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| My Nikkor / Nikon Lens Kit |
The lens collection you see here is the result of my efforts in examining how a focal length affects the result of a photograph. I started out buying lenses that were inexpensive and different. I went wide looking at the Nikkor 20mm f2.8 AIS and began by going downtown taking street photos. I bought a couple of inexpensive zooms and took photos from vantage points around the mountains of Phoenix. In my pursuit of a fisheye lens, I bought a Nikkor 15mm f3.5 AIS and discovered the term rectilinear and made my first great photograph that I framed. I also learned exactly what a fisheye lens was, the lens I thought was a fisheye wasn’t, it was fantastic but did not produce the desired effect.
Operating film cameras is expensive and I was already committed to old but beautifully built manual focus lenses. I decided to control some of the costs by introducing a DSLR into the mix. I decided on the D780 which is a lens junky’s dream as it is a great way to use all of my lenses. The Nikon F-mount system being forward and backward compatible. I began acquiring G (gelded) series lenses designed for modern pro grade digital cameras.
When I decided to re-start my photography, I initially wanted an F3 but the two needle display of the FE2 more closely matched the controls of my first camera, the Canon TX. I finally found an F3 and along the way I discovered the compact EM and FG. I use an FG as an everyday carry and through that discovered the most compact Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 AIS. I researched and discovered quite a bit about the Series E lenses and that marketing approach. I love the Series E 50 but it was so rough in comparison to Nikkor lenses. I found out about the quality Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AIS, the pancake version and back to another compact Series E, the 28mm f2.8 AIS which is often found on my everyday carry FG.
I started out as a teenager with a 50mm lens taking skateboarding photos of my friends, that’s probably why 50mm lenses are my favorite. I found out about the Nikkor NOCT with its outrageous cost and bought a Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS which is the poor man’s version but is a man poor when he buys a lot os lenses and this single one is $400? I guess poor is a relative term.
My favorite lenses are as follows but in no particular order. 50mm lengths, the 50mm f1.2, the 50mm f1.4 and the 50mm f1.8 followed by the 35mm f1.4. Although I love my wide angle 15mm f3.5, the blue blob lens is a hassle to carry and shoot yet on occasion produces exactly what I want to see in a photograph. My ED IF 300mm f4.5 AIS is a quality lens at a very reasonable price…
The elephant in the lens glass room is zoom vs. prime. In purchasing a DSLR for a lens junky such as myself, I didn’t want to have to buy a bunch of dedicated lenses for the AF (auto focus) perfection of that system. I found out about the absolute quiver killing ability of the AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR FX. Wow! Although far from my favorite lens, it’s the first and probably the only lens I would grab if the house is on fire. It is so good! It just does everything. It made me realize just how cool zoom lenses are. But a prime lens edges out a zoom as my favorite, really but not really. I continue to buy old zooms searching for that one that captures varying focal lengths that I enjoy. The 80-200mm f4 is a great lens at an inexpensive price point and I just bought the 35-200 f3.5-4.5 which is the last lens that I have purchased at the time of this writing, 11/2/2025.
Because I am old, born in the early 60’s, I predate the internet. I’m a book guy. The Complete Nikon System by Peter Braczko is a book I use to study when researching a lens before I buy it. I also weigh heavily on Ken Rockwell’s reviews and the very well written MIR web site.
I have more than a couple of lenses that have created some iconic photographs by professional photographers. Lenses like the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI. Also, I’ll obtain a lens because a particular photographer hates a certain lens. My copy of the Nikon Series E 28mm f2.8 AIS and the Nikkor 35-70 f3.3-4.5 AIS are two examples of lenses that I use chose based on negative press. They both make great photos and you won’t have to look hard to find an inexpensive copy.
The collection here is mine and how it came to exist.
I recently bought a Nikon F6. It will mount every lens on this list. It is arguably the best all lens film camera along with the D780. Although the F6 and the D780 make sense to me, my other cameras are just as important. I strive to find a lens for each and keep a favorite lens mounted and ready to go. Although I have body caps for each camera, they seldom get used as my cameras are always loaded with film and a lens mounted, ready for use.
Manual Focus (highlighted lenses are no longer in my kit)
Zoom G
Prime AIS
Prime G
Zoom G
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I keep lenses mounted on each camera, and each loaded with a different film stock. I use a combination of Fuji, Kodak and Ilford film. I love Fuji Velvia 50 and 100, Kodak E-100 is becoming my favorite. I also use Ilford HP-5+ black & white for that game along with Kodak Portra 800 for night and low light conditions.
For my camera set ups, starting on the back left is my favorite, the F3 with an MD-4 motor drive, the lens is my favorite too, the Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AI-S and on the lens is the HR-2 rubber folding lens hood.
To the right of that on the center back row is the Nikon FE2 with the MD-12 motor drive, the lens is the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI-S which is an absolute favorite as well, it has the HR-4 rubber folding lens hood. This lens does everything that the above 50mm f1.2 does, just one f-stop difference. I’m looking for a good zoom lens for this camera and currently a 35-200mm lens is on it.
The camera on the back right row is my black Nikon FG with the MD-14 motor drive. The lens is a Japanese pancake version of the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 with the HR-4 rubber folding lens hood. This is my every day camera.
Front row on the left, this FG is no longer in my kit. I gave it to my son and his wife. I will update the picture soon to exclude this one and include the F6.
And last but not least is the Nikon D780. This is the camera that makes it happen, perfectly, now and saves me a lot of money with film and developing cost. Mounted on it is a versatile AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 G ED VR FX. Needless to say this lens nearly does it all however I neglected to mount the AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR FX lens which is an absolute quiver killing lens that I use for nearly everything everywhere.
Not pictured are my flash guns, filters, my bags, there is so much to my kit. In my blog there is plenty to discover about the things I use.
Other Parts of My Kit
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