Seeking lenses advice for a Nikon F

[Autonerd]

I'm a big believer in not buying lenses until you know what you need (for digital or film).

That said, I think the classic trifecta of a 28, a 50 and a telephoto (either a 135 or a 70-210 zoom) will cover nearly everything, I don't go much for long lenses, but I always shot with a 28 and a 50, and still do -- and, funnily enough, the EXIF data for my APS-C digicam shows that I usually shoot around 18, 35 or 55 (max legth on that lens) -- in other words, 28, 50 and telephoto.

I would respectfully disagree with the advice to go for an 85mm lens -- they're expensive (especially if you want a fast one and especially if you shoot Nikon). I would only get one if you shoot a lot of portraiture -- for a general-use telephoto, a 135/2.8 will be a good starting place. Your F can use pre-AI lenses, which are a LOT less expensive than other Nikkor glass -- I say take advantage of that. Looks like pre-AI 135/2.8s are a steal -- wish that was the case with Pentax-M lenses!

HTH
Aaron

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Well here's my Opinion; longtime Nikon news shooter in the F3 era and 100's of weddings with F3 and F4, and after I got an F2 the F's started flying at me once people found out I liked the old stuff. SO my F 'experience' was 'going back' from using the 'improvements' brought about from successive models. I found the F to very enjoyable as a slower use film camera, since if speed was my need I could go choose an F3,4 or F5. Slower in the more thoughtfully contemplative, and that influenced my choice of lenses for the F, (for me). As well, my character enjoys the matching of 'period correct' and that means mostly at least a "k' series or earlier version, and since the F is already a hefty chunk of metal I tend to use a lighter choice.

Probably my top choice and one lens that lives on a F that hangs near the door or in a cabinet nearby is the K series 35mm f/2.8 (the 'thick' element version); light, sharp, reasonably fast and lovely character either wide open or nicely stopped down (a great sky/cloud lens with a yellow filter).

You have my next choice, the Nikkor-H 50mm f/2. I prefer the H.C version with the improved Nikon multicoating but I very much like the look of the H in black and white, in color it seems too cool for my tastes.

One lens that has been mentioned and I think needs to be explained as to why is the Nikkor N.C 24mm f/2.8. First, this was and is a fantastic lens, a truly Great Wide Angle that was the first of it's type, a close focussing reasonably fast high performance wide angle lens with the CRC that would be copied and referenced by Nikon and others for this type of lens. After the switch to Ai the optical formula stayed the same all the way into the AF mount, but the N and N.C versions are slightly different, your own personal tastes may vary and you may not see, care or appreciate the differences but they are there. I very much like how the earlier version shoots into strong backlight, and the improved coatings imo work well to enhance the look and character of a backlit shot. I was lucky and found a K version in box with a factory Ai ring installed, there were a few crossovers at that time, and for how good this lens still is they can be found for very little money. The N and N.C have the lovely scalloped focussing ring and a superior build that can be serviced easily. In my strong opinion with how inexpensive this lens is for such high quality, this should be more highly considered over other Nikkor wide angles (of this era). Is the 28 AiS "better"? Yes, in some ways. The 28mm f2.8 Ai-S has a closer focussing and it is as sharp (perhaps sharper) but the build quality is more consumer with stamped internal parts and only single elements (no cemented groups). I believe you will pay more for the 28 than a 24mm N but I think the 24 is a better lens and better value.

The last (maybe for tonight) lens I think you should consider over the 200mm f/4 is the 180mm f/2.8 Ai or P or P.C. Again, a huge performance to cost value, this version of 180mm (Pre-ED glass) is a real gem. Solid build and although heavier than a 200mm f4 the full stop you gain as well as a better optic (at distance and at closer 'portrait' distances) means to me that you'll enjoy viewing the images you make with this lens more than with the 200/4. Everyone raves about the ED version and so do I it is a legend in the mid-length tele range but the Pre-ED lens has a compelling character. Wide open and close in it has a lovely look without being too obnoxious in the 'fuzzy' areas and at common indoor sports and stage distances it is wonderfully crisp and that also applies when stopped down to f/8-11 for landscape type photos. I recommend using a Nikon screw-in hood (HN-20 from the 85mm f/1.4 or a non-branded copy) to protect the front element, the built in hood has a tendency to collapse and that is an easy way to pick up front element nicks and scratches so beware when shopping.This version differs in that the TC-14(b) can and does fit, which is handy to pick up a bit of length (an 'almost' 300mm f/4) and the results are quite good. This was actually a complaint of the 'improvement' Nikon made with the ED version; which DOES NOT fit the TC-14(b) and instead requires the TC-14A; many pro's had the TC-14 to go with the fast ED-IF lenses of the day and not being able to use the same one on the 180 irked and annoyed a few.

My opinion for the evening. The fun with older Nikon's is finding and shooting the lenses so you may form your own opinion, and you'll have wonderful photos to enjoy while shooting your F.

 

[250swb]

Hi everyone,

Being a total newbie into the field, I would like to get some help regarding which lenses should I buy for my Nikon F in order to have a nice "beginner pack". I have seen hours of videos, read a few nice dedicated websites as well, but things are still a bit foggy.

B

Don't box yourself into a corner of buying period lenses ('H', 'Q' etc.) for your F, think perhaps that one day you may like an F3, FM2, FE etc. to go alongside it. So advice on focal length aside only buy Ai-S lenses which will work with your F but also make later Nikon cameras and especially those with AE fully functional.

 

[ooze]

If you are a total newbie may I suggest you just use the 50mm you have for a while - a year at least - and see what you can do with it? IMO you already have a nice "beginner pack". Less is more!

 

[guangong]

Any lens made by Nikon will give good service. For me, a 28mm is too wide. I prefer 35mm. All depends on what works for you. My 28 has a deep scratch on surface of front element. Store practically gave it to me for free, but scratch has no impact on results. Since I use F with pl

 

[guangong]

Plain prism, I even have 300mm Olympic Sonnar (for whenever I feel the urge to do weight training).

 

[Kowloon]

Thank you all! Now I am ready to make a choice

 

[flavio81]

I would respectfully disagree with the advice to go for an 85mm lens -- they're expensive

This is great advice.

A 105/2.5 lens can totally replace a 85/1.8, it gives similar images, for practical purposes. In fact the 105 will give stronger "shallow DOF" effects.

 

[flavio81]

That said, I think the classic trifecta of a 28, a 50 and a telephoto (either a 135 or a 70-210 zoom) will cover nearly everything

This is also great advice.

I own MANY lenses, for example for Nikon i have 20, many 28, many 35mm, 50, 85, 105, 200, and in the past i've have had even more stuff like 24mm, 180 ED, 300/4.5, zooms, macros, etc.

For practical purposes you can't carry all lenses, and three is good enough. A 24 or 28 or 35, a 50 (or 35), and a 85/100/135.

 

[__Brian]

Some other lenses to suggest that are very inexpensive-

55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P;
80~200/4.5 Zoom-Nikkor

I picked up the pair for $75.

 

[GregY]

I'm a big believer in not buying lenses until you know what you need (for digital or film).

That said, I think the classic trifecta of a 28, a 50 and a telephoto (either a 135 or a 70-210 zoom) will cover nearly everything, I don't go much for long lenses, but I always shot with a 28 and a 50, and still do -- and, funnily enough, the EXIF data for my APS-C digicam shows that I usually shoot around 18, 35 or 55 (max legth on that lens) -- in other words, 28, 50 and telephoto.

I would respectfully disagree with the advice to go for an 85mm lens -- they're expensive (especially if you want a fast one and especially if you shoot Nikon). I would only get one if you shoot a lot of portraiture -- for a general-use telephoto, a 135/2.8 will be a good starting place. Your F can use pre-AI lenses, which are a LOT less expensive than other Nikkor glass -- I say take advantage of that. Looks like pre-AI 135/2.8s are a steal -- wish that was the case with Pentax-M lenses!

HTH
Aaron

There's so much personal preference involved. The Nikkor 105 2.5 is a fantastic lens, and i've used a few. As a predominantly Leica user in 35mm..... 90 mm is the most common. Especially if you like doing portraits with some room in them, or don't like to be too far from your subject, an 85 is a great lens and a Nikkor H isn't all that expensive. The beauty of choice for OP is there are so many used lenses out there at reasonable prices.

 

[GregY]

Simon Benton's ad for a Nikon F2 and 4 lenses for $290 is pretty much a no brainer. Pay one shipping fee, choose the ones you like and sell the rest. The OP may not be a total novice, perhaps he's coming from digital?....and has some favourites already. .....

 

[AnselMortensen]

You can use filters if you want to.

Both your lens and the 105 f/2.5 could use the same filters...if you wanted to use filters.

 

[Kowloon]

Just bought a 105mm f/2.5 as a start. Waiting to get it in my mailbox and I will let you know how it goes!

 

[Bayliss]

35mm f2, 105 f2.5 and the micro-nikkor 55mm f3.5 are my pre-ai favourites

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

All right, I knew I couldn't keep quiet on this topic, which further re-enforces my belief that a lot of photographic fun can be had just by staying in the imposed limitations of matching the OP Nikon F with that sumptuous chrome DE-1 Eyelevel Prism.

I love me a bargain, and my previous post I covered the 24mm f/2.8 N.C and the 180mm 2.8 P.C which together I found many fine examples for around 150 USD per lens, maybe less ( I like mangy strays that clean up well).

Now I will pontificate on a lens which you'd be lucky to find at 150, and you'd likely want to spend double that if you're actively looking.
The Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 N or N.C.
Fantastic image and build quality, easily able to keep clean and lubed for a lifetime of use. My "first" one went to my former wife, who still uses it weekly in her wedding photography, and that is after I used it in the same capacity 15 years ago. When I visit I make sure to bring along a set of proper drivers and some real Nikon grease, and I give it a clean and check and sometimes a clean and re-lube. A lovely lens that only looks better with wear from use. The image quality is stellar on black and white film as well as modern digital, and since I am partial to the Radioactive Version (N and N.C) I chose to leave one of my own copies un-cleared, leaving a lovely warm gold look to color. Another copy I have I made the extra effort to clear with UV lights, but I am less fond of that one and tend to choose to shoot the uncleared lens, even though it seems about a 1/4 stop slower wide open.

My uncleared version, with the later printed HN-3 hood. In a fit of Leica-Rage I changed the Feet markings from the Nikon Yellow Chromate to Leica Red, mounted on an F2 of course.

 

[AnselMortensen]

That's a beautiful F...
I recommend that you avoid "Analysis Paralysis" and go out and take photos.

 

[Kowloon]

Quick update.

I have finally bought the following:

28mm AIS f/3.5+ 80-200 f/4.5 AI both for around $50 directly from Japan so I could not resist.
105 f/2.5

Waiting to get the 3 of them now and in the meantime I've tried to use more my 50mm and shoot my first black and white film ever (PAN 400). Much more difficult to obtain great contrasts than color....

 

[ic-racer]

Much more difficult to obtain great contrasts than color....

If printing on grade 2 paper, go to 3 or 4.