Nikon AI(s) Lens Recommendation
- Thread starter Daniel007
- Start date
Michael Carter
Veteran
You are about to get seriously flamed regarding the info you should have included, such as what you shoot, do you need a wide, normal, tele or zoom, etc... this question is similar to "what lights should I buy" and the like.
There are several Nikon lens review sites & forums (google it) to find which are the legends, which are the sleepers, which are so-so, etc.
I'd assume you want fast glass (1.8 - 2.8) for an adapter, so keep that in mind.
Don't just limit yourself to AI/AIS - anything with an aperture ring will do; there are AF-era lenses that are just stellar and underpriced. I've bought a few older AIS aftermarket lenses (vivitar, tokina, etc) but when tested against a desireable Nikkor of the same focal length they are noticeably softer.
I'll add from my experience, here are a few bargains in the "sleeper" to "legendary" category:
Series E AIS 100mm 2.8 - a dynamite lens and fashion legend in the pre-AF days
AF era:
50mm 1.8 AF
85mm 1.8 AF
35-70 2.8 AF
80-200 2.8 AF (A huge & heavy lens)
300mm F4 AF (ditto)
For wider primes, do some research - the series E 28mm 2.8 isn't considered an amazing lens, but I have one and it's a great value. Nikon made several variants of the 20mm 2.8, many are superb.
If it were me, I'd find a 35-70 2.8 AF and be well-covered for many focal lengths; it's amazing at every setting and does macro.
KEH.com has a huge selection of glass, you might pay a tad more than eBay but their idea of a "user" lens often looks like "near mint" when you get it.
There are several Nikon lens review sites & forums (google it) to find which are the legends, which are the sleepers, which are so-so, etc.
I'd assume you want fast glass (1.8 - 2.8) for an adapter, so keep that in mind.
Don't just limit yourself to AI/AIS - anything with an aperture ring will do; there are AF-era lenses that are just stellar and underpriced. I've bought a few older AIS aftermarket lenses (vivitar, tokina, etc) but when tested against a desireable Nikkor of the same focal length they are noticeably softer.
I'll add from my experience, here are a few bargains in the "sleeper" to "legendary" category:
Series E AIS 100mm 2.8 - a dynamite lens and fashion legend in the pre-AF days
AF era:
50mm 1.8 AF
85mm 1.8 AF
35-70 2.8 AF
80-200 2.8 AF (A huge & heavy lens)
300mm F4 AF (ditto)
For wider primes, do some research - the series E 28mm 2.8 isn't considered an amazing lens, but I have one and it's a great value. Nikon made several variants of the 20mm 2.8, many are superb.
If it were me, I'd find a 35-70 2.8 AF and be well-covered for many focal lengths; it's amazing at every setting and does macro.
KEH.com has a huge selection of glass, you might pay a tad more than eBay but their idea of a "user" lens often looks like "near mint" when you get it.