diana Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 After starting discussion threads with titles like <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006l05">Most disliked Nikon lenses ???</a> and <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006pih">Most disappointing Nikon accessories</a> I thought I'd start a more positive thread as we are about to start a new year.<P> What are your favorite lenses for your Nikon camera?<P> You're welcome to list any brand.<P> -----------------<P> Interactive photo project:<P> <a href="http://leovilletownsquare.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=486880">Christmas shopping w/your digital camera</a><P> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ky2 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 That's going to raise a few different responses =). Nikkor 105/2.5 AI. Best price/performance ratio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidfink_photography Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Hi Diana, I certainly agree with Yaron about the 105/2.5 AI/AI-s. (I've got two of 'em. The quintessential Nikkor for portraits.) I'll add the 45mm f/2.8 AI-P to the list, and the 85mm f/1.4 AF-D. Both have bokeh to die for, and are wonderful in every other way. Best wishes, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_Lai Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Actually, all the lenses that I currently have! My reason is that I've bought and sold so often, I can cherry pick and keep just the goodies. here's a quick rundown and the reasons why.<p> 1) 20mm f/3.5 AIS - super wide angle that is tiny and sharp.<p> 2) 24mm f/2.8 AI - nice "standard" wide angle for me. Sharp!<p> 3) 28mm f/3.5 PC - Expensive, but when you want to do architecture, nothing else will do. Sharp (I'm not going to keep repeating this, because I don't keep soft lenses).<p> 4) 35mm f/1.4 AIS - Fast, but small.<p> 5) 50mm f/1.4 AIS - ditto. Some barrel distortion on #4 & 5<p> 6) 50mm f/1.8 AI - as sharp as they come, and even smaller than #5. No distortion.<p> 7) 60mm f/2.8 AFD Micro - goes to 1:1.<p> 8) 105mm f/2.5 AIS - the classic portrait lens<p> 9) 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS - another classic portrait / medium tele lens.<p> 10) 70-180mm f/4.5 - 5.6 ED AFD micro - true macro zoom. The only zoom I've ever kept. Out of production?<p>Finally, not a lens, but the PN-11 extension tube with tripod mount. It makes using the 180 and 70-180 macro zoom much easier, by providing good support as well as improving the close focus distance on the 180mm lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 12-24 F/4 17-35MM F/2.8 AFS 28mm f/3.5 PC Nikkor 85MM F/2.8 PC Micro Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AIS Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AFS II 600mm f/4 AFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_warn Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Number one would be my 45mm f2.8 Nikkor, it has the best bokeh of any normal that I own (50f2, 50f1.4, 55f3.5). The only hassle is that it focuses in the wrong direction. I used this as an enlarging lens when I was too poor to afford a proper enlarging lens and it worked quite well between f8 and f16. I suspect it would be an excellent macro on a reverse mount. Stops to f32 comes in handy but it does lose a bit of sharpness when closed down that much. I haven't used the GN feature in years but I originally bought it for use with a manual flash and it worked very well. Number two is the 85mm f1.8, for casual available light people shots it is the first lens that I reach for. Love the speed, sharpness, bokeh, and narrow depth of field. Number three is the new 105mm f2.8 micro AF D. Mine is sharp at all distances and it is an excellent macro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_tan Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 55/2.8 AIS, 24/2.8 AIS and AF 85/1.8D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck___3 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 24-85 AFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_smith3 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 1. The manual focus 200mm f4.0 micro lens--even with its old fashioned tripod mounting collar. 2. The 500mm f 4.0 P lens--its balance is remarkable and its lens quality is just great. 3. The PN-11 extension ring (tube) with tripod collar that can convert any Nikon lens to a lens with a tripod mount. 4. The 24mm AF f 2.8 D lens 5. The 35-70mm AF f 2.8 D zoom lens--very sharp. You can tell that I am a "value" investor. I purchased al of the above used and saved myself a lot of money. Joe smith Joe Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praveen_kumar4 Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 1) Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AF - extremely sharp wide angle 2) Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF - extremely sharp normal 3) Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-AFD - extremely sharp "small" telephoto these are indeed the best ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_h._hartman Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I cant find any fault with Robert Lais list. Illadd a 28/2.0 AIS and 85/1.4 AIS. Robert you need a K-1 Ring foryour 20/3.5 AIS (if you like wide angle close-ups).<br><br>As usual Ellis Vener confounds me with his preference for the 105/1.8AIS. Now I wonder if my 105/1.8 was a dog or if the body I testedmy 105/1.8 on was out of focus. I used a 6x, DW-2 finder on the F2I used for tests but...</p> <blockquote> <p>Oh, OK. The only problem you are likely to have is with your ability to focus manually to get all the sharpness that this lens can deliver at f/1.8. Many cameras are a little off in their focus calibration, so run tests to see if your images on film are really focussed where you thought you did. I often found cameras were a little bit off, so if you really wanted great sharp results at f/1.8 you had to tweak the offset-headed screw against which the camera mirror rests to bring everything into calibration. --<a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105f18.htm" target="_new"><u>http://www.kenrockwell.com</u></a></p></blockquote> <p>Not a Nikkor lens but I love my 50/3.5 Fujinon-EP Enlarginglens. Also for a great general purpose normal for day use, the 55/2.8AIS Micro is very competitive with the 50/1.8 AI but focuses muchcloser.<br><br>Best,<br><br>Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_smith Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 If I lost every Nikkor I had (a couple of dozen!), I would get both a 35mm f/1.4 and a 105mm f/2.5 both AIS, and live with only these for some time. I can go (and have gone) anywhere in the world with only these two lenses and cover most everything that interests me. Eventually I would get the 24mm f/2.8 AIS and this would be it. I have every focal length from 20mm to 300mm, and many examples and vintages of same focal lengths, but these three are my most used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 My 50/1.4AI and 85/1.8 NAI get used the most for available light portraits and candids. I'm warming up to a new(old) 35/2AI and 180/2.8 ED AIS, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40mm Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 28/2.0 AIS and 85/2.0 AIS. Perfect two-lens travel kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh_t Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I just got the 28-70 AFS and it replaced my 35 AIS F2, 50 AF F1.8, and 85 AFD F1.8. Best decision I ever made equipment wise. Also made me stop lusting the 28mm F2. I realize the prime shooters are going to flame me big time but I would rather quickly zoom and get the shot properly framed than fumble to change lenses and miss the shot. Flame on prime shooters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank uhlig Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Idle chatter all around. Come on, take pictures ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuriy y. vilin Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 What�s more appreciated: Caravaggio or Rafael? Cheese cake or banana cream pie? Catholic or orthodox? Get the idea? <p> Ok, I don�t own a lot of Nikkors but all of them are HIGLY valuable for me as every single one fit MY needs. I am sure you can pick a few lenses that will be perfect for what YOU do. There�re very reputable sources, like Thom Hogan�s or Bjorn Rortslette�s sites that can introduce you to the world of Nikon lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_h._hartman Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 <em>"Idle chatter all around. Come on, take pictures ..." --Frank Uhlig<br> </em><br> Not so: a good craftsman does not use a monkey wrench for a hammer. Even using a fine lens for a purpose that it is not well suited to will make good results less likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_h._hartman Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 <em>"I realize the prime shooters are going to flame me big time but I would rather quickly zoom and get the shot properly framed than fumble to change lenses and miss the shot." --Hugh T<br> </em><br> If you have the time, use a prime. One does not replace the other. There are so many different reasons for using different lenses that generalizations dont work. I cant fault your choice except that I like to have my primes and zoom too.<br> <br> Cheers!<br> <br> Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_jiang1 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 75-150mm f 3.5 series E, bought at $80 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregg_johnson Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Right now I appreciate the perspective that my 50mm gives because I'm shooting portraiture. I love my 24mm because it's so sharp and if I'm not sure about an assignment, it'll work in any situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40mm Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 <i>Idle chatter all around. Come on, take pictures ...</i> Oh, Frank... it's dark, below 30 degrees and snowing outside ;-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoeica images Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 My personal fav's: 20/f2.824/f285/f1.8180/f2.8 And the mother of all lenses: Early Nikkor 50mm/f2 "tick" lens - have to appreciate a plain old 50mm lens that can bring in $500! Chriswww.zoeicaimages.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond bradlau Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 The Nikkor 80-200 2.8 AFD ED, Without question my all time best lens! fast, sharp and used for under $500 didnt hurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_sereda Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 105/2.5 AI, 50/1.8 AF, and - call me kooky if you will - my 70-210/4-5.6 AF takes some mighty fine photos as well. Thanks to Ken Rockwell on that particular purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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