Comparing lenses (focal length)

J

janfe

Senior Member
For years I enjoyed photography using Nikon and Nikkormat SLRs. I got used to using 24mm, 50mm and 200mm lenses. I now love digital photography and recently considered a J1 as I want more manual control like I had in the past with the old SLRs. I have a s9200 and have not worried too much about focal length as I just point and shoot. However with the new digital lenses e.g. VR 30mm-110mm I have no idea how that compares to the old 35mm SLR camera lenses.

A VR 30mm-110mm focal length is not the same as a 30mm wide angle - 110mm tele lens on an old 35mm SLR is it. So is there some sort of comparison table or something?
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
Unless you go FX the first thing that is gonna screw you up is the crop factor. I'm used to shooting a F2. I have a D5000 and I use the same MF lenses on it that I do the F2 (105 and a 28 and a 50) It is very disconcerting to me at least. The J1 is an even bigger crop.

Where you from Janfe and what is your name and what kind of gear do you have? :)
 
J

janfe

Senior Member
Hi Jeff

I am a Brit but living in Taiwan at present so asking complicated questions at camera shops here is not really on. Although I have old Nikkor lenses back in Europe I have no intention of using them on a J1.

Ideally I would like a 24mm-150mm zoom AF lens that fits the J1 but that I can use manually. In fact what I really would like is a manual digital SLR but no one seems to make such a camera apart from maybe Leica and they are well out of my price range.

I could never afford such cameras as an F2 but did dream of such cameras when I was younger:) I also thought about a Hasselblad but when I looked at the new digital ones on the Internet they looked real ugly compared to the old ones of the 70s and 80s.

What do you think of the J1 (J2)??
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
Oh don't even get me started on the J1! :)

I am one of the few that supports the whole idea of the 1 system! I am all for the mirrorless cameras especially if they are Nikons. :)

There is going to be a bunch of new lenses released over the next year for the system so it ought to pick up a little steam for sure.

I just saw one on my local Craigslist for 450 today wish I had the cash. I would say to you now buy the Nikon 1 adapter (it is expensive) to be able to use your F mounts I'm not sure but you may have to have Ai or Ais or converted rigs. That will immediately expand your tool kit if you have the lenses. The 1 cameras are very small so maybe some of the pancake primes like the 45 or the 50/1.8 would be more suitable for the 1 body with adapter. A 16-85 modern lens would put you close to the 24-150 range and it is a cracker.

I am a film/digital lover and I have a great passion for both and especially for Nikon stuff. If you read any of my old posts you will soon discover this. It is never to late to get an F2 sir I have a flickr friend who just bought a F2 serial number 71xxxxx and a 50/1.4 Nikkor for a song and a dance so low it is a crying shame I tell you on Craigslist. The damn lenshood and soft shutter release alone that were on the rig are worth what he paid for it all. They are out there at bargain prices if you look and that is a camera that will outlive you. If I can ever own a 501C Hassy I am all in. Fantastic cameras they have went into space just like the Nikons...you won't find no damn Canons on the moon good buddy! :)

Hold onto that J1 I hear great things about it and I would love to have one and a bunch of 1 system lenses for it myself. It is like the ultimate portable/back up camera that can hold it's own too.

Eduard is one of the few if not only people on this forum that has one and I am sure he will be pleased to see your post here. We definitely need some more Nikon 1 users on this forum!
 
Last edited:
J

janfe

Senior Member
Hi Jeff


I think that is exactly the info I wasafter: .."A 16-85 modern lens would put you close to the 24-150 range and it is a cracker"... Thanks for that.


Before digital I used to do my own BWdeveloping and printing but the hobby became too expensive and I gaveup photography for around 10 years. It was the digital era thatrevived my interest; Smaller, lighter cameras, lower costs, instantphotos and no chemicals, just Photoshop (or in my case GIMP).


I still look longingly at the oldsecondhand Nikons when I pass photo outlets but the idea of returningto film always puts me off buying one. That said my neighbor is alsoa Nikon film SLR fan. He does have a small digital camera but no DSLRso film must still have something going for it...

Jan
 
E

eurotrash

Senior Member
A Nikon has orbited the moon?
Anyone know what kinds of cameras have been into space by any weird chance? Sorry to derail, I'm just curious as hell..
 
Top