Posts – Page 43 – Addicted2light

Review: Nikon 35mm f/1,4 N Non-Ai

Posted on 6 June 200923 August 2011 by Gianluca Bevacqua

No doubt one of the sharpest lenses I ever owned. Period.

Just a trace of softness / veiling haze at full aperture, than from f/2 to f/11 it really shines. From f/11 the diffraction start to wreck his performance.

nikon 35mm f/1,4

On infrared the only problem is to achieve correct focus at wide apertures, but if you use Live View or guess or stop down a bit you will regarded with a perfect rendition.

Full image:

100% crops:

In short a real Nikon legend. And did I mention that is 5 times cheaper than the Canon equivalent? (but keep in mind: the Canon is AF, and sharper at full aperture)

Rating: visible light & infrared

Review: Nikon 28mm f/3,5 Ai

Posted on 13 May 200923 August 2011 by Gianluca Bevacqua

Marvellous and dirty, dirty cheap (obviously used).

In visible light is an excellent performer, but it shines in infrared.

nikon 28mm f/3,5 ai

The images taken in IR with this lens are just superb, and literally “pops out” from the display.

In a single sentence: get it! (especially if you shot a lot in IR)

Rating: visible light & infrared

Review: Nikon 180mm f/2,8 AF D

Posted on 6 April 20095 May 2012 by Gianluca Bevacqua

Picture from Nikon.com

Once upon a time there were the prime lenses…

Everyone today has a 70-something zoom in this focal range. But if you have to carry around your neck all day a not-so-long lens like this, and you don’t care the shorter focal lenghts, this Nikkor will fit all of your needs.

In short, compared to the 80-200/2,8 or the 70/200 AF, it is smaller, lighter, a bit (or not so bit, depending of your zoom sample, and remember the sample variation is stronger in zooms) sharper and with a more pleasing bokeh.

Rating:

Review: Nikon 100mm f/2,8 Ai Series E

Posted on 22 March 20095 May 2012 by Gianluca Bevacqua

Better built than most of today pro lenses this little gem was one of the E Series glasses.

This series has been produced by Nikon in the ’70s to compete in the market with a bunch of low priced lenses (“E” stands for “Economical”).

Nevertheless a few of this glasses have become jewels. This 100 Ai is one of them.

It is as sharp, or often sharper, than the 70-180 Micro Nikkor, a great lens per se. But the Micro Nikkor costs 1200 USD or more, while the 100 Ai 100 USD in mint condition.

If you find one get it, except if you shoot portraits; in this case the 85/1,8 will better fit your needs because the largest maximum aperture.

Rating:

Review: Nikon 85mm f/1,8 AF

Posted on 15 February 200920 August 2011 by Gianluca Bevacqua

Picture from Nikon.com

Exept for the ugly plastic covered barrel you don’t have a reason to not buy this lens (unless you want its big brother 85/1,4 AF).

It is biting sharp, lightweight, small, fast and cheap.

One of the Nikon legends.

Rating: