Best lens for Nikon DF
Apr 11, 2020 15:52:07 #
Okay folks be kind to me - Back story: fell in love with photography in the 70's but too poor to buy a Nikon- settled for Minolta SRT 201 with awesome 100mm straight 2.8 lens...this was all I used- for everything...for like 20 years..til juice from my baby's bottle destroyed it.. I grudgingly entered the digital world when my sweet husband bought me a surprise gift of a camera for Christmas that his friends said was the best..it was/is a Canon 40D...I bought a 60mm macro and put the canon on a tripod where it has lived for the last ten years or so serving the purpose of copy work of paintings etc...it works fine...but if my husband had asked me, I would have told him that I always wanted a Nikon...about the same time I discovered much to my surprise the joy of trying to make art pix with a cell phone camera...flash forward to December when B&H had a great deal on the DF.. I only bought the body, and have not yet used it...my question is- what Nikon lens should I buy to use with this camera that is similar to the 100mm Minolta lens on my 35..film camera...I shoot mostly outside in low light with no or little outside art source..lets pretend I don't have to worry a LOT about cost...thank you for your thoughts
Apr 11, 2020 15:54:21 #
The Df works with just about any Nikon F mount lens so just pick the lens you like. When I bought the Df I bought no lens. I use only the lenses I bought for my film cameras.
Apr 11, 2020 16:04:17 #
Are you looking for another 100mm ish macro lens? Or, another fast prime in the general 85 - 100mm range? Your EOS 40D and 60mm macro combo was in the same range, about 90mm full-frame field of view after the 40D crop factor. You might want to look at a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom, although this will be a larger and heavier option. You have plenty of f/1.4 to f/2 options between 85mm and 135mm for primes.
Take the various suggestions you'll receive and look at Ken Rockwell's reviews from this long list of Nikon and 3rd party F-mount lenses that will all work with your Df, they're arrange by focal length, just scroll down to find the lens you're looking for : https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm#af
Take the various suggestions you'll receive and look at Ken Rockwell's reviews from this long list of Nikon and 3rd party F-mount lenses that will all work with your Df, they're arrange by focal length, just scroll down to find the lens you're looking for : https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm#af
Apr 11, 2020 16:05:20 #
I have a DF - several lenses. The 24-120 F4 is quite useful. When I use the camera at night the 50 1.8 goes on most often. I have also been a Nikon user for a very long time and have a collection of AI and AIS lenses. Particularly good on the DF are the 55mm 1.2 the 135 2.8 and the 180 2.8. The last I use with available light to shoot an annual play. Results are equal to any of my more modern lenses, and AI /AIS can be had comparatively inexpensively. Have yet to find a Nikon lens that doesn't perform well on the DF.
Apr 11, 2020 16:07:05 #
To replicate the 100mm focal length of the 100mm on your old Minolta, I’d go with the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro-NIKKOR AF-D. The view you get with the DF is the same as a 90mm lens on a full frame camera., close to 100. Plus, it’s a macro lens.
Personally, I’d look at one of the 85mm 1.8 lenses, but I shoot more portraits.
I also have the 17-55 2.8 DX zoom.
It’s old, heavy and expensive but its the best built DX zoom lens Nikon made.
Edit: yes, I see my mistake.
Thinking D500 for some reason.
Still love the 85 option anyway.
Or a 105...that one is legendary.
Personally, I’d look at one of the 85mm 1.8 lenses, but I shoot more portraits.
I also have the 17-55 2.8 DX zoom.
It’s old, heavy and expensive but its the best built DX zoom lens Nikon made.
Edit: yes, I see my mistake.
Thinking D500 for some reason.
Still love the 85 option anyway.
Or a 105...that one is legendary.
Apr 11, 2020 16:10:09 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
To replicate the 100mm focal length of the 100mm on your old Minolta, I’d go with the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro-NIKKOR AF-D. The view you get with the DF is the same as a 90mm lens on a full frame camera., close to 100. Plus, it’s a macro lens.
Personally, I’d look at one of the 85mm 1.8 lenses, but I shoot more portraits.
I also have the 17-55 2.8 DX zoom.
It’s old, heavy and expensive but its the best built DX zoom lens Nikon made.
Personally, I’d look at one of the 85mm 1.8 lenses, but I shoot more portraits.
I also have the 17-55 2.8 DX zoom.
It’s old, heavy and expensive but its the best built DX zoom lens Nikon made.
The Df is a full frame sensor.
Apr 11, 2020 16:12:28 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The Df is a full frame sensor.
Right! Face-palm (later)
I had D 500 on the brain!
Thanks
Apr 11, 2020 16:28:40 #
Apr 11, 2020 16:33:49 #
artelizabeth wrote:
hmmm..what makes it legendary??:)
Back in the day the 105 2.5 was a very good & popular portrait lens. Another you might consider is the AF Micro Nikkor 105 2.8 D - technically obsolete but still excellent.
Apr 11, 2020 16:35:49 #
Apr 11, 2020 16:37:58 #
artelizabeth wrote:
Okay folks be kind to me - Back story: fell in lov... (show quote)
There is no “best” lens for a Df. One uses the lens most suited for the shooting situation—and there are many choices all workable with the Df.
I usually carry my Df with a 35mm 1.4; for street photography, and because the Df and that lens look so good together.
Apr 11, 2020 16:38:43 #
You should try a used Sigma macro 105mm f2.8, is really cheap, then after you will see if you need something else.
Apr 11, 2020 16:39:51 #
artelizabeth wrote:
Thank you!
Most welcome. I have a ridiculous collection of legacy Nikon lenses and quite a few current ones. If you have a question about a particular lens, feel free to PM - if I have it, will be pleased to share my results.
Apr 11, 2020 16:40:48 #
Apr 11, 2020 16:42:47 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.