This is my oldest lens - a Nikkor "Q" series, 135mm f/2.8 MANUAL FOCUS lens.
Made in 1977, it's an AI-Modified model, meaning it originally didn't have a coupling ring or any way of transmitting the aperture size/f-stop to the camera body. After it was AI-modified, it can now allow the camera to set the exposure for you in "Aperture Priority" mode, or you can do it manually with "Manual Mode".
It's manual-focus only, meaning you have to turn the focusing ring to get your image in focus. It's a bit challenging at first when you start out, but when you get it right, it feels really good to get a clean, crisp and well focused image! I've had it for about 3 years now and I hardly use it, but it's really fun to use! It's totally made of metal, so it's a HEAVY lens, and the focusing ring is actually
silky-smooth! It's a real pleasure to turn that ring and watch your image glide into sharpness, and then *click* - great picture!!
(note: it will meter on DXXX series Nikons (D100, D200, D300, D700, etc.) but on the D40 series and D60 series, it will only meter in Manual Mode - hence it's manual aperture/shutter settings and manual focus, turning your D40 into a totally old-school camera!!!).
Here's a shot of the lens mounted on my D200, just took this pic....
I put my 18-70mm f/3.5-4.0 AF-S DX kit lens next to it for comparison.
Here's a few test-shots that I just took outside my house, before the rain started falling about 10 mins ago.... (all shots were taken at a wide-open f/2.8, variable shutter speed with center-weighted metering, and ISO 500 - yeah my D200 is really sh!tty with light sensitivity... bleh)
Pretty sharp, for a 36-year old lens!!
Stopped at f/2.8
Aperture set to f/4.0 - compare the bokeh to the f/2.8 pic above....
.... and then set to f/8.0 - what a sharp lens, even if it's an old-classic!!!
So... tuners, what old and classic lenses do you guys have??