Got a Nikon F - now what lenses?

[KoNickon]

Regarding the 55/3.5 -- some say it's sharper than the 55/2.8, which is a later design. I don't know about that, but I do know the 2.8 has problems with oil on the aperture blades.

Esthetically the 55/3.5 looks cool to me, with the satin chrome lens tube and light blue engraving on the barrel.

 

[Tom A]

I was looking for something in the F cabinet and had to empty it - this was the result!!!! Oh, I did find what I was looking for too, the Proxar lens for the VC 40f2 in F mount!
It looks like a huge stash - but as for value - or cost, less than a M6 with a 50f2 Summicron.
Some nice glass there too. The Voigtlander 58f1.4, the aforementioned 40f2 and many macro lenses - including the 105f4 Bellows lens on the bellows. Also the 15f4.5 and 12f5.6 Heliar in F mount and a 21f4 (which usually resided on a Nikon S2 with the F-S adapter from Cosina).
A couple of the 105f2.5 - cant have too many of those.

 

[heliographer]

Some that haven't been mentioned:

20mm F3.5 Nikkor (the one after the UD). Probably my personal fave. Good flare control.
24mm F2.8 Sigma (prefer it to my Nikkor)
35mm F2.8 PC Nikkor (LOVE IT) 9 blade iris. Lovely bokeh.
105mm F4 Micro-Nikkor (I believe it's a Heliar formula?) Really nice.
75-150 F3.8 Vivitar (same as Kiron and Nikon Series E, I think?). Has the prong.

Others I like:
35mm F2 AF Nikkor
55mm Micro, both F2.8 and F3.5. Nice bokeh with the former.
85mm F1.8 One I miss a lot.
105mm F2.5 AIS
200mm F4 AI

Haven't found a 50mm Nikkor I love.

 

[AFenvy]

My Nikon kit to go with my F (FTN finder):

35mm f2 O.C. : (multicoated version of the legendary O) Razor sharp, gorgeous rendering
55mm f1.2 : Killer in low light, bokeh king, fantastic all around lens
5.8cm f1.4 : Super smooth rendering, wild and swirly OOF areas when wide open
105mm f2.5 P : (sonnar) Wonderfully sharp, melts backgrounds, gorgeous rendering
180mm f2.8 ED : Jaw dropping performance from wide open, the best Nikkor IMO

 

[Austerby]

Great set of replies - clearly a lot of affection for these old lenses, as well as value for their abilities forty years on.

I think I'm going to start with a spread:

24/2.8 - I like the wide angles 🙂
58/1.4 - sounds like a true character lens
105/2.5 - so many recommendations I can't ignore it

It's quite a big gap between the 24 and 58 so the 35/2 may be a contender in the future and I do have a weakness for a fast short tele so the 85/1.8 sounds good. Given the prices these lenses go for (I'm specifically not looking for pristine examples) I'll be able to get a fine set for less than the cost of a new Voigtlander lens for my Leica.

 

[Ronny]

The most Nikkors are good enough 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronnypersson/6969150933/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

[willie_901]

A few affordable quality lenses with character: The original 50/2 or pre-AI 50/1.4, 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor, 24/2.8, 35/2 and 105/2.5..

This is excellent advice.

 

[willie_901]

Great set of replies - clearly a lot of affection for these old lenses, as well as value for their abilities forty years on.

I think I'm going to start with a spread:

24/2.8 - I like the wide angles 🙂
58/1.4 - sounds like a true character lens
105/2.5 - so many recommendations I can't ignore it

It's quite a big gap between the 24 and 58 so the 35/2 may be a contender in the future and I do have a weakness for a fast short tele so the 85/1.8 sounds good. Given the prices these lenses go for (I'm specifically not looking for pristine examples) I'll be able to get a fine set for less than the cost of a new Voigtlander lens for my Leica.

My copy of the 35/2 AIS is really nice. I also enjoyed the 24/2.8 AIS, but this lens is prone to flare so be careful when bright lights are just outside the frame.

 

[Bobbo]

Visit THIS LINK and find your age. Then head over to HERE and find the equivalent 28/3.5, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5 pre-AI lenses that match your age.

If your F is new enough, look for lenses that have a letter code followed by a C (such as a Nikkor-H.C). That means the lens is multicoated.

 

[cary]

Congrats on the F, if money is an issue look into purchasing the 28mm f3.5 and 135mm f3.5. Both are very inexpensive and produce great photos. I picked up a mint 135mm f3.5 on that auction site for $17 several months ago. Good luck and let us know what you decide!