The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

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Archive 2009 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Rexspangle
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p.2 #1 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

we basically compiled a list of every lens that Nikon has ever made aside from consumer zooms.... go figure

Oct 28, 2009 at 03:18 AM

dionysis
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p.2 #2 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

After seeing how everybody and their mother is recommending the 105 f2.5 I am starting to kick myself for not seeing if I missed out on it's full potential. I purchased it in Mint condition at a pawn shop for $40 and did a quick turn on it making $140.

Oh well, there will always be another lens.

Oct 28, 2009 at 04:16 AM

jasoncallen
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p.2 #3 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

^^ Good point about the consumer zooms. Add the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AFS to my list. I love mine. It's sharp as a razor for landscapes!

For example, D90 + 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 18mm f/8:

Oct 28, 2009 at 04:39 AM

cputeq
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p.2 #4 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Ah, I see the OP has the 50mm f/1.8D -- Maybe not a legend, but a damn fine lens for the cheap.

Oct 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM

String
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p.2 #5 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

cputeq wrote:
Ah, I see the OP has the 50mm f/1.8D -- Maybe not a legend, but a damn fine lens for the cheap.

Couldn't agree more! Every Nikon kit should have one.

Oct 28, 2009 at 02:51 PM

90 5.0
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p.2 #6 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

String wrote:
cputeq wrote:
Ah, I see the OP has the 50mm f/1.8D -- Maybe not a legend, but a damn fine lens for the cheap.

Couldn't agree more! Every Nikon kit should have one.

Not if you have the 1.4

Oct 28, 2009 at 03:12 PM

Avi B
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p.2 #7 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Ye, but the nifty fifty costs what? 100?

Oct 28, 2009 at 03:15 PM

Pavel
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p.2 #8 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

The legends of the Nikon lineup?
I submit John McFadden, Jack OBrian .... and Carlos!
They and others make ALL lenses work. And Carlos make them work for him!

(apologies to those I have missed)

Oct 28, 2009 at 03:19 PM

Erik Moore
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p.2 #9 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

bwield wrote:
What lens do YOU think are the Legends of the Nikon family
thanks!

Well, based on your current lineup, which is, I think, price conscious yet fairly well thought out, I'd say you're definitely missing a wide zoom and a normal prime. Personally, I'd ditch the 50mm f/1.8 for the 35 f/1.8 (you've got portrait covered with the 85), and pick up a 12-24 or 10-24 (that is, if you're sticking to Nikon only glass, if you're open to 3rd party glass, my favorite is the Sigma 10-20, and I've owned the Nikon and the Sigma).

Some may say you're also missing a mid zoom (Nikkor 17-55), but whether or not you need that in addition to your current lineup really depends on your shooting style.

Oct 28, 2009 at 04:06 PM

Robert Spencer
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p.2 #10 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

When I think of Nikkor legends I think of the 180mm 2.8 though no one has mentioned it so far. Can be bought for a song these days. Take care. Bob

Oct 28, 2009 at 05:57 PM

Jammy Straub
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p.2 #11 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

My list would be:

6mm f/2.8 MF Fisheye - Ridiculous lens. One of the coolest looking optics out there.

14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S - The new bar in wide angle lenses, let alone zooms.

18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S - Supper affordable, excellent performing DX general purpose zoom. None of that f/5.6 junk. Brought a new level of quality to the entry level optics.

28mm f/1.4 AF-D - Hand made goodness and the only f/1.4 AF wide angle prime Nikon has made.

70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-D Micro Nikkor - One of a kind.

85mm f/1.4 AF-D - Unique look for a head and shoulders portrait lens, very beautiful.

200mm f/2 VR - the ultimate volleyball lens and for a long time the only stabilized lens of its kind.

1200-1700mm f/5.6-8 MF Zoom - Ridiculous.

------------
I rather thought it'd be fun to think about the similar thing for Canon EOS.

24mm f/1.4L - Best fast wide angle prime out there

50mm f/1.0L - A monster of a lens, a showcase for the EOS mount's capabilities. The only AF f/1.0 lens.

70-200mm f/4L IS - The zoom that thinks it's a prime.

85mm f/1.2L - Another monster of a lens, gorgeous for people.

90mm f/2.8 TS-E - Incredibly gaussian blur characteristics.

800mm f/5.6L - As long as it gets for AF, a birders friend.

----------

I've left out Nikon's PC-E lenses, Canon's 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, the 400 DO, 135L, and the 24-70 f/2.8 Nikkor. All of them are amazing, but not so much as the above IMHO.

Oct 29, 2009 at 03:11 AM

luminosity
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p.2 #12 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Jammy, how can you leave out Canon's 135L? It is rightfully worshipped by Canonites. I've seen stunning work done with it, and I would unquestionably own it if I was a Canon shooter. It's just an amazing lens, and at a remarkable price, all things considered.

Edited on Oct 29, 2009 at 03:36 AM · View previous versions

Oct 29, 2009 at 03:32 AM

Two23
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p.2 #13 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

panos.v wrote:
I think the new 35/1.8 is going to be a legend. You just cannot buy more sharpness, colour, contrast and "pop" for that kind of money. .

Well, actually I think I might have. I tried the 35mm f1.8G and a Sigma 30mm f1.4 side by side for a weekend. I kept the Sigma 30mm f1.4. It's a better lens in every way! I bought it on eBay for $270 too, making the price very similar to the consumer grade Nikon.

As for Nikon's modern legends, the 70-200mm f2.8 VR certainly makes the list.

Kent in SD

Edited on Oct 29, 2009 at 03:57 AM · View previous versions

Oct 29, 2009 at 03:36 AM

Rags Hef
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p.2 #14 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Was the 105 f2 DC or the 135 f2 DC mentioned?

Oct 29, 2009 at 03:54 AM

kasakato
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p.2 #15 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

180 f2.8. My personal legend.

Oct 29, 2009 at 03:57 AM

skyvan
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p.2 #16 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

For macro you can't beat the 105 VR, I love it and find myself using it for a lot of photo illustration stuff. Obviously the 24-70 and 70-200 are great, I'd go for the 24-70 first as it is just an amazing lens. I haven't been able to try the new 70-200 VRII but I find the 24-70 with nano coating to focus faster and produce higher IQ than my 24-70, the downside though is that it is a pusher zoom which means that if you want to make sure you don't accidentally hit something you have to keep the hood on all the time.

Oct 29, 2009 at 06:52 AM

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p.2 #17 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

I´m not interested in legends

, but the AF-S Nikkor 2,8/24-70mm N, the AF-S Nikkor 2,8/80-200mm and the AF-Nikkor 2,0/135mm DC are excellent lenses

, I´ll never want to do without those again.

The "old" Micro-Nikkor 4,0/105mm AI and the Nikkor 2,0/50mm H.C. are awfully good too (and low priced!).

The AF Micro-Nikkor 2,8/60mm offers high sharpness and very high contrast, but the out-of-focus-area is creepy.

-Ralf.

Oct 29, 2009 at 09:29 AM

bwield
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p.2 #18 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

I was wondering if the 180 2.8 and the 135 f2 would come up .

I've had my eye on a 180 2.8 on the local craigslist for $450

Oct 29, 2009 at 11:44 AM

framer
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p.2 #19 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Please be kind this is my 1st post here.

These may not be a legend list but I've kept 4 AIs lenses and never sold them.

15mm f3.5 AIs
16mm f3.5 Fisheye originally NAI was AI'd by Nikon early 80's I still have the original NAI ring also.
28mm f2.8 AIs
105 f2.5 AIs

All were used on an F2A in the 70's then and currently on my F4. I've bought and sold many a lens but have kept those. My F4 lives with that 28 on it.

I've been known to put any of these on a D2hs or D2x when speed is not a factor but weight is. I've never seen the reason to buy a 14 AFD when I own the 15. Set it at 2 feet f11 and you got autofocus.
My current lenses are:

17-35 AF D f2.8
50mm AF D f1.4
70-210 AFS f2.8 VR
300mm AFS f4 great light weight medium tele
TC 14 E works perfect with either of the AFS lenses.

The 28mm is my normal copy lens and closeup work lenses, Zippo distortion.

The surprise for me is the 70-210 VR with an attached TC14E for aerial photography. I've been in a good chop and could hardly keep the camera on target and got a 50 - 60 % keeper rate. Using a tele without the VR I would have expected 2% keepers that day. It's also become my favorite portrait lens.

I love how the old manuals work perfect on a body 30 years newer. I got real value in the old manual lenses. Most cost more today used than I paid new.

framer

Yes, I was a full time photographer but turned picture framer years ago.

Oct 29, 2009 at 09:44 PM

Robert Spencer
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p.2 #20 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Though I have previously replied that the 180mm 2.8 is legendary I would also like to add the 300mm F4 with it as well. Its a stellar performer and should be considered to be quite legendary. Take care. Bob

Oct 29, 2009 at 11:52 PM

mrbernie
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p.2 #21 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Not seeing the PC-E lenses mentioned very much unfortunately!

I love my 24mm PC-E, it beats every other lens I own hands down in terms of sharpness (unshifted - to keep it fair). Plus it's got tilt/shift ability - legend status for me without a doubt.

My collection, for comparison, consists of the 17-35mm, 50mm (f/1.4) and the 70-200mm VR I. Would love the 14-24, the 200 f/2 and a 400 f/2.8

Oct 30, 2009 at 05:39 AM

framer
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p.2 #22 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

Robert Spencer wrote:
Though I have previously replied that the 180mm 2.8 is legendary I would also like to add the 300mm F4 with it as well. Its a stellar performer and should be considered to be quite legendary. Take care. Bob

I'll agree on both the 180AIs and 180AF, stellar. Should have kept one of those but at the time needed money for something else that I thought would be worth more.

framer

Oct 30, 2009 at 03:05 PM

Awasos23
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p.2 #23 · The Legends of Nikon's Lineup

also e series 75-150. Tack sharp and lightweight

Oct 30, 2009 at 05:09 PM


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