Lens suggestion for Nikon F mount

[brbo]

Hi!

Requirements:

1. normal focal length, ~50mm
2. low distortion
3. at least f2
4. close focusing (like ~0.4m, macro not required)


8. can be AF or manual focus and I would use it on Nikon F2 and F80 (so if manual focus, AI-S flavour is prefered; I would install "dandelion" chip on the lens)
9. hi contrast lens works better for me than low contrast
10. the cheaper the better 😉


I'd use it for general photography (urban, landscape, people) alongside my Nikkor 28/2 AI-S.

According to research so far, I should be looking at Nikkor 50/1.8 AI-S (long barrel) or Zeiss Makro Planar 50 at the other end of the price range.

Comments, suggestions, experiences? Thanks!

 

[raid]

The Nikkor 50/2 is an awesome lens overall. You can't go wrong with using it. Another great 50 Nikkor is the 55/3.5 micro Nikkor. It is very very sharp (and cheap).

 

[brbo]

I've got a Nikkor-H 50/2 and it doesn't meet 2, 4 or 8.

 

[madNbad]

55mm Micro-Nikkor 2.8 Ai-S. A bit slower than you’re looking for but it’s a great lens. I have used it on my Df for both macro work and general photography.

 

[Dwig]

The first version of the 50mm f/1.8 Ai-S would get my vote. The last 50mm f/2.0, which was Ai, would be a very very close second only because it is Ai and not Ai-S. The previous 50mm f/2.0 (rubber grip "K" version) would tie for second place if it was factory Ai coverted.

 

[jamin-b]

Chirping in for the 55mm micro nikkors (I use a non AI 3.5 on my Df). Wonderful IQ from up close to infinity, classic build + the recessed lens makes for a built-in "hood" too.

 

[Skiff]

Hi!

Requirements:

1. normal focal length, ~50mm
2. low distortion
3. at least f2
4. close focusing (like ~0.4m, macro not required)


8. can be AF or manual focus and I would use it on Nikon F2 and F80 (so if manual focus, AI-S flavour is prefered; I would install "dandelion" chip on the lens)
9. hi contrast lens works better for me than low contrast
10. the cheaper the better 😉


I'd use it for general photography (urban, landscape, people) alongside my Nikkor 28/2 AI-S.

According to research so far, I should be looking at Nikkor 50/1.8 AI-S (long barrel) or Zeiss Makro Planar 50 at the other end of the price range.

Comments, suggestions, experiences? Thanks!

I've used lots of different f2 / f1.8 50mm lenses at my Nikons over the decades.
By far the best has been the Zeiss ZF / ZF.2 / Milvus 2/50 Makro-Planar:
- no visible distortion
- at f2, f2.8 and f4 better than any Nikkor
- outstanding micro-contrast at all apertures
- better bokeh than any Nikkor
- better build quality than the Nikkors.

Of course more expensive than the Nikkors. Yo get what you pay for.

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, I love my Makro ZF. Although it is much bigger than any f/2 Nikkor, it's worth the penalty. 🙂

It has a separate hood but the lens is so recessed I don't see the point.

 

[grouchos_tash]

I have the 50mm f1.8 AF-D, seems to fit all of the criteria

 

[Robert Lai]

I got rid of my Nikkor 50mm lenses. The exception is the 55mm Micro Nikkor f/2.8 AIS, which is wonderfully sharp and distortion free. Also focuses to 1:2 on its own.

I used to have the 50mm f/1.8 AIS Nikkor long nose. It shows visible barrel distortion when focusing closely. No distortion at infinity. Wide open, there is a bit of veiling flare. By f/2.8 it's as sharp a lens as you'd like. However, I found that the Voigtlander lenses outperform the Nikkor.

I've replaced Nikkors with the Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron ASPH, and the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4. The 40mm replaced my Nikkor 35mm lenses. The 58mm is a creamy bokeh machine. It just renders everything so wonderfully. Not clinically sharp wide open, but not flarey mush like the horrible Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 wide open. Both are already chipped by Voigtlander.

 

[ABrosig]

If AF isn't a priority, I'd recommend looking for an older 50 f1.4 manual focus. Extremely sweet lens. There's also an AF version out there from the pre-G days (meaning it has an aperture ring and everything) that's a little tougher to manually focus, but still a nice piece of glass.

 

[brbo]

By far the best has been the Zeiss ZF / ZF.2 / Milvus 2/50 Makro-Planar

Don't know why but I always thought that Milvus line did't have aperture ring. I just checked and saw that isn't the case. But the price... is a tiny bit more than I would like to spend 😉

I have the 50mm f1.8 AF-D, seems to fit all of the criteria

I had this lens some time ago and liked it.

I used to have the 50mm f/1.8 AIS Nikkor long nose. It shows visible barrel distortion when focusing closely.

Bummer!

The 58mm is a creamy bokeh machine. It just renders everything so wonderfully. Not clinically sharp wide open, but not flarey mush like the horrible Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 wide open. Both are already chipped by Voigtlander.

I have Nikkor 50/1.2 and Nokton 58/1.4 could replace the 50/1.2, need to check about distortion, but there is rarely information about distortion throughout the focusing range. Maybe I just need to settle for distortion free lens at a distance.

 

[splitimageview]

What’s the budget? I got my Makro ZF for about 400

 

[brbo]

That would roughly be my upper limit...

 

[peterm1]

I think the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AIS meets your criteria including focussing to 0.45 metre. (Close enough to your 0.4 meter requirement). Shot at f1.4 it is great for portraits (although I still say it is pretty sharp in the centre at this f stop) and shot above this it is sharp for everything else. You have mentioned low distortion as a requirement- it is reported to have slight barrel distortion but I have never found it to be problematic.

But as some others have already posted if you wish to have a lens that performs everywhere and at all f stops the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 is a good option. It is cheaper than the f1.4 and performs better at wide apertures. If you are willing to relax your f2 requirement the Nikkor 50mm f2.8 micro is wonderful in all departments.

https://photography.kinja.com/this-lens-is-my-buddy-if-you-ever-see-me-out-and-about-1715727944

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50mm-f14-ais.htm

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikkor50mm1.4.html

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It's way over budget, but the Noct-Nikkor is the answer. Otherwise, there is always compromise on at least one of your criteria with regard to Nikkor 50mm lenses.

Phil Forrest