Best Nikkor fast zoom AI or AI-S zoom lens for travel

[Maximus966]

Hello All!

Picking your brains here.

Thinking of an upcoming trip I have, I plan on taking one of my F3 bodies. I would like to know what your recommendation is, based on experience, what would be the best fast zoom Nikkor zoom lens, AI or AI-S, for travel.

Appreciate your input on this matter... in the meantime, will see if this weekend I disassemble part of my OM-4 to see if I can find what the glitch is on the metering system... still trying to decipher this mystery...

Thanks!

Jorge

 

[Chan Tran]

Nikon doesn't make any 24-70 f/2.8 lens with the aperture ring. So I think the best bet is the 28-70mm f/2.8.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Hello All!

Picking your brains here.

Thinking of an upcoming trip I have, I plan on taking one of my F3 bodies. I would like to know what your recommendation is, based on experience, what would be the best fast zoom Nikkor zoom lens, AI or AI-S, for travel.

No one can give a blanket answer to that. You'll probably have the entire Nikkor Ai(-S) zoom range listed by tomorrow.

Not because they're all fast lenses, but because it depends on the circumstances you're photographing under. Fast lenses are also available at f/3.5, 800 ASA, sunshine, and a white house.

What do you want to photograph, what film do you use, how much weight do you want to carry, should it be made entirely of metal or also of plastic, are newer lenses an option (AF includes Ai-S) and what's your budget?

Or do you need the maximum aperture to see your subject more clearly in the viewfinder? What focusing screens do you use with your F3? Not every lens is compatible with every screen. Which viewfinder do you use?

Sorry, but there are many variables

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I have the 25-50 f4 Ais lens. Works really well for most situations. I combine it with the 50-135 f3.5 Ais for a nice range. Fast enough for most work with good IQ. The 50-135 has a macro "setting." It's OK but IQ suffers some. Both pro lenses with attendant build quality. Both are stout and a bit on the heavy side. Doesn't bother me as I use them with my F5 so I'm never unarmed.

 

[Maximus966]

Hello All!

Thanks for the input... sorry I wasn't clear... typing faster than thinking.

The reason for my post is that I am planning on taking only 1 lens with the F3 (along with my Rollei 35) on this trip. The lower F-stop reason is for obviously low light conditions, as I don't really like to use flash, thus why looking for something in the 2-ish range.

I typically use Ilford HP5+ or T-Max 400 for B/W, and starting to use Ultramax for color, but probably will go for a better color fil for the trip in 35mm.... for my 120 cameras is another story.

I don't mind the weight, as it will be the F3 and its lens, so all glass and metal would be fine.

Standing by for options, and by the way, if there's any good Sigma or Tokina option out there, open to read about them!

Thanks again!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

A heavyweight and legend:

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8 Zoom Lens Review

The best value in a Nikon zoom lens? Just look at these sample shots.

casualphotophile.com

 

[jimjm]

The Nikon 35-70/2.8 AF might be one to consider. It's perfectly compatible with manual focus bodies as well as AF and many digital SLR Nikons.
Image quality is excellent and the lens is not too large compared to some newer fast AF zooms, which may not work on your F3 anyway.
It is heavy for it's size but it feels like a solid, well-made lens.

 

[Chuck1]

Good luck with the om4
Tokina 24-40 mf not bad
Tokina 28-70 2.8 after is nice

 

[Steve Goldstein]

There's one key question nobody has asked, and that was not addressed by the OP - what zoom range?

 

[Maximus966]

There's one key question nobody has asked, and that was not addressed by the OP - what zoom range?

Wide… 24 or 28- upwards. Maybe up to 50 or 70.

 

[Maximus966]

Good luck with the om4
Tokina 24-40 mf not bad
Tokina 28-70 2.8 after is nice

Thank you, especially with the OM-4!!!

 

[plimsoll1]

It's not Nikkor, but for many years the Tamron 28-105/2.8 was my "standard" lens. Very sharp, a bit heavy, but if I had to take only one lens, this was the one. Seems to be readily available on ebay for under 200.00.

 

[Chuck1]

Forgot about the tamron mentioned above, that's a nice one too

 

[fdonadio]

I love my Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5 AIs. Could be a little wider on the wide side, though, so the 28-70mm recommendation might be a good one.