Manual focus lenses - wide is best

The more I review my gear, the more I realize that manual focus telephoto lenses, especially good quality fast aperture ones, are just a waste of time.  It's not due to the optical quality, its due to focusing.  Using something like an 85mm f1.4 or 135mm f2, it is very difficult to get the focus spot on, especially if the object is moving or relatively close.  If it is both, then forget even trying.  If it is difficult to get an in focus shot, no matter how good the optics are, its very difficult to justify owning.

So, just recently I sold my Nikon 85mm f1.4 Ai-S and Nikon 105mm f1.8 Ai-S, and will sell the Nikon 135mm f2 Ai-S shortly.  I've already purchased the Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM recently to add to the Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-S I already own.  Both these lenses have fast AF, and the chances of missing a shot are much, much lower.  My hit rate (ie perfect focus) is now about 70%, as opposed to 5-10%.

Wide angle lenses are a different kettle of fish.  Even with a fast lens, like the Nikon 24mm f2 Ai-s, it is much harder to miss a shot as the depth of field is much greater. The Nikon 35mm f1.4 Ai-S though, is trickier, and so I have just replaced this the new Sigma 35mm f1.4.

Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM, Nikon D600

Nikkor 135mm f2 Ai-S

One  major difference between this lens and the Nikon 105mm f1.8 Ai-S I also have, is sharpness at max aperture.  Wide open the the 135mm remains very sharp, while contrast and edge performance drops off on the 105mm at f1.8.

Even on the D600, this lens can still out-resolve the sensor at f2, which is a pretty amazing feat.

My copy is perfect optically, but cosmetically its quite rough, with engravings, missing hood and lots of wear. 

The pick of the Nikon Manual Focus lenses

As mentioned in recent posts, the great thing about the Nikon D200, D300 and D7000 is that they meter with all Nikon mount Ai and Ai-S manual focus lenses.  The D700 also meters, and these lenses are just superb on full frame.

Here’s my pick of the must have Manual Focus lenses:

1.       Nikkor 20mm f4 –Classic tiny wide angle with great performance (about $250)

2.       Nikkor 24mm f2 – Until recently Nikon’s fastest ever 24mm (about $350)

3.       Nikkor 50mm f1.2 – Ultra wide aperture standard lens with super thin depth of field (about $450)

4.       Nikkor 55mm f2.8 Macro – Unbelievably sharp Macro lens.  Does 1:1 with an adapter (about $200)

5.       Nikkor 85mm f2 – Fabulous telephoto portrait lens – small, sharp, excellent (about $230)

6.       Nikon 100mm f2.8 Series E – Extremely compact and sharp tele lens and a bargain (about ($100)

7.       Nikkor 105mm f2.5 – Another great classic portrait lens ($160-$230)

8.       Nikkor 135mm f2 – Fast, sharp and reasonably priced (about $300)


9.       Tamron 90mm f2.5 Adaptall Macro – Lovely, sharp Macro. Does 1:1 with an adapter (about $170)

Nikon D2X with Nikon 135mm f2 Ai-S lens, shot at f2.8

There's some lenses not on this list that many will say are worthy, but in tomorrow's post you'll see why they have been left off....