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Home → Cameras and Lenses

Why I Love the Nikon E Series (AKA Really Cheap) Lenses

By Guest Poster 59 Comments
Last Updated On February 16, 2019

At a time when the digital photography world was buzzing with new gear announcements, I managed to fall in love with some of Nikon’s very old and cheap lenses, the E Series lenses. My experience with these lenses taught me a great lesson: it is really not about the gear. It is rather about being creative with what gear we already have, despite how limited and incapable we might think of it. This was a great inspiration to me, especially with my nagging habit of lusting after the latest and greatest gear announcements. The fact that I’m writing this article goes to show that I still struggle with GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), but for a change, this is a case about some of the cheapest lenses available.

This guest post was contributed by Samer Rizk. See more of Samer’s work at his 500px page.

Nikon E Series Lenses (1)

I’m a Nikon shooter at heart and will use my Nikon gear for planned shoots, especially hired / paid ones. For everything else, I decided to go mirrorless. I sold a Nikon D300 for a Sony A7 and combined the latter with a bunch of Nikon E Series lenses. The E Series lenses are a group of manual lenses that Nikon originally designed as budget lenses to complement their compact film bodies.

Nikon E Series Lenses (2)

Their key strength is the somewhat decent optical performance that comes in a compact size and light-weight package. Assuming the photographer knows what the lenses are being used for; they are capable of performing well and have their own sweet spots.

Nikon E Series Lenses (3) Nikon E Series Lenses (4)

I had already owned the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 and the 35mm f/2.5 Series E, which I used with a Nikon FE2 and briefly with my Nikon DSLRs. When I bought the Sony A7, I added the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8, 100mm f/2.8, and the 75-150mm f/3.5. I happily paid in the range of $45-$60 US for each of the lenses, except for the 100mm f/2.8, which cost a little more. For the purpose of this article, I’d like if we just think of the Sony A7 as a digital back for the Nikon E Series lenses, with a retro appeal to the whole setup.

Nikon E Series Lenses (5) Nikon E Series Lenses (6)

Obviously, what I like best about the E Series lenses is their compact size and light weight, especially when combined with a mirrorless body. This helped me carry my camera bag literary all the time. It’s true I lose a bit in the optical quality department, and maybe more significantly I give up autofocus, yet this is far outweighed by the fact that I have a full frame setup with me all the time and one that meets my photography needs. I was never able to do so with my otherwise advanced DSLR system, mainly due to the bulk and weight burdens. The lack of autofocus as I’ll discuss later did actually help me slow down my photography, which improved my thought process.

Nikon E Series Lenses (7) Nikon E Series Lenses (8)

I will typically carry the 28mm, the 35mm or the 50mm combined with the 75-150mm. Sometimes I will have two primes along with the zoom; the 50mm is the smallest of the bunch and carrying it is usually a no-brainer. All factors aside, the weight of my typical setup is comparable to that of the body only of any of the DSLR bodies I owned. Another great advantage about this setup is how it goes unnoticed when shooting around people, unlike my DSLR system which is rather intimidating.

Nikon E Series Lenses (9) Nikon E Series Lenses (10)

Lack of autofocus in my now everyday camera was yet another influential factor on my photography thought process; it helped me slow down in a way reminiscent of film photography. I learned how to appreciate quality over quantity and will now visualize and seek a shot better than I did before. I will shoot fewer pictures and still appreciate the outcome, even when I think I could have done better. Previously, I would shoot a ton of pictures and feel lost through the selection and editing process.

Nikon E Series Lenses (11) Nikon E Series Lenses (12)

Having mentioned film photography, these E Series lenses will produce digital images with a unique character and feel to them. This is probably the case with many of the old film lenses. I personally think this can sometimes be interesting and unique, especially by today’s otherwise digital terms. They certainly lack the micro-contrast of Nikon’s recent DSLR lenses for example. Also the 50mm in particular shows a slight warm effect in pictures.

Nikon E Series Lenses (13) Nikon E Series Lenses (14)

So far I’ve owned the 75-150mm f/3.5 AiS E Series lens for a lot less time than I have my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR. However on average, I’ve used the smaller lens a lot more than I have the bigger one, with the latter costing me thirty times more than the former. Not to mention the number of times I was tempted to upgrade to the newer Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II. Having said so, I must mention that my E Series lenses have actually produced some of my photography work that I’m proud of. Gear should not really hold anyone back from producing good results. A limited camera setup, that is often used, is more rewarding than an advanced system that is seldom used. After-all, limiting oneself is a good way to foster creativity. I’ve since been focusing on finding ways to shoot more often and getting the best and most use out of what I already have.

Nikon E Series Lenses (15) Nikon E Series Lenses (16)

All pictures presented were shot with the Nikon E Series lenses with some captured on film.

Nikon E Series Lenses (17) Nikon E Series Lenses (18)

P.S. The best place to buy used, cheap lenses is eBay.

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Lenses, Nikon, Film, Nikon Lens, Film Photography, Guest Posts
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Marcin
Marcin
September 22, 2019 12:31 pm

Previously, I would shoot a ton of pictures and feel lost through the selection and editing process. – 10/10 !!!

1
Reply
David Roseman
David Roseman
August 5, 2020 3:36 pm

Wonderful and inspiring
stuff – thanks for sharing

0
Reply
Robert
Robert
August 18, 2019 1:27 pm

The copy I got produces extreme haze. Worse is the flare band that runs diagonally across the picture. All that even though the lens elements are relatively clean.

0
Reply
Lee Stirling
Lee Stirling
May 11, 2018 7:04 am

I just bought a used 70-210mm f/4 Series E lens for use on my FE2 and I’m in love with it so-far. With a combination of Portra 400, this lens renders amazing contrast and gives me photos I can really sink my teeth into. photos.app.goo.gl/hiHa2G2aWKCkGlPV2

0
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Marcin
Marcin
Reply to  Lee Stirling
September 22, 2019 12:34 pm

beautiful photo

0
Reply
Cesur Ozkurt
Cesur Ozkurt
May 21, 2017 2:35 am

I have D610 and 85mm 1.8g
I bought 75-150 f3.5 cost 12 times expensive 85 not better then this 35 usd 75-150 f3.5 lens. zoom and macro extra benefit .

I love this lens 75 -150 f3.5 more than 85mm 1.8g

you can visit my fb u can check all my photos both lenses

fb cesur ozkurt

E series lens colors and sharpness perfect. fast easy small , what you want more .
after 75 -150 f3.5 i don’t need 85mm 1.8g anymore . I can sell and with this money I can buy 50mm 1.8 or 1.4d
and I can just buy E series and Ai or Ais lenses done.

0
Reply
mey
mey
February 21, 2017 12:48 am

Hi!
I just acquired a 100 mm/f2.8 – I read on one of your answers that the adaptor I should be looking for is the one for Nikon F mount to sony nex (I use sony nex), do u have any suggestion on this?
I am also wondering if I could also use the E series on my F3, can you help? Thanks!

0
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Tom Sieswerda
Tom Sieswerda
October 19, 2016 2:37 pm

Thanks for the interesting article. I just inherited a Nikon EM with what looks like a nice 50 mm 1:1.8 and a 100-300 1:5.6. Would like to mount on my SONY a6000. Cannot fine the proper adapter. Can you help?

0
Reply
samer RIZK
samer RIZK
Reply to  Tom Sieswerda
December 31, 2016 1:09 am

Hi Tom, you should be looking for a Nikon F mount to Sony Nex adapter. Cheers..

0
Reply
Pete
Pete
September 1, 2016 9:10 am

I always heard that the Series E 100 2.8 was a favorite of Fashion Photographers. I got one years ago to use with my FM2n. It was cheap then and even came with an EM as a lens cap. Had a small piece of tape on it marked “Leave on 8”. I have a few more of the Series E lenses but my collection now is the Nippon Kogaku lenses and I am using them on a Df. I am glad you are having so much fun with your Series E kit.
Pete

0
Reply
Doug M
Doug M
August 29, 2016 7:35 am

You mentioned that the older nikkor lenses have less microcontrast than the newer lenses. I would actually have to say the opposite. The newer lenses images look flat and lifeless. Maybe the newer lenses will work better for wide angle. Because of the better sharpness corner to corner and the bokeh say on the 70 200 VCR. They have too much glass to have the depth of the older lenses as you can clearly see in these photos. They older lenses have a more 3d quality to them.

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Simone
Simone
March 7, 2016 10:50 am

Hi Guys I used a Nikon F3 for a very long time with a good set fo Seies E lenses 50mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2.5, 28mm f/2.5 and 70-210 with Micro @70mm. When I migratet to digital (after a log time stop) I used all my Seiries E on a D300s and then on a D700, mostly for portraits or panoramas and I’m really proud of shots thaken with them, even more than the one taken with more recent lenses.
Now I’m seeking for a 50mm f/1.2…
^_^

0
Reply
Simone
Simone
Reply to  Simone
March 7, 2016 10:52 am

Sorry for my bad english :)

0
Reply

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