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 my kit. I decided on the D780 which is a lens junky’s dream as it is a great way to use all of the Nikkor 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.
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.
The crinkle paint finished lenses are probably my favorites. I started out with manual focus lenses and many of my photographs here have been made using them yet the percentage of my in-focus shots are higher with an AF lens. These crinkle finish lenses are exquisite, their construction is exemplary and the optics are simply amazing. Yes, this lens type bridges the gap for me, MF to AF and back again. It brings together the highest quality that Nikkor offers with their MF lens and the quality of the G or gelded series lenses in a single package. They do that. Metal construction, a beautiful hard but subtle black crinkle paint finish and the best of the Nikkor optics formula, I believe some of Nikon’s best. Mechanically driven focus, bomber construction with optics that are simply amazing.
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2026 Notes: Purchasing the F6 has really changed the way that I look at my kit and photography. My everyday carry of an FG has evaporated too. A SLR is invasive. Carrying one into the day to day immediately judges me. I don’t give a shit what people think of me but I do not want to make anyone uncomfortable or be that guy. So I bought a classic Nikon point and shoot, the L35 AF. It’s much less intrusive and pretty easy to take snaps. I pick and choose when I carry it. I still sometimes bring the F6 or the F3 with me to take pictures during the day and after work. I still get the film process and look.
Recently, I purchased the Nikon 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye-NIKKOR AF-D and a Nikon 300mm f4 ED AF. I also purchased a AF-S Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 G ED FX and the AF-S Nikkor 18-35 f3.5-4.5 G ED FX. Each one of these lenses are amazing! The fisheye is so much fun. I also bought the SB-800, an amazing Speedlight. My flash photography is getting a lot better. These lenses are useable on both the F6 and the D780, the SB-800 too. I really like this kit and that’s what I’m working to do, plug and play digital and film.
I really like the Nikon ~ Nikkor Crinkle Finish Lenses! The AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm f2.8 D and the AF Zoom Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 ED Dual Rings MK III are special. The 28-70mm is probably my favorite overall “one lens” even though owning just one lens is a crazy thought.
Anyway…
The AF-D lenses are built like tanks! That is what I’ve read and know is true. Back to the book, back to dreaming of what lens will help me get done what I want to do. I’m focusing on my F6/D780 kit of lenses and accessories that can be used for both. I’m drastically reducing the flubbed shots with auto focus lenses that I can still manual focus. Blown film is a waste of money. My accuracy is increasing and I still get the cool of old durable metal constructed gear. I’m not afraid of plastic marvels either, I have a few no less.
Right now I’m developing my adventures for petroglyph hunting in the Petrified Forest. I want to shoot both digital and film. I don’t want to change lenses in the field with my DSLR. So that camera will get an ultra ultra wide fisheye or zoom. The F6 will get a 300 or a fast 80-200 or something like that. I’m still hunting for good optics.
Both AF and MF…
Above is the AF, the manual focus direction is now the F3.
My current MF lenses are the Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS and the Nikkor 35-200 f3.5-4.5 AIS and the Nikon Series E 28mm f2.8 AIS. That’s it, I don’t shoot much MF 35mm all that much. The F6 put a damper on that but the F3 is there with a favorite 50mm and the SB-11 for that nostalgic feel.
That’s it, no mas.
I bought the Mamiya 645 1000s and I cleaned and replacing the light seals. I’m currently learning to meter light and create my shots on full manual mode.
I want a Hasselblad medium format camera.
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Manual Focus (inventory)
Prime AIS
Mirror
Zoom AIS
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Prime AF
Prime D
Zoom D
Zoom AF-S
Prime G
Zoom G
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Discontinued (highlighted lenses I have owned and used but are no longer in my inventory)Manual Focus
Prime AIS
Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AIS - Japanese Pancake Version
Series E
Mirror
Zoom AIS
Series E Zoom
Prime D
Zoom D
Prime G
Zoom G
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Other Parts of My Kit
* Highlighted Links are no longer in the inventory
Year 2025 Notes: 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…
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.
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 my favorite manual focus zoom for travel.
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.
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