Lenses for my Nikon

[bob100684]

105mm f2.5!

[mudman]

I own a good chunk of nikkor glass now - The lenses that I like in AI or AIS the best are the 35mm f2, the 50mm f2 and the 105 f2.5. Great set. If you need a wide range with a wide aperture, I also have a tokina 35-70 f2.8 SP that is a wonderful performer as well. I've found the 50mm f1.8 e series to have more distortion and to be less sharp than the 50mm f2. I also have an 85mm f2, but find the extra reach of the 105 and the bokeh of that lens to be slightly better. In that same range I also use a Tamron 90mm f2.5 (49mm ring) and think its sharper then either, but I leave it set up for my pentax. I've lucked into most of these lenses - I haven't paid more then $30 or $40 for any of them.

[Peter De Smidt]

I'd check the prices at KEH.com . They are very reputable. Their "bargain" lenses are often in equivalent shape to other seller's "excellent" lenses. Never pay an individual, whether on Ebay or wherever, close to what you can buy at KEH, or from another reputable dealer, since the dealers will stand behind their sale. For example, if you get a lens with a sticky aperture, it might cost $75 to $100 to get it fixed. I've also bought "excellent" lenses on Ebay that had fungus.

Regarding Ken Rockwell, he shoots a lot of film. He calls it "RealRaw". While you should never take anyone's word as gospel, I've found Ken's opinions on equipment to be pretty good. Great fast lenses are harder to make than slightly less fast ones, and "slower" lenses are definitely lighter, cheaper and more compact. If you need the super wide aperture, then you have no choice. For example, I use a 50mm f1.8. It's a great lens. (I have a article on the lens at: http://peterdesmidt.com/blog/?p=4) For me, it's not worth it to get an F1.4 lens. But that's me.

You might get a 35mm F2 and an 85mm F2 (or 105 F2.5) lenses to go with your 50mm. Use them a bit, and see if you need something wider or longer.

Whatever you do, have fun!

[dougjgreen]

Since the OP already has a 50mm, I would suggest something longer than 85mm, and wider than 35mm as being more useful. For me, when using primes, I tend to go for doubling of steps: i.e. 24 or 28mm, then 50 or 55mm, then 105mm, then 200mm.

If I'm traveling light, I use just a 28mm and a 90mm Macro. I would also add that if you are buying privately from an individual, be it here or ebay or wherever - make sure that they will offer you the right to return for a refund if you're not happy with the condition compared to how it was described. Shops like KEH will do that, but so will the more reputable private sellers as well.

[Leighgion]

Where to begin? There's countless fine old Nikkor lenses that, even at the higher current prices, are still great deals. If budget is a foremost concern, pay careful attention to the Series E lenses. They were Nikon's budget line and for the time, committed the sin of having plastic barrels, but their optics were still top notch and by modern standards, Series E plastic is quite stout.

I have an 100mm f2.8 E and 135mm f2.8 E. Both very nice lenses.

[lns]

i'm not sure about the 50 yet, i'm just getting my feet wet. i just shot my first film, in over ten years, this week. my general thought so far is that i don't really need the larger apertures. i'm only shooting outside in daylight at the moment, and as far as i can tell the faster lenses are quite a bit more expensive, unless you have a secret source. my local shop had a used 135mm f3.5 for $80 and and 135mm f/2.8 for $150, unless that's a fluke.

First, even though you are shooting outside only at the moment, experience tells me that this moment won't last forever. Eventually you will find yourself using your camera in situations where a faster lens is necessary. For example, indoors. Or winter. Or when you need a faster shutter speed. Not to mention that very slow lenses are harder to focus on an SLR. It seems penny wise and pound foolish to limit yourself to only slow lenses.

Second, I also recommend Bjorn's site for specific lens advice. Ken Rockwell, not so much.

Third, I think as nice as a 135mm lens would be, and no matter how reasonable the price, that focal length isn't great for your first or only lens. Better to look for a 50mm or 35mm with an aperture of f2 or so -- both of which are readily available and also quite reasonable. The 50mm f1.8 ais is less than $100, for example.

Enjoy!

-Laura

[dougjgreen]

Third, I think as nice as a 135mm lens would be, and no matter how reasonable the price, that focal length isn't great for your first or only lens. Better to look for a 50mm or 35mm with an aperture of f2 or so -- both of which are readily available and also quite reasonable. The 50mm f1.8 ais is less than $100, for example.

He already has the 50mm f2.

[Rol_Lei Nut]

i'm looking at a 200mm f4 as we speak. Peter, on your recommendation i checked out ken rockwell's review, and he had many nice things to say about it. what would be a fair price? any ideas?

thanks for the help so far

Make sure it's an AI/AIS model. The pre-AI one, while still quite decent, wasn't as good.

They tend to be quite cheap now (vastly underrated lens).
A slight negative: The effective aperture is closer to f/4.5 than f/4.0.

[Rol_Lei Nut]

First, even though you are shooting outside only at the moment, experience tells me that this moment won't last forever. Eventually you will find yourself using your camera in situations where a faster lens is necessary. For example, indoors. Or winter. Or when you need a faster shutter speed. Not to mention that very slow lenses are harder to focus on an SLR. It seems penny wise and pound foolish to limit yourself to only slow lenses.
-Laura

The other side of the coin is that faster lenses are also bigger and heavier, as well as being more expensive.

It isn't very helpful to have a wonderful fast lens, but always leave it at home because you don't feel like carrying it.

Of the lenses I use most, I have both the faster and the slower models, with the slower ones being used over 90% of the time.

[HarryW]

Hi,
Bjorn's site will give you excellent advice on the performance of most of the lenses that you are considering and you should also look at this site http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html
I don't know if the F10 can utilise the features of an AIs lens, if it can't you will find that the AI version will be less expensive. In many instances there is no difference optically between an AI and an AIS with only the focus throw being smaller and more convenient on the AIS
I have had the 50mm f2.0 AI since 1979 and it is an outstanding lens and if it's in good condition would recommend that you keep it.
Given that I was starting from your present position I would buy two further lenses - 105 f2.5 and a 28 f2.8 or f2.0 if your budget runs to that.
This three lens set up will cover 85% of all of your requirements and you can then add to them as needed.
Regards

Harry