mm f/1.8 long nose is one of the sharpest vintage 50mm f/1.8 lenses I have used at its maximum aperture. Of course the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lenses is on a different level compared to these lenses. As for the wide angle lenses, the 24mm 2.8 AIS and 28mm f/2.8 AIS are other great budget options one can find around $100. Great video once again!
Thank you so much for this comment! It was so insightful and packed with great info. I really appreciate it!
Nice video! It’s hard to find decent content about Nikkor lenses. As a proud owner of a vintage set like yours, I cheered up only looking at the thumb image
Really glad you enjoyed it! They’re really amazing lenses and I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about them
@@calebbrunkow Hope it stays that way. Nice video btw.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
2 questions?
1. Do you find you can nail focus with your 50mm at 1.2 or do you have to open up?
2. Matt box use- The focus rings on my 55mm 1.2 seem fine (stiffer than newer focus by wire). But when pulling focus out (lens pulls back) the focus tension goes up considerably. Is this normal? Any advice? Thanks so much for your review!
I really only shoot at 1.2 for specific shots or when I want that super shallow dreamy look so kinda tricky but usually only do it when the shot calls for it
For your lens getting stiffer with the mattebox you may have too much weight on the front of the lens causing the helicoid to be strained. I would recommend avoiding that so the lens doesn’t break
Nikon and Carl Zeiss focus the correct way! I couldn't get the hang of Canon as they focus the wrong way.
All personal preference I guess. Zeiss usually focuses the canon way though
They still make F mounts although the z mount does now exist it doesnt mean the F mount disappeared all the dslrs made now still use the f mount making it the longest mount to exist
Very cool! Didn’t realize they were still producing new f mount lenses
Legendary friend coming through to educate me, but this time not over IG DM ahhaha. Nice video Caleb
Glad you enjoyed it bro!
The Nikon focus and zoom direction makes more sense to me. It feels like you are pushing out when zooming out and focusing further.
That’s fair, never thought of it that way
Which focus ring size did you get for the 85mm? I can't seem to find anyone that sells for the AI-S 85mm
Followfocusgears.com has one for the 85 1.4
Having a 50mm f2 ais, at f2 it is sharp as hell
Great to hear!
oh god I am not going to recover from this, I am collecting all the 44mm screw mount lenses and it's a fun collection to have because I think I have every focal length covered then I find out there is a prime of the 1mm I don't have yet.
Vintage lenses are a deep deep rabbit hole
There's this misconception that cheap lenses can't be good and you need at least leica glass to be a worthy photographer.
Keep in mind though that nikkors are as good or better than anything else on the market the only reason they are "cheap" is because there are so many of them around (rule of supply and demand). try for instance finding a 20mm from any other brand at the price a nikkor 20 can be found, you'll have a hard time. Are the other brands that much better? no way, but when you go in to realms of some more exotic focal lenghts there's just more nikkors around keeping prices down. Should you want a noct-nikkor 58mm 1.2 though you still will need to pay a hefty price, because it's that good...? maybe, but it is allso very rare.
Great input, so true
My nikon vintage lens 28mm f2.8 ai. 50mm sc f1.4 105mm p f2.5 and 135 mm q f 2.8. So Amazing
Great set of lenses!
Agreed, all you got were amazing vintage lenses (NIKON). :)
Fisheye-Nikkor Auto 18 f/3.5, Ai'd and chipped
Nikkor 28 f/2.8 Ai-S, chipped
Nikkor 45 f/2.8 Ai-P
Micro-Nikkor 55 f/2.8 Ai-S
Nikkor-HC Auto 85 f/1.8, Ai'd and chipped
Micro-Nikkor 105 f/2.8 Ai-S
Nikkor 105 f/2.5 Ai-S, chipped
Nikkor 135 f/2.8, Ai'd and chipped
Nikkor 200 f/4 Ai-S, chipped
Used with Nikon F, F2AS, F3/T, FM3a and F6.
That’s a serious collection!
Nice video… Currently shooting videos with the Fuji XT5 with speed booster and the Nikkor 20/3.5, 24/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 55/3.5 macro, 105/2.5, and 180/2.8
Thank you so much and that’s an awesome setup!! How do you like the 180 2.8?
@@calebbrunkow The 180 is really nice and sharp even wide open to infinity, but I rarely have a need to use it. Been thinking of selling it to get a focal length that I could use more often.
@TonyReidsma I hear ya, anything past 85 I find that I use less and less as it gets more telephoto
Thanks for doing the leg work on this. I didn't even think to look at old Nikon.
Glad you got something out of it! They’re really great lenses
I have the 180mm, don't get enough use out of it though
The longer lenses definitely don’t get as much use
have you tryed the 55/1,2 AI is that any good
I haven’t tried but but heard good things about it. Also want to try the 58 Noct but they’re really pricey
@@calebbrunkow yes i also want that 58 🤔
Maybe one day we’ll get one haha
Where do I find those lens caps? They really look like they make it easy to find the focal length you want!
I designed them myself and had them printed with Lenzbuddy.com they’re great
@@calebbrunkowThanks!
The 180mm f2.8 is amazing.
Great to know!
Do yourself a favour: Go get the 180ED2.8. It's so sharp that I discovered a spider's web at a distance only in post, with every strand sharp. No perceptible distortion or fringing, sadly also no stabilisation -- the one thing I miss at that focal length. Bought on ebay for arond 400€, worth every cent.
@joanarling great to know!
How is the image quality of the E Series of Nikkor? Putting the fact they are mostly plastic aside, can they match cut in narrative fimmaking/editing, with, EXAMPLE, an AI lens?
Putting build quality aside then can absolutely match the look of the AI or AIS lenses. I don’t believe they made any high speed series e lenses though since it was their “budget” line. I believe they have similar optics and coatings to the AI and AIS
@@calebbrunkow Major thanks.I'm looking at using the 35mm AI, but the 50mm E series which is somehwat of a "pancake" style...REASON: In 2024 I'm looking to start shooting anamorphic video with the SLR Magic Anamorphot 40 adaptor, but I also use a Canon C100 camera which is of course an EF mount..BUT, I wanted the lenses used with this adaptor to be vintage lenses...for a number of reasons Nikkor lenses are really the best lens to bridge this gap (filter size, speed, vintage look, affordability, ease of adapting Nikon to Canon EF) ..I hope to post some results of this pairing on CZcams in this coming year
I now own a 35mm AI f2.8...great lens, great look..that's all I can say ..will stick with Nikkor lenses
They’re fantastic lenses for sure
Few ais has better optics than the ai version. For instance the 28 f/2.8 is far better in its ais version
Otherwise the s of ais was introduce only for better metering with the FA I guess which means you don’t need this add on for videos
These lenses are great for stills too. I like a lot working them on my Df which has this vintage look
Awesome advice!
Word!
I am in a rush to find Nikkor lenses because they are going up as Canon FD has become ridiculous. I have a bunch of Nikkors and honestly AI and AI-S lenses don't really matter on a mirrorless camera.
So true, just comes down to preference and what you can find
You see what you seem to think is best and disregard the rest, as vintage Takumars, Rokkors, Hexanons, etc. of the same era are in the same league, comes down to a matter of taste ✅
Those are great sets too, I have a set of Takumars and love them. Made a video on them last year.
Stopping down nikkor lenses with 7 or 9 aperture gives you nice star burst on bright light sources.
Awesome!
Now that i finished my set... let's pump up those prices! haha JK
I genuinely hope the prices stay right where they are haha
Bro what about Minolta 😂
Minolta is great, just not for me
Now back to your regularly scheduled content…😂
*Promo sm*
but you said they won't break the bank :(
If you go for the f2 versions they’re much more affordable. Compared to other sets like Leica R they’re very well priced
@@calebbrunkow what about Canon and pentax, i heard pentax made some unique lenses
@selmanefarescherifi4283 canon and Pentax are amazing lenses!! I made a whole video about Pentax lenses that I think you’ll enjoy. I’ve been wanting to make a video about my FD set as well but there’s already so many videos out there that I’ve been making others first
@@calebbrunkow Alright thank you!
keep the good work!
You’re welcome! Glad you’re enjoying the content
2:17 Wrong! Judging by your content, seems you’re a Canon guy.
Nikkor lenses were first to the game when comparing with Canon. Even made lenses for them. So technically, Canon focuses backwards.
And you don’t hear about Nikkor because we Nikon users keep our mouths shut for a reason.
6:27 if anything I think focus breathing actually looks more tech and cinematic... cause think about it: all throughout cinema history they designed lenses that don't breath. So, seeing that in a higher end production looks more artistic to me, or like some technical thing that other lenses can't do. If your production is high enough quality, focus breathing will not look amateur. It will look like you have a bad ass DP with specialty lenses.
That’s a very interesting angle, never thought of it that way. I’m sure some people could make it work to their advantage. Anamorphic lenses tend to breathe more than spherical ones and people love those
@@calebbrunkow ya, you have to think of the audience... they know nothing about lenses or cinematography. Having crazy bokeh and out of focus backgrounds used to be avoided in early early cinema. Zooming in while rolling was never a thing in early cinema. And became standard in the 70's. Doing weird stuff with tilt/shift lenses. I think it's all part of the aesthetic of using lenses which will all have their own characteristics. Not sure why "breathing" is frowned upon. It's just something the lens does, and draws attention to: "yes, this is a lens I'm using to shoot this scene". I honestly don't think anyone would notice or care if your story/lighting/cinematography/production value was of a high caliber.
@urwholefamilydied I really enjoy your input on this! Never thought of it that way