Wides & normals
|
GL
|
DR
|
Comments
by DR, unless otherwise noted
|
| 6mm f5.6 |
--
|
4
|
1 sample; no TTL
viewing, no accurate v.f., fits only on bodies with
mirror lock-up, 220 degree circular image (the widest fisheye-perspective
lens made for 35mm) |
| 6mm f2.8 |
--
|
--
|
very large, heavy, and
expensive; 220 degree circular image (the widest
fisheye-perspective lens made for 35 mm) |
| 7.5mm f5.6 |
--
|
4
|
1 sample; no TTL viewing (though the separate VF is remarkably accurate; fits only on bodies with mirror
lock-up; 180 degree
circular image |
| 8mm f8 |
--
|
--
|
first 35mm version of
180 degree circular fisheye; no TTL viewing; no
accurate VF (had only a
centering finder); fits only on bodies with a
mirror lock-up |
| 8mm f2.8 |
--
|
4.4
|
2 samples; 180 degree
circular image, equally good in B & W and color; not great at wide stops, excellent sharpness to edge of
coverage by f11;
physically big and heavy, works well with TC14A at f11-16
|
| 10mm f5.6 OP |
--
|
--
|
orthographic projection,
no TTL viewing, no accurate VF (the fiseye finder
is designed for the 7.5mm
lens and is
inaccurate in perspective; fits only on bodies
with mirror lock-up; 180 degree circular image |
| 13mm f5.6 |
--
|
--
|
large, heavy, very
expensive; 118 degrees diagonal coverage, the widest rectangular-perspective
lens made for 35mm SLRs |
| 15mm f5.6 |
--
|
3~4.2
|
several samples, some sample variation; very low linear distortion, even
center to corner performance, very even illumination (in common with all the Nikkor
wides except the 18mm MF's, the 21mm, and the 35mm f2 MF
at wide stops);
slightly yellow color cast compared with other Nikkors,
best at f11-16, need to open 1/2 stop from meter reading,
corners improve slightly in B & W using yellow,
orange, or red filter |
| 15mm f3.5 |
--
|
4
|
2 samples; poor corner
performance in B & W, good in color |
| 16mm f3.5 |
--
|
5
|
3 samples; wonderful
lens, can be used wide open, works very well w. TC14A by
f5.6 for a great people super-wide; 170 degree
diagonal coverage; full frame fisheye perspective |
| 16mm f2.8 |
--
|
3.5~4.4
|
3 samples; works very
well with TC14A by
f5.6, 180 degree full frame fisheye persspective;
best samples at best stops equal performance of the f3.5
(f3.5 version is better at wide stops) AF optics are the
same |
| 18mm f4 |
--
|
3
|
2 samples; poor edges
and corners even stopped down |
| 18mm f3.5 |
--
|
4.5
|
2 samples; better in
color than B & W; good wide stop color
performance (though with noticeable corner illumination
roll-off at wide stops) |
| 18mm f2.8 AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 19mm f2.8 Micro |
--
|
--
|
one of four
high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm, no
focus, and Royal Screw thread mount (15X - 40X) |
| 20mm f8 |
5/5
|
--
|
fisheye, 153 degrees coverage, part pf
limited-offering "Fun Lens Set", fixed focus
and aperture |
| 20mm f4 |
--
|
3.4
|
2 samples; useable
when well stopped down |
| 20mm f3.5 non-AI |
--
|
3.5~4
|
2 samples; 72mm filter
version; good when well stopped down |
| 20mm f3.5 |
--
|
3~3.5
|
several samples; 52mm
filter version; some
sample variation; useable when well stopped down
for distant subjects; good nearly wide open focussed
closer than about 15' (rating 4.4) |
| 20mm f2.8 |
5/5
|
4.3~4.8
|
4 samples; the best
samples have excellent performance to the corners by f5.6, the worst by f8;
relatively low linear distortion; AF optics are the same. |
| 21mm f4 |
--
|
4
|
3 samples; no TTL
viewing (though the
separate VF is
remarkably accurate);
no linear distortion;
very even center to corner sharpness; some tendency to flare; some illumination roll-off toward
the edges and corners;
extremely compact when mounted on the camera; will fit
only the F and F2 bodies (the lens should not
rotate while being mounted and only the F and F2 bodies
have the necessary tab to prevent rotation) |
| 24mm f2.8 non-AI |
--
|
4
|
2 samples |
| 24mm f2.8 AI |
4.5/5
|
4.2~4.6
|
many samples; needs
shade; some samples are not quite as crisp at the
edges and corners near infinity focus as the slightly
wider 20mm f2.8; AF optics are the same |
| 24mm f2 |
--
|
4.2
|
2 samples; low contrast
at wide stops |
| 28mm f4 PC |
--
|
4.6
|
3 samples; better
off-axis performance than most 28mm f3.5 PC samples (all of the Nikkor PC lenses will
illuminate almost the
complete frame, even with the most extreme movement -
beyond the recommended shift
limit - but all
require f16-22 to sharpen the far edge of coverage;
f11 is sufficient with
this lens to sharpen the top
corners of a horizontal frame with full rise applied);
metering with all bodies
except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted |
| 28mm f3.5 PC |
--
|
4
|
3 samples; better wide stop performance with no shift than
the 28mm f4 PC, but off axis it is generally not up to f4, even stopped
down; a good sample
is useable on the TC200/1 for extreme shift effects; metering with all bodies except
the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted |
| 28mm f3.5 non-AI |
--
|
3.4
|
3 samples; vignettes
with any filter |
| 28mm f3.5 AI |
--
|
4.8
|
4 samples; good wide
open, very even center to corner performance |
| 28mm f2.8 early |
--
|
3.6
|
3 samples; unusually
resistent to flare, poor corners until well stopped down |
| 28mm f2.8 AIS |
--
|
4.8
|
4 samples; good wide
open short of corners |
| 28mm f2.8 E |
4.5/4
|
2.8~3.8
|
of several tried, two were
good at smaller stops, the others were poor;
E-series primes have plastic focus parts that wear fairly
quickly and they are not multicoated; AF (non-D) optics
are the same, but are multicoated |
| 28mm f2.8 AF D |
--
|
4.2
|
1 sample; CRC
(Close Range Correction) added with the D, with improved
edge performance |
| 28mm f2 |
4.5/5
|
4~4.6
|
many samples; some
sample variation; often not as good at wide stops
as the f2.8 AIS 28mm - but often better than the f2.8 AIS
by 5.6 |
| 28mm f1.4 AF |
--
|
--
|
see review article http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#28f1.4 |
| 35mm f4.5 Micro |
--
|
5
|
1 sample; one of four
high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm
and no focus - with Royal Screw thread mount (8X - 20X) |
| 35mm f3.5 PC |
--
|
3.5
|
1 sample; poor
off-axis performance; metering
with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens
unshifted |
| 35mm f2.8 PC non-AI early |
--
|
4.2
|
3 samples; non-AI PC's
generally fit AI cameras, though they nudge the coupling
tab a bit (check the
tab position after the lens is mounted to be sure the tab
was not moved during mounting or exposures will be
inaccurate); metering
with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens
unshifted |
| 35mm f2.8 PC AIS
latest |
--
|
5
|
3 samples; excellent to
the corners wide open shifted up to about 3mm (the
lens will illuminate the complete frame even with the
most extreme movement - beyond the recommended shift
limit - but requires f16-22 to sharpen the top far edge
of coverage; f8 is sufficient to sharpen the top corners
of a horizontal frame with full rise applied); it has the best performance of all the
Nikkor 35's at f2.8;
good on TC14A with about 5mm or less shift (effectively 7mm) when not stopped down beyond
about f5.6; metering with all bodies except the F3 must
be done with the lens unshifted |
| 35mm f2.8 non-AI |
--
|
3.8
|
1 sample |
| 35mm f2.8 AI |
--
|
3.8~4
|
2 samples; this version has
five elements; an earlier version has six elements
(untried); the earlier 1975 six lens non-AI version is
known as "type 4", from nr. 350001 on, and the
1978 six lens AI "type 5" version starts at nr.
773111 (LV) |
| 35mm f2.5 E |
3/4
|
4
|
3 samples; very small and
light; the small front element makes effective shading
easy |
| 35mm f2 |
3.5/4
|
3.5~4.8
|
many samples; some
sample variation; most
AIS are about 4.5, with one 4.8; many pre-AI samples drop to the 3.5-4 range and
the non-multicoated ones flare easily with backlight; the best are sharp wide open
short of the far cormers,
though all show noticeable illumination fall off at wide
apertures |
| 35mm f2 AF |
5/4
|
4.3
|
2 samples; small
front element makes effective shading easy |
| 35mm f1.4 |
5/5
|
4.2~4.6
|
4 samples; good
sharpness wide open at middle distances, reasonably good
contrast and reasonably even illumination wide open |
| 45mm f2.8 GN |
--
|
4
|
1 sample; aperture can
vary with distance setting for use with manual flashes (guide number is set on lens);
excellent performance stopped down, though not as good as
the 50's at wide stops |
| 45mm f2.8 P |
--
|
--
|
optics probably the same as GN but multicoated, MF
but with AF electronics; way overpriced! |
| 50mm f2 |
--
|
4.6
|
several samples;
very even center to corner performance at all stops; good
wide open |
| 50mm f1.8 AIS metal |
4/5
|
4.8
|
many samples; very even
center to corner performance at all stops; good wide open |
| 50mm f1.8 E, plastic
AIS, compact metal AIS |
4/4
|
3.8~4.6
|
many samples; very
small and light; small front element makes effective
shading easy; usually good
wide open, no linear distortion; the E is not
multicoated, but other versions versions are; AF optics
is the same, is multicoated, and has a longer barrel. |
| 50mm f1.4 non-AI |
--
|
4~4.2
|
many samples; low
contrast wide open, though excellent at middle and
smaller stops; wide stops
can be sharpened with a red
filter in B & W, though illumination fall-off shows
until about f4 |
| 50mm f1.4 AIS |
4.5/5
|
4.6
|
many samples; very good
by f2, short of
corners; the AI version may be slightly different
optically; AF optics are the same |
| 50mm f1.2 |
--
|
4~5
|
several samples; 5 at 4
to 15 feet or so, otherwise 4-4.4; excellent center to corners wide
open near optimum focus distance, with declining quality
at edges as infinity focus is approached; showes severe
coma at infinity wide open with point light sources near
the frame edges |
| 55mm f4 UV |
--
|
--
|
may exist only as
prototype |
| 55mm f3.5 Micro |
5/5
|
3.5~5
|
many samples; 4.8 close, 3.8-4.5 near infinity; earliest
version had preset diaphragm; the next version had an
auto diaphragm that opened with closer focus to
compensate for extension exposure loss; the later version
did not have the compensating diaphragm; goes to 1:2 |
| 55mm f2.8 Micro |
4.5/4.5
AF 4.5/4
|
4~5
|
many samples; 5 at
infinity, 4 close; the MF version tends to acquire oil on
the diaphragm leaves; goes to 1:2; AF has the same
optics but goes to 1:1 |
| 55mm f1.2 |
3/5
|
3.5
|
3 samples; reasonably
good at mid distances (DR); a true dog (GL) |
| 55mm f1.2 CRT |
--
|
4.8
|
3 samples; Leica thread,
no focus, f11 minimum aperture, 8-elements in 6-groups - optimised for 363mm
focus distance, wondeful reversed on tubes/bellows around
5X |
| 58mm f1.4 non-AI |
--
|
--
|
first "speed" lens for the Nikon F (1959) |
| 58mm f1.2 Noct |
5/5
|
3.8
|
1 sample, possibly defective; wide stops poor, though performance excellent by
f5.6 |
| 60mm f2.8 Micro AF |
5/4
|
3.5~5.2
|
2 samples; poor (3.5)
at infinity at corners at
wide to mid stops,
though excellent by f11 - 5.2 close; the best of the macro lenses in
macro range, works very well with converters in macro
range; goes to 1:1 |
| 65mm f4.5 Micro |
--
|
--
|
one of four
high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm,
no focus; 39mm thread mount
(3.5X - 10X) |
Telephoto lenses
|
GL
|
DR
|
Comments
by DR, unless otherwise noted
|
| 80mm f4.5 AF |
--
|
--
|
very early AF lens, with
internal AF mechanism, may exist only as prototype |
| 80mm f2.8 AF |
--
|
--
|
early AF lens for F3AF (1983);
has a good reputation |
| 85mm f2.8 T/S Micro |
--
|
--
|
tilt-shift macro lens, MF, with push-button diapragm
stop-down; goes to 1:2 |
| 85mm f2 |
--
|
4.8
|
several samples;
performance declines at wide stops near minimum focus |
| 85mm f1.8 non-AI |
--
|
4.8
|
2 samples; very good
wide open, flares easily with backlight in
non-multicoated samples |
| 85mm f1.8 AF |
5/4
|
4.8
|
1 sample; slightly
better in corners wide open near minimum focus distance
than near infinity;
good wide stop close
focus performance |
| 85mm f1.4 |
5/5
|
4.8
|
4 samples; good wide
open, floating element maintains good performance down to
minimum focus distance |
| 85mm f1.4 AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 90mm f4.8 Soft-Focus |
--
|
--
|
part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set";
fixed aperture; converts to 120mm f4.5 macro |
| 100mm f2.8 E |
--
|
4.8
|
3 samples; light
and compact |
| 105mm f4.5 UV |
--
|
--
|
lens designed to pass
ultraviolet |
| 105mm f4 preset |
--
|
--
|
normal focus range; same
optics (3/3) as the 105mm f4 from the rangefinder era (LV) |
| 105mm f4 Micro |
4.5/5
|
3.5
|
3 samples; not great at
wide stops, others
report much better results with this lens than I found;
goes to 1:2; the 105mm short mount version has the
same optics |
| 105mm f2.8 MF Micro |
4/5
|
4.4~5
|
2 samples; 5 at
infinity, 4.4 close; possibly the best center to
corner performance at infinity at 2.8 of all lenses I
have tried; goes to 1:2 (other unusually well performing
lenses at infinity at 2.8 are the 180mm AF, 135mm f2 MF,
later 105mm f2.5, 100mm f2.8, and the latest version 35mm
2.8 PC) |
| 105mm f2.8 Micro AF |
5/5
|
4~4.5
|
3 samples; 4-4.5 at
infinity, 4.8 close; too difficult to focus manually near
infinity - focus is too fast, alignment problems noted in
two samples near infinity; goes to 1:1 |
| 105mm f2.5 early |
--
|
4
|
several samples; small
rear element (early non-AI with silver front) |
| 105mm f2.5 later |
--
|
4.8
|
several samples; performance
declines at wide stops near minimum focus (DR); from nr.50 0001 on; a great portrait lens; the very
reason I bought my Nikon
(LV) |
| 105mm f2 DC AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 105mm f1.8 |
--
|
4.5~4.6
|
many samples;
performance wider than about f4 can be good, though
disappointing compared with other Nikkors in this range |
| 120mm f6.3 Micro |
--
|
--
|
one of four
high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm
and no focus - with
39mm thread mount (1/3X - 4X on 35mm, 1X - 4X on 4x5) |
| 120mm f4.5 Macro |
--
|
--
|
part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set",
fixed aperture, only two fixed magnification ratios,
converts to 90mm f4.8 soft-focus |
| 120mm f4 Medical |
--
|
--
|
needs power pack for built-in
ring flash |
| 135mm f4 short mount |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 135mm f3.5 |
--
|
4.5
|
2 samples |
| 135mm f2.8 non-AI |
--
|
4.5
|
3 samples |
| 135mm f2.8 compact |
--
|
4.8
|
4 samples;
performance declines at wide stops near minimum focus |
| 135mm f2.8 E |
--
|
4.5
|
2 samples |
| 135mm f2 |
--
|
3~4.9
|
3 samples; 4.9 beyond about
10', 3 at minimum focus;
very sharp center to corner at f2 at mid to long
distances with some very slight field curvature barely
noticeable at wide stops near infinity, performance is
poor near minimum focus at wide apertures |
| 135mm f2 DC AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 180mm f2.8 non-ED |
--
|
4.6
|
1 sample |
| 180mm f2.8 ED |
4.8/5
|
4.8
|
1 sample |
| 180mm f2.8 EDIF AF |
5/5
|
5.2
|
1 sample; this lens is wonderful at all stops, center-to-corner, all distances (even on a short tube) (DR); GL rates old, pre 1988
version 5/4 (LV) |
| 180mm f2.5 preset |
--
|
--
|
adapted from RF to SLR |
| 200mm f5.6 Medical |
--
|
--
|
needs power pack for built-in
ring flash |
| 200mm f4 older |
--
|
4.2
|
several samples |
| 200mm f4 compact |
--
|
4.5
|
several samples; can be
great as a macro lens; the best auto-diapragm lens
for about 3X that I have
used (DR); from nr.670 003 on (LV) |
| 200mm f4 IF Micro |
--
|
4
|
2 samples; slight sample
variation, (one nice
at infinity, but less so close, the other the reverse), goes to 1:2 |
| 200mm f4 EDIF Micro
AF |
--
|
--
|
1 sample; rather large, heavy and expensive macro
lens with fine infinity-focus performance by f8 (but not
much wider), goes to 1:1;
see article on this lens: http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#70-180 |
| 200mm f3.5 EDIF AF |
--
|
--
|
early AF lens for F3AF (has
a good reputation) |
| 200mm f2 EDIF |
4.5/5
|
--
|
all of the fast EDIF
Nikkors have good reputations |
| 300mm f4.5 |
3/4.5
|
3.6~4.2
|
several samples; some
variation, often not wonderful at wider stops, not good with converters;
fairly compact and light |
| 300mm f4.5 ED non-IF |
--
|
4.8
|
1 sample; very good with
converters; fairly compact and light |
| 300mm f4.5 EDIF |
4.8/5
|
4~4.8
|
3 samples; good on tubes
but not good with converters; fairly compact and
light |
| 300mm f4 EDIF AF |
5/5
|
4.8
|
2 samples; good
with converters (especially TC14/14B/14C), compact and
light compared with the f2.8 versions |
| 300mm f4 EDIF AF
S |
--
|
5
|
1 sample; large for a 300mm f4, but well-balanced and
not heavy; equally sharp at infinity-focus and
minimum-focus which may make it useful with converters
and achromats (neither were tried) for macro work |
| 300mm f2.8 |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 300mm f2.8 EDIF |
5/5
|
5
|
3 samples; excellent with converters (good even wide
open on matched converters); large, heavy, and expensive,
as are all long and fast teles |
| 300mm f2.8 EDIF AF |
4.8/4
|
--
|
marks by GL are for the
1st AF version (LV) |
| 300mm f2.8 EDIF AF
I |
5/5
|
--
|
internal focus motor |
| 300mm f2.8 EDIF AF
S |
--
|
--
|
internal focus motor |
| 300mm f2.8 EDIF AF II |
4.8/4.8
|
--
|
lighter than earlier 300mm f2.8 Nikkors |
| 300mm f2 EDIF |
5/5
|
--
|
came with the wonderful
TC14C |
| 350mm f4.5 semi-auto |
--
|
--
|
adapted from RF camera
|
| 400mm f8 |
--
|
--
|
part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set",
fixed aperture, unusually comact when
"telescoped", accepts 52mm filters |
| 400mm f5.6 |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 400mm f5.6 ED non-IF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 400mm f5.6 EDIF |
4.8/5
|
4.8
|
1 sample; very good with converters,
fairly narrow and light (and overpriced, as are most of
the big, fast teles of all brands, in my opinion...) |
| 400mm f4.5 non-AI
(ED) |
--
|
--
|
came as lens head that
fit a standard focusing unit common to 400mm, 600mm,
800mm, and 1200mm lenses of the time (the 400mm, 600mm,
800mm, 1200mm heads were available as either ED or
non-ED) |
| 400mm f3.5 EDIF |
5/5
|
5
|
2 samples; excellent
with converters (good
even wide open on matched converters) |
| 400mm f2.8 EDIF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 400mm f2.8 EDIF AF
I |
--
|
--
|
Good lens, great boat anchor: 6kg vs 3kg for the
f3.5; couldn't Nikon make the 400 f3.5 as an AF lens?
(GL) |
| 500mm f8 mirror, early |
3.8/5
|
4
|
3 samples; good with
TC14/14B; performs better near infinity than near minimum
focus distance (4m);
rate film speed 1/2 stop lower when using this lens;
there is a moderate center "hot spot" (as there is with most mirrors),
using the TC14/14B reduces
this (DR); GL does not specify early/late version
(LV) |
| 500mm f8 mirror, late |
--
|
3.6
|
2 samples; very close
focus (1.5m), best
performance near middle of focus range; compact
and light |
| 500mm f5 non-automatic |
--
|
--
|
adapted from RF camera
|
| 500mm f5 mirror |
--
|
3.2
|
1 sample; large, surprisingly light - minimum focus
50' (15m) |
| 500mm f4 EDIF P |
5/4.5
|
--
|
MF, but contains AF
electronics (DR); wimpy tripod mount (GL) |
| 500mm f4 EDIF AF I |
5/5
|
--
|
AF version is sharper wide open in the corners than
the MF, but they both are quite good (GL) |
| 600mm f5.6 non-AI
(ED) |
--
|
--
|
(see 400mm f4.5 notes) |
| 600mm f5.6 EDIF |
5/5
|
--
|
-- |
| 600mm f4 EDIF |
5/5
|
--
|
1 sample; inconclusive results from a brief trial |
| 600mm f4 EDIF AF I |
5/5
|
--
|
internal focus motor |
| 600mm f4 EDIF AF S |
--
|
--
|
internal focus motor
|
| 800mm f8 non-AI (ED) |
--
|
--
|
(see 400mm f4.5 notes) |
| 800mm f8 EDIF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 800mm f5.6 EDIF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 1000mm f11 mirror |
--
|
3.3
|
1 sample; it is very
difficult to use a lens this long beyond a few hundred
feet because the air qualities greatly affect the image quality;
fairly light and compact for its very long focal length |
| 1000mm f10 MTO mirror |
--
|
3
|
1 sample; remarkably
even illumination |
| 1000mm f6.3 mirror |
--
|
--
|
very large - minimum focus 100' (30m) |
| 1200mm f11 non-AI
(ED) |
--
|
--
|
(see 400mm f4.5 notes) |
| 1200mm f11 EDIF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 2000mm f11 mirror |
--
|
--
|
very large, very heavy,
very expensive |
Zoom lenses
|
GL
|
DR
|
Comments
by DR, unless otherwise noted
|
| 17-35mm f2.8 AF S |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 20-35mm f2.8 AF |
4.8/5
|
--
|
arguably the best wide zoom on the market, crisp and
competitive with primes for sharpness and contrast (GL); not much range (DR) |
| 24-50mm f3.3-4.5 AF |
--
|
--
|
not much range |
| 24-85mm f2.8-4 AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 24-120mm f3.5-5.6
(AF) |
4.5/4.5
|
4.4
|
zoom loose on early versions; great travel lens (GL);
1 sample; remarkably good
performance everywhere at f11; better than most middle range FL zooms at wider stops;
focusses closer than most wide range zooms; see review
article: http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#24-120 |
| 25-50mm f4 |
--
|
4.4
|
several samples;
vignettes slightly at closest focus at 25mm with a
filter; not much range |
| 28-45mm f4.5 |
--
|
3.8
|
1 sample; slow, not much
range |
| 28-50mm f3.5 |
--
|
4
|
2 samples; sharp, but has
field curvature especially
noticeable at the
short end of the zoom range; not much range |
| 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 AF |
--
|
3.8~4.6
|
3 samples; some sample variation |
| 28-70mm f2.8 AF S |
--
|
--
|
built-in linear-motor AF |
| 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 AF |
--
|
--
|
there may be two optical
versions; too slow at
the, not very long end |
| 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 |
--
|
4~4.2
|
4 samples; AF
optics are the same |
| 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 AF |
--
|
4
|
1 sample; internal focus; unusually low linear
distortion, exellent center to corner sharpness
uniformity (especially at the short end); not wonderful
at the widest stops longer than about 50mm; poor
performance in macro mode at maximum magnification (1:2);
see review article: http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#28-105 |
| 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 AF |
--
|
3.5~4
|
1 sample; 4 35-105mm, 3.5 otherwise; extremely wide
range in a compact package; not terrible anywhere, but
not wonderful over much of its range - worst above 135mm;
see review article: http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#28-200 |
| 35-70mm f3.5 (72 filter) |
--
|
--
|
not much range
("foot-zooming" may be more useful much of the
time than using a zoom with this range of FLs...) |
| 35-70mm f3.5 (62 filter) |
--
|
--
|
unusually low distortion;
not much range (has good reputation) |
| 35-70mm f3.3-4.5 |
--
|
3.4~4.2
|
many samples; easier
to manually focus than most zooms, but not much range; AF
optics are the same though there seems to be more sample variation with the AF |
| 35-70mm f2.8 AF D |
--
|
4~4.6
|
2 samples; some sample
variation; not much range |
| 35-80mm f4-5.6 AF |
--
|
--
|
not much range, and too slow for this range |
| 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 |
--
|
3~4.5
|
many samples; this may
be Nikon's most variable-quality lens (sample variation is generally not
a problem with Nikkor lenses, except with the 35mm-to-X
zooms); a good sample
is excellent at all stops center to corners except near
infinity near 105mm; macro
is excellent above about 50mm (there is an
additional focusing ring at the rear for close-focus,
useable at all FLs); must be
used with the short shade made for it ; AF (non-D)
optics are the same |
| 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 AF D |
--
|
4~4.2
|
3 samples |
| 35-135mm f3.5-4.5 |
--
|
3.6~4
|
4 samples, most not wonderful at wider stops
but excellent by mid stops; some sample variation; AF
optics are the same |
| 35-200mm f3.5-4.5 |
--
|
2~2.8
|
2 samples; considerable
sample variation; the two samples I tried performed
differently and both were poor (probably
defective); there is an additional focusing ring at the
rear for close focus, useable at all FLs; compact |
| 36-72mm f3.5 E |
--
|
4~4.4
|
4 samples; slightly
lower contrast than is usual
for Nikkor lenses, but remarkably uniform center
to corner sharpness; not much range (the E zoom glass is
multicoated and the barrels are mostly metal, unlike the
E primes) |
| 43-86mm f3.5 |
3/4.5
|
2~4
|
3 samples; latest version is much better than earlier
versions, which are very poor
(Yuck! Pah! Bleah!);
not much range |
| 50-135mm f3.5 |
--
|
4.6
|
4 samples; non-rotating
front; good wide open, useable with converters |
| 50-300mm f4.5 |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 50-300mm f4.5 ED
IF |
5/5
|
--
|
An African Classic; should be done in AF (GL). So I bought a used sample, and went to Africa. A classic experience; excellent results (LV). |
| 70-180mm f4.5-5.6 ED Micro AF |
--
|
4.5
|
1 sample; 1:3.2 at 70mm, 1:1.32 at 180mm, with
slightly greater magnification available by using the 6T
achromat; has some unique characteristics; see review on
this lens: http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#70-180 |
| 70-210mm f4-5.6 AF |
--
|
3.5~4
|
4 samples; corners at
short end are below average for Nikkor zooms in this
range; a little sample variability |
| 70-210mm f4 E |
--
|
4.4
|
several samples; good
wide open, works well on TC14A; AF optics are the
same; AF focus ring at front is narrow (as with other
early-style AF Nikkors) |
| 70-300mm f4-5.6 ED AF |
--
|
3.5~4
|
3 samples; very compact and light; first two samples
tried were moderately defective, third was well-aligned,
but not up to Nikon's usual standards for their better
tele zooms |
| 70-300mm f4-5.6 AF G |
--
|
--
|
doesn't manually meter on older AF and MF bodies, no
aperture ring |
| 75-150mm f3.5 E |
5/4.5
|
4.8
|
many samples; works well
on converters, is very good wide open and throughout its
focus and zoom ranges |
| 75-240mm f4.5-5.6 |
--
|
3
|
1 sample; cheap, light, small, and not very good - I
view Nikkors like this as evidence of the
"Canonization" of Nikon (the trading on a good
name with junk, to make more money now at the eventual
expense of the company's good reputation als a
lens-maker...); until a few years ago, "Nikkor"
written on a lens in any price range indicated a very
high probability that the lens was at least good - but
with the advent of so-so plastic AF lenses aimed at the
bottom end of the market, a growing proportion of Nikkor
lenses is falling into the mediocre category, alas... |
| 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 AF |
--
|
4~4.2
|
2 samples; good wide open (with good sample) |
| 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 AF |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 80-200mm f4.5 non-AI |
--
|
4~4.2
|
3 samples; earlier version is larger than later version |
| 80-200mm f4.5 |
5/5
|
4.3
|
several samples; both
versions show lower overall image quality at long end than more
modern Nikkor zooms in this range, but they are still very good |
| 80-200mm f4 |
--
|
4.5
|
1 sample; good wide open
|
| 80-200mm f2.8 ED |
5/5
|
--
|
larger and heavier than
the AF versions |
| 80-200mm f2.8 ED AF |
early
4.8/4
late
4.8/5
|
5
|
3 samples; performance under about 8' at
200mm declines and becomes
poor at minimum focus
at wide stops -
otherwise this lens is wonderful even wide open, performs
very well on TC14C (and almost as well on TC14B, not on TC200/1,
fairly well on a modified TC20E); the length and mass help me hand hold
this lens down to 1/60 at 200mm - something impossible
for me with the 200mm prime or the f4 zooms; a heavy lens
with no tripod socket; late AF-D version adds
tripod mount and has separate very well placed zoom and
focus rings; manual focus is easier with this version
(much to my surprise...) |
| 80-200mm f2.8 AF
S |
--
|
--
|
built-in linear-motor AF |
| 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 VR AF |
--
|
--
|
has image stabilization that works only when the lens
is used on the most recent generation of Nikon bodies |
| 85-250mm f4-4.5 |
--
|
--
|
very large and heavy
early zoom |
| 85-250mm f4 |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 100-300mm f5.6 |
--
|
4.2~4.5
|
several samples;
unusually low distortion (slight barrel to 135mm, then no
distortion to 300mm);
good wide open, not good with converters |
| 180-600mm f8 ED |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 200-600mm f9.5-10.5 |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 200-600mm f9.5 ED |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 200-400mm f4 ED |
5/5
|
--
|
has an excellent
reputation (DR); an African Classic; should be
done in AF (GL) |
| 360-1200mm f11 ED |
--
|
--
|
-- |
| 1200-1700mm f5.6-8 ED |
--
|
--
|
large, heavy (16
Kg), VERY expensive
(on special order only) |
Teleconverters
|
GL
|
DR
|
Comments
by DR, unless otherwise noted; the "X's" in
the rating column indicate
that the performance of the converter/lens combination
varies a lot; the rated converters work with virtually
everything they will fit
|
| TC14A |
--
|
4.8
|
2 samples; 1.4X
for short lenses that
do not have rear elements recessed enough to accept the
long-lens TC14s; works well
with most lenses it fits that are 200mm and shorter |
| TC14 and TC14B |
4.5/5
|
4.8
|
4 samples; 1.4X
for lenses that have
rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with
projecting front elements (mostly long lenses); can be
used with other lenses for macro macro work when using
tubes on the front of the converter (TC14 is AI, TC14B is AIS) |
| TC14C |
--
|
5
|
2 samples; 1.4X
for lenses that have
rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with
projecting front elements (mostly long lenses); can be used with other
lenses for macro macro work
when using tubes on the front of the converter; this unusual converter is near
perfect on some lenses, and out-performs the excellent
TC14/14B on all
lenses they will fit except the older 500mm f8 mirror (the 80-200mm f2.8 AF with the TC14C
by f4 is as good as prime lenses, and betters the
excellent 100-300mm f5.6 at similar stops); came
with the Nikkor 300mm f2 |
| TC14E |
4.5/5
|
--
|
1.4X; designed for AFI/S
(long) lenses, and
will not fit others without modification of the converter
bayonet |
| TC16 |
--
|
--
|
1.6X; designed for F3AF,
adds limited focus range AF ability to MF lenses f2.8 and
faster |
| TC16A |
--
|
4~4.6
|
2 samples; 1.6X; adds limited focus
range AF ability to MF lenses f2.8 and faster; does not pass AF lens electrical
signals to the camera body; does not match as many lenses
as the TC14A does |
| TC-1, TC200, TC201 |
--
|
X
|
4 samples; 2X for
lenses that do not have rear elements recessed enough to
accept the long-lens TCs; works
well on some lenses, adequately on some, and poorly on
some; f5.6 is the
widest stop for good performance even with the best
lenses on it; excellent
for increasing magnification in macro work when using
small stops (TC-1 is
non-AI, TC200 is AI, TC201 is AIS) |
| TC-2, TC300, TC301 |
4.2/4.5
|
3.5~4.5
|
3 samples; 2X for
long lenses that have
rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with
projecting front elements (mostly long lenses); can be
used with tubes on front of
converter for macro work, results are good with most
lenses that it fits, except the 300mm f4.5 non-ED, and
300mm f4.5 EDIF (TC-2
is non-AI, TC300 is AI, TC301 is AIS) |
| TC20E |
4.8/5
|
X
|
1 sample; 2X; designed for AFI/S (long) lenses, and it will not fit others
without modification of the converter bayonet; works fairly well with the
80-200mm f2.8 AF (better
than the TC200/1),
but not well on other non I/S lenses I tried it on |
Wides & normals