Df - must have lenses?

[RobOK]

Of course a very wide open topic, just to generate some casual conversation!

What lenses really shine in the normal to short tele range? Most of my lenses are AF-S but starting to pick up interest in more classic lenses.

Thanks!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

There is *one* lens that I consider must have for any committed Df owner: the 105 mm f/2.5 Nikkor. We can discuss which version (I prefer the early Ai, other opt for the AIS or even a pre-AI Sonnar type) or if you need more than one (Sonnar vs Gauss designs), but that is moot. Just get one of them and learn its virtues.

The 105 simply is synergetic with the Df and I firmly believe it was designed in a time warp so as to fit the then unknown future Df to perfection.

Apart from the 105/2.5, the options diverge according to your shooting requirements. A wide lens such as 20 mm f/2.8 or f/3.5, 24 or 28 mm f/2 or f/2.8, 35 mm f/1.4, various 50 mm models, 85 mm f/1.4, f/1.8 or in a pinch, even the f/2; plus of course an 135, 180, or 200 if you lust for a long lens in addition to the shorter ones. For longer lenses, 200-400 f/4 ED, 400 mm f/3.5 ED-IF or anything else that takes your fancy and suits your wallet.

Insider's tip is looking for the 80/2.8 or 200/3.5 ED-IF AF made for the F3AF back in the early '80s. As these lenses are incompatible with the modern cameras due to a different signal pin-out, they often sell for pretty low prices. You definitively need to disable their CPU or better, replace it with a compatible one (then losing the AF which won't work anyway). Their manual focusing is not very precise due to excessive play, but the focusing collars are generously wide and one soon learn how to handle the pair in the field with a Df. Image quality is great and in particular the 80 must be one of the better Nikkors of all times. It has a very nice bokeh as well.

[Airy]

I agree with Björn about the 105/2.5.

Others ? well, the 50/1.2 maybe (slight preference for the AI version, because of lesser vignetting - the AIS "cuts corners"). The kit 50/1.8G for sure.

I definitely like the 28/2 on Df, especially for B&W works.

Nikkors aside, the Voigtländer 40/2 and 58/1.4 are a delight to use, the 40/2 probably being the most convincing one. It is very good on 16MP, with perfect size and ergonomics. It competes with the Zeiss 35/2, which is the better lens, with better contrast, sharpness and king of against-the-light shots (very good at night too). But the small size and weight of the Voigtländer, and its assorted close-up lens, are particularly enjoyable.

But on the Zeiss side, the 50/2 macro is my most used 50mm lens on Df, and made the trip to Iceland with the 105/2.4 (and the 24/3.5 PC-E). Glaciers, waterfalls, geysirs, everything.

My daughter is also eyeing on the Df, and would select the 40/2 and 105/2.5. It is also my current walkaround combo. If limited to one lens, then the Zeiss 50/2 would be the choice.

[Airy]

Here is one of my favourite pics with the 28/2 on Df. Vienna by night, January 2015

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Let's not forget the 16 Fishes (f/2.8 and f/3.5), and the nice superwide 15 mm f/3.5.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

And to repeat: the 105/2.5 (or in fact, any of the 105 Nikkors).

[bendle]

Marvellous photos, i have just purchased a nikon 105mm ais f2.5 and i'm looking forward to using.

[nikuy]

I too agree with Bjorn the 105 f2.5 a MUST HAVE

its small and look nicely on DF,look for serial # 1043xxx and up with SIC coating,reasonable price to own,a true classic.

Lloyd

[Roland Vink]

Don't forget the series-E 75-150/3.5 - a very good and versatile lens.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Some of my 105/2.5 Nikkors. My usual candidate, the 105/2.5 AI, had taken absence without leave at the day of shooting.




I have kept one pre-AI lens unmodified to learn how practical this set-up is on the Df. This lens is also pretty beaten up, but still functions well.

[RobOK]

Great posts all, thanks!  I recently picked up a 105/2.5 AIS, so I will start putting it through its paces!  I have long had a 105 VR macro, but it's never been my favorite.

The Voigtländer 40/2 sounds interesting, i like the idea of being between 35 and 50!  Thanks Airy!

[chris dees]

A few years ago I sold my complete set of MF-lenses (about 25, except the 16/2.8 AI-S), I couldn't get sharp images with the D800E.
Now that I got myself a nice (panda) Df (Jakov spoilt me with trying out his) I want to get some MF-lenses again.
I bought already a 20/3.5 AI, 28/3.5 AI and 55/3.5 AI micro (all pretty cheap) and I'm in the process of buying an 105/2.5 AI-S and 45/2.8P (Silver edition, nice as lens cap). That will do for a while.

[Jim Covello]

I don't have a Df, but love the Voigtlander 40/2 on my D800. I really like the focal length and it is small, easy to focus, and sharp.

[OCD]

Hi...I don't want to hijack a thread, but I was wondering if anyone had experience with these lenses (i.e. 20mm f/3.5; 50mm f/2; 105mm f/2.5) with the D750?  Is the 24mp sensor as nice for these lenses as the 16mp in the Df, or less forgiving?  Thanks!  (I currently use 1.8G primes on the D750 but would like to check out some of these MF Nikkors - this web site has a propensity to fire up the enthusiasm for the classics!)

[Bjørn Rørslett]

All three work well on my D600 so why not on the D750?