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The little 35 f2.8 is remarkably good and cheap. The 35 f1.4 is excellent too but not cheap. Wide open the 2.8 is excellent but the f1.4 is a touch soft wide open but at f2-2.8 it's really good. The f2 is ok but not as good as the 2.8. I don't think any of these changed formulas over time. I've owned all three and currently have the 2.8 and 1.4. I use the 2.8 on film and the 1.4 on my Df. They're both quite good.
In the 50 range the 50 1.2 and 55 1.2 are remarkable from f2-2.8 and down. Wide open its dreamy but sharp. I have one of the new ones and use it on my Df with amazing results. I also have a non AI 1.4 and while it's good its not nearly as good in the wider apertures as the 1.2. I've not owned a 1.8 so I can't comment but the f2 is very fine in performance.
Also consider the micro in f3.5 and 2.8. I feel they both make great general purpose 50's with the 3.5 having a slight edge.
I'd disagree that nikon never made a good lens under 85mm. They've actually made some superb wide glass. The 24AIs f2.8, 28 f1.4 f2 and 2.8 AIs are all excellent. The 20 f2.8 AIs isn't bad down a stop. In longer glass the 85 f2 was always considered the dog of the 85's. I owned an AIs and it was fine but certainly not up to the 1.8 and especially the f1.4. I have the 1.4D and have used the AIs 1.4 and these are hard to beat in any brand. I'd say after extensive use that my 85 1.4 D is equal or better than my 75 Summilux and my Summilux is one of my all time favorite M lenses. Both versions of the 105 f2.5 are legends. I own both and have the Sonnar version in LTM and they are superb. The next lens that deserves praise is the 180 f2.8 ED. It like the 105 f2.5 are among the finest. They're very deserving of their fantastic reputation.
I've been a nikon user since 1970 and owned many of these lenses and currently own a very nice kit of these lenses. They are excellent performers even by today's standards.
One thing to mention, some lenses like the 24 f2.8 exist in more than one version. The non AI is different than the AIand the AI is different than the AIS which is different than the D. The AIs is better than the previous 2 versions and the D may even be better than the AIs. The 28 f2.8 is the same way with the AIs and D being the best.
Best is relative. I have a non AI 24 f2.8 and previously owned the AIs and D. They are all excellent but the AIs and D are the best by a slight margin but even thoug these are better the old non AI is very good.
In the 50 range the 50 1.2 and 55 1.2 are remarkable from f2-2.8 and down. Wide open its dreamy but sharp. I have one of the new ones and use it on my Df with amazing results. I also have a non AI 1.4 and while it's good its not nearly as good in the wider apertures as the 1.2. I've not owned a 1.8 so I can't comment but the f2 is very fine in performance.
Also consider the micro in f3.5 and 2.8. I feel they both make great general purpose 50's with the 3.5 having a slight edge.
I'd disagree that nikon never made a good lens under 85mm. They've actually made some superb wide glass. The 24AIs f2.8, 28 f1.4 f2 and 2.8 AIs are all excellent. The 20 f2.8 AIs isn't bad down a stop. In longer glass the 85 f2 was always considered the dog of the 85's. I owned an AIs and it was fine but certainly not up to the 1.8 and especially the f1.4. I have the 1.4D and have used the AIs 1.4 and these are hard to beat in any brand. I'd say after extensive use that my 85 1.4 D is equal or better than my 75 Summilux and my Summilux is one of my all time favorite M lenses. Both versions of the 105 f2.5 are legends. I own both and have the Sonnar version in LTM and they are superb. The next lens that deserves praise is the 180 f2.8 ED. It like the 105 f2.5 are among the finest. They're very deserving of their fantastic reputation.
I've been a nikon user since 1970 and owned many of these lenses and currently own a very nice kit of these lenses. They are excellent performers even by today's standards.
One thing to mention, some lenses like the 24 f2.8 exist in more than one version. The non AI is different than the AIand the AI is different than the AIS which is different than the D. The AIs is better than the previous 2 versions and the D may even be better than the AIs. The 28 f2.8 is the same way with the AIs and D being the best.
Best is relative. I have a non AI 24 f2.8 and previously owned the AIs and D. They are all excellent but the AIs and D are the best by a slight margin but even thoug these are better the old non AI is very good.
