Newly Acquired F4s In Superb Condition. Now I Need Lens Suggestions

[Chubberino]

As the topic says, I got my hands on a gorgeous F4s. The only thing I really need to do is clean the focus screen. Quite a bit of debris, but that's easy enough to fix.

On the topic of a lens, I have no idea about the AF line-up. I don't want to use AIs lenses as I'd like the option to use AF as well as MF. And G lenses are out because of the lack of aperture dial.

So, I guess I'm wondering what's some good options for this camera?

 

[Huss]

50 1.8D. 60 2.8D Micro Nikkor. 50 1.4D. 35 2.0D. 28-105 D.

As a heads up, these lenses may have aperture rings but they are pretty horrible to use from a tactile point of view. They are not nice metal aperture rings turning smoothly on a metal body. They are plastic rings with a lot of stiction rubbing against plastic.
But they will work fine using aperture priority with the F4.

I'd start with the 50 1.8D. It's a cracker optically. And cheeeeep.

 

[Tim Murphy]

If it mounts it's usuable, and everything Nikkor mounts

If it mounts it's usuable, and everything Nikkor mounts

Dear Chubberino,

If you are a zoom user there are many used AF-D lenses available at very reasonable prices. I'd suggest you stick with the "D" lenses so that you have full use of the matrix metering and TTL flash functionality.

The nicest thing about the F4S is that it is the universal recipient for Nikkor lenses. Functions are limited at the older and newer end of the range. Stop down metering only on pre-AI lenses and newer AF lenses don't offer VR but you still have a lot of lens choices.

I have a Tamron SP AF24-135 on mine for a walk around lens. I also have several Nikkors, a 35-105 D, 50 f1.8 D, a 70-210 D, and a 70-300 D. I use the Tokina 80-400 ATX-D I bought for my D300 on it too. All the Nikkors were bought on Craiglist for very reasonable prices too.

Good luck with your new camera.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[bayernfan]

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Most of Nikon's AF lenses are excellent as long as you stick to the single-focal length lenses. With the zooms, the high-end pro models like the 35-70 f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 are incredible, but some of the consumer zooms (like most consumer zooms) suck.

The only single focal length AF-Nikkor I would avoid is the 28mm f2.8 (the non-D version). The 28mm f2.8D is superb, but the non-D version sucks. It was made with the optical design of the lacklustre 5-element Series E 28mm lens. The D-version changed to a totally new optical formula.

 

[kxl]

And G lenses are out because of the lack of aperture dial.

G lenses are partially compatible with the F4 - they work in P and S modes.

 

[Chubberino]

Thanks for all the info guys. I went for the 50mm 1.8 as that lens in pretty much any configuration and any camera is a good choice.

G lenses are partially compatible with the F4 - they work in P and S modes.

I know but as I said, they lack a dial for aperture so I don't want to use them on this system. 🙂

 

[infrequent]

Some of the photos I have seen from the Voigtlander 58/1.4 and 40/2 are pretty amazing! Bit pricey compared to the Nikkors but quality.

 

[Chris101]

Yeah, stick with AF (D or non-D), AI (AI'd is ok too) or AIs lenses and you will be fine.

My favorite AF Nikkors are the 60mm f/2.8 Micro, the 35mm f/2, the 50mm f/1.8, the 105mm f/2, the 180mm f/2.8, and the 17-35mm f/2.8 zoom for the wides. The odd lens out is the manual focus 43-86mm f/3.5 AI'd zoom. It's quirky, but delivers pictures I like.

A similar zoom I've heard nothing but love for (although I have never owned it) is the 24-85 f/2.8-4 AF-D. It should balance nicely on the F4!

 

[narsuitus]

If I had to use only one auto focus zoom lens on my F4, it would be the Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D AF (see camera and lens on right in attached image).



Nikon Mid-Range Zooms by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[narsuitus]

Here is my Nikon F4 with my two favorite prime lenses:

Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AF

Nikon 35mm f/1.4 (manual focus)


F4 SLR by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[GarageBoy]

That 35/85 is really what one with need

I vote 20-35

 

[Chubberino]

Yeah, I have a nice little set of AI/s lenses. Need to get a 35 I think so that'll set me up. Really just wanted the AF 50mm D so that settles that but I'm realizing the joy of using legacy on this is part of the experience. Opted to buy the Type P screen as well to help with the manual focus aspects of this system. Overall, I'm excited to get shooting with it

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It kind of depends what range you want to photograph.
From fisheye to telephoto, I'd personally go with the 16mm, 20mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.4, 180mm f/2.8ED and 300mm f/4ED.
If you want zooms, the 20-35 f/2.8 is awesome as are most of the crinkle paint versions of the 80-200mm f/2.8.

Phil Forrest

 

[Fraser]

20-35, 35-70(2.8), 180 and a 300 f4.

 

[p.giannakis]

I have the 50 f1.8 and 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 and i am very happy with them.