I shot virtually all of my Dark Times series and horticultural work with a couple of Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lenses. I've been using them for well over 40 years now and consequently completely wore the original copy down to the bone!
I love that series. So good! For like $150 or less that’s one on my list.
Seems like a good trio;
28 2.8
55 2.8
105 2.5
KLaban wrote:
I shot virtually all of my Dark Times series and horticultural work with a couple of Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lenses. I've been using them for well over 40 years now and consequently completely wore the original copy down to the bone!
I have the AI-S 105mm f1.8, the "big brother" of the f2.5, which is also not too expensive (ca 300$), and is said to show compareable optical performance. Mostly I got the f1.8 because I already had the AF 105mm f2 DC and wanted to have the lens to have at least one advantage over the DC, even if its merely one third stop.
I have the AF 60mm f2.8 micro, which is the successor to the AF 55mm f2.8 micro, which is the successor to the AI 55mm f2.8 micro mentioned in this thread. At 250$ it also wasnt very expensive. Especially not much more expensive than the 55m.
I have the AF 180mm f2.8 and I dont remember the price I paid, it was either 200 or 300$. Still, it was very cheap considering what you get. Amusing detail, the aperture is actually the last element in the lens, all glas elements are in front of it. I know of no other lens that has that.
Anyway I love all three of theses lenses and last one is very often with me.
newyork wrote:
When did I say slr photo or mirrorless photo?
You demanded images taken with a mirrorless.
But if the posters remove the exifs, you have no way of knowing if the image was taken with a DSLR or a mirrorless.
I suppose everyone is on their honor then. But honestly I don’t care which they use. I just happen to only own Z.
Not demanding, just trying to have a fun yet informative thread that also inspires GAS.
Good info there on the 55 and 60, thank you.
Sauseschritt wrote:
I have the AI-S 105mm f1.8, the "big brother" of the f2.5, which is also not too expensive (ca 300$), and is said to show compareable optical performance. Mostly I got the f1.8 because I already had the AF 105mm f2 DC and wanted to have the lens to have at least one advantage over the DC, even if its merely one third stop.
I have the AF 60mm f2.8 micro, which is the successor to the AF 55mm f2.8 micro, which is the successor to the AI 55mm f2.8 micro mentioned in this thread. At 250$ it also wasnt very expensive. Especially not much more expensive than the 55m.
I have the AF 180mm f2.8 and I dont remember the price I paid, it was either 200 or 300$. Still, it was very cheap considering what you get. Amusing detail, the aperture is actually the last element in the lens, all glas elements are in front of it. I know of no other lens that has that.
Anyway I love all three of theses lenses and last one is very often with me.
You demanded images taken with a mirrorless.
But if the posters remove the exifs, you have no way of knowing if the image was taken with a DSLR or a mirrorless. ...Show more →
I shot virtually all of my Dark Times series and horticultural work with a couple of Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lenses. I've been using them for well over 40 years now and consequently completely wore the original copy down to the bone!
I shot virtually all of my Dark Times series and horticultural work with a couple of Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lenses. I've been using them for well over 40 years now and consequently completely wore the original copy down to the bone!
https://www.keithlaban.co.uk/Washed-up.jpg
Probably the lenses I used for the most exposures in my lifetime. Pre scanners and digital did hundreds of flat copy to slides for teaching aids every week using my employer's 55 2.8 Micro Nikkor, and have owned my own 55 3.5 and 105 f/4 Micro Nikkors for decades.
300mm f4 AF-S is going for around 400 bucks these days used. It's super-fast focus. Very sharp and focuses really close. It has a built-in hood which is awesome. Only caveat is the focus motors are known to go. 1.4TCII (also cheap) works and the 1.7 also does...sorta... in good light.
I haven't done this but supposedly it works well with extension tubes.
M42 mount CZJ 50mm 1.8 Pancolar and 35mm 2.4 Flektogon are some old school gems that aren't terribly expensive. Nikon 55mm 3.5 Ai macro is sweet too, low element count, 5e/4g. Renders some very realistic looking dense photos.
Very small and light for what it is and it performs well stopped down (and in the center wide-open). Nice sunstars, too.
Of course most of the size and weight advantage is loss when adapting to Z-mount. I mostly use it on (D)SLRs..
Don't really have a good bokeh sample as I mostly shoot it stopped down..
I'd be interested in its predecessor too - the Nikkor-O 35mm f2 - but holding back as I really have more than enough lenses
