Would anyone have any use for old Nikon FM2 lenses?

[scubadude]

I have a broken FM2 that I haven't used in many years. I may have a working one too.

Several macro/zoom lenses. Don't remember what they are. If there is any interest I will hunt them down.

They would be free to a good home less the cost of shipping.

Best,
Scuba

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. oh, yeah... I am always on the

scrounge for old nikon glass

pm me if you still have em.

thanks

[Fumesucker]

2. Eh, just sent you a PM..

[scubadude]

3. Thank you for answering.

I think I have between 4 and 6 lenses. Since you both replied, I will split what I find among you at random. They are heavy so shipping might be around 8 or 10 dollars or so.

It may be a small while until I find them, they may be in storage. My wife thinks they are in a closet. At any rate please send me private messages so I don't lose track of you and once I find them I'll let you now.

Best,
Scuba

[Fumesucker]

4. No, thank you for your generosity..

I'm retired and money for equipment is scarce, hence my handle..

[scubadude]

5. Checked the closets, no go. This weekend we will go over to

our storage spase and locate the lenses.

I'll need both of your help to fairly distribute the lenses. I put up what is there and you guys should amicably come up with the lists. If that doesn't work I'll assign them randomly, but I thing a guided approach might make both of you happy. Im pretty sure there are at least 2 macro zoom lenses. Then some close up.s and the rest I dont premember.

Maybe for this favor I do for you you could help me set up a new digital rig. I wont need components from you, just advice. I'd like to have a fairly good digital setup done at a good price. I'm a bang for the buck kinda guy.

My speakers sold for over $4000 new I paid $500 used... that kind of ratio is what I look for, 1/4th to 1/10th the new cost...

Theres got to be a site that has this stuff. The audio site is www.ausiogon.com Check it out for great deals on audio products.

I'll help you guys set up a stereo if you want. I know pretty well what things should be going for.

Best,

Scuba

[Fumesucker]

6. When you say digital rig I assume you mean camera and ancillary gear..

I'm a bang for the buck kinda guy myself, I like to buy used for pennies on the dollar.

What do you want in a DSLR system? I went with the Sony A100 myself; enough megapixels to rival 35mm film for resolution and any Minolta Maxxum AF lens since 1985 will work with both the AF and OIS built into the camera body, gives you a huge number of quality lenses to choose from at reasonable prices.

Ferinstance, I bought a Quantaray 28mm f1.8 lens for my system for $30 the other day and a 50mm f1.7 genuine Minolta for $65.. The 50mm had a slow diaphragm which I fixed by carefully cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner.

Two fast, autofocus, image stabilized prime lenses for under $100, you can't beat that bang for the buck very easily.

[scubadude]

7. Cool. Sony A100.

Bang for the buck. I always buy used if I can. Way better quality than I can afford new. I sell stuff too occasionally. I'd rather my photo stuff stay here in DU rather than sell it.

I'll have to look on Craigslist for what you have suggested. A DSLR is what I'd go for. My little Canon doesn't do too bad 7mp and tiny!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look them up presently.

Scuba

[Fumesucker]

8. I have a Panasonic Lumix FX07 pocket cam that I carry all the time as well..

It's about 2/3 the size of a pack of playing cards, 7 megapixels, OIS that works pretty well and a 3.7x Leica zoom with a 28mm equivalent on the wide angle end, something most pocket cams don't have. I bought the Lumix used on ebay for under $100 and like it a lot.

The Sony is big, heavy and attracts attention, the Lumix is the opposite, I treat it like I'm looking at a cellphone and get totally ignored almost all the time.

I have the 18-70 kit zoom for the Sony, a 28-200 f3.5-5.6 zoom and the two lenses I just bought. Got everything used for well under the actual value. The only stuff I've bought new is two Sony flashes that work with the wireless flash capability on the A100.

I have a Nikon Photomic FTn body that I am going to put your lenses on, I picked it up for $5 at a flea market a while back, the only thing wrong with it was it was missing the focusing screen and the lens that came with it was fungus infected.

[scubadude]

9. A word of warning about old lenses

Your mention of fungus brought a couple of things to mind. I work on optics professionally. If you ever find brown or yellowish fungus between lenses, avoid it like the plague. There are a couple of funguses that can harm you pretty badly.

Now here's the really weird part. Older lenses that have yellowed or browned with age should also be avoided. They may be contaminated with thorium, which was used in lenses to make the glass' refractive index higher. Dump them.
Very nasty stuff. Unless you like to glow....

Scuba

[Fumesucker]

10. Thanks for the warning..

I used to try to clean fungus infected lenses, since it always came back I just dump 'em now.

I've heard of the thorium lenses before but that is a good warning too.