Good morning all,
Not many FX threads so I thought I’d start one. I picked up a mint silver Df a couple of months ago; I always wanted one and sold my Fuji X100F for it. I’m using my 50 & 85mm G primes on it and have picked up a 24 & 50 af-D which I really like for their size and seem to have pretty good IQ, at least to my eyes.
I haven’t used primes much, especially the vintage glass and I’m curious to learn which older (or newer) lens I should keep an eye out for.
Archie
For modern lenses, I've found the AF 35mm f/2D to be a great match for the Df. It's small, light, and just seems a great fit for the camera to me. I've become a lot more partial to the 35mm focal length. Of course I love my 35mm f/1.4 AI-s also, but it's a heavy lens and is not particularly great wide open. The focus is also pretty unforgiving, and even though the Df seems a bit better than a lot of DSLRs(and AF SLRs) for manual focus it's still not great. For that reason my 35mm f/1.4 spends a lot more time sitting on an F2 than on the Df.
I love the rendering that a lot of early pre-AI lenses give, and of course the Df frees you to use them. Two particular favorites are the 5.8cm f/1.4(watch out-this one is pricey!) with its "swirly" bokeh and the chrome nose 105mm f/2.5. The latter seems to be a lens that almost everyone who bought an F or a Nikkormat bought back in the day and really kind of is a signature lens of the brand, so I'd suggest getting one. The chrome nose/fluted focus ring version has a different optical formula than later AI versions(some black nose/diamond pattern ring non-AI and early AI lenses have the same formula as the chrome nose but I don't remember how to tell them apart) that I prefer the OOF rendering of. A lot of these had factory AI conversions(not hack job file conversions) so are extra easy to use on any higher end DSLR.
I really like the little 20mm f/4 with a 52mm filter. Optically it's not the best, but I like the size and also that it uses the same filter as most other manual focus Nikon glass. It came in both non-AI and AI, and of course AI converted.
For a fun and inexpensive pancake lens, look for a 45mm f/2.8 GN. The early 2000s 45mm f/2.8 AI-P is actually very similar but a lot more expensive to get a little more contrast and better electronic SLR compatibility. It's also really stiff focusing. These are both Tessar type lenses, which have their own specific look and are soft in the corners wide open but clean up at f/8 or so.
Good afternoon Ben,
Coincidentally I’ve found a good Nikon 35mm f/2 D and it’s headed my way. I like this focal length too and I’m glad to hear that you recommend it.
I’m going to keep an eye out for the AI glass you’ve mentioned, especially the 45mm pancake. I didn’t realize Nikon made a pancake and I’m surprised they didn’t issue a new model in the F mount. The 20mm f/4 is intriguing; for the wide angle shooting I do, I don’t need a fast 20mm
Your reply is most helpful and I appreciate the details and your time to draft it.
Take care,
Archie
I am a big fan of Voigtländer lenses in f mount. They work great on Nikon DSLRs and also give you all the exif information.
They are as nice as the manual Nikon lenses, wonderful feel to them when focusing.
I got three versions of each focal length that I mainly shoot with, that being 28mm, 58mm and 105mm. That way I have a modern optic, an Ai-S and pre-ai versions. They all have their own special flavor and it’s fun to collect them all!
The 35D is a great lens. Use it on my D700. I’m looking at adding the Df.
Same here. Love the Voigtlander 40 f/2 SLIIS Ultron. If I want autofocus I like the AF-D lenses for the smaller size.
Hi,
I usually use the AF 28-105mm F3.5-4.5D when I am not shooting something where I'd want to use a specific prime lens. As far as favorite goes, I guess we can count it because I bought one new with the D1 when it came out - and I flat wore out the focal length encoder strip - and then bought a replacement. ;)
My prime lenses are a hodgepodge of Type A, Type K, AI, AIS, AF and AFD. Plus the one AFS ,50/1.8 that came with the Df.
Of all the primes, my most used and favorite is a Type A 85mm f1.8 which is perfect for race cars in the paddock,.car shows,.and antique farm equipment shows. Then a AIS 35mm f2 for shooting people at such events.
Stan
I am thinking of doing pretty much the exact same thing-- selling an X100T to buy a Df. I already have a 50mm f/1.8 D from another project which I can use to start out with, and I definitely want an 85mm. Probably the most sensible thing to do would be to go straight to the 85mm f/1.4 D, which everyone says is a standout lens. I plan to stick to D lenses for this project for the sake of the aperture rings.
Just a quick note on "D" lenses-
Don't overlook the pre-D AF lenses, which will always have aperture rings. I kind of like the early thin focus rings ones as on simple, small primes the focus ring does turn with AF and those make it easy to keep your hand away from the ring.
Many early AF lenses also kept the same optical formula when they were changed to D designs, although as time went on and old non-D lenses(like the 300mm f/4) lingered in the line-up into the late 90s/early 2000s a lot did get complete refreshes when they went to D. On your basics like the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.8, the only advantage I know of is quite literally the D encoding that some flashes can use.
Also, there are a handful of AF-S D lenses that give you sort of the best of both worlds if you want aperture rings. Most are higher end zooms-the 17-35 f/2.8, 28-70 f/2.8, 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S(there are about a million versions of the 80-200), and a few big super-teles are on the list. There's also the nice and nimble 300mm f/4D AF-S. Just be aware that the early AF-S motors weren't the most reliable and most will fail eventually. As far as I know Nikon can no longer fix them. If you see one that's advertised as squeaking/squealing buy it with the understanding that the motor is probably on its way out(although I've heard anecdotally that some squeal for years with no other apparent signs of failure, and I know my 300 f/4 has done it as long as I've owned it and it's still going strong). If the motor does fail, it's not the end of the world. You just have a manual focus lens.
I’ve read that these are excellent lenses and looking at their specs, I can see why they’d be great on the Df. My local camera shop lists them, but are back ordered. I would like to try one, but you don’t see many used ones. Thanks for your response.
Impressive gathering of glass. I like your trinity of focal lengths, you really have good coverage with them. Thanks for your reply.
This is good to hear, I’m hoping to have the 35D in a couple of weeks. I’ve always wanted a Df, but could never manage it until a few months ago. Since I got mine I’ve neglected my other bodies. It’s a lot of fun to shoot. Thanks for replying.
Thanks for sharing all this Stan, it’s most helpful to me. I’ve read your Df threads and replies from DPR and I know you’re fond of your Df. I’ll keep an eye out for the lenses you’ve mentioned.
I liked my X100F, but found I didn’t use it much. I do like the ability to change lenses and prefer FF. It is a beautiful camera, but I haven’t missed it as much as I thought I would. I’ve turned off the rear LCD and I enjoy shooting it this way. I do own the 50 & 85 G, but I have a couple D primes and I prefer them on my Df.
Thanks for this excellent information Ben. I will also look for the non-D lenses, I’ve heard that optically they are equivalent to the D’s. I am a zoom user and would like a smaller, more compact zoom lens. I tried my 24-120 f/4 on the Df and while it worked well, I want a physically smaller zoom lens. I’ll also give thought to the squeaky lens, I might be able to find a bargain. Archie
First time here! (I occasionally lurked at the old Dpreview but never felt inclined to create an account there, but this Df thread finally convinced me to hop in)
I've had my Df since November 2021 (a sudden deal at Fireside Camera in San Francisco through a Facebook search I did on a whim led to this camera) and have been using Nikon products since 2009 (D40, D5000, D3200, D700, and two different D600 bodies). Always had loved the manual focus stuff in the Nikkor lineup and liked the combo of retro design and lighter camera body weight with the Df.
Since getting the camera, I've brought it to a motorsports event (the Velocity Invitational in Laguna Seca), to three trips to other countries (Philippines, Mexico and Japan), to several concerts, and also just everywhere in regular usage in my daily life.
With all that background said:
Wide-angle: My 16mm f/2.8 AI fisheye is almost always in my bag, even if I only use it a few times a month (nothing else like it in my lineup!) I used the 35mm f/2 AI for a while, but recently got a decent deal on the 35mm f/2 AF-D which is great for close-up (non-macro) shots and is one of my favorite everyday lens choices of late. (The more compact body of the 35 AF-D is more appealing than the larger AF-S successors)
I did get an amazing deal a while ago for the 24mm f/2 AI-S, but it isn't a lens I gravitate to every day. I do own a 28mm f/3.5 AI I got on eBay for $18 years ago but haven't used it in ages.
Midrange: I have numerous 50mm-ish lenses for various needs: an AI-converted 1970 50mm f/1.4, an early Series E 50mm f/1.8, the AI version of the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5, and the two most recent: the 1987 era 50mm f/1.4 AF whose rendering (especially in people shots) has more character IMO than the 50mm f/1.4 AF-S I used to use on my D600, and now a 1976-era 55mm f/1.2 K (AI-converted) that I just got yesterday off eBay that has been quite fun to try out.
I like the concept of the Series E 50 in making the Df the lightest possible camera it can be, and it renders decently, but I do realize its bokeh doesn't grab me the way either 50mm f/1.4 or my recently acquired 55mm f/1.2 do.
The 50mm f/1.4 AF proved useful when I attended the Los Angeles showcase for kpop group Aespa last year, I basically turned on live view, lifted the camera over my head (and above other attendees' heads) and at f/5.6 was able to get decent pics of the group despite not being right up in front row.
One user on the Nikon Df User Group on Facebook really championed the 28-105mm AF-D zoom so I got a copy and I actually use it a lot for macro shots when at restaurants, since I like the working distance at 105mm better than at 55mm.
I also own a copy of an AI-converted 43-86mm zoom specifically because I want a lens that is very prone to flare, for unique effects and vibe. (And I like the mechanical quality of that lens way better than the Series E zooms I used to own)
Short/medium telephoto: I always have been partial to the 100/105mm and 135mm focal lengths more than 85, though at a camera store I did try out the 85mm f/1.4 AF-D briefly. I have an 85mm f/1.8G AF-S that is decent but I enjoy the rendering from my 105mm f/1.8 AI-S a bit more (and the latter's narrower barrel fits my camera bag much better). Recently got a surprisingly affordable copy of the 135mm f/2 DC and am still learning how to get consistent photos from it, its handling is nicer than the 135mm f/2 AI I used for years but I do have some issues with dialing in autofocus at distances beyond 20 feet.
I also enjoy the tiny 135mm f/3.5 AI as my go-to when I really want to pack light while still having that focal length handy. (Basically same aperture as the 75-150 Series E but lighter and much easier to use!)
Longer telephoto: I did use the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF at Laguna Seca in 2021, but recently bought the 70-300mm AF-P as its replacement to get VR (which does work really well) and to also have a more lightweight package with more reach for my next Laguna Seca visit.
There's a 24-85 that, IIRC, was sometimes sold kitted with the D600/610. I want to say it's f/3.5-4.5 but don't hold me to that. It's also VR.
I have one of these, and in fact it was one of the first FX VR lenses I bought when I bought my D800.
On the whole, I find its performance pretty similar to the 24-120mm f/4. You can pick out certain focal lengths/apertures where one beats the other by a hair but on the whole it's close. Of course it gives up nearly 40mm on the 24-120 and some speed at the long end. It's sort of a plasticy feeling lens, but that translates into a small and light lens.
I've kept mine and it's another favorite walk-around pairing with the Df for its size and weight.