Best Nikon Pre-AI lenses for Nikon DF

[iKokomo]

I recently got a Nikon DF and I learned that it is the only DSLR that can use unmodified Nikon Pre-AI lenses. I am mainly a portrait photographer.

I do have some manual AI lenses like the 50mm f/1.2, a 28mm, and a 105mm.

I was wondering what the best Nikon Pre-AI (or even non-AI) lenses that I should look for portraits? I would prefer to stick with Nikon branded lenses.

 

[JBPhotog]

You already own it, the 105mm.

That lens is a beast and other than its minimum f-stop of 2.5 and just a wee bit less sharp than the E model 105mm f1.4, it should prove to be a great performer on your DF.

 

[Derrel]

I recently got a Nikon DF and I learned that it is the only DSLR that can use unmodified Nikon Pre-AI lenses. I am mainly a portrait photographer.

I do have some manual AI lenses like the 50mm f/1.2, a 28mm, and a 105mm.

I was wondering what the best Nikon Pre-AI (or even non-AI) lenses that I should look for portraits? I would prefer to stick with Nikon branded lenses.

Ummm, no: the D40, D40x, D60, and all of the D3000 and D5000 series bodies can mount and shoot pre-Ai lenses with no modification to either the lenses or camera...however, you will have NO light metering, either for continuous light, or for flash.

The 35mm f/2 O.C. Nikkor, and the 85mm f/1.8 H, and the 105mm f/2.5 would all be quite good. The 50mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/2 would also be nice. The 55mm f/3.5 Micro~NIKKOR is also a pretty good pre-AI choice

 

[Derrel]

"Pre-AI" and "non-AI' are generally considered to be the same thing, at least in lenses....non-meter-coupled accessories like the M2 extension tube sort of fall into a gray area. The Ai protocol was introduced in roughly 1977.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I am a fan of Nikon manual focus glass. I install a chip on them so they can be used on all my later cameras in all modes. Some more difficult than others but few are truly hard. I have a 25-50 f4,28 f 2.8 and 50-135 f3.5 that have been done and they all perform well for me. The 28mm is the only Ai the other two are Ais. I have a 50 f1.4 Aos and 135 f2,8 pre Ai that are in line for the install soon.


If you're interested in this and are handy with tools look here.

 

[mjcmt]

85mm f1.8
I had AI version and know its very good so the non-AI is also good.

 

[cgw]

You really should look through Bjorn Rorslett’s and Roland Vink’s sites for the lowdown on focal lengths that interest you. Might be more productive. Though way less a problem here, many other sites’ respondents tend to just echo fact-thin noise.

 

[Scott Murphy]

I have the 105mm f/1.8 AIS but also the 10.5cm f/2.5 Nikkor P. It is a 1968 vintage according to the serial number. The AIS is sharper in the corners but there is just something about that 10.5cm when it comes to character. I love using it, even with my DSLR's. I used a Dremel and cut off wheel and cut a notch in the aperture ring so I can mount it and have metering.

 

[Spirit Vision Photography]

Original pre-AI 105 f/2.5. A classic. Nikon D780 body. This lens is legendary, and deservedly so. It delivers superb results. The attached image was shot on Portra 400 film with this lens.

 

[cgw]

Original pre-AI 105 f/2.5. A classic. Nikon D780 body. This lens is legendary, and deservedly so. It delivers superb results. The attached image was shot on Portra 400 film with this lens.

View attachment 263396

View attachment 263395

There were two NAI versions of the 105. Assume this one was AI-d to fit the D780?

 

[Spirit Vision Photography]

There were two NAI versions of the 105. Assume this one was AI-d to fit the D780?

This is the first edition of the Nikon 105, f/2.5 lenses. I AI'd it myself for use on film and DSLR bodies.

 

[cgw]

I'm partial to the big NAI Nikkor 85/1.8H.

 

[mjcmt]

My fav are 35/1.4 (I think this was Nikons first super fast lens), 85/1.8, 105/2.5, 180/2.8 (only AI)
Personally I get all these in AI version.