Of course I want the fancy expensive obvious pro lenses that I can’t afford yet but I find myself wanting a lot of the cheap Nikon and 3rd party z lenses too.
What budget lenses do you guys love that punch way above their price point that have great character? Say, sub $700.
Which lenses and what do you love about them and show examples of their images.
I only have budget body and lenses. From those the Nikon 40mm f2 and TTA 75mm f2 are lovely (especially the TTA) I also have the 28mm but it's just about okay, nothing that will make me stop if I think of selling it.
From the old F mount, the DX mount AF-P lenses are all stunning with the 70-300 being exceptional. That and 18-55 were epitome of great cheapo lenses for me. There's a bunch of such lenses in m43 too but that's a discussion for another place.
Walked with my zf and the 40/2 and TTA 75/2 today actually.
Amol Thorat wrote:
I only have budget body and lenses. From those the Nikon 40mm f2 and TTA 75mm f2 are lovely (especially the TTA) I also have the 28mm but it's just about okay, nothing that will make me stop if I think of selling it.
From the old F mount, the DX mount AF-P lenses are all stunning with the 70-300 being exceptional. That and 18-55 were epitome of great cheapo lenses for me. There's a bunch of such lenses in m43 too but that's a discussion for another place.
Budget being relative, but the Nikon 500mm f4E is a ridiculous bargain. If you want to reach 500mm and F4, I can't think of a less expensive way to get there.
Looks great but $7000? Used $1800-2500. Not budget for most people. I mention sub $700 in my thread.
FreeShooter wrote:
Budget being relative, but the Nikon 500mm f4E is a ridiculous bargain. If you want to reach 500mm and F4, I can't think of a less expensive way to get there.
This lens came as a kit for a Nikon 35mm film camera I bought years ago. The camera is gone but this rattly little plastic wonder remains. These lenses can be had for less than $50 and make a great backup if you have a camera that will focus AF lenses. I've used it with my D850 and it is sharp and contrasty from f/3.5 to f/11.
The ultimate insanity: Canon 24-85mm lens on the Nikon Z9 body (and the results were quite good, in my opinion). Ditto the Tamron 70-300mm VC (EF mount).
However, for walking around with Nikon Z9 (and in case my EF-NZ adapter breaks), I got the Nikon DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 pancake zoom. When paired with the Z9, the setup fits into a small shoulder bag originally intended for a small(er) mirrorless camera with a full size kit zoom.
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS. Phenomenal lens, better than the Z equivalent in most ways. I do want something faster one day, though, but will probably never get rid of the oldie.
That looks great. Seems still small with ftz ii too.
mivadep wrote:
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS. Phenomenal lens, better than the Z equivalent in most ways. I do want something faster one day, though, but will probably never get rid of the oldie.
The Z50/1.8 is hard to beat. The 26/2.8 has good IQ and close focusing. Several old MF lenses already mentioned. I like the old AF-S 24-85 as a value as well.
Viltrox 85 2.0 EVO excellent, very sharp into the corners, nice organic bokeh. About the same size as the Nikon 50 1.8s. Comes with an clicked de-clicked aperture ring and function button. Small, lightweight for 85mm.
Viltrox 14 4.0 Air. Small, lightweight, sharp into the corners.
I always liked Samyang/Rokinon lenses for their tiny size, tack sharpness and pleasing rendering. Minus their AF not up-to fast action photography, they make really good small and lightweight inexpensive lenses.
My favourite are AF 135, and AF 24 F1.8, so many people rave about their 45 F1.8 and 75 F1.8
I kept 135 and 24 and adapt them on Z via Megadap, works even better on Z than E.
The Japanese version of the 50mm f/1.8 AI-S pancake. It blows my mind that an SLR lens from the 80s can offer this incredible combination of speed, compactness and optical quality.
[EDIT] I said the Japanese version because most US-based copies are of E-type, which was similar optically but used plastic focus ring instead of rubber, usually sold as a kit lens.
mivadep wrote:
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS. Phenomenal lens, better than the Z equivalent in most ways. I do want something faster one day, though, but will probably never get rid of the oldie.
I would like to add a few other old manual Nikkor lenses which I find incredible: the 24/f2 AIS, the 28/f2 AIS, the 35/f2 AIS, the 50/f1.2 AIS, the 55/f1.2 AIS and the 105/f2.5 AIS. They all are great value for the money, have exceptional build quality and a bit of a dual personality (wide open vs. stopped down). Only drawback is you have to use the FTZ or some different adapter (and you have to focus manually of course).
Great idea for a thread! I have too many, so will break it up into different posts
Starting off with the TTartisan 75mm f1.5 "swirly bokeh" (i.e. Zeiss Biotar copy).
It has a pretty unique look with tons of swirl. But also sharpens up quite nicely from about f5.6. Most of these samples wide-open, except the last two which are somehwere around f2.8 to f4, if I remember correctly..
Pretty sharp when stopped down, I think it's completely usable even on the 45mp sensors. And much nicer sunstars than most of Nikon's modern zoom lenses, as it as 9 straight aperture blades.
