What are the Nikon lens legends?

[mooseontheloose]

Bellamy did a video of the nikon museum...

I know! That's how I found about it. It's a pretty good overview.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I know! That's how I found about it. It's a pretty good overview.

I'm coming to YOUR house next month. Make room.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I'm coming to YOUR house next month. Make room.

I'll dust off the old futon...

And even though you probably have a better, cheaper selection from the big online stores in the US, a visit to Yodobashi Camera is also a must:



(That said, I have to admit I was saddened to see what the film and darkroom section has become at the main flagship store in Shinjuku - the darkroom floor is no more and what's left of it (mostly paper and a few bits and bobs) are tucked away into the corner of the film floor, which itself is probably the smallest of the Yodobashi annex shops. Still, it's much better than what's available in Kyoto or Osaka).

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Good call on the 25-50mm f/4 Zoom Nikkor that is a fine lens, I just wish my version was easier to keep clean.

As for the Nikkor 300mm f/2 I have shot with this magnificent beast and it is a handful; notice my original response to this post was 'achievable optics' and this monster is far from it. It took me 20 years to be able to see and shoot with one, most of them get converted to cine lenses. There is an ultra-rare version of the Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2 called the Tochigi Nikkor 300mm T-2.2 as seen in this video.

 

[Pieter12]

The AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f2D has to be the best portrait lens I have used in 35mm. Super sharp, yet with adjustable depth of field independent of the f stop.

 

[rulnacco]

Okay, I'll play. I have a bunch of Nikon lenses, but since we're talking "legendary," I'm going to assume we're speaking manual focus. So, with one exception (for reasons you'll see), I'll only mention my manual focus lenses:

24/2.8 AIS - I was really surprised just how sharp and good this lens is. I shot the Notting Hill Carnival with it once, walking the route with one of the crews who was having a great time, and shooting transparency film. I got powdered chocolate all in the focussing mechanism and had to have it cleaned afterward. But I got some great images with it!

28/2.0 AIS - Reputed to be very high quality; and mine is indeed sharp as a knife.

105/2.5 AIS - Even on digital (a D810), this lens is pretty stunning.

180/2.8 AF-IF - I've got the non-D version, but with the much-nicer-than-the-first-AF-version hammertone finish. Great portrait lens, really good for sports where you can get decently close, and with a PN-11 extension tube, it's my "dragonfly and butterfly" lens. Excellent for doing near-macro work with living creatures. It's *not* manual focus, but it has a wide and highly usable focus ring; on my F4 (in MF mode), FE or F2, it works fantastically as a manual focus lens. (Probably even better than the AIS lens, as it's a bit lighter, but still balances the cameras--big or small--well.) Also works nicely with a 2x teleconverter.

I also have the 35/2.0 AIS, the 50/1.8 AIS (long nose) and 200/4.0 AI, but as I don't currently have a darkroom and haven't had one for a while now (sigh), I haven't done enough shooting/printing with those to vouch for their ultimate quality.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

180/2.8 AF-IF

 

[md_photo]

It’s held twice a year in October and February. This is the first time I’ve been able to attend, as I normal travel during Feb and have to work in October. JCH has a good video on YouTube about the last one:



Edit: watching this again I realized I bought my camera from the Nikon guy that many people don’t like. He was nice to me though!

Sounds like whenever I do travel to Tokyo I should try Oct or Feb.

 

[md_photo]

Two lenses that have had less mention on this thread: the original 10.5cm f2.5 Sonnar has superb rendering for portraits, and bokeh with just enough "character", and so does the manual version of the 135 f2.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Sounds like whenever I do travel to Tokyo I should try Oct or Feb.

Yes and no. The camera fair is definitely worth going to, especially on the first day, if you are interested in mint, near mint, and/or collector's items. (I went on subsequent days to see if more items were added to replenish the sold stock but most of the sellers did not do so - once things were sold, that was it. If I had known that I probably would have spent a bit more on the first day). The prices will not be a bargain, but you will definitely get a camera or lens that is working properly and is in the best condition for its age. However, there are just a few shops represented at the fair, if you have more time, it's well worth visiting the individual camera stores around Tokyo (especially in Shinjuku), but all cities in Japan (even in off-the-beaten path places) will have them too. But of course that takes more time and you may not find what you are looking for.

Generally speaking I would say to come to Japan in October, regardless of the fair, as I think it's the best month for multiple reasons - warm days (not too hot, not humid), cool evenings, and it's shoulder season so you can visit places without all the crowds (May also works for the same reasons). February is not bad, we've had unseasonably warm weather recently (it was 20C today, and will be again tomorrow) and the plum blossoms are in bloom, and of course very low season, even without the pandemic.

 

[md_photo]

While there's a whole lot of non-gear-related things to do in Tokyo and other places in Japan, the camera stores would definitely be a highlight. Thanks for the advice!

 

[George Mann]

While there's a whole lot of non-gear-related things to do in Tokyo and other places in Japan

Like taking pictures perhap's? But seriously, my favorite places to visit are Stereo Union in Chiba, and the record stores nearby.

 

[138S]

The AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f2D has to be the best portrait lens I have used in 35mm. Super sharp, yet with adjustable depth of field independent of the f stop.

O course the 105 and 135 DC are extraordinary lenses !!!

...But the DC ring does not adjust (at all) Depth of field independent of the f stop.

That ring makes bokeh harder or softer but it does not modiy the blurr amount or the DOF. What the ring does is undercorrecting or overcorrecting the spherical aberratrion more in the rear ot in the front of the areas that are out of focus. Defocus discs from bright spots have the same size in any position or the DC adjustment ring, but defocus discs have more a highlighted ring or a softer transition depending on the adjustment. DC ring modifies the kind of bokeh, but not the DOF.

 

[reddesert]

It’s held twice a year in October and February. This is the first time I’ve been able to attend, as I normal travel during Feb and have to work in October. JCH has a good video on YouTube about the last one:



Edit: watching this again I realized I bought my camera from the Nikon guy that many people don’t like. He was nice to me though!

I just realized that Bellamy has tattoos, visible when he's in short sleeves - how does that go over? It used to be a huge no-no, I thought.

Do all branches of Yodobashi Camera carry film and such things? I visited Japan exactly once and thought about going into a Yodobashi (in Kyoto), but there was a lot to do and I thought it might be a rabbit hole. (I did wind up in a smaller camera store where I got a Konica rf from the "junk" shelf, which works fine, just the meter is dead. I could kind of tell that from trying it in the store, so it was a functional souvenir.)

 

[mooseontheloose]

I just realized that Bellamy has tattoos, visible when he's in short sleeves - how does that go over? It used to be a huge no-no, I thought.

Do all branches of Yodobashi Camera carry film and such things? I visited Japan exactly once and thought about going into a Yodobashi (in Kyoto), but there was a lot to do and I thought it might be a rabbit hole. (I did wind up in a smaller camera store where I got a Konica rf from the "junk" shelf, which works fine, just the meter is dead. I could kind of tell that from trying it in the store, so it was a functional souvenir.)

Yes, they do. I make a point to go to Yodobashi every time I'm happen to pass through Kyoto station (it's just across the street) to check what's there and every time I visit another large city, like Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, Fukuoka, etc I will also check out the Yodobashi Camera stores there as well (and sometimes BIC Camera too, although in many locations the film/darkroom section has all but disappeared). I try to photograph all the relevant sections (film, paper, chemicals, etc) so I can compare the changes over the years. The bigger city Yodobashis (like Osaka and Tokyo) tend to have bigger and better film/darkroom sections than smaller cities, like Kyoto. The film cooler here is still filled with empty boxes, but the actual film counter where you would buy the film from is gone - everything has been moved to a more central location. This sucks because before you used to be able to see what was in the film fridge behind the register, but now that's gone and is behind the scenes. Honestly, for a few years now there has rarely been anything for me to buy IRL since they have so little stock. The 2 rolls of Delta 400 that I see? That's all they have. Yet I could order hundreds of rolls from the website and have it delivered the same day, or next. I don't understand it - so many film photographers come to Kyoto to photograph it, yet so many of the shops don't carry enough film in the stores to be useful to those buyers.

As for tattoos, I think most Japanese, especially the younger generation and those working in industries that see a lot of tourists, are quite used to it now and it doesn't really phase them. Over the past few years there's been a lot of debate about it, especially because of the upcoming (?) Olympics. There's still some difficulties if you plan on using an onsen or a swimming pool (unless your tattoo is small enough to cover up with a patch, it's usually a no-go), but there are places that will allow it. But if you don't plan on using either then no worries (unless you have facial tattoos, maybe). I know a number of Japanese who have no ties whatsoever to the yakuza here who sport tattoos, and a lot of foreign friends who live here as well. But...they are not visible tattoos like Bellamy's, or if they are (for the guys) they always wear long-sleeved shirts, even in the summer.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Well if tattoos are a thing, I definitely can’t visit. Not trying to have my heiny caned.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Well if tattoos are a thing, I definitely can’t visit. Not trying to have my heiny caned.

It's only a thing, maybe, if you choose to live here. Year after year thousands of tourists, who have tattoos, visit Japan without any issues. The only problem would be going to an onsen, and I honestly don't know why people bother. The last time I went to one was in 2004 and only because I wanted to make my friend happy. I have no interest in bathing with other people, and the baths are never as hot as what I can get at home. Again, if it something you want to do, the worst thing that will happen is that you will be told, politely, that no tattoos are allowed. That's it. And there are plenty of places that will allow them, there are websites dedicated to it. Japanese tattoos are world famous, there are plenty of locals who have them and still function in society.

Most Japanese are quite friendly to tourists, and unless you have a lot of experience with Japanese culture, you probably won't notice the very nuanced behaviour that would indicated that someone is uncomfortable. People have a very romanticized, idyllic view of Japan which only gets reinforced on a 2-3 week holiday, but usually gets shattered pretty quickly once one decides to live here.

That's all I have to say about it - don't want to derail this thread any further!

 

[Danner]

I think the AF Nikkor 28mm/f1.4D belongs on the lists.

Here is my collection of screw-drive Nikkors:

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I think the AF Nikkor 28mm/f1.4D belongs on the lists.

Here is my collection of screw-drive Nikkors:

What an amazing selection of Nikkor lenses. Good for you! And you have the 300mm f/2.8! Do you have a giant camera bag?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I think the AF Nikkor 28mm/f1.4D belongs on the lists.

Here is my collection of screw-drive Nikkors:

My immediate thought was WOW! But that was closely followed by the thought of WHY?

For instance, it looks like you have the 20, 24, and 28mm. If you were standing in the same spot, what could you photograph with the 20mm that you couldn't photography with the 28mm? And would it really make that significant of a difference?

 

[narsuitus]

For instance, it looks like you have the 20, 24, and 28mm. If you were standing in the same spot, what could you photograph with the 20mm that you couldn't photography with the 28mm? And would it really make that significant of a difference?

I cannot speak for Danner, but in my case, where I am standing is not the issue. The issue for me is what other lenses am I carrying. Here is how I use the three focal lengths you mention:
14/28/55 macro with Nikon SLR (prefer for landscapes and nature subjects)
18/28/50 with Nikon SLR (prefer for landscapes)
20/50/105 with Nikon SLR (preferred for general subjects; however, I no longer have the 20mm lens)
21/35/90 with Leica rangefinder (my personal favorite for general subjects with rangefinder)
24/35/85 with Nikon SLR (my personal favorite for general subjects with SLR)
28/50/135 with Nikon SLR (a classic combination for general subjects)

 

[narsuitus]

I think the AF Nikkor 28mm/f1.4D belongs on the lists.

Here is my collection of screw-drive Nikkors:

Nice collection !

What do you have in your your medium format collection?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I think the AF Nikkor 28mm/f1.4D belongs on the lists.

Here is my collection of screw-drive Nikkors:

You do not have enough lenses. You should buy some more very wide angles lenses. Maybe several versions of fisheyes.

 

[Danner]

I started with the AF-D Nikkors in the early '90s when my first child came along, and have gradually added over the years. When the G lenses came out, and later the Z-mount, I decided to collect all the screw-drive lenses at favorable prices as they showed up in the for-sale boards.

I am only missing three. The 14mm/2.8, the 200mm Micro, and the 55mm AF Micro.

 

[Danner]

Also, the 70-180 Micro belongs on the legends list too. It is unsurpassed for table top photography, like for food.