Trying to hijack my mind with activities not directly dealing with current events to try and give myself a measure of peace through distraction for some moments. Here we go.
Recently wrote a piece on the Nikon FG and the 50mm f/1.8 AIS.
I had previously been infatuated with the FE…
…then F3…
…with more prestigious lenses like the 50mm f/1.4.
For my third visit to Nikon land I went with the FG. I wanted to see how much I lost by going lower tier. In my opinion I lost little or nothing. As far as lenses go I gladly traded the brighter 50mm f/1.4 for the much smaller and solid performing near pancake Series E 50mm f/1.8.
The Series E f/1.8 was far better than I expected. When I like a film camera and score a good 50mm lens for it I sometimes follow this up with a good portrait lens. Previously I had gone with the Nikon 85mm f/1.8.
Great lens and great results. With the 50mm being so good I decided to go for a Series E portrait lens. More specifically the 100mm f/2.8. A pancake 50mm was a surprise. A 100mm lens the size of a typical 50mm was also a surprise. Just like the 50mm this is a good looking lens that pairs perfectly with the small silver and black FG.
Result? I love it. Bought from KEH it looks like it just came from the factory. An amazing price at less than $100. Feels very solid in hand and of high quality. And I am a sucker for a lens with a shiny PASSED sticker.
None of that matters if it does not provide solid images. Well it does.
More than sharp enough. Nice flare control since many shots were taken in broad daylight. Nice contrast. As much as I liked the more expensive 85mm f/1.8 and it’s brighter aperture this lens performs near as well and I prefer the size, weight, and price. I really like this lens and highly recommend it.
Eric L. Woods 
6 Replies to “This Old Lens: Nikon NIKKOR 100mm f/2.8 Series E AIS”
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