Better nikon lenses for B & W...are there any?

[keithwms]

i raised this question because rangefinder shooters seems to discuss a bit about lenses and their effects in B & W. So was just wondering if the same exists for 35mm SLRs.

Check out the Zeiss ZF lenses for Nikon F mount if you want more contrast. As others have mentioned, there is a vast repertoire of ordinary Nikon F lenses that work very well for b&w.

[John Koehrer]

I was just wondering if there are any particular nikon mount lenses for SLRs that works particularly well with B & W film photography?

It seems that with the rangefinders, there are lenses that works better with B & W imagery.

I believe what you're referring to are some of the Cosina lenses where you have a choice of single or multi-coating. Many folks find the single coated lenses more pleasing for B&W. Also many of the older lenses were uncoated too.
The older Nikon lenses were single coated, newer ones MC.
If you're not sure look at the reflections in the lens, if they're all one color they're single coated and if several colors multicoated.

[Steve Bellayr]

I have a Zeiss Sonnar 1.5/50mm. It is outstanding in black and white. I highly recommend that lens. There has been some discussion concerning that lens at miniumum focal distance but how ofter are you at minimum focal distance at f1.5? Mostly I am at narrower f-stops. When I am at f1.4 & f2.0 I am not at minimum focus distance. With ASA 400 B&W the range is terrific. I shot it with ASA 1600 again excellent results.

[2F/2F]

"I was just wondering if there are any particular nikon mount lenses for SLRs that works particularly well with B & W film photography?"

Lenses that are used by particularly good black and white photographers seem to work best.

"It seems that with the rangefinders, there are lenses that works better with B & W imagery."

There are no such things.

[nicefor88]

Hi,

My Nikkor 50 f1,4 from 1972 gives excellent results. Actually, it is very hard to tell the difference in terms of sharpness with my Summicron (Leica). This is quite puzzling as leica prices are outrageous... I would never give up that old lens.

A previous comment about coatings was very true. Multi-coated lens appeared in the 1960s-1970s (depending on the make) because color photography bacame widespread then. All quality lenses will give good results in B/W, paper has its importance for sure.