Nikon Nikkor 35mm f2 AI-S

I’ve recently added a Nikon Nikkor 35mm f2 AI-S to my vintage lens arsenal. It’s a well regarded lens and I had been disappointed with my other vintage 35mm lenses, whilst using them with my Sony A7. I’ve blogged on that problem here: Vintage Lenses – Lens/Camera Combinations.

I sourced this lens on Ebay where it had been advertised as in great condition for £270. I wasn’t disappointed when it arrived. It’s a lovely lens in what I would describe as mint condition.

The lens arrived a week before we were due to fly out to Estepona, Spain for a weeks holiday so it was packed with a number of other vintage lenses for our trip. The image of the fishing net floats was one of the first images I shot with it.

I used the lens throughout our week in Spain but I was also experimenting with older 35mm lenses on my Fuji X-T5 so it didn’t get as much use as I would have liked. However once I was home I was really impressed with the images I had captured with it. Since the holiday I found myself using it as my default set up on my Sony A7 for anywhere I went with a camera.

We’ve just returned from a short break in Center Parcs, UK where I decided to take the Sony A7 and three old Nikon lenses, including the 35mm f2 lens. Once again, I found myself using this lens/camera combination for the few shots I did take whilst we were there.

I’m really enjoying this lens. It’s easy to use, a bit soft at f2 but I don’t get hung up about that. It has no other flaws as far as I can see. I’m really enjoying my photography with it and it’s challenging my Nikon 105mm f2.5 as my favourite old lens, and that’s saying something. Here’s a few more examples from last week, all taken with the Nikkor 35mm f2/Sony A7 combination.