beginner's nikkor kit

[venchka]

24/2.8-50/1.4-105/2.5

Those 3 could last you a lifetime.

GOOGLE Ken Rockwell & Dante Stella. They both have good advice on various Nikkor lenses. Mr. Rockwell had much praise for a particular model of the 28/2.8.

Nikon made subtle changes to their lenses over the years. Just because the focal length and max. aperture are the same, doesn't mean the optics, and therefore the photographs, and build quality are the same.

Good luck.

 

[2XLX2]

hi guys,

wow so many informative responses in a single day! i love this community

i havent had the chance to read all the posts, let alone the links attached; but i'll definitely go through them all.

and do continue to add your inputs. let it be a thread on budget [or otherwise] nikkor performers, and not for my specific needs alone.

cheers all!

 

[JNewell]

My faves on subjective lens evaluations: Bjorn Rorslett and David Ruether (see Nikonlinks)

 

[rui]

If you don't need an extra-fast lens, you might consider the 55mm Micro f/2.8. I have one and I can tell you it's a great lens, very sharp for general photography and with the extra of doing macro work (after all, it's one of reasons why SLRs are still around... 🙂 ).
I have a 24/2.8 and a 105/2.5 and I'm happy with both, but I haven't tried the 28/2.8, so I can't really compare... I chose 24 instead of 28 because I wanted the extra angle.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I don't know if they are still in business, but there was a camera repair shop called Winball Camera Repair in Toronto that was reputed to be an excellent Nikon service center.

I agree with the advice you got about the 28 2.8 AIS, 35mm 2.0 AIS, 50 1.8 AIS, and the 105 2.5. If you want to simplify the moderate telephoto end, find a 50-135mm 3.5 zoom in good condition: an amazing lens.
Gerry

 

[titrisol]

Ken Rockwell has very nice tests of lenses in his HOW-To pages
28/2.8 AIS http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28f28ais.htm
50mm "Shootout" http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50-comparison/index.htm

And some others
worth the read time

Concur with the 55/2.8 AIS, great lens for all purpose photography

 

[robert blu]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=74131
50 mm 1,4 is ok ! sorry no RF but FM2 !

 

[stuken]

The 28mm 2.8 AI-S Lens is the sharpest lens wide open, I have ever used. It's really, really nice. The 85mm f2 AI-S Is also beautiful. Any of the 50mm's will suit you fine. The 1.4s aren't the sharpest wide open, but when you need to use 1.4 you generally dont mind a little softness anyways. I love my Nikon gear, and if I had to choose between all my gear, that is what I would keep. Happy shooting.

 

[BillBingham2]

The 28/2.8 AIs is almost a macro lens. It is said by several to be the best wide Nikon has ever made. I grew up on the 24/2.8 and love it. You will not do wrong with either.

The 85/1.8 is a fun lens for portraits, much bigger than the 85/2. The 105/2.5 is legionary, but I went with a 85/1.8 years ago for speed.

24/50/105 is a great triad as is 28/85/180.

B2 (;->

 

[Nikon Bob]

B2

I like your choice of triads and have to say that I find the 85/1.8 more useful than the 105/2.5 for my purposes. If you don't want to lug the 180/2.8 milk bottle around I have found the the 200/4 ai is a good alternative. A friend has the 85/2 and it is not much bigger than a 50.

Bob

 

[2XLX2]

hi folks,


this is what i ended up ordering from KEH*:

50/1.8 AI

28/2.8 AIS


i'm also putting down the 105/2.5 on the 'phase-2' list [GAS already 😉].



so, thank you all for the suggestions and the very informative links. i do appreciate it. 🙂



also, thanks for the welcome to the community and toronto [though i'm actually packing up right now and moving back to south asia after christmas 🙁 ]



@ grainhound

thanks for pointing out Henry's and Downtown Camera; i did buy a digi-p&s from the latter not so long ago, but totally forgot about them. so i took your advice and went to D-C, showed it to one the guy who helped me last time, he checked the camera meter by comparing with some hand-held meter and said the camera seems okay.

BTW are you toronto guys meeting up sunday, dec 2? when? i saw the mention of the venue, but not time [and the second link isn't opening]; if i can cancel my other plans, i might show up.



*ps: is there anything to be aware of concerning cross-border shipment? i haven't ordered anything from the US before, other than books

 

[grainhound]

BTW are you toronto guys meeting up sunday, dec 2? when? i saw the mention of the venue, but not time [and the second link isn't opening]; if i can cancel my other plans, i might show up.

We are, at approx. 1pm. The 2nd thread wouldn't open because Dave deleted it; that was a poll about venue, & we'd decided on that already. I'm taking the Queen streetcar for convenience, so will likely get there early. Hope you can make it - any time in the afternoon. The link below has full info. - it's a reminder.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50530