Please explain Nikon jargon: I started with Canon years ago, so all I know is Canon names and jargon. But a friend wants a new lens for her nikon and I have no idea what the Nikon...

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

I started with Canon years ago, so all I know is Canon names and jargon. But a friend wants a new lens for her nikon and I have no idea what the Nikon version of an "L" lens is. Could one of you Nikon dudes please give me a quick schooling in Nikon Lenses. aka: whats the name of the kit types vs. the L types

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

A quick Google search seems to indicate that Nikon doesn't have a 'series' designation for their 'pro' level lenses
(Canon L equiv.) but that some of their pro lenses have a gold ring on them.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This is more detail than you need, but a good start - http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm . As mentioned by others, Nikon doesn't have an 'L' line. But, a lens with ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) and IF (Internal focusing) will be one of their top models.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Canon uses L type designation. Nikon's high end lenses are designated FX for full frame camera. A Nikon kit lens is a lens that comes with the camera body. You sometimes have the option to purchase a camera with or without a lens. A popular Nikon kit lens is the 18-55mm, APS-C. Called a DX lens.

Kuzano

rwilson1942 wrote:

A quick Google search seems to indicate that Nikon doesn't have a 'series' designation for their 'pro' level lenses
(Canon L equiv.) but that some of their pro lenses have a gold ring on them.

I think I have a link somewhere that shows you how to add the gold trim ring to your Nikon lenses. Then your Kit lenses can become professional level.

It's much less expensive that way!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Also look for lenses with nano coating and those that have the gold ring. If you go to Nikon.usa you can pull up all lenses with nano coating.

JPL

TommiRulz wrote:

I started with Canon years ago, so all I know is Canon names and jargon. But a friend wants a new lens for her nikon and I have no idea what the Nikon version of an "L" lens is. Could one of you Nikon dudes please give me a quick schooling in Nikon Lenses. aka: whats the name of the kit types vs. the L types

If the Nikon lens you are considering is priced similar to a Canon L lens with similar specs then it should be L class quality lens. But in general Nikon has kit lenses that in some cases are so and so. But the rest of their lens arsenal is generally good quality glass.

Another way to check on Nikon lenses is to google them or google f.x. Canon 24-70 L vs. Nikon etc. Then you will get lot of info about specific canon lenses vs similar Nikon lenses.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Thanks everybody - seems clear as mud... My friends husband gave her a D610, she was asking me what lens to buy for a good all around lens - I know Nikon makes a 18-200 but wasn't sure if that was a full frame lens or not.
So should she be looking at FX lenses?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

TommiRulz wrote:

Thanks everybody - seems clear as mud... My friends husband gave her a D610, she was asking me what lens to buy for a good all around lens - I know Nikon makes a 18-200 but wasn't sure if that was a full frame lens or not.
So should she be looking at FX lenses?

Although it does not fall into the "exotic" category of Nikon lenses, many of us on UHH who shoot both crop and full frame cameras speak highly of the 28-300mm lens as an all around lens. She could put it on her camera and never take it off. It will cover everything she'll need to cover except for wide angle. It is a full frame lens.

Rob Almeda Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

D610 is a full frame camera, so the lens to buy should be an FX lenses, not DX.

TommiRulz wrote:

Thanks everybody - seems clear as mud... My friends husband gave her a D610, she was asking me what lens to buy for a good all around lens - I know Nikon makes a 18-200 but wasn't sure if that was a full frame lens or not.
So should she be looking at FX lenses?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

TommiRulz wrote:

I started with Canon years ago, so all I know is Canon names and jargon. But a friend wants a new lens for her nikon and I have no idea what the Nikon version of an "L" lens is. Could one of you Nikon dudes please give me a quick schooling in Nikon Lenses. aka: whats the name of the kit types vs. the L types

Any lens with a gold ring - and most of the full frame F2.8 or faster lenses, along with the 500 F4, 600 F4 800 F5.6 and the 200-400 F4.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I might say, that if she's looking for one of the best Nikon lenses that can be used as an all-around lens, I'd have to suggest the 24-70mm f2.8. This would be a very good start if the 28-300mm is not something that she'd be interested in.

BebuLamar

TommiRulz wrote:

Thanks everybody - seems clear as mud... My friends husband gave her a D610, she was asking me what lens to buy for a good all around lens - I know Nikon makes a 18-200 but wasn't sure if that was a full frame lens or not.
So should she be looking at FX lenses?

18-200mm is a DX lens in any brand that I know.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Kuzano wrote:

I think I have a link somewhere that shows you how to add the gold trim ring to your Nikon lenses. Then your Kit lenses can become professional level.

It's much less expensive that way!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TommiRulz wrote:

I started with Canon years ago, so all I know is Canon names and jargon. But a friend wants a new lens for her nikon and I have no idea what the Nikon version of an "L" lens is. Could one of you Nikon dudes please give me a quick schooling in Nikon Lenses. aka: whats the name of the kit types vs. the L types

I'm amazed that someone at Nikon hasn't jumped on that. Everyone knows that a Canon L lens is their best. So what's the best from Nikon? Is it their most expensive lens? Who knows?