Fastest Nikkor Lenses vs Length

[PaulClements]

I was wondering about fast Nikkor Primes and what focal lengths were available and came up with this. If there is anything missing please feel free to chime in. I know Evin has already reviewed the 50mm but I was wondering about the quality of the other listed lenses, and furthermore, if one had the different lenses as a set would they share characteristics or if they are variations such as AI to AF would they differ substantially. Anyway here's the list:

AI/S 13mm 5.6
AF 14mm 2.8
AI/S 15mm 3.5
AF 18mm 2.8
AIS AF 20mm 2.8
AI/S 24mm 2
AF 28mm 1.4
AI/S 35mm 1.4
AI-P 45mm 2.8
AI/S AF 50mm 1.4
AI 55mm 1.2
AI/S 58mm 1.2
AI/S 85mm 1.4
AIS 105mm 1.8
AI/S AF 135mm 2
AI/S AF 200mm 2
AIS 300mm 2
AIS AF-S 400 2.8

Everything higher is 4 minimum.


Here is a condensed version of the list with everything below 1.4 available, Would this make a good prime set or would they vary wildly in quality, both optically and mechanically?:

AF 28mm 1.4
AI/S 35mm 1.4
AI/S AF 50mm 1.4
AI 55mm 1.2
AI/S 58mm 1.2
AI/S 85mm 1.4

[Stephen Williams]

Hi Paul,

I think you need a 18 or 20 as well. Try to build your sets from lenses of the same generation if possible.

Stephen

[Dominic Jones]

Well, they're all good quality lenses, certainly.

I would say two things regarding the prime set though:
A) I think you'll want something wider than 28mm - I would probably drop the 28mm for the 24mm f2, and maybe add the 14mm f2.8, as well. Or just add the 20mm f2.8 (which is great), instead of dropping the 28 for the 24.

B) I think having 50, 55 and 58mm lenses is unnecessary. It's a shame Nikon don't make a 65mm or so, as that would be worthwhile, but I'd drop all but one of those three - maybe all but the 55mm f1.2...

Otherwise that's pretty spot-on, I think...

[chuck colburn]

Jeeze Paul,

You are a busy little bee! lol
I would say a 50, or mayby better yet a 35 is necessary. You always need a "standard" lens.

Chuck

[PaulClements]

haha Chuck,

I got looking at lenses again, a favourite past time of many RedUsers I dare say. Of all the things worth researching they are probably top of the list.

I've refined that list a little to this:

AF 28mm 1.4
AI/S 35mm 1.4
AI/S AF 50mm 1.4
AI/S AF 85mm 1.4

It's just a shame there isn't a couple of wider 1.4 lenses to include to make a really good even prime set.

I reckon a wide set to go with the above to pretty much cover all bases:

AF 14mm 2.8
AF 18mm 2.8
AI/S 24mm 2

A final point, why on earth are the isn't there an AF 35mm 1.4? It's also a shame they didn't make the AI/S 28mm - either way you could have 4 lenses that are from the same time of costruction.

[PaulClements]

Oh I should add that I have actually no idea whether the lenses are good or not, so don't think I'm trying to advise anyone. I was just toying with the idea of using the fastest lenses. Listen to Evin... He so clever :)

[Sam Druckerman]

It's just a shame there isn't a couple of wider 1.4 lenses to include to make a really good even prime set.


I would also like to have something wider...


Listen to Evin... He so clever :)

Evin's the Man, and on his recommendation I just started putting together my Nikon set 5 weeks ago....

So far I have the ........

50mm 1.4
85mm 1.4
135mm 2.
17-35 2.8

He also recommended the 28mm 1.4 as part of his pick five .... But I'm on a budget, and the 28mm has been going for close to $3K on ebay!

Oh, what is a poor boy to do?

And I do have a Red Zoom reserved.

[PaulClements]

Well they made less than 7500 28 1.4 so it's kind of understandable really that they can go for so much. Big shame :(

[chuck colburn]

You know I've been thinking about this need so many people seem to have for ultra fast and ultra wide angle lenses (not talking about the under water guys who have optical and light level considerations) but really how often do you need a 10mm for a dog nose in the lens shot? The ultra wide fov over used so often (IMHO) nowadays makes for goofy looking films. (IMHO) And the need for f1.2, 1.4 or such isn't all that often. These fovs and speeds certianly have there uses but not all that often.
A 50mm lens at even f2 focused at ten feet on a S35 format has a depth of field of 9' 5" to 10' 2 1/2" can many of you follow focus at that split.
Anyhow all I'm saying is that you could get two or three f2 lenses for the price of one f1.2. And if you know that you are going to need the speed because you can't light a shot for what ever reason or are going to need an ultra wide for a given scene just rent it.
Just my 2 cents.

[tj williams]

Paul I pulled up a similiar list recently and found nothing under 35mm that was available in 1.4 or better. the 28mm is nuts to find.

So I've tentatively decided on variable primes. They seem to be just as sharp and open thru the range to 2.8 Maybe I'll also try to pickup a 35 and 50 1.4 I've not used much Canon stuff, although I have their 18XHDLens which is quite nice, is there a better range of 1.4 type lenses in canon??

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF
Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 AF-S
Nikon 80-200mm AF-S 2.8

[M Olsen]

Sam,

Referring to your post earlier about Nikkor Primes and you have a Red Zoom reserved also... do you have any information as to the ease and process of changing the lens mount on the camera ?
I assume it is designed to be a user task ..?

[Sam Druckerman]

Sam,

Referring to your post earlier about Nikkor Primes and you have a Red Zoom reserved also... do you have any information as to the ease and process of changing the lens mount on the camera ?
I assume it is designed to be a user task ..?

I don't believe Red has stated details yet.... So it's wait and see for now, but the indications seem like we'll be choosing our mount on per project basis rather than changing mounts in the field....

[Evin Grant]

I've said it before but I've setteled on a zoom/prime combination.
The 17-35mm is better optically than any wide prime Nikkor save the 28mm F2.8AIS. The 28mm f1.4 is just awesome, if you can afford it. I've had one for 6 years so only paid $1100 for a very nice used one. The 35mm f1.4 is the next best option and a classic. The 50mm you know about. If you do have the cash ($2-3K) the 58mm f1.2 NOCT Nikor is the best of all the 50mm lenses.
It uses an aspheric element group to optimise for night shooting. (Very sharp wide open!)
The 85mm f1.4 is another legend, ask Jarred why it has'nt come off his D80 since he got it.
The 135mm f2 you also know about.

If you don't want the expense or don't need the speed the 80-200 f2.8 is a great lens.

The 28-70 is also very sharp but is a varifocal zoom, so focus shifts slightly as you zoom. The front lens element group also extends an inch and a half when zoomed to wide, not good for matteboxes.

To recap:
17-35mm f2.8 (Swiss-army lens)
28mm f1.4 (if you can)
28-70m f2.8 (Sharp but bad ergos)
35mm f1.4 (Next best thing)
50mm f1.4 (Best bang for $)
58mm f1.2 NOCT (Again, if you can)
80-200 f2.8 (Very sharp, economical option)
85mm f1.4 (Addicting)
135mm f2 (great high speed tele)