Post your Nikkor 43-86mm Photos

[Doug]

The first Nikon 43-86 was well-known for its optical compromises even back in the mid-1960's when we sold them in the camera store where I worked. But it was a zoom, unusual at the time, and that forgave a lot!

But I think the first consumer SLR zoom came a little earlier for the Voigtlander Bessamatic, the 36-82mm f/2.8 Zoomar...

Had to be careful about terminology then, as some 'zooms' were actually "vari-focal" and changed focus as you zoomed.

 

[Wulfthari]

It is "general knowledge" that this was Nikon's (first and) worst zoom lens and maybe worst lens made overall. This speaks for the high quality of Nikon made lenses. The reports then may have mentioned "barrel distortion" and "pincushening" ... stuff like that.

All vintage Nikon lenses show a strong barrel distortion, personally I like the effect.

Here there's a comparison where I immediately spotted the Nikon:

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum52/141617-50-mm-f1-4-battle-royale.html

Nikon's worst lens? Did Nikon make any bad lenses? I never used any Nikon gear but I never heard of their cameras and lenses as bad.

But that focal length? Fujica made a 43-75 zoom. For me at least, it is the most useless lens. That is not a focal length I see well in. I have one, and gave another to my daughter for the 801 I gave her. I just can't bond with that focal length. I see wide more than long, and to me, 43 is still (just a little shy of) normal. Now the 18-28mm for my 167mt, that I an bond with. ;-)

If you check out the comparison on the other thread you can find some interesting info: IMO 70s Takumars and Fujinon are better than Nikons of the same era.

For the focal lens I agree, it was a fashion for those that were called "standard zooms", that supposedly were kit lenses destined to replace 50 mm fixed lenses, the idea was to have a wide angle (35 or 40mm), the standard 50mm and a portrait (75 to 85), IMO they are zoom for lazy people who don't want to move their asses to compose properly, I find them completely useless and plain bad because fixed lenses are usually faster.

 

[dave lackey]

Got one for my 5D entirely due to Ken Rockwell calling it "Nikon's worst lens ever". Lens did not disappoint- not at all sharp at 43mm and 86mm (really the only focal lengths I use it at), but the glow wide-open is nice and the falloff/curvature of field isolates central subjects in a good way. Pretty fun lens on FF / 135.

Good grief, I like the look!

Like Godfrey, you got me wanting one now.😱

 

[oftheherd]

The first Nikon 43-86 was well-known for its optical compromises even back in the mid-1960's when we sold them in the camera store where I worked. But it was a zoom, unusual at the time, and that forgave a lot!

But I think the first consumer SLR zoom came a little earlier for the Voigtlander Bessamatic, the 36-82mm f/2.8 Zoomar...

Had to be careful about terminology then, as some 'zooms' were actually "vari-focal" and changed focus as you zoomed.

Do you remember the Vivitar Series I 35-85 varifocal? I got one along with their 70-210, and the first ST801 I purchased, out of a pawn shop. The 70-210 never worked, but the 35-85 did and does. Nice lens, just a bit of a beastie. I keep it mostly for its uniqueness.

 

[BillBingham2]

If you are looking for low cost Nikon glass try the Series E 36-72/3.5. Plastic but from what I remember had better reviews than the 43-86. The 70-150 was equally well regarded (if not more).

When I was trying to make up my mind on my first wide angle I tested the 28/3.5 and the version I had was a dog compared to the 24/2.8 or 35/2.

Interesting thread.

B2

 

[raid]

The first Nikon 43-86 was well-known for its optical compromises even back in the mid-1960's when we sold them in the camera store where I worked. But it was a zoom, unusual at the time, and that forgave a lot!

But I think the first consumer SLR zoom came a little earlier for the Voigtlander Bessamatic, the 36-82mm f/2.8 Zoomar...

Had to be careful about terminology then, as some 'zooms' were actually "vari-focal" and changed focus as you zoomed.

I meant to say "first Nikon zoom".

 

[djcphoto]

I think the first Nikon zoom was the 8.5-25cm; I have a very rough one that dates to 1960, I think. Didn't make many of them though.

 

[dasuess]

Nikon Df with 43-86/f/3.5, Sunset on North Sand Lake in Wisconsin