ray . Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I'm thinking of adding a 50mm f/1.4 lens for my FM2n (have just a 24/ 2.8 presently)... but aside from that, was wondering just out of curiousity what Nikkor lenses are people's favorites. What's your favorite manual focus Nikkor lens and why? No need to worry if your functional needs pertain to mine or not, even if I may never desire a particular focal length, I'm still interested in what you like to use for the photography you do. Thanks all....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_andrews Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I use AF for nearly all of my work now, but one MF lens taht I cannot do without is the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8. If you're ever going to do Macro photography, do it with a manual lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 105mm f/1.8 AI-S. A great portrait and performance lens. Very, very, very, sharp: great resolution and "bokeh". If I had the opportunity (i.e. money + need) I'd replace it with the 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor but until then: What a great lens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason michael Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 For an incredibly light bag to go with my FM3A I like: 20mm f4 AI 45mm f2.8 AI-P 100mm f2.8 Series E As for my favourite manual focus lens it would have to be the Micro 55mm f2.8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_byrd1 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Easy. The 105mm 2.5. Any version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I don't have a Nikon MF (medium format) lens, but I do have a Nikon MF (manual focussing) lens: the Nikkor P 500mm f/4 EDIF. It is definitely my favorite tele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd peach seattle, washi Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I think I get the most use out of my 35/1.4 AIS (I actually have two of them). That's my 'normal'. It's soft in the corners at 1.4, but most of what I shoot wide open isn't harmed by soft corners. From 2.0 on, it's a great lens. A fast 35mm is a real asset for low light photography, f/1.4 @ 30 opens up a lot of territory. I think 20/24/35 is a good progression of focal lengths in the wide end, if you're curious. I'm just now (since Christmas) exploring Ellis' 105/1.8, and I'm impressed. When I get a few more miles on it, I might agree with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil_parker Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 That's easy, the 35 f1.4, its my favorite normal & wideangle!...no wait, the 105 f1.8 like Ellis said...altho that 180 2.8ED is mighty nice...but have you tried the non-ai 85 1.8? ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbert_c1 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 My favorite is the 35mm f1.4 and 105 f2.5 combination. I dont have the expensive AF28mm f1.4 and I think 35mm f1.4 is the best alternate choice for indoor life photos. 105 f2.5 is light and small, producing pretty background look and can share same filters with 35mm f1.4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_stott2 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 the 20mm 2.8, and to be conventional the 55 2.8 micro. i sold all my other lenses when i realised that i wasnt using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I don't really have a single favorite. The lens that gets the most serious use is my 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor for an architectural project and landscapes. I use a 50/2 and 105/2.5 Nikkor about equally, 180/2.8 less often, but like 'em all about the same for people and general photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henk Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Personal faves, hmmm 35/2 Ais(at this moment), 18/3.5Ais and 85/1.8 Nikkor-H(AI'ed), ehm im short to a set, add the 55/3.5 Ai micro then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 The old chrome barrel versions of:24 f2.8,35 f2,50 f1.4,85 f1.8,105 f2.5,135 f2.8,200 f4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_soroka Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 105 mm f/2.5 AIS 35 mm f/1.4 AIS 85 mm f/1.8 "K" type factory AI'ed 300 mm f/2.8 AFS 500 mm f/4 AFS 45 mm f/2.8 AI-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottconners Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 I love my 105/2.5 - It's just an incredible lens. Extremely sharp, the focus feel is just sooo buttery, I love how fine the focus is in the closer ranges (it's designed for closer portrait work - lots less throw in the 30+ foot range, but very, very accurate anywhere inside 10 feet.) I also use it for my main macro lens with tubes (and sometimes reversing lenses onto it). It was one of my less expensive lenses as well, cause there's so many of them! But, just got a new mf 24/2.8 which promises to be really fun too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_soroka Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Oh, you said manual focus. Change the 300 mm f/2.8 and 500 mm f/4 to the manual focus versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_alban Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E <br>105mm f/2.5 AIS <br>28mm f/2.8 AIS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbert_c1 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 My 105 f2.5 is sharp edge-to-edge in 30-feet+ range even at f2.5. I think this lens isnt easy for me to manual-focus in 30-feet+ range. Every time I got a non-sharp photo from this lens shot at mid-distance I looked for where the focus is in the ground of the picture and it's always my focus error. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 105mm F2.5<BR><BR>35mm F2<BR><BR>85mm F1.4<BR><BR>50mm F1.4<BR><BR>180mm F2.8ED <BR><BR>105mm F4 telephoto preset; for portraits<BR><BR>135mm F3.5; cost 35 bucks! is sharp and light! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert_krages1 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 My two favorites are: <p>105mm f/4 micro: It is lighter than the f/2.8 version and the focal length does not decrease when you focus on close subjects. It goes to 1:2 on its own and works well with the 3T and 4T diopters when you need to go smaller. <p>135mm f/2: Having a medium telephoto that is this fast has been really useful for me. I also like the fact that it uses 72mm filters (the same size as for the 180mm f/2.8). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael erlich Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 The 55/2.8 Micro. I wish I could have a chip installed so it could meter with my D100, but no one will do it with this lens. Oh, well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vgoklani Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 28mm f/2.0 85mm f/1.4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 35 f2, 105 f2.5 both AI and a 20 f4 AI'd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolpahof leikonblad Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 105mm f/4 micro. It's a little bit slow, but very sharp and versatile: for closeup, outdoor and portrait. If one does not mind using a tripod and set the aperture down to f/8 and f/11, the lens will never let you down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_Lai Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 No one favorite, but I tend to use<p>24mm f/2.8<p>35mm f/1.4<p>50mm f/1.8<p>105mm f/2.5<p>more often than any others.<p>I also have the 20mm f/3.5 which I consider to be an excellent lens up close, but not that many situations arise where I need to use a 20mm lens.<p>The lens which I'm using the most recently is the 70-180mm f/4.5 - 5.6 Micro Nikkor zoom. Granted, it's an AF lens, but since I'm using it on an F3, it's used only in pure manual focus mode. It feels quite nice as a manual focus lens too. It's my current favorite, although not a true MF lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now