What would your manual focus lesn be for a Nikon F3?

[glockman99]

On one of my F3HP's I have a very nice Tokina AT-X 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5, and on my other F3HP I have a Nikkor AI 50mm f/2 lens. I 'tend to use the F3HP with the Tokina lens the most. I also have a Nikkor AIS 105 f/2.5 lens and a Nikkor AIS ED 180mm f/2.8 lens that I use quite a bit.

 

[Anscojohn]

What would you use as your main MF lens for an F3?

*****
105 2.5

 

[mw_uio]

I use the following: [20/2.8, 24/2.8, 28/2.0, 85/1.4] The most used is my 24, and 28. Those two lenses cover everything that I like to shoot. If there is one lens do anything, go anywhere is a 28. Go 4 a 28!

 

[Dave Swinnard]

Most of the time my F3 wears an old 28mm f/4 PC lens. I really miss the "front rise" aspect when I don't have it with me. (Old habits, dying hard I guess.)

Usually in the bag, but not always, or frequently used are the 25-50 f/4 zoom (I thought it would be my one "travel" lens, and it's nice, but I still tend to leave the PC lens on as default) and the 105mm f/2.5 for reach when I'm seeing details.

 

[Stan160]

Following the recent aquisition of a 105/2.5, and a very enjoyable walk in the spring sunshine at the weekend, I think I can safely say my two-lens kit is this and a 24/2.8. Three lens, and a 50/1.8 is added. Really lightweight will be the 50/1.8 on its own.

After looking at what I've actually used from my lens collection in the last year, I will shortly be selling a 15mm fisheye (done the gimmicky shots to death), 80-200 f/2.8 (fantastic lens, really like it, but too big and heavy so I hardly ever take it with me), 35/2.8 (just not a focal length that suits me) and possibly 28/2.8 (might keep hold of this though, for when the 24 looks a bit extreme).

Some of the money raised will go on a 50/1.4 or 1.2, or a 55/1.2 to extend my low light capability.

 

[Pumal]

If you can get a 28mm f/2; try it. You'll enjoy it.

 

[mikebarger]

While I probably shoot less than 5 rolls a year in my F3HP, if I'm out for fun I put the 18mm on it.

If I'm out with the grand daughter, I have the 105mm on it.

Mike

 

[stevenb1]

As a "walking around/travel" lens I was using a 35-70 f3.5, but recently bought a 28-85 f3.5-4.5 and 35-200. For sports I have used the 180 f2.8, and 135 succesfully. It really depends on what you are shooting.

 

[removed-user-1]

I don't have an F3, but when I travel light with the F100 I bring a 24/2.8 and 50/1.4. Mine are AF, but they are optically the same as the MF versions as far as I know. I tend to get very close to things so the 50 is my long lens and the 24 is normal.

PS - if I was going to add a third lens, I'd also go with the 105/2.5 or 105/2.8 micro. My current telephoto is a 70-210/4 Series E but it's a little big.

 

[MFP]

50mm f/1.4 or 35mm f/1.4 but those are just for my needs, you probably do something entirely different than myself; lens questions where the OP is asking what lens to buy can really only be answered by the OP.

 

[Robert Liebermann]

24mmf/2.8

 

[bensonga]

My walk around kit for the F3HP is comprised of 3 AIS lenses....the 28/2.8, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5 in a Lowe Pro fanny pack. Works great....although I still looking to find a 35/1.4 and 85/1.4.

Gary
Alaska

 

[John_Nikon_F]

AI'd 85f1.8 Nikkor. Can be seen in my response to your Nikonians post.

-J

 

[stradibarrius]

I have come across good deals on a 28 f/2.8, a 50 f/1.8. I have a Tamron 90 f/2.8 Macro and I have a nikon 28-105 Macro that stays on my F100 most of the time. So I think I am set until I identify some specific need.
I also have a Nikon 70-300 VR that works fine on my F100. I haven't tried it on my F3HP yet.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Barry,

I don't think the 70-300 VR would even work on your F3HP, let alone your FE. IIRC, the lens is a G lens, which doesn't have an aperture ring.

-J

 

[stradibarrius]

John you are right, I tried it yesterday and it will meter but there is no way to adjust the aperture.

 

[fschifano]

I use the 24 f/2.8, the 50 f/1.8, and the 85 f/2, no matter which body I'm carrying on a particular day. That's it. Covers just about everything I want to do.

 

[stradibarrius]

I have a Nikon 28-105mm that is a terrific lens! very sharp, great contrast and it fills a wide gap in one lens. I know a lot of film folks don't really like zooms. I have noticed that with my zooms I wind up shooting around the 35mm spot quite a bit...I guess for some reason when I look through the viewfinder and compose that is what looks right to my eye??? I would probably get a lot of use from a 35mm.

 

[Chaplain Jeff]

Hello,

My lenses of choice on the F3 are the Kiron 90mm, f/2.5 or my Nikkor 24mm, f/2.8 AI.

 

[JimCee]

Firstly, just a quick introduction. I joined today, after coming across this group on a Google search.

I have a Nikon F3HP and three AI-S lens, plus some additional D-type lens. The AI-S lens are a 24mm f/2.8, 55mm Micro-Nikkor f/2.8 and 135mm f/2.8.

The lenses used depend mostly on what I'm photographing on any given day. I suppose the 55mm is most frequent.

Jim

 

[Pumal]

If not mentioned yet; the AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1:3.5-4.5 D is a lot of fun.