What vintage lenses do you recommend for Df?

[cgpsmith]

The 15/3.5 Nikkor performs particularly well on the Df wide open in dimly-lit interiors at medium distances (five to fifteen meters).  I have not tried it with the Df under better lighting conditions or at longer distances.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The 15/3.5 is special in many regards. The lens is huge, beautifully built with an exquisite surface finish, and makes an imposing sight when attached even to the pro-calibre cameras. For not-so-close subjects the drawing geometry is nearly perfect and straight lines stay ruler straight. However, there are other aspects to consider. Up close, the CRC system generates a lot of barrel distortion. It flares easily and for many camera systems is almost impossible to focus with any kind of precision.

I have the earlier f/5.6 versions plus the f/3.5 and love them both.

Here is an example of the straight-line rendition (captured on a D800 though);

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Here another shot with 15/3.5 and this time the Df, to show how you can combine near and far within a deep depth of field (lens at f/22).

[Frank Fremerey]

All 1.8/85mm Nikkors, esp. the "D" and "G".

I guess I took 100.000 shots with these.

Although, sorry to intrude, I still prefer the D600 over the Df

[Frank Fremerey]

PS: I had the 2.5/105mm on the D70. WOW. What a lens.

I get the same feel today on the D600 with a 4/200mm Micro.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We must not forget the *long* lenses for a Df. One might have to search a little for some of them, but price tends to be quite acceptable as an added bonus.

Here is a 1200 mm f/11 Nikkor ED-IF. It belongs to an era in which tripod mounts were done properly.



Although optically much shorter than the 1200 Nikkor, this 800 mm f/8 Nikkor ED is physically much longer (reason: it is not a telephoto design).



Both deliver excellent image quality in combination with a Df.

[Akira]

Oh, Bjørn, you are extremist!!! 

Don't you own that Reflex 2000/11?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Only the 1000/11 Reflex-Nikkor but it deals well with a 2X TC.

[Akira]

Only the 1000/11 Reflex-Nikkor but it deals well with a 2X TC.

Good to know that.    Mounting the combo solidly on the tripod could be a bit tricky, though...

[Bjørn Rørslett]

No problem with the ENG-2 Sachtler range. I have shot up to 4000 mm focal length setup with them.

[Akira]

No problem with the ENG-2 Sachtler range. I have shot up to 4000 mm focal length setup with them.

Oh, I forgot that the 1000/11 had the built-in tripod colar.  It's 9:13 AM.  Time to sleep...

[Fons Baerken]

The 15/3.5 is special in many regards. The lens is huge, beautifully built with an exquisite surface finish, and makes an imposing sight when attached even to the pro-calibre cameras. For not-so-close subjects the drawing geometry is nearly perfect and straight lines stay ruler straight. However, there are other aspects to consider. Up close, the CRC system generates a lot of barrel distortion. It flares easily and for many camera systems is almost impossible to focus with any kind of precision.

I have the earlier f/5.6 versions plus the f/3.5 and love them both.

Here is an example of the straight-line rendition (captured on a D800 though);

i gave quite a number of examples of this combination in the lens thread http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,1061.0.html

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We are in the 'fortunate' situation of having a veritable information overload. No lack of interesting stuff being presented all the time on NG.

[PeterN]

The 15/3.5 photos are remarkable.

As I don't have a truck yet, the 800-1200mm lenses are too long for me. ;-)
But it looks impressive (the tripod even more so)

[Frank Fremerey]

It belongs to an era in which tripod mounts were done properly.

ROTFL