Nikon Nikkor-C Zoom 43-86

[Curt]

Is this a decent, ok, or great lens? I'm looking for something in this range among the multitude of lenses out there.

[BillBingham2]

It's a so-so lens. The newer version is said to be better but I'm not sure.

I'm more of a prime guy myself so I might not be the best guy to ask.

B2

[Curt]

Yea me too, primes, thought this might do for situation where a zoom would help.

[fstop]

Not the best choice in mid range zoom. 35-70 is better

[RidingWaves]

The C means its the multicoated earlier optical version, which helps a bit, but that older one was not a very good lens overall, although it does have its charm as a portrait lens when set at 60mm at or near wide open. Yep, the improved 43-86 is very good and perhaps a match for some primes, it does have a crazy good color rendition.

[John Koehrer]

It's an early zoomer and though the later ones may be OK the older ones had visible distortion.
Pincushion at one end and barrel at the other.

[narsuitus]

My first zoom lens, a Nikon 43-86mm f/3.5, had such horrible image quality that I sold it and did not use zooms again for decades

[CGW]

It suffers from an urban legend rep as a dog, usually promoted by people who a)never knew there were two versions, and b) never shot either one. The later Ai version is no slouch, sharp with good contrast and a nice "walk-around" lens. The Ai is often available in EX shape for very little money, thanks to the early not-so-great NAI version.

[Bob-D659]

You want the AI or pre AI, K version with the black filter ring and the s/n of 774071 or higher around the outside of the filter ring thread, see http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

[RidingWaves]

I've was given 2 of these and bought one for 18.00, all the newer Ai versions. Astoundingly decent for the price.
My understanding for the older version was that it was good as a portrait/body lens because you could vary the barrel vs pincushion distortion ever so slightly to enhance or reduce.....It was Bob Guccione's favorite lens when he shot Pet's for Penthouse (NSFW!!) I think for this reason.