If you had to pare down your Nikon F bayonet lens system.... (Improved: Now 55!)

[Jack Dahlgren]

Hi all.

Ignoring tc's I would get rid of
AF 18-35 f/3.5-4.5 D ED
AF 28-80 f/3.3-5.6

Out of
AFS 12-24 f/4 DX
AFS 14-24 f/2.8 G ED
AFS 17-35 f/2.8
AFS 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 DX
AFS 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 G DX ED
AFS 24-120 VR f/3.5-5.6 G
AFS 24-120 VR f/4 G ED
AFS 28-70 f/2.8
AFS 70-200 f/2.8 VR (version 1)
AFS 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G VR IF-ED
AFS 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 G VR ED
AFS 200-400 VR f/4
AFS 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR

AFS 400 f/2.8 D II
AFS 500 f/4
AFS 600 f/4

AF 18-35 f/3.5-4.5 D ED
AF 28-80 f/3.3-5.6
AF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 D
AF 35-70 f/2.8 D
AF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G
AF 75-300 f/4.5-5.6
AF 80-200 f/4.5-5.6 D

AF 10.5 f/2.8 DX fisheye
AF 20 f/2.8
AF 24 f/2.8
AF 28 f/2.8
AF 35 F/2
AF 50 f/1.4 D
AF 50 f/1.8 D
AF 60 f/2.8 micro
AF 85 f/1.4 D
AF 105 f/2.8 micro
AF 180 f/2.8 D
AF 200 f/4 micro
AF 300 f/4 ED

MF 16 f/3.5 Ai-'D fisheye
MF 28 f/2 Ai-S
MF 35-70 f/3.5 Ai-S
MF 50 f/1.2 Ai-S
MF 50 f/2 Ai
MF 55 f/2.8 micro Ai-S
MF 55 f/3.5 micro factory Ai'd
MF 105 f/2.5 Ai
MF 135 f/2.8 Ai-s
MF 180 f/2.8 ED Ai

AFS TC-20E III
AFS TC-17E II
AFS TC-14E II
MF TC-14B
AF TC-16A

Sigma 30 f/1.4 DX HSM
Sigma 50 f/1.4 DG HSM EX
Sigma 8-16 f/4.5-5.6 HSM
Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM
Tamron SP AF Di II 11-18 f/4.5-5.6
Sigma AF 170-500 f/5-6.3 D
Sigma 50-500 f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS

 I think that would do it if we also ignore other brands of lenses.

I sold quite a few lenses about 6 years ago. Maybe it is time to do so again. Any advice as to what should go?

JIM

There a a couple of strategies for determining what to get rid of:

You must have had some reason for collecting all those lenses so determine if the criteria which led to the acquisition still exists. If it doesn’t, then you could put them on the list of lenses to get rid of.

You have evaluated your use of the lens and are using it very infrequently or not at all.

It has increased in value to the point where it is worth more to others than it is to you.


It might be easier to approach this from the perspective of what you would absolutely keep rather than what you would get rid of.

[Matthew Currie]

My situation is a little easier, as most of my collection is either current good stuff or well worn old stuff with little collectible value (I can't resist the bargain bin), so the obvious solution is simply to make more space.  Of course I'm a piker compared to many here.  I got a new cabinet for what's not in the backpack, and it's not yet full.  There's plenty of space below, and on top.  I obviously need more, not fewer! 

[jgould2]

Thank you Jack.

JIM

[David H. Hartman]

This is so sad. Most here don't have enough to start the paring down process.

Dave Hartman

Were I not so poor I'd raise the number from 44 to maybe 60. That would surely help?l

[Good News! The limit is raised to 55!]

[Matthew Currie]

This is so sad. Most here don't have enough to start the paring down process.

Dave Hartman

Were I not so poor I'd raise the number from 44 to maybe 60. That would surely help?

I'm glad you understand my problem.  It is, alas, one of the very few drawbacks of rural life.  That other thread on tilt and shift lenses has me practically crying in my beer.

[MILLIREHM]

impressive lists
Still dont feel a need for paring down :-)

[JKoerner007]

Collector GAS aside, for pure functionality IMO the adage, "Less is more," applies.

Even more succinctly: "A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with many watches is never sure."

[Frank Fremerey]

...to just 55 lenses which 55 lenses would you choose and why?

Dave Hartman

I know this is April 1 but this is a serious question!

By popular demand the limit has been raised to 55. Future improvements are planed.

For me currently the gripped D850 with the 1.8/85G or the gripped D500 with the 1.4/58G are all I need. This is how far equivalence can go. Only the D500 files are lighter. 75 Megabytes per click is a tad on the heavy side

[JKoerner007]

Only the D500 files are lighter. 75 Megabytes per click is a tad on the heavy side

Very true.

Even using the D810 can become a PITA, due to file size, whereas the D500 is a breeze to download and manage files.

A 2-week excursion with a lot of action, using a gripped D850, would be a nightmare to download and sift through the files IMO ...

There is something to be said for higher MP cameras being more suitable for more judicious shooting ...

[Frank Fremerey]

Very true.

Even using the D810 can become a PITA, due to file size, whereas the D500 is a breeze to download and manage files.

A 2-week excursion with a lot of action, using a gripped D850, would be a nightmare to download and sift through the files IMO ...

There is something to be said for higher MP cameras being more suitable for more judicious shooting ...

Yes

[F2F3F6]

Time goes by and cameras and lenses grow up...Three years ago they were 22 lenses for my Nikons.
(I also have 5 Hasselblad CF and F lenses, Leica M7 and some Leica-Canon and Voigt lenses...and a beautiful Ebony 45 S with 4 Nikon, a Fujinon-A and a Rodenstock LF lenses (nothing rare but good glass !)

Now 4 Nikon classic film-SLRs and two Nikon D-SLRs (the Z5/Z6 is also tempting); But 30+ Nikkor lenses from 3,5/16 Ai'd to 4/300 AFS (3 DX lenses 10,5; 10-24 and 17-55; FX: 20 Ai-Ais; 3 AFD and 6 AFS...)

Most of the lenses I bought recently are Nikon Gear's "gear talk" fault ! (last one's : 4/70-200 VRII AFS, a good allrounder ! 1,4/24 AFS and 1,4/58 AFS ("special rendering"). Thanks to all the "reviewers" !

To be continued...

[Airy]

47 F-mount lenses so far, of which 32 Nikkors. Most of them are MF and were bought 2nd hand. Oldest is a 20/3.5 UD (around 1968). Most recent the Tamron 45/1.8 or the 300/4 PF, not sure. Usage statistics are quite heterogenous.

[simsurace]

Wow, I wouldn't be able to exhaust 55 lenses.
With manual F lenses I focused on the ones that have strong character distinct from modern glass: 24/2, 28/2, 35/1.4, 50/1.2, 55/2.8, 105/2.5, 180/2.8, 75-150/3.5. I took over 10 years and a lot of patience (compared to the fast-paced world of digital technology) to find good deals on these pieces of glass. But I think I am settled now

[paul hofseth]

COLLECTOR is not a proper designation unless it is systematic.

In my case some exotic specimens have just accumulated since i do not bother to sell but give away or swap (apart from two Angenieux` and one Kinoptic sample at a recent leitz auction).

I do not regret parting with Nikon 21/4 modified for Leica IIIc use even though its sunstars were excellent, nor the 50/1,4 RF version. In exchange i get to use more interesting stuff.

At the moment I am enjoying comparative use of the S-type 35-70 and  the Angenieux, Leitz and Zeiss equivalents with the late autumn colours. The few non zoom Nikon alternatives remain stowed away, but no plans to get rid of them or to supplement the optical zoo.Except for additional (non electronic) adapters, sunshades and lids.

p.