Carry about lens for SLR

[Gary E]

I just got back my Nikon F3HP from a long slumber in storage, and now want to use it as my carry about camera to see if I missed it as much as I thought I did. So what lens do you SLR users use for a carry about kit? I like to use anything between 21 and 50 (due to size) but have yet to put my finger on one yet. I'm leaning towards the VC 40mm pancake like lens, but the ordinary 50/1.8 might do (due to price).

 

[Chris101]

I have a manual focus Nikon (FG) and prefer either a 50mm f/2 or 43-86 zoom, depending on my mood.

 

[bgb]

As an all purpose lens on my OM i use a 35mm f2.8 I like the std 50mm and a 24mm would be great in some shots but for all purpose just in case 35mm does it for me.

 

[Mablo]

I'm mainly using the el-cheapo Nikkor 50mm/1.8 AF-D with my F100. I'm totally satisfied with the image quality.

 

[Keith]

I've been thinking lately that a 40mm would be an ideal all purpose lens for an SLR but I never felt that way about that length on a rangefinder strangely.

The problem is though that a 40mm lens for an OM doesn't come cheap!

 

[Ranchu]

The 50mm f2 AI is very good. The 35mm f2.8 AIS is extremely sharp, skin tones are a bit red though. Also it's a f3.8 lens, keep it on f4 at most. I used the 55mm f3.5 AI as a walk around, it's my favorite Nikkor. It's a Biometar type. Keep that on f4 too, come to think of it.

 

[The Dark]

You can get a AiS Nikkor 50mm f1.8 'Pancake' version. It's a lot like the E-series 50mm but with better glass and a lot slimmer than the regular AiS 50 1.8. It have been a staple on my FM2n ever since I got it😉

 

[kshapero]

I just got back my Nikon F3HP from a long slumber in storage, and now want to use it as my carry about camera to see if I missed it as much as I thought I did. So what lens do you SLR users use for a carry about kit? I like to use anything between 21 and 50 (due to size) but have yet to put my finger on one yet. I'm leaning towards the VC 40mm pancake like lens, but the ordinary 50/1.8 might do (due to price).

You will not go wrong with either of these.

 

[shadowfox]

The Ultron 40/2 is a *very* good choice for all-purpose lens on your F3.

Sticking with Nikon, I'd suggest getting an old 35mm f2 or f2.8 Nikkor.

 

[oftheherd]

Nobody can know the answer before you do. I can tell you that I like 50mm f/1.4 a lot. I also sometimes like a 43-75mm zoom.

But if it were to only be one, it would be the 50mm.

 

[clicker]

Nikkor 50mm/1.8 AF-D. Inexpensive and tack sharp.

 

[nikon_sam]

35mm in either 2.8 or 2.0...I have both, just got the 2.8, and am still testing it but I do like what I'm seeing so far...
The 2.8 is being used on my F4s with a Waist Level Finder...

 

[Doug]

For a one-lens carry kit, I like a mild wide-angle or normal lens, I guess agreeing with most above!

 

[Vilk]

fwiw, i'm in the middle of a massive nikon lens sale, logical conclusion of two parallel processes running over the past quarter of a century--filling up a small cabinet with glass and narrowing my daily choices to only a fraction of that 😎

what stays? 28/2, 50/1.8 longnose, 180/2.8. maybe 55/2.8, for copying slides on negs. all ais. given your constraints, i cannot recommend the longnose enough, it's light years ahead of the pancake in character

i'm not sure how this might help you, but it looks like everybody tells you something along these lines so there you go 😀

 

[Vics]

I have lots of lenses for my Nikoin F bodies. From among the 1.4/50, the 2/50, the 2.8/35, and the 2/35, I settled on th3e 1:2 lenses, and for walking around I went for the 2/50 (H). I never considered the 3.5 Micro Nikkor as it's too slow IMO for that purpose. When I moved to Leica, I stayed with 50mm 1:2 lens, but recently have become enamoured of the 35mm FL.
Short answer: choose any Nikkor of the focal length you like best. The Nikon Compendium was a big help to me in choosing the right version in each of the focal lengths I was interested in.

 

[Warren T.]

35mm in either 2.8 or 2.0...I have both, just got the 2.8, and am still testing it but I do like what I'm seeing so far...
The 2.8 is being used on my F4s with a Waist Level Finder...

Sam, on a side note, I once tested the 2.8 that you have now on my F3HP vs. a Leica M2 w/35mm cron, both with slide film, and the 2.8 performed just about as good as the cron on this particular session (yes, I know, it's hard to believe, but there it is).

I was willing to give up the 2.8 because I have already have the 35mm f2.0.

As far as a walkaround/all-around prime lens for my F3HP and other heavy metal F series Nikons, I use either the 35mm f2.0 ais or 50mm f1.4 ais depending on my mood.

--Warren

 

[bhop73]

On my F100, 50mm f/1.8D. My FE, 50mm f/1.4AIS I usually carry my 24mm f/2.8D as well and use it for either camera.

 

[BSchall]

Being a wide to normal lens shooter like you mentioned, I bought a 24-50 AFD Nikkor. I find it a great walk around lens. Originally used it on a F3, now it resides on a F100. Still sees use on my FM/FM2. I can grab it and the 75-150 Series E zoom and pretty much cover all bases.

 

[nobbylon]

Nikon wise,
28 AIS 2.8
50 F2 any H, HC, AI
105 2.5 AI or AIS

Alternatively go for a 35 R Summicron with a Leitax adapter which I have on my F3.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

If you can afford it the Zeiss ZF 35mm f2.0 is incredible. As far as the 50mm is concerned go with the f1.4. Try to get the last or 6th version of the Ai-S.