Hi Bob, thanks for the well controlled equal comparison and option to self check the images. The thing I don’t understand regarding (my) z8 iso performance that some can present great low noise images even at iso 12-16k but my one struggles at 1000. And it is not just noise but washes out most of the details. Sent to nikon repair, waiting for their response…

Hi Jules, it seems like every time I have a question about Nikon film cameras, you have a video that sums it up! I had a quick question regarding the F2 and longer lenses. I use a waist level finder on my F2, and my 50mm lenses (series E and even an Nikkor AF F1.8D) work well in terms of showing a clear image on the focusing screen. When I use my 200mm Nikkor lens, it seems like the focusing screen is showing a circle of the image (almost like vignetting). It's interesting because my AF Nikkor 35mm-80mm lens will show a clear image at 35-50mm, but when I move past the 50mm it will start to vignette. Is there a fix for this? Also, does it affect the actual exposure on the negative? Thanks so much!

How good is Af assist on Z or Canon M w/ a wider wide 35/2.5 Color Skopar? Or does Nikon Z still have the “Green” dot electronic rangefinder in the EVF?

I bought this as a kit with a D750 and four years later upgraded to D780 but kept the 24-120 f/4. I compared the D750+24-120 with a Zf+24-120Z, and, the Zf+lens is the exact same size. So sure, Z bodies are smaller, but the lenses are bigger. My only criticism of the 24-120f/4 is that it's a bit big and heavy to carry around all day. The 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR is smaller, lighter and cheaper so I tend to use that if I'm out and about and I won't be so sorry if I dropped it or something.

My first lens for my Nikkormat FTn in the early seventies was a 28mm f3.5 HC, actually. A Nikon Montreal Rep. sold it to me.

Like you, film era zooms don't excite me and i much prefer the primes. However, the push-pull thing.... Where this design makes a lot of sense is in fast action photography - wildlife, sports etc - and where you're approaching a subject while shooting on the move. It provides the ability to zoom AND maintain focus with one hand - a continuous process that is seamless and faster than is possible with a two ring design. So, in the right context push/pull is a great technology that lets you get images you'd be unlikely to get otherwise (but it answers to a need that the advent of AF consigned to history). Cheers and all the best.

I literally just bought a used D810 and the 24-120 (and the 85 1.4) last week.

Enjoyed the video Jules, Never had that lens, however, it is good to see that it is still a viable option even for the Z mount, that said, only if you’re buying it second at a good price. You mentioned the Godox V1 flash, I just got that flash recently after listening to many excellent reviews on the Godox system in general. I have owned the Nikon SB -800 for 10 or more years and I wanted to upgrade to something a little bit more powerful with a lot of options. I’m looking forward to you doing a review of that flash.

I have just acquired the SRT 201 but looks to be the older model since mine has the CLC in the front. I know the batteries originally used are no longer in the market and I can get a replacement or upgrade to take another type My question is: the battery is only needed for the light meter correct? I could use this camera manually with no batteries and hope for the best with focusing correct?

I have just acquired the SRT 201 but looks to be the older model since mine has the CLC in the front. I know the batteries originally used are no longer in the market and I can get a replacement or upgrade to take another type My question is: the battery is only needed for the light meter correct? I could use this camera manually with no batteries and hope for the best with focusing correct?

I still have this excellent lens. It stay attached to my d850.

Hi, i've just inherited this camera from my grandpa. since i can't find the batteries it needs, does it work anyway without batteries? (sorry for my bad english, i'm not a native)

I've got the Z mount version, it is very good, a real workhorse. Personally I think 120mm f/4 makes better portraits than 70mm f/2.8, and the extra 50mm is very useful generally. I've still got my F mount 24-70mm f/2.8 but hardly ever use it.

I used to have this lens with my old Nikon. Personally, I enjoyed using it, but it was just too heavy with the FTZ on my new Z camera. So I replaced it with Z mount glass.

Hi Jules, do all the shutter speeds work without battery?

I have a Nikon Series E, 28 mm 1:2 8. I used it long time back on my FA. I use a D750, a D700 and a D7100 now. Can I make my old lens somewhat useful on these bodies?

beautiful lenses I have 2 of these. In the one that has a loose zoom ring you have to replace the dust and dirt seals and it will be like new.

Thanks you for sharing this. It's only the most important Ship in history.. It's only failing. What's his owners....❤

I see you using your glasses, does that affect focus if you need glasses and don’t wear them? I assume it would but just curious

Thanks for providing the processed images for download. It really helps with seeing what's going on. The fairly uniformly well lit scene likely helped the D700 fare better than it otherwise might have, but the results are still impressive. I'm pretty happy with my D600 and I very much doubt that switching to mirrorless would be worth the cost (for still photography at least), even if I could afford it.

Thanks for all your great work in 2024 and all the best for 2025.

Great video. I appreciate your clear explanation.

I have this lens (and many other MF Zuikos), and use it on a OM-D E-M5, with the original Oly adaptor. Once you get used to the crop-factor, it is a GREAT lens. In fact, they all are, and on M4/3 the weird stuff at the edges more or less disappears..

thanks for the video! recently took a couple nikkor's on vacation and did some christmas tree shots. the 28mm f/2.8 pre AI and the 5.8cm f/1.4. the 5.8 cm delivers some wild bokeh unlike most nikkors!

Thanks for sharing your images

Amazing !!! Good 2025☺️🇦🇷🤙👍👏

You got some great photos this past year. I especially like the fisheye shot at the church and also the sunset in the gulf was really cool.

Inspiring! I'll be dusting off my camera.

Great work! Keep shooting.

Great slideshow. I noticed your photos are consistent in terms of color. Do you shoot in default jpeg or do you apply a color profile? Maybe a video on your philosophy of editing/photo culling would make a good video.

Fantastic little lens. A real sleeper. One of Nikon's best vintage lenses for sure. Super, razor sharp. I updated to the 180 F2.8 AF and wow, that's next level (It's even better than the 105 2.5). It's much larger though. I then sold the 200 F4 and even while I sold it, I knew I would regret it.....Sure enough, I did, so I bought another one haha. It's just too darn handy and nice, not to have!

Why do I always find myself being drawn to images produced by sonnar lenses?!?

Hi Jules and thx a lot for this comparison. I am more than glad for you to do it as I suggested it in some of my past comments. In fact first of all true that it s difficult with KZbin to evaluate the sharpness of these lenses so thx also for’putttingbthe original jpeg , I will have a look. About bokeh you seem to consider bokeh is better if the shape of the lighted points are well round. It s perfectly respectable and your comments in this way are true but honnestly I don t think that some cats eye lighted points ruin a picture… and can even give some character to an image. Finally your video shows that old ( and cheap !!!) lenses are not bad at all and except the advantage of the autofocus in some conditions it s true that it’s sometimes difficult to justify the price of these new jewels… which cost. Thx again and eager to see more comparison next time !!!

Hi, good work! I am only wondering why you haven't included the Nikkor 105mm f2 DC, a absolute masterpiece of lens design. It's for sure one of the best lenses ever, across the board. I am working since many years with it and am still always stunned with the results from it. And, used with my Z8 it puts Plena to the shame... Happy New Year to you 🎉

Bought my first camera in 1978 it was a Nikkormat FT3 and later a Nikon F, still have them both and they work perfectly. Left photography in 1985 after gaining experience with 5X4 and 10X8 formats as well to pursue other business interests and returned to photography in 2005 with a D70 and later with a D7200. Accumulated quite a few lenses over that time and still happy shooting with DSLR cameras primarily in the automotive sphere. Mainly do shows. events and racing. Recently returned to film using my trusty vintage Nikons.😄

Thanks Jules for this facilitating comparison and all the other excellent content you have presented this year! Have a good new year and looking forward to seeing more from you in 2025!

Amazed how well the older lenses perform. If you don’t require autofocus they are good option. May lack a little bit in sharpness and may be a bit more abbreviations but as we all know composition is king!

I purchased a 85mm f/1.8 in 1971 and still own it.

I’m tempted to take a look at the same aspect using various Micro-Nikkor lenses like the 55mm/f2.8, 55mm/f3.5, 60mm/f2.8, 85mm/f3.5 and 105mm/f2.8. Of course the subject and various distances will be very different. So much emphasis is placed on bokeh these days that I’m sure I’ll find surprises in how they differ from old Takumar, Helios, Rokkor and other brands. Thanks for this video and happy new year!

The 50 AIS looks scary compared to the non AI. They worked a lot for sharpness & other technical qualities and managed to make a dead lens...

Love your Nikon lens videos 🙌 thanks 🎉

Very interesting, only if you closely scrutinize the older AIS lens vs the Z series, I really didn't see much of a difference. No doubt the Z lens are superior...sharpness, CA, contrast etc. but unless you only photograph test charts the AIS lens really held up well. Thanks for these videos....Happy New Year

Hello Jules, well you proved that the Plena was the Bokeh king (or queen) for sure. However, more importantly, I am amazed that the older lenses measure up as well as they do to the newer Z mount lenses. Anyway, congratulations on an excellent year of KZbin videos. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

Thank your for this post. Right from you I see a Nikkormat and left the Nikon F (on mini tripod). As I owned them all in the 1970s/80s, my estimation - plus the downsized Pentax M series - is a little bit different: Just like the Olympus OM the Nikon FM offers interchangeable focussing screens: here the items K, B, E, also for the Nikon FE; later the FM2/FE2 came with brighter screens and you can put them into the FM/FE bodies, too. Just like the Nikkormat the OM-1 has the shutter speed dial at command. However, at the FM the aperture ring on the lens is just nearby whereas with OM lenses you must overleap the focussing ring. That's all matter of taste. The starting bases of both systems were in principle different: Nikon had its well estimated pro system and only wanted to downsize the prosumer/amateur line far off the 'heavy duty' pro- like Nikkormats. Olympus started into a completely new era of a camera conception which should become a consistently downsized pro system. However: Neither Olympus nor Pentax were able to satisfy pros who got often disappointed - just like me - about the lack of liability compared to the 'hardcore' Canons and Nikons. I agree that the OM-1 has a much more 'nicer' appearance, and I got some right at their outset in 1973 (one silver, one black, later the same with Pentax MX). Especially the tiny motor drive with the removable battery pack seemed to be an attractive highlight, but this accessory failed due to defective build quality for the sake of which I parted with both Olympus and Pentax but have been sticked with Nikon to the present.

I can't believe the d810 still holds itself after 10 years I have a d5300 and it still punches above my Sony Nex 7 except for video but my got the d810 was an impressive cam for its time

Ordered a BR 2A from eBay and will give it a shot, I have many manual Nikon lenses, the commonality of the 52mm filter thread if a real advantage! Thanks.

It would be interesting to see at what ISO you can replicate the grain from HP-5 in your Nikon digital camera and even other models such as the Sony a7’s. I’d wager it would be similar to 6400 on something like an a7V …

Great video 🎉 What do you recommend for a flash

Great explainer video!

My first fullframe dslr. After that many more like the D800, D810 etc.. but the D700 is still a great camera.