Which Nikon Lenses for the M2?

Michael Erlewine

Michael Erlewine

Well-known member
I have the M2 with the Nikon lens mount. I would appreciate any comments from those of you who have used Nikon lenses with the M2 , as to which of the Nikon lenses you find work best?

I have these lenses that I use with my Nikon D200:

AF Micro Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR
AF Micro Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5D

I understand that different lenses might be used for different purposes, but given the list above, which look like they would be useful for M2 work, and which (if any) are probably of no use.

For example, the 70-200mm lens is probably too heavy to use, since I don't know how I would mount it on the M2.

Any experience or suggestions about these lenses (or others not listed here) would be appreciated.
 
Those lenses are alright... but 2.8 is slow by my personal standards. If you are outside, they should be great. Inside however plan to light and light strong. What I do like about your collection is the selection you have and how they share the same wide open f/stop (2.8).

I would also suggest you buy a lens at 2.8 or lower for the 50mm area. I see that portion of the range is covered by the f/3.5-4.5 lens, and I agree with Bennis that the 28-105mm is much to slow. 2.8 is pushing it, but 3.5-4.5 is risking it.
 
The 70-200 won't work because the aperture is controlled by the D200 camera.

Michael Erlewine said:
I have the M2 with the Nikon lens mount. I would appreciate any comments from those of you who have used Nikon lenses with the M2 , as to which of the Nikon lenses you find work best?

I have these lenses that I use with my Nikon D200:

AF Micro Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR
AF Micro Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8D
AF Micro Nikkor 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5D

I understand that different lenses might be used for different purposes, but given the list above, which look like they would be useful for M2 work, and which (if any) are probably of no use.

For example, the 70-200mm lens is probably too heavy to use, since I don't know how I would mount it on the M2.

Any experience or suggestions about these lenses (or others not listed here) would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Some more fixed focul lenght (primes) for sure are needed, you wont be using too much zoom , unless you want to, in your movies. 50mm f1.8 's should be easy to find, and maybe a fixed wide like a 28mm or 35mm as well
 
I understand. I am probably going to sell the 2.8 70-200 VR Zoom (an incredible lens), as I have ordered (but am waiting) for the new 18-200 VR-2 Nikon Zoom, which is not a "cool" as the 70-200 2.8, but much easier to lug around and does not need a tripod. I plan to swallow my sophistication and admit that I am more of a carry-around guy, than a pro-shooter - tired of lugging that tripod.

I will look into some of the primes mentioned by other users. I get it: go for the low F stops for M2 work.
 
Nikon 80-200mm AF-ED f2.8 ~900. (You dont need the AFS.)

Nikon 35-70mm AD f2.8 ~$350 used (this lens is out of production, but it's the one you want).

Nikon 50mm f1.4 AIS (manual focus. Buy it used. ~$150. If you insist on the f1.2, it will run closer to $350 only buys you 2/3 stop more light and is almost impossible to hold in focus across a take.)

Nikon or sigma wide. I have the sigma 15-30mm. fstop is less critical on the wide zoom.

Also, possibly:
Nikon 24mm f2.8 AIS (manual focus. buy it used. Not sure the price, but I think cheap, or maybe its the 28 thats cheap.). This would be handy because it weighs less, and probably has a wider aperture than the zoom.

Those are pretty much all the lenses you REALLY need.

Expect the zooms to function more as VARIABLE fixed lenses... Ie, expect to get a fixed focal length across an entire take, unless you have a lot of time for monkeying around trying to synchronize sloppy zoom and focus changes.

EDIT: THESE ARE ALL FULL FRAME 35MM LENSES. I have never understood why I would buy a DX lens when they are all so consumerish.

Keep your primes. Never sell a Nikon prime. Sell your first born if you have to (although I'd recommend pawning that way you can get the little bastid back later), but never sell a nikon prime. ;-)
 
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Thanks so much for the info. It is a real help.

Since I can't afford to own all the fine Nikon lenses out there that I want, I feel my best move will be to sell the 70-200 2.8 VR lens, which is probably worth about $1400 on Ebay, and buy some of these manual lenses you point out.

I believe I should probably keep the 17-35 2.8 Nikon, since it looks to be useful.

I do need to get a fast 50mm 1.4 lens and am already bidding on one.

Nkon lenses are not new to me, but using them with the M2 is new, and I had very little idea what works best.

I get from the above posts that zooms are not easy to work with, but can be managed to some degree. My two primes I would never sell anyway. They are too good for all kinds of things.

I have a much better idea at this point of what is useful. Thanks.
 
I am not completely sure since I have never tried it but I am wondering if you might have problems with DX designated lens'? You might find they vignette since they produce a smaller projected area. Also you need to use lens' designated with a 'D' because you need to have an aperature ring. I would suggest Nikon's old 105mm F2.5 if you can find it, it is widely cosidered one of their sharpest lens' with the good bokeh.
 
Glen Hatsumi said:
I am not completely sure since I have never tried it but I am wondering if you might have problems with DX designated lens'? You might find they vignette since they produce a smaller projected area. Also you need to use lens' designated with a 'D' because you need to have an aperature ring. I would suggest Nikon's old 105mm F2.5 if you can find it, it is widely cosidered one of their sharpest lens' with the good bokeh.
Click to expand...

DX lenses won't work since they don't have an aperture ring. I find myself using my 85 1.8 more than the 105 2.5. A 50 1.4 or 1.8 is a must too. More pricey is also the 35 1.4.
 
I have a 50mm 1.4, but I also want to get a 35mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4. That about covers my short term needs. If the director needs more, he can rent it himself!
 
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