It seems like I should pull the trigger for 18-35 sigma or Nikon 17-55 at least
85 f/2 Ai-S, 85 f/1.8D, 85 f/1.4D, 85 f/1.8G and 85 f/1.4G. All good, all different flavors, all different sizes.
100 f/2.8 Series E punches well above its weight class, but the 105 f/2.5 Ai/Ai-S is a total classic. The 105 is my main portrait lens for digital and 35mm film.
135 f/2.8 Series E, Ai, and Ai-S are all optically the same, all fantastic lenses. I use a slightly older formula on the D200 and D2X often for portriats.
180 f/2.8 ED Ai-S is excellent, too.
75-150 f/3.5 Series E is a gem, I actually use it for a product lens on the Z8.
On the D200 vs. modern sensor thing, I honestly think that most of the "CCD look" is early-00's glass in front of a DX sensor with pleasing colors. I don't think the D200's colors are special because of the sensor tech (D2X also has fantastic colors, and it's CMOS). It's just an era of Nikon's color science that was particularly good, and the older glass with a DX sensor does have a look to it. When I got the D5, I found that I could put it in DX mode and get a lot of the same great earth/skin tones. Same goes for the Z8, so try that a bit alongside the D200 as well. But I still enjoy the older cameras, and I'm not saying don't get one! They're still plenty fun.
Jan 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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