Nikon F-Mount Full Frame Lenses Worth the Money

[@OutsidetheShot]

These are affiliate links to my favorite Nikon F-mount lens. I get money if you make a purchase through them. Full disclosure is in the description. eBay: ebay.us/FHmTOp Amazon: amzn.to/3F0DORd KEH: shrsl.com/3t88x

[@kamilpotato3764]

Great video. Just one thing. Lens calibration process is a torture. Went through it with my Canon 6d and 85mm f1.8. Shortly afterwards, I moved to S5 II because I couldn't stand any more focusing problem with previous 6d setup. But I'm thinking about getting F100 or F80 for film photography, and this video is a godsend.

[@edc5338]

I stayed with the Nikon DSLRs and lenses. Great deals out there now. I just bought a mint DX 17-55 for $300. I have several vintage bodies too. Gret informational video.

[@OutsidetheShot]

The deals out there are ridiculous. We're reaching the point where everything in the past decade is sharp enough and good enough. For casual use, I love the battery life of flappy mirror cameras.

[@veronikagundersen9334]

I'm loving how cheap the F mount glass is getting... I'm now building a collection of all my dream F mount lenses that I could never afford before. And the D850 is getting cheap too, I'm looking at picking one of those up eventually.

[@mikafoxx2717]

​@@OutsidetheShot If you don't need the fastest autofocus ever for birds in flight, a DSLR from the last decade is absolutely amazing for the price and the sensors are almost no better today. I've even got a Canon 5D from 2005 and it's one of the first full frame cameras and it's still amazingly good looking. At 400 iso you still can't see grain at 100% without pulling shadows, and it's over 1/3 extra resolution over a 4k monitor. 300 bucks for a Nikon d610 or Canon 6D is amazing honestly. One has better dynamic range and the other a better lowlight performance and ergonomics. D800's are a steal for the quality as well. And d700 are great if you don't want to crop much and want the most accurate color reproduction Nikon has to offer.

[@thedarkslide]

Fantastic reference video for F mount. As someone who just got into the mount with a used D700, I was looking for just this type of video.

[@Pozi_Drive]

ken rockwell plus angry photographer do a lot of good work

[@markconkling4223]

Thanks. I am a nikon boy since 1971. This is great.

[@simonbroke-smith7783]

A great summary. I’ve used quite a few of these Nikon lenses since the 70s. One of my current lenses is the 70-200 f4 and I really appreciate that it is one of the most affordable Nikon lenses that use the AF Nikon teleconverters which are otherwise only useable on very expensive premium Nikon long telephoto lenses! This adds to the versatility to give really great long telephoto options. Pictures with this combo taken with my D850 offers loads of choices! Thank you. 🤘😁📷👍

[@thinkingape7655]

Solid list. The 80-200mm is worth a shout too. Also, the 1.4 big aperture glass focuses fantastic when adapted to mirrorless.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I love my 105mm f2.8G micro-Nikkor. I call it the GOAT :-) greatest of all time!!

[@Cotictimmy]

I've got D3S, D3X, & Z5 bodies. I'm buying lots of very cheap F Mount lenses currently (including 2 pre-Ai beauties with factory conversions.) My latest buy is the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 G ED VR (for £150 U.K. with warranty.) It's great at f5.6-8 and also works very well on my Z5 & FTZ adapter. I've got several AF-D lenses - one of the great aspects of using them on the FTZ converter is that you get a red square around your focus point which turns green when the target is in focus. One thing to be wary of is 'chipped' Ai/Ais lenses (ie. where a chip is retro-fitted to transmit Exif data) . I bought one of these (85mm f2 Ais) hoping it would give the green focus confirm square like AF-D lenses when converted - it did NOT. In addition, with the chipped Ais lens, the usual focus confirm dot on my DSLRs was inaccurate (which I'd never seen with any other manual Nikkor.) I returned that lens.

[@mistergiovanni7183]

Hello, first of all.congratulations and thank you very much for such a good summary about the "glorious" F mount. I loved that you recommended the regular lens, and Nikon has tons of very good ones, from the pancake version AI-S f1.8, the expensive and bright f1.2 the cheap and excellent 55 macro f2.8 and 3.5 in addition to macro can be used like any normal lens, all extraordinary edge-to-edge sharpness, contrast and virtually no distortion. Once you get used to that it is very difficult, at least for me, to tolerate the problems of many zooms. I had the 24-85 G ED VR and in the wide angle focal lengths from 24 to 35 the edges are not even soft, directly blurred, while in the center the sharpness is very good. Even closing the aperture to f8 there are still problems around the edges. Thinking it was a problem with my lens I was able to find this complaint from other users. If this lens is used in urban environments, it has the other big problem, which is distortion, a distortion that is not corrected with a click on the lens profile or the automatic correction in the editing program. Before selling it I bought the previous version the AF-D (28-85) and took test shots comparing them. Both tested in 28mm the edges in the AF-D version are sharper. And except for a lower contrast in the AF-D version, which may even be an advantage, and the lack of VR, the rest is the same performance but at least 5 times cheaper. For what the 24-85 is used for and cost, you can buy a normal lens, a 28 f2.8 AI and a 135 f3.5, all manual focus and you have infinitely more quality in three lenses. Sure, it doesn't have the practicality of a zoom but if you're doing photography that allows you some anticipation and time, there's nothing like fixed lenses. And not to mention another issue which is the 3D pop look that is generally achieved with fixed lenses, but there are some exceptions. Thank you so much.

[@regrr1774]

I got a second hand 70-200 2.8g vrII for around 770usd (equivalent) before stumbling on this video. Glad to know it was good value. I'm now looking for a good 24-70 or there abouts to pair it with and will be listening to your advice. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@borderlands6606]

I have various Nikon 50m 1.8 lenses, from pre-AI to screw motor AF variants, and they keep up very well with modern designs while retaining character > optical flaws that don't detract from the overall image. Looking at late model professional F lenses (2.8 zooms, etc), values are uncomfortably close to their mirrorless equivalents for an "orphaned" format.

[@66kandFrends]

Your honour, I would like to make the case for the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro on either a D700 or D600 for the perfect budget set up. If you are coming from crop sensor then it's very much got the same feel as the 35mm f/1.8 DX Nikon got us all hooked on primes with, it's got the right balance for the smaller full frame Nikons and with it being a macro it makes it the most versatile nifty fifty around.

[@mikehenthorn1778]

i love my G2 90-200 tamron lens. it works great at events like d day ohio with the doubler making it a 400mm.

[@ruff1draft]

The Tamron 35-150 F 2.8-F4 F Mount is on my shopping list. I want to buy it in both Nikon and Canon DSLR Mounts respectively

[@absurdfool]

very informative, thkU; just bought a 2nd d610, will go for a 28 f2.8 as a starter cheers

[@j_taylor]

That field of view can be fun. I love the little 24mm lens for street photography (on full frame). Enjoy!

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

I have 3 Tamron G2 zoom lenses, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 150-600. All very good. I also have gold ring G1 24-70/2.8 and it was great until it became incompatibable with FTZ on mirrorless. You are missing at least 105/1.4E, which is still great to use on FTZ where it performs even better than on F mount.

[@veronikagundersen9334]

A good summary. I agree the 200-500 is better for sports/wildlife, but there is a case where the 80-400 lens would perhaps be better than the 200-500: Landscapes. Something like a 16-35 and an 80-400 covers most all landscape shooting situations. 80mm on the wide end is much more useful for landscapes than 200.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Perhaps, though 400 is quite long for landscapes. I do use my 150-600 for landscape sometimes when I'm already out doing wildlife, but it's almost always near the wide end near 200mm. A 70-200 f4 would be better and lighter if you're hiking it around. Wildlife, you can't really go all that light.

[@OutsidetheShot]

That a great point. It's also almost 1kg lighter, which is huge for hiking.

[@dontipton4570]

70-200 f4 is a wonderful piece of glass. Light, sharp, great VR.

[@Farnhamification]

I love my d4 , 20mm 1.8g, 60mm macro 2.8 and tamron 150-600 g2, but there two things I’d want from my mirrorless systems - IBIS and exposure preview in the viewfinder. Maybe also focus peaking for manual focus shots.

[@KK-no7be]

Is your 60mm macro fx or dx? Cheers.

[@OutsidetheShot]

I'm assuming they are using the Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f2.8D, which is a full frame lens.

[@dontipton4570]

Eye/face detect is also very handy.

[@izziereal2010]

15:57 I bought the 50mm f1.8D for my son several years ago when I introduced him to photography and now I use it for my newly acquired Df and use it as a fully manual camera. I also have the 85mm f1.4D lens and it's absolutely beautiful performance using it. I chosed it over the 85 f1.4G for the aperture ring and smaller size (no autofocus motor). I have other DSLR cameras apart from the Df and it's still a joy to use.

[@OutsidetheShot]

Any camera or lens that was "once good" is still good. We're spoiled for choice.

[@hwallen9316]

I have a 50mm f1.4 AI-s type on my Df which I also use on a Nikon FM (film). I changed the focus screen on my Df to split prism to help with manual focus; makes it much easier for an older guy.

[@ruff1draft]

I have just bought the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 and Sigma 50-150mm 2.8 for my Nikon D5500 and Nikon D5600

[@MM.]

I was pleasantly surprised by the (newer) 35-135 AF, which I generally don't see on these lists and which goes for next to nothing. It performed quite well on my D810 when I had no ED glass for it and with a bit of sharpening in post, it does the 36MP sensor justice. I do have the slower non-D version, but it's not that big of a deal with the high torque motors in better bodies.

[@dontipton4570]

Have to agree on the tamron 70-200 2.8 G1. Have and use one. It is sharp and takes great pictures but the rubber on the zoom and focus rings has come loose and started to break down over time. I’m just a dad taking pictures of high school sports so it doesn’t get used everyday. Replaced with a Nikon 70-200 f4 which has been great!!

[@johnmccarthy12]

Great summary thanks

[@ruff1draft]

I use the Nikon D5500 and have recently purchased the Nikon D5600. I intend to use the Nikon F Mount lenses especially older ones for cinematography

[@OutsidetheShot]

Having a mechanical focus and aperture ring is helpful for cinematography. Depending on how old you go, the apertures are easy to "declick."

[@skk7abn39od]

Just got a used d850 in japan for 1k$, this video came up at the right time

[@OutsidetheShot]

Wow, that's a great price for a contender (and likely winner) of the GOAT DSLR.

[@orion2250]

A golden age I agree

[@PJ-om2wq]

As far as I know the only body that allows you to use the aperture ring on an AF-D lens is the Df.

[@andrewgwatking54]

I was surprised how good a 60 f2.8d micro nikkor was on a d700

[@OutsidetheShot]

Nikon has been making fantastic macro lenses for a long time.

[@j_taylor]

I use exactly this combination as my entry into macro photography. The price was right. I'm glad to hear the quality is too!

[@odysseusreturns9133]

I have several AFd lenses and use them on my crop sensor d7100. I prefer their quality feel as compared to later DX VR lenses which sometimes feel plasticky and cheap. They are also more rugged and more affordable on the second hand market. I have the 50mm f1.4, 24mm f1.8 105mm f2.8 Macro, and my favourite, the heavy but wonderful 80-200 f2.8 ED. All of these are full frame lenses. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@OutsidetheShot]

Yes, all full frame. The APS-C ones are DX. I have a video on all 27 of those lenses.

[@dontipton4570]

I shoot my kids sports for several years with a d7100 and 80-200 f2.8. Miss that combination!

[@lancelotvt]

I've owned and used a variety of the older AF series (screw drive) lenses, and it actually boils down to how the internals of the lens are geared. Nikon lost the race with Canon through the late 80's and into the early 90's because of slow autofocusing lenses. Most Nikon AF series lenses made after the mid 90's were geared to operated quicker and on many of the newer Nikon Digital camera bodies actually focus faster than their more modern AF-S counterparts. I will add, that I own both the AF (D) and the AF-S 50mm 1.8 lenses, and the AF-D on all my digital bodies focuses noticeably faster than the 50mm 1.8G lens, however in the normal use case for this type of lens the speed difference is meaningless.

[@OutsidetheShot]

To be fair, everyone got torched by the Canon EOS EF mount. It's such a large improvement over the FD mount.

[@j_taylor]

I love the AF-S focus motor, fast and accurate. Except now, my D700 drives any screw-drive lens fast as you can think, and my 17-35 AF-S lens has an nasty squeak, which seems like a common problem with Nikon's lens motors. This has given me greater appreciation for the AF-D lenses.

[@MrMartinsla]

What is going on with shipping on eBay. There are better options online. Used to buy solely on eBay but not anymore.

[@ralphberrett8485]

You left out AF-I lenses. AF-I - Auto Focus with an integrated focus motor. No longer used on modern lenses.

[@lancelotvt]

I own one of the very first AF-I lenses Nikon produced in the AF-I 300mm f/2.8 D IF-ED and it's a great lens provided you get one lightly used and in good working order. The focus motors were notorious for being slow focusing (compared to the Canon lenses of the time) and they were prone to failure under heavy use. My copy is very lightly used and in good working order. Additionally the autofocus speed on my more modern Digital cameras is every bit as fast (and in some cases faster) than the newer AF-S series lenses that replaced it.

[@skk7abn39od]

Is the 24-120 f4 sharp enough for a d850's 45mp sensor?

[@skk7abn39od]

Or maybe the 24-70 f2.8 would be more suited

[@OutsidetheShot]

I'd rather have a comparatively priced 24-70 because of the better build quality and handling. You can pair that with a 70-200, 85, 105mm f2 DC, or another telephoto. The reality is that it's hard to think of a bad Nikon lens.

[@36SUPERTONE]

​​@@OutsidetheShot 28mm f2.8 D is not good, not very sharp. I had 2 copies, same results. That's why is cheap and easy to find. Yes, some are not great

[@veronikagundersen9334]

I shot with a 24-120 on a D750, and the image quality was ok, but I think you might have some issues on a 45Mpix sensor. I also had some issues with chromatic aberration with the 24-120 that were kind of annoying and required a bit more fixing sometimes than just clicking a button in Lightroom. Though I did get some nice images from it, I sold mine for mostly the same reasons he describes in the video.. It's large, heavy, and it was just a bit unwieldy. If I was going to carry something heavy, I'd rather it be the 24-70 2.8. For a lighter lens though, I found the 24-85 much nicer to use in practice and also sharper than the 24-120.

[@skk7abn39od]

@@veronikagundersen9334 just tested both 24-70 options from sigma and tamron on my d850 today (both have OS) and I think I'm going to get the sigma used, it's very sharp and has minimal distortion at 24mm

[@SRC1711]

You missed the 300 f4 which I bought brand new!

[@thorsrensen3162]

I have the amazing Nikon 85 f1.4D with the thick and big front element for my D800E I like to impress my models with this big lens mounted.

[@OutsidetheShot]

They should be impressed, that's a great combo!

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

have the holy trinity as in the 2.8 of 14-24 ,24-70 and 700-200 it took years and cost a small fortune with some duds or bug filled but no need to buy another lens with those i have

[@j_taylor]

Those are gorgeous lenses when I borrowed them, but also heavy, and I find that people react to the front of the lens. So for candid street photography, I prefer a lens with, say, a 52mm front filter than a 77mm front.

[@stevenmccaughan2752]

The 50 F/2 you missed

[@OutsidetheShot]

That's a good one! That one will make it into a video on 35mm film SLR lenses.

[@user-JM1967]

DSLR forever!

[@Scooter_123_abc]

Note, the LARGEST F Number indicates the SMALLEST Aperture. Telling people to set the Aperture ring to the "Largest Aperture" is 100% WRONG and made you look Ignorant. BTW Mathematically the equation to determine the DIAMETER of the aperture is Focal Length/F number. This means that diameter of the Aperture for a 50mm set to f22 is equal to 50/22 or 2.2727mm or 0.089 inch. I will also note that the 50mm f2 Nikkor-HC is a much better lens than your cheap favorite, the 50mm f1.8.

[@6hr0n05]

I never understood why Nikon didn't give us a decent aspherical 50mm 1.4. All of Nikon 50mm are crap wide open, sigma and zeiss are way better. I also own the 135mm f2 dc which I payed 700 for it, I recently go myself the Zeiss Sonar 135mm f2 in new condition for 600, it destroys the 135mm f2 dc.

[@ralphberrett8485]

The 50mm is always the last lens I recomend.

[@IAmR1ch]

Well, I would disagree. Nikon has been headed down hill. They had problems with finances. They could not make their own sensors, Sony makes them. The no longer make their top tier cameras in Japan, and quality has gone down, every nikon DSLR starting from the D100 has gone back to the factory for major repairs, the oil on the sensor was terrible , you can read all the recalls and problems on the web.. You are correct though that prices of used have come down and now my old D810 is worth nothing. Thanks Nikon. I still have this camera and a few lenses but I have a Canon R5 and it is still better AF wise over the Z9 and the new Canons are even better. I think Nikon use is a good value when they cost next to nothing. And even the old Z9 is pretty inexpensive because of price reduction, so not building in Japan reduces prices. I will never go back though, but still use my D810 on occasion, but once you have a new mirrorless, they are so much better for everything (accept maybe landscape which uses none of the newest features or advancements) I could never go back to Nikon. Glad you like them but after owning both. I would recommend Canon, though they are not without their own set of issues (no 3rd party FF glass)

[@roybixby6135]

Pleasantly surprised to be able to use my 7.5mm fisheye again on the Z system. The FTZ adapter means the lens doesn't protrude into the mirrorbox anymore .. 🦘

[@OutsidetheShot]

That might be my favorite F-mount "compatibility" issue. At least focusing isn't an issue.

[@francisbombus3949]

#nikongang

[@DentonThaves]

What pisses me off it does not say DX or FX about the lens in the lens list that are for sale does that lens fit on a DX body of an FX body and they never mention the type of lens for what camera. Please stop scrolling it's very annoying it makes it hard for people to read about that particular lens I have a person with me looking at my desktop and asking me how in the hell can you read that talking about slot machines.

[@j_taylor]

I think that Nikon labels their DX lenses as "DX" but also, this list is just some ideas of what lenses to consider. You should look up the details of any lens before you buy it.

[@jde1780]

First failure: Using the word "Minty". One of the dumbest uses of the word. It actually sounds "stooopid" unintelligent when used to describe condition. Minty describes flavor. If you have to, then use Mint. Because I said so.