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.
Ah Nikkors,
The much respected 105mm f2.5 AI/AIS lens earns its well-deserved praise in my experience. I had a D200 for a short time and was quite taken with how three dimensional the images shot with this one looked. The color and contrast are also just about all I could ask for from a small-format lens.
I also find the 24mm f2.8 AIS to be a real winner. It gives very even rendering across the image field, especially when stopped down a stop or two from full aperture.
I have to admit that I'm not much impressed with the 50mm f1.2 AIS. It features a bit too much barrel distortion for my liking in a 50. At wider apertures, the out of focus rendering is less than pleasing. Unfocused highlight areas tend to take on the appearance of large blobs of light that are out of proportion with their actual size. I use it when I need the speed.
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. 😕
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!
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...