Thanks for doing this tests. Very useful information. I'm glad you included shots with aperture stopped down to show the sweet spot of these old lenses.
I have a few AI/AI-s lenses and this matches up with my results. Very dreamy wide open, but not very usable for subjects because of the relative softness and small depth of field. One stop up and its very usable and two-three stops up and these lenses shine. Wide open can work well on photos though (if you can hit the focus). And detail shots.
I was wondering if the F to Ef mount and speedbooster was coming into play with the softness on her face? I'm assuming he was getting the focus right. I was going to roll with these for an upcoming wedding over the Contax Zeiss, but not so sure now. Do you have any experience with the Zeiss kit for video as well, or just the Nikons?
@@astrokid5773 I mean it's Zeiss so they are almost always sharper. Can't really go wrong there. But the Nikons are very dreamy! I've seen some great wedding footage from them. Here's a good example of the Nikons in action. ruclips.net/video/IQjQeKB3mRI/видео.html
it's up to me or 35/1.4 AIS doesn't match the others...? IDK is very dreamy and it has a lot of CA, I also feel that AIS have changes in color temperature between them. excellent video, thanks for sharing!
It definitely has the most character out of the bunch wide open, but I find matches (and cleans up) perfectly when stopped down just a little. These are vintage photo lenses and not originally designed for cinema, so there's obviously gonna be some slight variation between them. Despite this, I find that they match pretty well in colour temp and texture to my eye, and never have any issues on legitimate projects cutting them together. Thanks for your comment!
Hi! thanks for this review. What you think about the Nikkor 28mm f2 ? i have the other focal lenghts with other vintage brands, like takumar... Now i Need a 28mm and the nikon Ais seems good but I dont find much footage from this 28mm lens.
Hi there, thanks for your comment! I've recently acquired the 28mm f2 but haven't had the chance to do proper testing yet. From my limited experience, it's quite nice. I also own the legendary 28mm f2.8 which is often hailed as one of Nikon's best. So far the f2.8 is sharper and has less distortion (which is to be expected). If you need the extra stop, the 28mm f2 seems to perform well enough and matches with other lenses in the set. I also think the close focus might be slightly better but I need to continue testing.
Personally haven't tried the Contax, but from my research and videos I've seen they seem to be slightly more clinical, which is a good or bad thing depending on the look you're after. I enjoy these for my taste, but it's such a subjective thing.
Completely missed this, sorry. I did do a hard conversion with Simmod's lens mounts. I didn't have any issue with this except with the 50mm 1.2. It has a protruding rear prong that I simply snapped off, sanded, and used a black marker to cover. It's completely unnoticeable now and mounts perfectly.
I see! I thought i have to do the same. I got my nikkor ais 50mm f1.2 and cinemodded on my own with parts from simmod. It works fine on EF mount so far without sanding off the pin! Update: After trying on with a few different camera setup, the 24mm f2 and 50mm f1.2 doesn’t work with the EF to BMPCC4k Ultra 0.71 meta ones because of the protruding rear pin. Not sure whether to physically remove the rear pin as it works with other EF mount (so far).
For Ai-s they are designed for a full-frame 35mm image plane, so they should definitely cover. I believe the other series have a similar image circle but I don't use them as frequently so don't quote me on that. I'm personally using this set with the EF speedbooster, but the Nikon F should work as well. I do think it's a better use of money to buy EF mount kits and an EF speedbooster rather than having a bunch of lenses with different mounts, but that's just me.
Hello! I was considering buying a set of AI-S lenses for my BMPCC 4K but I have the Metabones XL EF since all my glasses are EF Mount (except for my set of M42). Since the flange distance should be compatibile, is there any issues using an AI-S lens, with the F to EF adapter, mounted on Metabones Speedbooster XL with the EF mount on my BMPCC 4K? Thanks a lot!
I don't see that being an issue mounting-wise, although it's always preferable to go with a hard-mount conversion to reduce lens wobble during rack focus. Also, keep in mind some lenses may have rear pins or protruding elements that'll hit your speed booster (like my 50mm 1.2). In that case, I filed it off, but keep in mind you are essentially damaging your lens.
@@Blisterfilms Here we are 10 months later ahaha Of course hard conversions are always better for racking focus! Are there other Nikkor AI-S lenses which may need some work around to make them work with the speedbooster? I'm currently buying the 20mm 2.8, 28mm F2, 50mm 1.4 and the 85 1.4. Thanks!
@@TheVexHead hahahah! The adventure never stops ☺️. Don’t have any one those (except the 85 1.4, which never gave me issues though I’d like to add the 20mm to my kit at some point.
@@Blisterfilms Almost finished my Super Takumar set and now ready for the Nikkor one! ahahah I was almost forgetting (seeing you basically have my same setup) do you have problem reaching infinity focus? Should I have problems using AI-S lenses without an hard conversion but just using a normal adapter? Btw I mainly use my 20mm 2.8 Zeiss Jena on the Pocket, such a lovely lens and focal lenght (24ish equivalent, the right wide angle)! I'm skipping the 24 F2 being so close to the 20mm and the 35mm just to diversify and going with the 28mm instead. Thanks for your help! :)
@@TheVexHead Haven't had an issue with any lenses other than the 35, but I took it apart at one point and that might it. Very nice to hear about your sets! Would love to see the footage you produce!
It sure is a treat! Recently had a chance to use it wide open for a special sequence in a project and man oh man does it deliver a completely different look.
I can’t believe I’m only now finding out about these lenses! They’re so beautiful!
Thanks for doing this tests. Very useful information. I'm glad you included shots with aperture stopped down to show the sweet spot of these old lenses.
找了好久，終於有AIS 老境的測試，非常感謝!
It's a pleasure! Glad this could help :)
hey mom look i'm on camera!
I have a few AI/AI-s lenses and this matches up with my results. Very dreamy wide open, but not very usable for subjects because of the relative softness and small depth of field. One stop up and its very usable and two-three stops up and these lenses shine. Wide open can work well on photos though (if you can hit the focus). And detail shots.
I was wondering if the F to Ef mount and speedbooster was coming into play with the softness on her face? I'm assuming he was getting the focus right. I was going to roll with these for an upcoming wedding over the Contax Zeiss, but not so sure now. Do you have any experience with the Zeiss kit for video as well, or just the Nikons?
@@astrokid5773 I mean it's Zeiss so they are almost always sharper. Can't really go wrong there. But the Nikons are very dreamy! I've seen some great wedding footage from them. Here's a good example of the Nikons in action. ruclips.net/video/IQjQeKB3mRI/видео.html
I would love to get a set of these rehoused.
Would you go with the 28 mm 2.8 Ais or 24mm 2.8 on the blackmagic 4k? Ty
it's up to me or 35/1.4 AIS doesn't match the others...? IDK is very dreamy and it has a lot of CA, I also feel that AIS have changes in color temperature between them.
excellent video, thanks for sharing!
It definitely has the most character out of the bunch wide open, but I find matches (and cleans up) perfectly when stopped down just a little. These are vintage photo lenses and not originally designed for cinema, so there's obviously gonna be some slight variation between them. Despite this, I find that they match pretty well in colour temp and texture to my eye, and never have any issues on legitimate projects cutting them together. Thanks for your comment!
Hi! thanks for this review. What you think about the Nikkor 28mm f2 ? i have the other focal lenghts with other vintage brands, like takumar... Now i Need a 28mm and the nikon Ais seems good but I dont find much footage from this 28mm lens.
Hi there, thanks for your comment! I've recently acquired the 28mm f2 but haven't had the chance to do proper testing yet. From my limited experience, it's quite nice. I also own the legendary 28mm f2.8 which is often hailed as one of Nikon's best. So far the f2.8 is sharper and has less distortion (which is to be expected). If you need the extra stop, the 28mm f2 seems to perform well enough and matches with other lenses in the set. I also think the close focus might be slightly better but I need to continue testing.
Any thoughts between this and Contax Zeiss?
Personally haven't tried the Contax, but from my research and videos I've seen they seem to be slightly more clinical, which is a good or bad thing depending on the look you're after. I enjoy these for my taste, but it's such a subjective thing.
That 85 tho
Is 24 2 that soft wide open?
Hey Im just curious whether you did a hard conversion to EF mount? Does the pin at the rear of the lenses hit the speedbooster?
Completely missed this, sorry. I did do a hard conversion with Simmod's lens mounts. I didn't have any issue with this except with the 50mm 1.2. It has a protruding rear prong that I simply snapped off, sanded, and used a black marker to cover. It's completely unnoticeable now and mounts perfectly.
I see! I thought i have to do the same. I got my nikkor ais 50mm f1.2 and cinemodded on my own with parts from simmod. It works fine on EF mount so far without sanding off the pin!
Update: After trying on with a few different camera setup, the 24mm f2 and 50mm f1.2 doesn’t work with the EF to BMPCC4k Ultra 0.71 meta ones because of the protruding rear pin. Not sure whether to physically remove the rear pin as it works with other EF mount (so far).
Could you use Nikkor Pre-Ai, Ai, and AIS lenses paired with a metabones xl .64 speedbooster from Nikon F to Mft ?
For Ai-s they are designed for a full-frame 35mm image plane, so they should definitely cover. I believe the other series have a similar image circle but I don't use them as frequently so don't quote me on that. I'm personally using this set with the EF speedbooster, but the Nikon F should work as well. I do think it's a better use of money to buy EF mount kits and an EF speedbooster rather than having a bunch of lenses with different mounts, but that's just me.
Dude I think I want this set
I don’t know of any nikkor ai-s lenses at F2.0. Mind showing me a link to the one you’re using in the beginning?
www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2420.htm
Are old nikkor lens f mount?
Yup! Every 35mm Nikkor lens made since 1959 uses the f mount. These are converted to EF though.
Hello! I was considering buying a set of AI-S lenses for my BMPCC 4K but I have the Metabones XL EF since all my glasses are EF Mount (except for my set of M42). Since the flange distance should be compatibile, is there any issues using an AI-S lens, with the F to EF adapter, mounted on Metabones Speedbooster XL with the EF mount on my BMPCC 4K?
Thanks a lot!
I don't see that being an issue mounting-wise, although it's always preferable to go with a hard-mount conversion to reduce lens wobble during rack focus. Also, keep in mind some lenses may have rear pins or protruding elements that'll hit your speed booster (like my 50mm 1.2). In that case, I filed it off, but keep in mind you are essentially damaging your lens.
@@Blisterfilms Here we are 10 months later ahaha Of course hard conversions are always better for racking focus! Are there other Nikkor AI-S lenses which may need some work around to make them work with the speedbooster? I'm currently buying the 20mm 2.8, 28mm F2, 50mm 1.4 and the 85 1.4. Thanks!
@@TheVexHead hahahah! The adventure never stops ☺️. Don’t have any one those (except the 85 1.4, which never gave me issues though I’d like to add the 20mm to my kit at some point.
@@Blisterfilms Almost finished my Super Takumar set and now ready for the Nikkor one! ahahah
I was almost forgetting (seeing you basically have my same setup) do you have problem reaching infinity focus? Should I have problems using AI-S lenses without an hard conversion but just using a normal adapter?
Btw I mainly use my 20mm 2.8 Zeiss Jena on the Pocket, such a lovely lens and focal lenght (24ish equivalent, the right wide angle)!
I'm skipping the 24 F2 being so close to the 20mm and the 35mm just to diversify and going with the 28mm instead.
Thanks for your help! :)
@@TheVexHead Haven't had an issue with any lenses other than the 35, but I took it apart at one point and that might it. Very nice to hear about your sets! Would love to see the footage you produce!
Were these examples shot wide open on each lens?
For each lens, I show 2 examples. The first wide-open, and the second stopped down slightly.
That 35 is way better than the f2 ais I have which i love but I noticed the separation and better bokeh on the 1.4 instantly!!
It sure is a treat! Recently had a chance to use it wide open for a special sequence in a project and man oh man does it deliver a completely different look.
I found this video just after I bought a whole set of them. Horrendous bokeh X(
Good test video though.
Lol
I suppose it’s just down to personal taste ;)