Favorite vintage Nikkor prime lens!

[Nikon 2]

Ok, I'll state mine since nobody said it. The Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 Ai-s ED-IF. I saw one go in fine condition recently for around 500.00 and for that optic its astounding.

Nikon 2 you may want to have that 35mm O.C. in for an inspection; my copy is quite close in performance to both the 28 and 50. This version of the 35mm f/2 has a 'more delicate' build near the front set of elements and it may need a little 're-torquing' to bring it up to spec.

My 35mm O.C. Is close also but isn’t as sharp…!

 

[Tel]

Nikkor 55mm macro

+1: I have a large complement of Nikkors but the one that lives on my go-to F2 body is the 55. I can shoot anything from a couple of inches to infinity, all pin-sharp.

 

[Mick Fagan]

55mm f.2.8 Micro Nikkor used it for close to three years for everything as it was the only Nikon lens I had at the time.

 

[Nikon 2]

Some say the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-s isn’t that sharp at infinity, why’s that…?

 

[MarkS]

Because people will say anything. Your question is rather pointless, though; "favorite" for which purpose?
As the old saying goes, "horses for courses" Two Nikon lenses that I like, and have used on the job for decades, are the 105/2.5 and the 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor, but they do different things and can't be compared. Good as they are, and as much as I might like them, someone who shoots sports or wildlife would never mention either lens. And it's almost a certainty that you don't make the same types of photos that I do.
Most, not all, Nikkor lenses are pretty damned good. They are an important reason why the brand has been popular among professionals and amateurs for over sixty years.

 

[Thesecondone]

Nikkor S-auto 1:1.4 50mm

Great great lens. Incredibly sharp and matches my f2s well

 

[Minox]

Micro 55/2.8 always.

 

[Nikon 2]

Because people will say anything. Your question is rather pointless, though; "favorite" for which purpose?
As the old saying goes, "horses for courses" Two Nikon lenses that I like, and have used on the job for decades, are the 105/2.5 and the 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor, but they do different things and can't be compared. Good as they are, and as much as I might like them, someone who shoots sports or wildlife would never mention either lens. And it's almost a certainty that you don't make the same types of photos that I do.
Most, not all, Nikkor lenses are pretty damned good. They are an important reason why the brand has been popular among professionals and amateurs for over sixty years.

What’s the pointless part of my pointless question…?

 

[silent lurker]

If you were allowed to keep one vintage Nikkor prime lens, what would it be…?

If I was allowed to keep only one, it would be the 55mm Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 (with it's PK-13 extension tube) which I've been using to digitize my archive of negatives and slides for the last few years.

 

[Nikon 2]

Maybe the “pointless “ part is the lack of sharpness at infinity, causing a “pointless”
image…!

 

[Nikon 2]

If I was allowed to keep only one, it would be the 55mm Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 (with it's PK-13 extension tube) which I've been using to digitize my archive of negatives and slides for the last few years.

Can it be used for landscape photography…?

 

[Nikon 2]

Can it be used for landscape photography…?

The Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 can…!

 

[Sirius Glass]

If I was allowed to keep only one, it would be the 55mm Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 (with it's PK-13 extension tube) which I've been using to digitize my archive of negatives and slides for the last few years.

I will allow and permit you to have as many lenses and cameras as you would like. I also will relieve you of the curse of only being allowed to use only one film. Use one film if that is your choice, but now you are free to use other films as you wish. Now enjoy life and shoot more film.

 

[MattKing]

What’s the pointless part of my pointless question…?

It isn't really the question that is pointless, but rather the attempt to retrieve much of value from other people's answers.
It would be more informative if you had added: "Why, and how does it do things differently than other options?"

 

[Nikon 2]

Good point…!

 

[DREW WILEY]

My most used lens is the classic 85/1.4 Ai. All other 85's exist due to envy. The 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor is something I bought for copy stand use; but it's exceptional for landscape and shooting at infinity too; sharper and better corrected than any 50 I've ever used.

 

[mshchem]

My most used lens is the classic 85/1.4 Ai. All other 85's exist due to envy. The 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor is something I bought for copy stand use; but it's exceptional for landscape and shooting at infinity too; sharper and better corrected than any 50 I've ever used.

I bought a 2nd 85mm AF-D 1.4. It arrived today slapped it on my DSLR, magnificent lens even wide open it's quite sharp, at f2 it's even better, and at 2.8 it's as good as I've seen. Not ridiculously huge. I use a Mamiya RZ rubber lens hood, put on a, now vintage, L37c filter. Living the good life!!

 

[Nikon 2]

I was about to purchase a Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor when I read this.
Does anyone have issues of oil on the blades…?

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I have a AI-S 135mm f2.8 that is my favorite Nikon glass. I bought it new (old stock) a couple years ago and I love everything about it. Great length, great working distance for portraits, nice and sharp, drops enough background out, and it's so much lighter than the 135mm f2 that I carry it with me more often.

The one lens that I made the most money with is the 400mm f2.8 but it was an AF version so I wouldn't call it vintage. I used it for much of the 17 years I worked for Major League Baseball and the NFL.

 

[Nikon 2]

My most used lens is the classic 85/1.4 Ai. All other 85's exist due to envy. The 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor is something I bought for copy stand use; but it's exceptional for landscape and shooting at infinity too; sharper and better corrected than any 50 I've ever used.

Would you say it’s sharper than the sharpest Leica 50mm…?

 

[M-88]

With as many variables as the lens, film, enlarger (if printing) or scanner (if scanning), "sharpness" is an elusive thing. After certain point - resolving capability of the film or enlarger or a scanner, all lenes are equally sharp, because their sharpness exceeds those criteria. And don't forget the developer used to develop the film, along with camera shake that must be eliminated to get the sharpest result.

There are many other things, other than sharpness, which I take into account when choosing a "favourite" lens.

 

[Cholentpot]

Not that's I'd want to be stuck with this lens but the 105 2.5 Nikkor-P is a very nice lens.

 

[Nikon 2]

Not that's I'd want to be stuck with this lens but the 105 2.5 Nikkor-P is a very nice lens.

I have the Nikkor 105mm 2.5 AI, fine lens…!

 

[Cholentpot]

I have the Nikkor 105mm 2.5 AI, fine lens…!

I have that one too. It's my go to for people with hazel/green eyes.

 

[Scott Micciche]

Lately I've been re-addicted to the 35mm f/1.4 AI-S.