Least favorite Nikon prime lens'

[Nikon 2]

My least favorite Nikkor is a 24mm f/2.8 AF-D. It's optical quality is only passible at best, rendering around the same level as my 35mm f/2.5 Series E.

I only use it on my APS-C digital bodies.

At least it’s usable…!

 

[George Mann]

At least it’s usable…!

The problem with it is a lack of critical sharpness.

 

[David Lingham]

I’m happy with the Nikon primes I have, the only lens I don’t like is a 35-105 manual zoom, but that isn’t a prime.

 

[Old_Dick]

I’m happy with the Nikon primes I have, the only lens I don’t like is a 35-105 manual zoom, but that isn’t a prime.

Hi David,

What is it about the 35-105 you don't like? I was thinking about getting one.

 

[George Mann]

Hi David,

What is it about the 35-105 you don't like? I was thinking about getting one.

High sample variation, good at only one or two apertures.

 

[John Earley]

The only Nikon lens I don't like is a 100mm f2.8 E. It's seriously lacking in any redeeming qualities.

 

[Sirius Glass]

My least favorite Nikon prime lens is the one that I need and left at home.

 

[miha]

The only Nikon lens I don't like is a 100mm f2.8 E. It's seriously lacking in any redeeming qualities.

I made some of the best portraits with it.

 

[benveniste]

Hi David,

What is it about the 35-105 you don't like? I was thinking about getting one.

I miss the days when I used to be nostalgic. I've had mine for 39 years and counting, and for 15 years or so it put a few thousand lot of shots "in the can" for me. Now it comes out to play about once a year along with my Nikon FA.

This was Nikon's first AI-s variable aperture zoom. It was also designed for a consumer price point and it won't sharpness contests in 2023. But by today's standards, it's solidly built. Like Mr. Mann, I heard reports of sample variation and even of a "bad batch," but mine has been a solid, if unexceptional performer. My biggest gripe is the minimum focus distance of 1.4 meters unless you shift into the weird macro mode. At the short end, I frequently found myself wishing for closer focus.

If you think you'll enjoy using one, they are certainly inexpensive enough. But don't expect a life changing experience from one.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Any "G" lens.
REAL Nikkors have aperture rings.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Any "G" lens.
REAL Nikkors have aperture rings.

Amen!

 

[David Lingham]

Hi David,

What is it about the 35-105 you don't like? I was thinking about getting one.

I don’t think mine is one of the better ones, it’s soft with strange bokeh. I’ve never been entirely happy with negatives shot with it. By all means try one yourself, please don’t let my experience put you off.

 

[benveniste]

I don’t think mine is one of the better ones, it’s soft with strange bokeh. I’ve never been entirely happy with negatives shot with it. By all means try one yourself, please don’t let my experience put you off.

Just for fun, I broke out mine and slapped it on my newly acquired Nikon Z8. This was shot wide open at 105mm, with the focus being on the feathered cat toy. I did minimal post-processing, but you can download the OOC image at:

https://www.wemightneedthat.biz/Images/35-105.jpg

Sharpness is acceptable to me even with this sensor. Bokeh? I see nothing terribly strange about it. There's overcorrection of spherical aberration present in the background, but that's typical of both Nikkor zooms and primes of that era. There's also some longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh fringing). Given the lack of ED glass and high magnification, that's not unusual either.

 

[John Earley]

I made some of the best portraits with it.

Others have said the same thing. My copy however is a not that good.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I most often use 50mm lenses, but for the right composition a 20mm or Nikon 15mm f/3.5 NIKKOR AIS Manual Focus Lens {Rear Bayonet Filter} at 110 degrees wide and be great to use. Heck for the right composition the 16mm Fisheye has its special charm.