sepiareverb
genius and moron
28/2.0 Ai was my favorite Nikkor.
the 105/2.0 D D/C was another, and the 85/1.4 AiS.
the 105/2.0 D D/C was another, and the 85/1.4 AiS.
ampguy
Veteran
peter_n
Veteran
My favorites were the 50/1.8 (which my youngest daughter now loves 
) and the 28/2.8. My 85/2 was truly a dog, I remember buying a Tokina zoom that was way better at that FL. Amazing when you think of Nikon's reputation in medium long lenses.
) and the 28/2.8. My 85/2 was truly a dog, I remember buying a Tokina zoom that was way better at that FL. Amazing when you think of Nikon's reputation in medium long lenses.
ampguy
Veteran
Interesting
Interesting
Have not tried an 85 yet, but occasionally check KEH or the auction site for 85/1.8 PCs. The focal length on the dslrs seems like it would be nice, as the 105 can be a bit long indoors with the crop factor.
Interesting
Have not tried an 85 yet, but occasionally check KEH or the auction site for 85/1.8 PCs. The focal length on the dslrs seems like it would be nice, as the 105 can be a bit long indoors with the crop factor.
My favorites were the 50/1.8 (which my youngest daughter now loves
Roger Vadim
Well-known
So everybocy raves about the 35/2 Ai/S... mhmm.
I got a 35/2 Nikkor O-C which i find not that spectuclar. quite soft wide open and flares like hell, although in B/W it produces lovely tonality. I find my old H-C 28/3.5 much better (although nobody raves about that)
Because 35mm is my favorite length, can someone tell me if the later models are any better? I understood that Nikon didn't change the design (7/5) throughout the time. or am I wrong? any advise very much apreciated!
Not much to add to the topic:
The 105/2.5 is truly spectacular, 24/2.8 AIS nice and sharp, although the signature is a bit to neutral for me (shooting mostly B/W). I do like the 28/3.5 O which vignetes heavily, but that's got some character at least. The tiny 50/1.8 AIS is sharp and lovely, but the macro 55/2.8 is a monster concerning rendition and sharpness - stunning!
35/2.8 AIS: boring and soft. does anybody want one? (drop me a PM)
75-150 E series: really nice, although a bit wobbly in the focusing and rather long for my taste. but for the price excellent.
Still trying to form an opinion on the 35-105 3.5-4 AIS zoom... shot some nice slides with it, they got the nikon look, good color balance. but its rather heavy. don't know, I'm not falling in love with it...
I got a 35/2 Nikkor O-C which i find not that spectuclar. quite soft wide open and flares like hell, although in B/W it produces lovely tonality. I find my old H-C 28/3.5 much better (although nobody raves about that)
Because 35mm is my favorite length, can someone tell me if the later models are any better? I understood that Nikon didn't change the design (7/5) throughout the time. or am I wrong? any advise very much apreciated!
Not much to add to the topic:
The 105/2.5 is truly spectacular, 24/2.8 AIS nice and sharp, although the signature is a bit to neutral for me (shooting mostly B/W). I do like the 28/3.5 O which vignetes heavily, but that's got some character at least. The tiny 50/1.8 AIS is sharp and lovely, but the macro 55/2.8 is a monster concerning rendition and sharpness - stunning!
35/2.8 AIS: boring and soft. does anybody want one? (drop me a PM)
75-150 E series: really nice, although a bit wobbly in the focusing and rather long for my taste. but for the price excellent.
Still trying to form an opinion on the 35-105 3.5-4 AIS zoom... shot some nice slides with it, they got the nikon look, good color balance. but its rather heavy. don't know, I'm not falling in love with it...
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Later models will have improved multi-coating, and the optical design may have been tweaked slightly, but Nikon used the same 8 element 6 group optical formula for the 35/2 right from the K version up until the last Ai-S lens out of the factory. More info at the link below.
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html
Just checked one reference that states the formula/coatings were tweaked ~1968 or so, and the serial number scheme was changed. Oddly enough, the older series had a SN range above 1M. Newer lenses were lower SN. Crazy Nikon. Mine is this "second generation" 35/2 Nikkor-O and is VERY good. I also had the multi-coated non-AI version with RIFR (Rubber Inset Focus Ring), was even higher contrast. Sold it with an F2.
MaxElmar
Well-known
I love my old NAI (now converted) 35/1.4, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5. I have an NAI 35/2 O that's great!
At work I use a 17-55/2.8 that's outstanding except it can flare in backlit situations.
Any of the Micro Nikkors - esp the 55/3.5
My AFD 20/2.8 is OK at 2.8, great after that - and happy shooting directly in to the sun.
The AF 35/2 is a real dog for the first few stops. I would like to try the new 35/1.8G.
And finally - the little 10.5/2.8 is excellent. I've got to get an F/L adapter to try this lens as a semi-circular fisheye on my R or T.
At work I use a 17-55/2.8 that's outstanding except it can flare in backlit situations.
Any of the Micro Nikkors - esp the 55/3.5
My AFD 20/2.8 is OK at 2.8, great after that - and happy shooting directly in to the sun.
The AF 35/2 is a real dog for the first few stops. I would like to try the new 35/1.8G.
And finally - the little 10.5/2.8 is excellent. I've got to get an F/L adapter to try this lens as a semi-circular fisheye on my R or T.
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Roger Vadim
Well-known
Mhmm.. thanks for the comments, must be a dog then or fell during its livespan, who knows...
Mine is below 1M, # 850xxx, so made after 68. O-C non Ai-d with second gen "ears". I love the handling of it though, for me the metal barell feels better to turn than the AIS models, I can shoot with one finger focusing and holding the camera in one hand. Seems I have to look for another one...
here is a sample of the quite annoing flare when pointing towards the sun (which is not in the frame...)
Thanks, Michael
Mine is below 1M, # 850xxx, so made after 68. O-C non Ai-d with second gen "ears". I love the handling of it though, for me the metal barell feels better to turn than the AIS models, I can shoot with one finger focusing and holding the camera in one hand. Seems I have to look for another one...
here is a sample of the quite annoing flare when pointing towards the sun (which is not in the frame...)
Thanks, Michael
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ampguy
Veteran
Best 28
Best 28
Try the 28/2.8 non AI, I think it is the sharpest 2.8, and a bit faster than the 3.5, however it is longer focus (.3m) than later 28s, but I think the close focus (.2m) of the later 28s caused optical compromises not present in the .3m 28/2.8.
Best 28
Try the 28/2.8 non AI, I think it is the sharpest 2.8, and a bit faster than the 3.5, however it is longer focus (.3m) than later 28s, but I think the close focus (.2m) of the later 28s caused optical compromises not present in the .3m 28/2.8.