Nikon primes.

[Uncle Bill]

My three Nikon Ai(S) lenses of choice are the 28 f2.8, 50 f1.4 and the legendary 105 f2.5. This trio do me well and I get great results.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

24mm for land/city scapes. 85mm for portraits. If you are shooting street scenes a 35mm or possibly a 28mm. 50mm is a standard lens and for the most part I, personally, have moved away from it. Now to move on: Zeiss has come out with a 50mm Sonnar f1.5 which I do have for another system. In B&W it is no less than awesome and the price is high. Therefore for a kit of three lenses if starting out with a Nikon F2HP I would recommend the 24mm f2.8 going down to f2.0 for a landscape or cityscape is normally not necessary as you are out of doors. 85mm f2.0 very good lens. Pair it with a motor drive for those portraits, bargain about $89 more. And, if you are doing B&W and want a 50mm go for the Zeiss Sonnar f1.5.

 

[perkeleellinen]

I knew it was a mistake to start reading this thread. I now have a 105/2.5 on the way...

 

[kozesluk]

still the 2.8 is superb and the favorite among my lenses... When was the f/2 made?

looks like 1977 - there's no non-AI version of 2/24 - it's quite "new" and complicated design - 11 lens in 10 groups compared to 9/9 construction of 2.8/24.
both Ai and Ais are the same (except for better coating on Ais lens).

 

[dynachrome]

Your budget and typical subjects will determine which lenses you need. On the low price end there is the 35/2.8 'K', the 50/2 'K' or AI and any of the 135/3.5s. Next would be a 35/2 (all good), 50/1.4 SC or later and a 105/2.5 (all good). After that you have the 35/1.4 (any model), 50/1.2 or 58/1.2 and 105/1.8. I don't like skipping the 28mm focal length but some do. All of the 24m lenses are good. The 28/3.5 AI is very good and not very expensive. Any 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor from the P on is a good value and a good peformer. The 55/2.8 is also excellent but most need service for oil on the blades or stiff focusing. When you get past 105 or 135 I would recommend a 200/4. I actually like the 200/4 QC better than the 200/4 AI. It's longer but still light, sharp and well balanced. There are various versions of the 180/2.8 including the famous ED model. If you must spend more there is always the 200/2. If you can find these basic lenses in good condition or in repairable condition you will have a good start and will be able to handle many different subjects. Anyhting shorter than 24mm or longer than 200mm will be more costly so you have to see whether you need them.

 

[2F/2F]

Essential for me, if I have the luxury of many lenses, would be 50mm (or 55mm), 28mm, and 135mm, each on a different body. Next after the essentials would be a 200mm, followed by a 105mm (or maybe an 85mm). Everyone is different, however. I find 28, 50, and 135 to be my most used lenses, but someone else might prefer 24, 50, 105, or any endless number of combinations. Therefore, I would say that the pretty-much universally essential lens is the 50mm f/1.4. It gives you a good standard reference point, plus good speed. My fave is the early F version (pre AI), because I like the characteristics of the older single-coated glass, and also just love the cosmetic design of these lenses.

 

[Craig]

looks like 1977 - there's no non-AI version of 2/24 - it's quite "new" and complicated design - 11 lens in 10 groups compared to 9/9 construction of 2.8/24.
both Ai and Ais are the same (except for better coating on Ais lens).

It's a great lens. It's the reason I stayed with the F4 until the F6 came out and skipped the F5 - no matrix metering with AIS lenses on the F5, and I wasn't willing to give up either matrix or the 24/2.

 

[BobNewYork]

I knew it was a mistake to start reading this thread. I now have a 105/2.5 on the way...

But you won't be disappointed. Waaaaay back, I'd bought the 105/1.8, ('cos I knew it had to be better - it was an 1.8; wasn't it?) Someone suggested I try their 2.5 and that was it. Nearly 30 years later and it's still my favorite lens on all the bodies - FE through F100) There's nothing like it for portraiture. Please don't ask me what it is about this lens - I don't know. It just is!

Enjoy it!

Bob H

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

The 105mm f2.5 AIS. If I only had one Nikon lens for 35mm, that would be it. The next on my list would be the 35mm f2.8 PC Shift lens. Between those two you can cover a huge range of images. Of course, I have many more Nikon lenses than that, but I have probably used those two more than any others.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

 

[mudman]

I'm having fun trying out the 35mm f2 and the 105 f2.5. I found the lenses used for $30 and $40 respectively in mint condition. So look around, deals are too be had. My kit for walking around
24mm
35mm
50mm
105 or lower light 85mm f2

 

[kozesluk]

today I've chance to shoot with Nikon D3x for a while so I put my 2/28 on it to see the results
it's very nice, sharp, good bokeh.
a lot better than 1.4/50G with it's longitudal CA and ugly bokeh.
a really recomended lens.

 

[Pumal]

Besides the ones mentioned; I'd cite 55mm Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 AIS, 200mm Micro-Nikkor 1:4 Pre-AI, 85 mm 1:1.8

 

[BobNewYork]

Besides the ones mentioned; I'd cite 55mm Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 AIS, 200mm Micro-Nikkor 1:4 Pre-AI, 85 mm 1:1.8

Love your location. Mine, unfortunately is "There and Then"

Bob H

 

[glockman99]

PhotoJim mentioned that the 50/2.0 AI is the sleeper. I concur but will go further - it is the sharpest of any of the 50 lenses Nikon ever made. And how often do you need the extra stop anyway?

My choices: 28/2.8 AIS; 50 (any, but 2.0 if you can find one in good condition); 105/2.5. The 105/2.5 is the most incredible lens I have ever had the joy to play with.

I agree 100%. I have a Nikkor AI 50mm f/2 lens, and I am totally sold on that lens. I also have a Nikkor AIS 105mm f/2.5 lens, and I have to say that it is the BEST portrait lens I've ever owned.

If you can, you should also look into getting a Nikkor (AI/AIS) ED 180mm f/2.8 lens...An excellent lens for when you want to shoot a portrait, but don't want to get too close to your subject.