Nikon AF lenses- which ones stand out?

GarageBoy · Jun 5, 2014

So dug an F100 out of the closet and the only lens I have for it is the 28-105 AF. Any of the primes outstanding? Maybe the 35 F2 and 85 1.8 combo?

Thanks

omaha · Jun 5, 2014

The only Nikon lens I truly love is my 105 f/2 DC.

mweintraub · Jun 5, 2014

I'd skip the 35mm f2 AF/AF-D. I was not a fan of it because of the soft corners. Got the Ai-S version instead.

85mm 1.8 is great. My newest lens it he 50mm 1.8G and it's fantastic.

tony lockerbie · Jun 5, 2014

I have several from my F5 days. The 50mm 1.4 in my opinion is not as good as the Ais version, the 35mm F2, which I find really good, the 180mm 2.8, which is truly excellent and the 85mm 1.4 which is superb.I have never tried the AF version of the 85mm 1.8, but I hear it is good. Nearly forgot the 60mm Micro, also excellent, and it goes to 1:1...very useful.
The new 50mm 1.8G seems to be getting good reviews and may be the 50 to get.
Also have the much maligned 25-120 Zoom, which is crap wide open but very sharp below F8, and such a useful range that I have stuck with it.

Chris G · Jun 5, 2014

I agree with tony that the 180 2.8 is an excellent lens. On the wider end my favorite lens was a 20mm 2.8D, which Nikon currently still sells. The 17-35 2.8D AFS is my current favorite.

The 20mm along with the 85mm 1.8 is a good combo as they use the same 62mm filters.

GarageBoy · Jun 6, 2014

Hmm, I know that the 180/135+105 DC siblings are the ones to own, but a little too long for me (I'd still like to own then and use them)
I'd like an AF wide, but seems that Nikons best wides were all AI-S (35 1.4/28 2/ 28 2.8)
Wondering how difficult to focus a non AF wide would be on the F100

Axle · Jun 6, 2014

AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G
AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G
AF 50mm f/1.4D
AF DC 105mm f/2D
AF 35mm f/2D

These are my hands down favourites and are superb lenses imho.

mablo · Jun 6, 2014

Your 28-105AF is a good allrounder. I use it all the time with my F100.

film_man · Jun 6, 2014

From the days of having a Nikon system (FM2n, F100 and a few digitals) they ones that I found superb were the
17-35/2.8 AFS
Zeiss ZF2 50/1.4

Other notable lenses I had the 85/1.4D, 50/1.4D (if you don't want a Zeiss) and the 180/2.8D.

The ones I hated the most were the 50/1.8D and 50/1.8G. Probably the worst AF primes I ever used.

GarageBoy · Jun 6, 2014

The conflicting responses are hurting my head
Worst is I already have a 50 1.4 AI and a 50 1.8 AI
Also conflicted on whether or not I should go AF/AF-D or get an AF-S G lens
I'd like to put them on my FE2/F2/F3 but if the IQ of the AF-S/G lenses are better, I'd give that up

MattKing · Jun 6, 2014

In most cases, the correct answer is something like: "the lens you have on your camera".
Or in some cases: "The xxxxx micro lens, when you are shooting half-lifesize".
The differences between lenses from the top line manufacturers are so subtle that the answer to the OP's question is as much subjective as anything else.
Pay attention to focal length(s), aperture, physical size, filter size and lens coatings, and you will probably be able to essentially answer the question for yourself.

film_man · Jun 7, 2014

GarageBoy said:
The conflicting responses are hurting my head
Worst is I already have a 50 1.4 AI and a 50 1.8 AI
Also conflicted on whether or not I should go AF/AF-D or get an AF-S G lens
I'd like to put them on my FE2/F2/F3 but if the IQ of the AF-S/G lenses are better, I'd give that up

It just goes to show that it really depends on what you intend to shoot, how and what your expectations are. There are no universally accepted as the best lenses. You could say that the top performers will be the most expensive ones in their class but whether they are "better" or "worth it" is completely subjective.

If you do not intend to use these lenses with the latest type digital bodies and just want to use them on film, I'd say you probably won't notice much (if any) difference between an G and an older D lens, assuming we are talking the exact same lens. SOmetimes the G lens has upgraded optics or is a slightly difference lens, so it is a case by case. You could also probably get just as good (or sometimes better) optics from AI lenses. You can even look at 3rd party lenses, for example the Tamron 90mm macro (any of the AF versions) is an excellent lens.

Start by saying what focal lengths you want covered and recommendations can go from there. Otherwise if you want the ones that stand out head an shoulders above everything else, well the latest telephotos from 200mm upwards are pretty much perfect when it comes to technical qualities.

GarageBoy · Jun 7, 2014

Hoping for a 24/35/85-105ish combo
I'm just trying to see if it's worth it to get another 50 in AF, especially if its optically inferior

chip j · Jun 7, 2014

Get the 50 1.4 Sigma Art lens.

Snapshot · Jun 10, 2014

In generally, I use prime lenses when sharpness and small form factor is a priority. I have a number of prime Nikkor's that I consider excellent, which are as follows:

Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AF-D
Nikkor 85mm 1.8 AF-D
Nikkor 60mm 2.8 AF-D Micro

As for zoom lenses, my demand for sharpness is lessened as I consider zooms to have some form of compromise, albeit it can be quite small given today's selection form Nikon. Regardless, I like the following:

Nikkor 20-35mm 2.8 AF-D
Nikkor 35-70mm 2.8 AF-D
Nikkor 80-200mm 2.8 AF-D

Althought newer Nikkor zoom lenses and versions may have nominally (and I do mean nominally) exceeded the above zooms in sharpness, they stand out because of their relatively modest bulk and reasonable used pricing.

waynecrider · Jun 10, 2014

The 50mm F1.8n I like alot. Cheap and better construction then the newer plastic. Another favorite is the 24mm F2.8n.

Nikon AF lenses- which ones stand out?

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