I am the new owner of a Nikon D700 DSLR

[raid]

Superb camera even at 10/12 MP. Very well built and almost as good as my two D3 which were the best.

your problem will be 20 and 24 mm which will be soft in the corners to 56 or 8, mostly 8. That is how mine are , but they work fine on film so it a digital issue.
Replace with 28 2.8 with .7 meter close focus and CRC and you are good to go.

105 and zoom will be fine. Any 35 will be fine.

I mostly like using 50mm lenses, so it should be fine for me.

 

[willie_901]

I doubt that. I may have no Ai-S. Some are Ai or Ai'd, as they call them.

First, congratulations on picking up a D700 body. I once owned two D700 bodies and they are great cameras.

AI and non-AI updated to AI will work fine.

AF is not possible with AI or AIS lenses. Instead you use the single-point AF mode passively.

It helps to enter the appropriate manual lens profiles in the D700 menu system (link)

I did not have any success judging focus by viewing the factory D700 finder focusing screen. The finder is too dark and the small differences are hard to judge. Also, using the finder screen is affected by the screen shim width that happen to be installed. In my (clumsy) hands changing shims was a challenge. Some people installed third-party finder screens designed to optimize MF. I'm not use these are even available now.

I had to rely on the finder's green MF indicator to confirm focus.

In my case it took trial and error with lots of practice to figure out how the green MF indicator correlated with focus. The green dot usually stays lit over a range of lens collar rotation. For some MF lenses critical focus correlated with the point where the green dot first lit up. For others it correlated with when the center of the range when the green dot was lit.

And – another factor is the MF alignment adjustment for the AF mirror system. I decided differences in peoples' experience with green dot MF success was due to differences in the mirror position calibration.

With practice and experience the D700 works well with AI/AIS lenses. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to figure out a reliable method for you. Once you get it down, you can get consistent results.

 

[raid]

These are very useful and cautionary points, Willie. Thanks. I will have to take it one day at a time with the new system (to me).

 

[leica M2 fan]

Raid welcome to D700, I think you will really appreciate it after a short while. I have had one for about 8 years and it is absolutely the best camera I have. The matrix metering is dead on and the AF is fast enough for me. You have received many good points on other lenses to try so I will not add to that list. However, my favorite lens on this camera is the 24-85 3.5-4.5 G which allows me to focus down to 10 inches at all apertures, it is outstanding. Enjoy the camera, it is pretty heavy but the balance is so good that it is very easy to hold and get great pictures. Let us know how you get on with it. Who knows you might just become a DSLR man like a lot of us.

 

[raid]

Hello Tony. Thanks for the encouragement! There was a time when I wanted to use a 4x5 camera. I bought it. I then bought extra backs and flm. After all these years, this camera is still not used by me. It is a Linhof. Time will tell what I will be using next.

 

[raid]

Congratulations Raid! I have the 60mm micro-Nikkor (AF-D version) and can highly recommend it. The AF-D lenses are relatively cheap and have a manual aperture control ring, if you find any of your AI lenses not compatible.

With this camera you can also enjoy Nikon's CLS flash capability, with one or more of the SB-series flashes. With an AF lens you can shoot one-handed with the camera in your right hand and the flash held out in your left. Set the D700 to Commander mode and you can control up to two groups of Nikon flash units off-camera.

With latest generation Nikons they've moved to radio-control flashes so the older SB-600 and SB-800 flashes compatible with your D700 should be readily available second hand.

This lens can cost between $200-$550.

 

[peterm1]

Heya Raid,

Have fun with the new toy!

You piqued my interest: Is your 21mm f/4 the old one for the Nikon F that requires mirror lock up and an external viewfinder? I had one of those lenses once upon a time ... it was a delightful piece, but was quite specific to features of the Nikon F body to function properly (I am not sure it even worked with the F2). An excellent lens once you became accustomed to it.

I've sold off all of my Nikon gear now except for a lovely old Nikon F plain prism from 1962-ish, a Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 pre-AI, and a Nikkor 28mm f/2 just pre-AI as well (it's actually the AI generation lens but with the pre-AI aperture ring). The F body was given to me, found derelict in a damp basement, and required a full overhaul. The lenses are the leftover from my "lens adaptation wars", now long past. I keep this one with these two lenses for that odd moment when I feel like revisiting my first SLR camera again, in memorium.

I was never terribly fond of modern Nikons past the F3/FE2/FM2n era, although they remain in most ways excellent cameras. The F6 was a fine piece, but the D750 that I had briefly seemed a little over-complicated in use.

The D700 is simpler and a bit more to my liking. I hope you enjoy it a lot.

G

As to the 21mm lens for mirror lock up. I suspect it's also a good thing this does not work on the D700.

Lenses like this are of the sort that place the rear element very close to the film / sensor - it is for this reason of course that the mirror must be locked up and an external finder used. On a film camera this does not matter due to the way film accepts incoming light but as we know on a digital sensor the light needs to be approaching the sensor from a less oblique angle.

My guess is that if you could get it working you might well expect to find that the images would not be very good - with blurring and unpleasant color fringing in some parts of the images - those affected by the outer edges of the lens where the light is most oblique to the sensor plane.

So Raid is not missing much.

 

[shawn]

I mostly like using 50mm lenses, so it should be fine for me.

With a 50mm you should be fine. I had a Katz Eye screen in mine which was a nice addition to aid in MF. For example....

Those are both with a 500mm F4P shot wide open. Mostly to see if I could.

I would also second the recommendation of the 24.0-85.0 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. I had the earlier version and it never disappointed.

If you are looking for an AF 50mm the 1.8G is sweet and very light. The AF on the D700 is very good.

Shawn

 

[raid]

Wonderful two images here, Shawn. I have a Canon 500/4.5L but no fancy Nikkor glass. The 24-85 sounds like a very good range.
Thanks for the tips.

 

[raid]

As to the 21mm lens for mirror lock up. I suspect it's also a good thing this does not work on the D700.

Lenses like this are of the sort that place the rear element very close to the film / sensor - it is for this reason of course that the mirror must be locked up and an external finder used. On a film camera this does not matter due to the way film accepts incoming light but as we know on a digital sensor the light needs to be approaching the sensor from a less oblique angle.

My guess is that if you could get it working you might well expect to find that the images would not be very good - with blurring and unpleasant color fringing in some parts of the images - those affected by the outer edges of the lens where the light is most oblique to the sensor plane.

So Raid is not missing much.

You are right, Peter. My Hologon 16/8 is an example where a lens is "too wide" for a digital camera when the lens was designed for a film camera.

 

[raid]

It is quite confusing to find so many different Nikon lenses sold online. Could you help me by adding to your suggested lenses a "suggested buying price"? This would be very helpful. Thanks.

I have looked at some lenses today, including the 60mm micro, and some zoom lenses. The 50/1.8 is also a super buy indeed.

 

[raid]

Is this a good price?

$120 shipped

Excellent++ Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120mm F/3.5-5.6 D.

It supposedly is not good optically, I just read online.

 

[charjohncarter]

AF is really nice when your focusing ability goes south (old eyes). Especially with wide lenses. You are such a lens nut do you have any Canon AF lenses (?), I have a Canon 650 film camera if you want it.

 

[raid]

I skipped buying any of the Canon AF lenses, but thank you for your kind offer. It would only drive me buy Canon AF lenses!

 

[peterm1]

Is this a good price?

$120 shipped

Excellent++ Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120mm F/3.5-5.6 D.

It supposedly is not good optically, I just read online.

Raid I would not buy it based on what I have read no matter what the price. It seems universally regarded as a mediocre performer. Bear in mind I do not own one though and am basing this only on reports.

A later 24-120mm f4 however is well regarded though being later, recognised as better, still in production (I think) and having VR it is much dearer.

The later version:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-24-120mm-f4g-vr

If you want a good inexpensive zoom for your D700 and are not drawn to the 35-70mm AF f2.8 I mentioned earlier, may I suggest you consider the 35-105mm f3.5- 4.5 AF D. In this case it is important to buy the D version lens which is significantly better than the earlier AF ones and is also widely reported to have an aspherical element though I have not seen an optical diagram. It is also very small by comparison to many other Nikon zooms of the time. You may not like Ken Rockwell as a reviewer (many people do not) but the images in his review show what it can do.

https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/35-105mm-afd.htm

This lens did not much take off in the market at the time I think due to the mediocre rep of some earlier versions, the competition from other lenses in the Nikon range and the fact that technology change caused the D lenses with mechanical AF drive to become a little redundant around this time. Due to these factors it is cheap to buy if you can find one. I think mine cost maybe $100 give or take but they are currently selling on eBay for somewhat less.

Nevertheless it is a sleeper and well regarded by those who know of it. I went out of my way to buy this version and do not regret it.

 

[Rob-F]

Is this a good price?

$120 shipped

Excellent++ Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120mm F/3.5-5.6 D.

It supposedly is not good optically, I just read online.

But if not good optically, what good is it?

 

[raid]

I was at first unaware of the lack of quality, Rob. This is why I want to follow people's advices here in this thread.

 

[raid]

Raid I would not buy it based on what I have read no matter what the price. It seems universally regarded as a mediocre performer. Bear in mind I do not own one though and am basing this only on reports.

A later 24-120mm f4 however is well regarded though being later, recognised as better, still in production (I think) and having VR it is much dearer.

The later version:

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-24-120mm-f4g-vr

If you want a good inexpensive zoom for your D700 and are not drawn to the 35-70mm AF f2.8 I mentioned earlier, may I suggest you consider the 35-105mm f3.5- 4.5 AF D. In this case it is important to buy the D version lens which is significantly better than the earlier AF ones and is also widely reported to have an aspherical element though I have not seen an optical diagram. It is also very small by comparison to many other Nikon zooms of the time. You may not like Ken Rockwell as a reviewer (many people do not) but the images in his review show what it can do.

https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/35-105mm-afd.htm

This lens did not much take off in the market at the time I think due to the mediocre rep of some earlier versions, the competition from other lenses in the Nikon range and the fact that technology change caused the D lenses with mechanical AF drive to become a little redundant around this time. Due to these factors it is cheap to buy if you can find one. I think mine cost maybe $100 give or take but they are currently selling on eBay for somewhat less.

Nevertheless it is a sleeper and well regarded by those who know of it. I went out of my way to buy this version and do not regret it.

I agree with your points, Peter. I don't want any inferior lens at all. I will summarize what has been suggested here to me. Thanks. The 24-120 range sounds very good to me. It covers most situations I could encounter.

 

[Godfrey]

I was just curious if that was the one Raid had, Peter. I'd never want to use it on a digital body, for all those reasons.

My recollection of this lens is that it was dependent upon the specific shape of the interior of the Nikon F near the shutter gate to lock into place correctly and securely; it was unusable on any other body, even later F series models with mirror lock up.

My favorite lens on all other Nikon bodies, in this focal length range, was the Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AI-S with the 52mm front ring. The later f/2.8 version was supposed to be a better performer, but this older model lens had a rendering look that I never found in any of the later 20mm lenses, and that I found particularly appealing. It worked well with FourThirds and APS-C digital adaptations, but I had sold it before I had a Nikon FF body to test it on.

G

As to the 21mm lens for mirror lock up. I suspect it's also a good thing this does not work on the D700.

Lenses like this are of the sort that place the rear element very close to the film / sensor - it is for this reason of course that the mirror must be locked up and an external finder used. On a film camera this does not matter due to the way film accepts incoming light but as we know on a digital sensor the light needs to be approaching the sensor from a less oblique angle.

My guess is that if you could get it working you might well expect to find that the images would not be very good - with blurring and unpleasant color fringing in some parts of the images - those affected by the outer edges of the lens where the light is most oblique to the sensor plane.

So Raid is not missing much.

 

[peterm1]

I was just curious if that was the one Raid had, Peter. I'd never want to use it on a digital body, for all those reasons.

My recollection of this lens is that it was dependent upon the specific shape of the interior of the Nikon F near the shutter gate to lock into place correctly and securely; it was unusable on any other body, even later F series models with mirror lock up.

My favorite lens on all other Nikon bodies, in this focal length range, was the Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AI-S with the 52mm front ring. The later f/2.8 version was supposed to be a better performer, but this older model lens had a rendering look that I never found in any of the later 20mm lenses, and that I found particularly appealing. It worked well with FourThirds and APS-C digital adaptations, but I had sold it before I had a Nikon FF body to test it on.

G

Raid seems to have indicated in a subsequent post that it is the "lock up" one.

And I agree about the 20mm f3.5. I nearly got one at a good price a while back but someone beat me to the punch. Since then I have made do with an early 24mm f2.8 which for me is just as good as I mainly shoot longer focal lengths.