Nikkor 35mm 1.8 vs used OLD Nikkor 35mm 1.4

M

matt9b

Well-known member
Hi everyone! :Drogar-Happy(DBG):

I'm in the market to buy a 35mm lens for video, their price varies a lot though. I'll either get an old Nikkor 35mm 1.4 (£400) or new Nikkor 35mm 1.8 (£180)

Does anyone have any example videos of these lenses on a 7D? It would help my decision greatly

Thanks a lot
 
What do you mean by "new"? You know that only the old manual lenses are of any use, right? The new lenses all require a digital signal from the camera to control aperture, etc, which won't work because you're not using a Nikon.

The old ones just attach to an adapter plate and all controls are manual and mechanically controlled on the lens body, which is why it will work on any camera.

Just want to make sure you're not looking at the wrong thing...
 
I've heard of adapters that use EMF chips for focus confirm, etc, but I've never heard of one that also controls aperture. But even with focus confirm, I never heard anyone say they work well enough to use.
In fact, I recall reading somewhere that folks tried to take them OFF their adapter with a screwdriver because it was driving them crazy.

I don't have any first hand experience with anything other than a mechanical lens adapter, which is what most of the folks around here use. Maybe someone else could give you a first hand impression.
But even if it works, did you see HOW it works? Read the instructions in the description- it sounds very complicated to use.
Telling the camera to use certain apertures apparently puts the chip into settings mode, and you have to program the EMF chip by entering certain values on the camera, setting minimum and maximum aperture of the lens because it doesn't know otherwise...
 
If you're thinking about the 35mm Nikon f1.8, then why not consider the Canon 28mm f1.8, it's still cheaper than the older Nikon, and it's wider to boot.

Don't put a new Nikkor on a Canon camera - I have the adapter you're looking at and it doesn't work very well. It's 100x more practical to have a Canon lens.
 
I am using a Canon DSLR and I have put together a set of manual Nikkor primes for it. While you may be able to use the New Nikkor lens with that adaptor on a Canon camera now, but, what about the future? The Nikon F-mount lenses are some of the most plentiful lenses ever manufactured, and they are adaptable to a large variety of camera mounts. By buying manual Nikon lenses now, you can be much more assured that you will be able to adapt the lenses to future cameras as all you will need will be a mechanical adaptor and will not have to worry about electronic compatibility. It is my understanding that the Nikon F mount lenses are much more adaptable than the Canon EOS mount lenses.
 
steventimothy said:
If you're thinking about the 35mm Nikon f1.8, then why not consider the Canon 28mm f1.8, it's still cheaper than the older Nikon, and it's wider to boot.

Don't put a new Nikkor on a Canon camera - I have the adapter you're looking at and it doesn't work very well. It's 100x more practical to have a Canon lens.
Click to expand...

I already have some Canon lenses, they give a specific look, I was hoping to get a different brand to vary my choices a bit.
 
David G. Smith said:
I am using a Canon DSLR and I have put together a set of manual Nikkor primes for it. While you may be able to use the New Nikkor lens with that adaptor on a Canon camera now, but, what about the future? The Nikon F-mount lenses are some of the most plentiful lenses ever manufactured, and they are adaptable to a large variety of camera mounts. By buying manual Nikon lenses now, you can be much more assured that you will be able to adapt the lenses to future cameras as all you will need will be a mechanical adaptor and will not have to worry about electronic compatibility. It is my understanding that the Nikon F mount lenses are much more adaptable than the Canon EOS mount lenses.
Click to expand...

Thanks! so if I get a Nikkor I guess it will be an old manual one :)
 
If you go in eyes wide open you'll have a lot of fun. Older f-mount lenses (and not just Nikon) are great. The Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 (non-AI) lens I have (which I paid next to nothing for) gives a real neat look. I think you'd enjoy the 35mm f1.4 as well, wide open it gives a soft, dreamy look. 35mm is a nice practical size on an APS-C camera, and it'll be easier to focus at f1.4 than my 50mm.

When you read reviews of old full frame lenses like this, usually the problems are all in the corners of the image. This doesn't apply as much to APS-C cameras as the smaller sensor only uses the centre of the lens and less of the "corners".

Good luck!
 
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steventimothy said:
Older f-mount lenses (and not just Nikon) are great.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes I love older lenses.. I still have quite a few of various types from the good ole' days with my Pentax SLR.

I bought an old optimax 35mm 2.8 in the end off ebay. I'm still on the look out for a reasonably priced 35mm 1.4 nikkor. It seems that bargains are becoming a rarity since everyone sells at higher prices on ebay to push for as much as possible these days! I swear prices are getting higher...
 
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