flavio81
Well-known
The 24-120mm f/whatever is a rather mediocre optical performer, having loads of distortion, vignetting, and embarrasing corners. But that is a very useful zoom range, so it can't be called a "bad lens"
Its successor, the 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR, is even worse optically and it should get the prize for worst nikkor.
In Nikon's defense, though, i've read somewhere in forums that its optical design is very good, but internally the low precision of the parts (due to the VR, auto focus system, and zooming cams) makes the optical performance be very far from its potential.
As for the 43-86 (original version) it was computed in 1960-62 if i recall correctly, and with the specific goal of compactness and cheap price, so one should not complain about poor performance. The only wrong thing that Nikon did was to wait until 1976, that is FOURTEEN YEARS, to update the design.
Canon, as always wanting to upstage Nikon, had in those times (early 60s) a 55-135/3.5 lens that had almost decent image quality, but it was huge compared to the Nikkor.
Its successor, the 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR, is even worse optically and it should get the prize for worst nikkor.
In Nikon's defense, though, i've read somewhere in forums that its optical design is very good, but internally the low precision of the parts (due to the VR, auto focus system, and zooming cams) makes the optical performance be very far from its potential.
As for the 43-86 (original version) it was computed in 1960-62 if i recall correctly, and with the specific goal of compactness and cheap price, so one should not complain about poor performance. The only wrong thing that Nikon did was to wait until 1976, that is FOURTEEN YEARS, to update the design.
Canon, as always wanting to upstage Nikon, had in those times (early 60s) a 55-135/3.5 lens that had almost decent image quality, but it was huge compared to the Nikkor.
Hogarth Ferguson
Well-known
I always find KR to be good for cold hard facts, his opinion I leave behind. Every lens and every camera he uses, is the BEST MOST SUPERB AMAZING WONDERFUL camera/lens/strap/vending machine ever. I understand things get better, but each and every one cannot be the best.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/business/weasel-words.htm he knows exactly what he is doing.
peterm1
Veteran
"Thirty plus years after I dumped my first zoom, the 43-86 Nikon f/3.5, I purchased my second zoom, a used Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8, in October, 2005. I still use the 35-70."
The 35-70mm f2.8 is a classic Nikkor that is still competitive. I have seen full res comparisons of shots taken with this lens and with the current 24-70mm f2.8 and they are within a hairs breadth of being identical in quality. Because of this and the size / weight of the 24-70mm I habitually take the earlier lens with me when traveling overseas. Airlines are such a PITA these days when it comes to baggage limits. Even if a 34mm f2.8 prime is added to the mix it is still lighter to carry and smaller. Often I don't bother as I just ma not that into wide angle shots and find that 95% of my work is done with longer lenses.
Another great lens is the MF precursor to this lens, the 25-70mm f3.5 AI which is also super sharp and contrasty.
The 35-70mm f2.8 is a classic Nikkor that is still competitive. I have seen full res comparisons of shots taken with this lens and with the current 24-70mm f2.8 and they are within a hairs breadth of being identical in quality. Because of this and the size / weight of the 24-70mm I habitually take the earlier lens with me when traveling overseas. Airlines are such a PITA these days when it comes to baggage limits. Even if a 34mm f2.8 prime is added to the mix it is still lighter to carry and smaller. Often I don't bother as I just ma not that into wide angle shots and find that 95% of my work is done with longer lenses.
Another great lens is the MF precursor to this lens, the 25-70mm f3.5 AI which is also super sharp and contrasty.
Steve M.
Veteran
I had two of the lenses on that list, the 180 and the slow 35-70 plastic zoom. Also owned the pro 35 70 2.8, and the 35 80 plastic consumer zooms. All were fine for what they were, and I suspect that the much maligned 43-86 is fine too, both versions. Some of my better photos came from that supposedly crappy 35 80. I had a 28 105 that had massive distortion at 28, but by 50 that was gone. You sure didn't want to photograph a horizontal line w/ it near the bottom or top though at 28. Otherwise, a useful zoom range and quite sharp! So I don't know, I guess I really never had a bad Nikon lens, just better ones, and some that weren't as good as the better ones. My 28 200 G ED was stellar. Not fast, but very sharp. Tiny and light zoom for that range.
Having said that, none of the Nikons were exactly in the same league as my Leica R lenses, other than the non AI 50 2, which I just loved. Generally, Nikon doesn't do smooth bokeh, but that 50 2 was smooth. Wonderful IQ.
This will be the only post that didn't like the 105 2.5 though. I had both versions, and while sharp, I never got on w/ the look for portraits. My preferences were for FD 85 1.8, FD 135 2.5, and R 90 2 and 2.8 lenses, and not in that order. The Nikon 85 2 made some fine portraits too, very similar to the Leica R 90 Elmarit wide open, which was surprising. But in bright sun you got crazy bubble bokeh happening that was distracting. That FD 85 1.8 was a really, really good lens.
Having said that, none of the Nikons were exactly in the same league as my Leica R lenses, other than the non AI 50 2, which I just loved. Generally, Nikon doesn't do smooth bokeh, but that 50 2 was smooth. Wonderful IQ.
This will be the only post that didn't like the 105 2.5 though. I had both versions, and while sharp, I never got on w/ the look for portraits. My preferences were for FD 85 1.8, FD 135 2.5, and R 90 2 and 2.8 lenses, and not in that order. The Nikon 85 2 made some fine portraits too, very similar to the Leica R 90 Elmarit wide open, which was surprising. But in bright sun you got crazy bubble bokeh happening that was distracting. That FD 85 1.8 was a really, really good lens.
_goodtimez
Well-known
Come on people, who are you foolin?
There are no bad Nikkors, period!
Example here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nikkor 43-86
Huss
Veteran
I recently unloaded a 28-105 D AF lens. My copy was terrible, only sharp at about 50mm. A buddy of mine has one that he is very happy with, so I guess I got a stinker.
fireblade
Vincenzo.
The worse Nikon lens for me has to be the 300mm/f2.8.....it hurt my pocket
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I agree with the sentiment - the 43-86 was not very good - and another 'lemon" was the 58mm f1.4! Most Nikkors are good, some really good. The F and or S mount 105f4 is a bit soft at f4.0 - but improves stopped down. The first version of the 300mm f4.5 was too soft at f4.5 - the later Aied version was much better.
Dave Jenkins
Loose Canon
A bit like Canon ... KR is effective but not very cool!
If you need to be using a certain brand or brands of camera(s) to be cool, you really don't have much going for you.
Beemermark
Veteran
Trust me, it's terrible. Good for portraits of old ladies though.
Beemermark
Veteran
Never had a bad one, love this lens. The AI is better than the non-AI wide open but I love them both. The 50/1.2 is just as good with another stop.
.....
Optically the 2.8 performs the same as the 3.5 but you're right about the poor construction. I think mine was less than 5 years hold when it started to become very difficult to focus. It's been a bellows lens since and now you couldn't focus it with a pipe wrench.
Mablo
Well-known
I have one. It's not bad at all as a walkaround lens as long as you don't use the 105mm part. 28mm is not too bad. It's not quite as sharp as a good prime lens but it's just me who can see the difference.
De_Corday
Eternal Student
My 300mm /4.5 IF has had a rough life. I keep it because it is wildly light and easy to handle for the focal length. But I have never been more frustrated with a lens for being soft and having poor contrast...
Huss
Veteran
Don't use the 28 end. Don't use the 105 end. Which leaves the 50 bit.
Exactly why I sold it. A 50mm prime by itself is much faster, much smaller and much sharper. Carry that with 24 and 105 primes.
uhoh7
Veteran
All those 55s are very sharp but can have quite jagged bokeh. The 180/2.8 ED is like that too.
My favorite by far of all my Nikkors, excepting the 50s RF lenses, which are fantastic, is the 300/2.8 EDIF, which has it all. Better bokeh than the best Mandler lens and very strong performance. Super tough build makes the SLR nikkors seem plasticky
300/2.8 ais by unoh7, Somebody put the AF-S badge on this one
petronius
Veteran
35-70mm/3,3-4,5:
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I've used the 45mm Nikkor-P, and I liked it. I was surprised to see it on KR's "worst" list. One reason he gave for not liking it is that he found it difficult to handle. I have fairly large hands, yet didn't find it particularly difficult to put on or off, nor to shoot with. I did like the small size, and the images.
As to the 18mm AF, I never tried it, but Bjorn Rorslett seems to agree with KR. I recall he found it a rather lackluster lens. And it is pretty pricey for being no better than it apparently is. I'm currently using the 18mm MF f/3.5 Nikkor, which I like.
I have the 300mm ED/IF, and can find nothing wrong with it. For some reason, neither KR nor Bjorn seem to like it. But for as infrequently as I use it, it seems to deliver the images I wanted.
I don't know much about the rest of them. Well, everybody knows about the 43-86. That's not news. Although I think they eventually improved it. The later version might be good; I don't know.
As to the 18mm AF, I never tried it, but Bjorn Rorslett seems to agree with KR. I recall he found it a rather lackluster lens. And it is pretty pricey for being no better than it apparently is. I'm currently using the 18mm MF f/3.5 Nikkor, which I like.
I have the 300mm ED/IF, and can find nothing wrong with it. For some reason, neither KR nor Bjorn seem to like it. But for as infrequently as I use it, it seems to deliver the images I wanted.
I don't know much about the rest of them. Well, everybody knows about the 43-86. That's not news. Although I think they eventually improved it. The later version might be good; I don't know.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I love this one.
Tati
Established
A bit like Canon ... KR is effective but not very cool!
The worst lens I own is my plastic 35mm f2 AFD Nikkor ... the only good thing I can say about it is it was cheap.
I've read this a lot. I don't doubt you. But I really like mine. I bought the 20, 35, and 50 f1.4 all af-d lenses in summer 2008 for the nikon d700 I still use and they all work great for me.
Maybe I'm not as demanding as some. Maybe I have a decent version of it. I don't know.
I wondered and then did a metadata search in Lightroom to see all my 35mm shots. The af-d is the only 35mm I own. I still like what it gives me for color, bokeh, sharpness, and overall 'feel'...
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The 35/2 AF is generally regarded as optically better than all its manual focus predecessors - it has much less flare and moustache distortion. But it has a small front lens and low weight while the earlier 35/2 Nikkors have the size and weight of a ultra-fast lens. It obviously loses the competition for the most manly 35mm Nikkor - to some users that might matter more than the image quality...