5 comments about NIKON FM10 35mm Camera Kit.

1. I needed a manual camera for my photography class.So I read other people's reviews and purchased this camera;it has been wonder-full. It is very good for a beginner like me to use and I have taken some great photos with it. I am enjoying it very much. One thing I was unclear on was that it had a "camera case" I thought that meant a bag that I could put other stuff besides my camera in; the case it comes in justs covers the camera. I just think it was a little unclear to an amature, but it has not been a problem. Thanks for the great camera I will come to this store for any other needs I have!



2. I really like this camera. The instruction manual is very informative and helped me to figure out how to use the camera to take very nice photos, and they only got better when i started taking a course and using the camera.



3. This is a great manual film camera for someone who wants to start in photography. I love this camera and would recommend to anyone. Very tough camera



4. This is the same basic 35mm camera students have been starting with (and often using forever) for ages. It works great. Everything is manual, but it does have a light meter. It uses readily available Nikon lenses. There really is nothing negative you can say about this. I started using the Pentax version of this in teh 70's and the only difference was that this Nikon replaces some of the metal parts with plastic, but I haven't noticed any difference.
   
   We have been using this for about six years now and are very happy with it. The only problem is finding places that will develop film.



5. Great camera for college photography class. Can be expanded for other uses after taking your class. Just remember it's old school.

5 comments about Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens.

1. I didn't want to wait and now I wish I had. I am using this lens with my D90 to take nature photos. I like to photograph birds and dragonflies and wanted to get this lens for the extra reach it would have over my 75 - 300mm lens. Like other reviewers have commented, it is noisy and slow compared to my other lens. I'm just an amateur and so I depend on the autofocus. It is hard to get this lens to focus on a flying bird and it goes out of focus faster than it goes into focus. It doesn't do well with low contrast and small subjects. It seems to hesitate between shots of a moving object. It does get closer, but I haven't gotten a shot yet that I would say made this lens worth the money I spent in buying it. At times it doesn't communicate with the camera and I have to take the lens off, rotate a ring and then replace the lens. I might have to do this twice before it works because it gives 2 different error messages that require me to rotate the ring in the opposite direction. It is a lot heavier than my 75 - 300mm lens. Because the extension is made of metal, it seems to retain the cold from inside, so that when I go outside, the lens fogs worse than my other lens. If you're impatient like me, then you will probably go ahead and buy this model since there is no telling when the newer model will be produced. If you aren't taking action photos or of small objects, then you might really like this lens.



2. Very good lens if you take the time to learn how to use it correctly. Ignore reviews of people having delivery problems, which is the reason this lens only has 4 stars so far.



3. This lens has excellent sharpness and fine color/contrast handling. It will a perfect every day lens.



4. I wanted a lens over 200mm for my arsenal and unfortunately, if you stick with the Nikon brand, there aren't too many options. I chose the 80-400, but I have to say that it's the one Nikon lens purchase I've had the most trouble getting excited over. Not that it isn't a great product - it is - it's just that it seemed like a step back in time since this lens hasn't kept up with the features of Nikon's phenomenally good pro lenses throughout the rest of the product line. In the end, I felt like the choice was to "settle" for this product, or spend several times more money on (say) the excellent 200-400 zoom instead. Or, I suppose you could wait for the next upgrade, but I've already been waiting a few years with no result.
   
   The lens itself is large and heavy, somewhat "thicker" than say, a 70-200 2.8 - but not by a huge amount. It feels balanced on any of Nikon's larger cameras, but it is quite a handful. Unlike some, I find the tripod collar adequate, although I understand many recommend the Kirk collar as an important upgrade. Honestly, I tend to hand-hold the lens more often than not, so I usually have the tripod collar removed altogether. I find it's large enough to get in the way of where I'd naturally want to put my hands. The other comment on construction quality is that it really looks like a "legacy" product. Not being an AFS focusing system, it sports that old "M/A" focus control, and it also still has a manual aperture selector. Which isn't to say that it's not a high quality lens - it is, it's just showing its age. Otherwise, the controls operate smoothly and it does feel to be built to last.
   
   From an optical point of view, I found the lens to perform better than I expected. At both extremes (80 and 400), I notice photos are a little soft in the corners with the lens wide open, but if you use f/8 or smaller, results are uniformly sharp corner to corner (this is only really noticeable on an FX sensor...DX cameras are very good even wide open). Contrast and color are also good, and images generally have that "pop" you get from any top quality lens. I have the latest 70-200 2.8 lens, and at 200mm, I'd say that images from the 80-400 are nearly - but not quite - as good overall. The 80-400 is slightly less contrasty, making some shots appear a little "flat", and the 80-400 also seems slightly more prone to flare when pointed in the direction of a bright light source.
   
   I find the VR system works well, and with the lens zoomed out to 400mm, I can usually get sharp results with shutter speeds in the vicinity of 1/100 second, maybe a little less.
   
   As everyone else points out, the autofocus system is somewhat slow and noisy if you're used to AFS lenses. At longer focal lengths in darker spots, it also tends to hunt. I've learned to simply switch off the autofocus and use the manual controls in these situations.
   
   Overall, I guess I'm happy with this lens, but this is one of those lenses that I'll be looking to upgrade as soon as Nikon comes out with an AFS version that's hopefully about a stop faster and not triple the price.



5. I tried this lens out for a few weeks. I was shooting it on a Nikon D300. I found the autofocus was too slow for my liking. The image quality was decent, but fairly soft wide open. The zoom on this thing is great, but the zoom is worthless if you can't get the autofocus to track fast enough for moving objects.
   
   Anyway, if you're looking for a lens with good zoom capabilities and will be photographing mostly still objects, than this lens is great. If you plan to shoot sports with fast action, you will probably be disappointed.

5 comments about Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. This lens is a necessity when shooting with the Letus Extreme or Redrock 35mm adaptor!



2. I have a slightly older version of this lens (pre D), but the important point I want to make is the same: This is a great prime lens for events and general shooting on a cropped DSLR. On a D70 (what I have) it acts like a 36mm with the crop factor. It is wide enough to take shots of groups but not so wide that you can't get a nice portrait.
   
   But, this is for people like me who prefer prime lenses, most people will be much happier with a zoom, like the 18-55mm VR. The prime lens lets more light in so you can shoot without a flash more often. But, if you are going to shoot with a good flash like the SB-600, you will be better off with the flexibility of a zoom.
   
   These AF lenses will not auto focus on a D40 or D60. They will auto focus on the D50, D70, D80, as well as the higher end pro models.



3. When used on a Nikon D300 that applies a 1.5 multiplying factor to the length (this 24mm acts like a 36mm on a DX sensor), this lens is clear, collects lights well, and is extremely sharp. This is a great walk-around lens for scenery, touring, quick crowd shots, and snapshots. With this lens, if you can get the shot quickly and in focus, you will have something that can be easily edited (expecially cropped) in a photo-editing program. Highly recommended as a basic "on the camera all the time" lens.
   
   Updated December 2009. Now used on a Nikon D700 full frame (FX) camera for a year. In this case the lens is a true 24mm unlike on the Nikon D300. Scenery is exquisite, and the lens is incredibly useful for pictures of large groups of people like some recent holiday shots of about 25 people working on cooking on a kitchen center island, or two-dozen kids sitting at a table while the candles get blown out. On an FX camera the lens is sharp, collects light well, is virtually always in focus as you would expect from a 24mm. You can get all the action in the picture without being too far away and if you get too much in, it is simple to crop the pictures. In addition to scenery outside, this lens is awesome for large groups of people where you either want to get many in the picture or you have to be up close because it is a party or historical site or museum. Why haul a 14-24mm zoom when this lightweight but solid lens has 90% of the functionality.
   
   Updated February 2010. I do not use this lens on a daily basis. In fact I do not even use it every week. But, in spite of this, it is a lens I would never want to part with (I am pruning some of my current lenses to make room for a new purchase) even if it is not the lens used daily. When you want to take "place" pictures and get the big picture, this is the one that will get the shot and is light enough so that you still enjoy the location without backache. Landscape shots with it from Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks capture the "hugeness" you feel in those places with clarity, color trueness, and lack of distortion. And the lens fits in the pocket of pants (without too much of a bulge). Carry this little gem and get the big picture. Works great for cityscapes too.



4. I was quite surprised of the close focusing capability of the lens on my Fuji S3 Pro, as well as the relative lack of distortion. The product was delivered on time at a good price.



5. I use it only for a month now, but it feels great, looks great, but more importantly delivers nice pics. I use it on a D90, mainly for family shots and on excursions. Rarely replaced by other lenses. Only if its important to have tack sharp portraits. Than I change for my 50mm AF-S. All in all I like it a lot.

5 comments about Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.4 has been hailed as legendary lens for Nikon DSLR or film camera. I think it is because of its unique characteristic but also its age. This lens has been around for thirteen years.
   
   Image Quality and characteristic
   Mounted in Nikon full frame camera D700, the lens is sharp at maximum aperture of f/1.4D, which is excellent. Stopped down to f/2.8, the lens become very sharp. But extreme sharpness is not what this lens is made for. It is primarily made for its ability in low light condition, and its ability to create a beautiful out of focus effect in background or foreground.
   
   Because of those characteristic and its fixed focal length, this lens is ideal for portrait. It is also good for candid portraiture such as in wedding. For Nikon pro wedding shooters, this lens is one of must have lens.
   
   Unfortunately, this lens suffers a bit from purple fringing in high contrast area (see sample pic below), it is also susceptible to flare, but not as bad as other lenses.
   
   Auto Focus operation
   Because Nikon 85mm f/1.4D does not have built-in motor focus like modern lenses (AF-S) lens, it relies on camera body to focus. It speed will also depend on the camera body. The more higher-end model such as Nikon D700, D3 or D3X will focus faster than the entry-level camera.
   
   When mounted in Nikon D700, the lens focus very fast. Unfortunately entry level user such as Nikon D40, D40X and D60 only can use manual focus because the camera body doesn't have the capability to focus AF lenses. This lens also create some noise when focusing because lack of Silent Wave Motor.
   
   In sport games such as basketball, the lens has difficulty in continuous tracking. It fails to lock on the object properly resulting in many blur image. I don't recommend it for sports.
   
   Build Quality
   Built quality of this lens is awesome, it is average in size and weight and very nice to handle. The focus ring is smooth. Closest focusing is 85cm, make it not very ideal for macro / close-up photography.
   
   It will come with "metal" lens hood. Unfortunately the lens hood it screw in type and you can't reverse it for more compact storage. In spite of that, the lens hood is fully metal, so it is better than regular plastic type and a lot more durable.
   
   Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D vso 85mm f/1.8D
   Compare to f/1.8D version, This lens is 2.5 times more expensive, the cheaper lens is not as sharp as f/1.4D in its maximum aperture of f/1.8. At f/2.8, the sharpness is almost equal. The build quality is also a lot worse than the f/1.4D. But the 85mm f/1.8 is more compact and portable.
   
   In Conclusion
   You might want to get this lens because of several reasons:
   
   * You frequently shoot at extremely low light condition which f/1.4D is often needed
   * You are concern about artistic, especially smooth background blur.
   * You are looking for the sharpest lens from edge to edge of the image. (The lens is designed to be sharp in the center "focus" and soft in the corner).
   
   Don't buy this lens for indoor sports, it is better to get either f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens or lighting equipment.
   
   check out www.radiantlite.com for other reviews



2. I've had my eye on this lens for some time, but was very hesitant to spend the money on it. I bought it a couple of months ago and have used it almost exclusively on my D90 since then. This is a great lens, and I know it was the right lens for me to add to my photo gear right now.
   
   I agree with previous reviewers, there are 2 main reasons to buy this lens. First, if you shoot in low light conditions this lens performs incredibly well. The other day I was at my kids' school taking some musical photos for the yearbook. The auditorium manager was out for the day, so we couldn't turn on the stage lights. We only used the house lights and a very small amount of background stage lights, so it was very dark and I wasn't feeling optimistic about getting some decent shots. But wide open, the lens was capable of producing sharp, clear, decently exposed images.
   
   The other main reason to buy this lens is the bokeh, of course. It is very smooth and beautiful. However, this lens does take some practice and skill when shooting wide open. It is a very sharp lens even at 1.4, but there is no room for error with focus since the depth of field is so narrow.
   
   One other thing that I really like about this lens is it's size and weight. It's hefty and well-built, but isn't too heavy or cumbersome on my D90. I feel perfectly comfortable walking around with this lens. Sometimes people suggest getting a 70-200mm before or instead of the 85mm, but for me this lens is a much better fit and more versatile. Yes, the 70-200mm also has great bokeh, has a more versatile range, and can be better for indoor sports. But it's size and weight are a major negative me. I wouldn't use a 70-200mm for casual portraits, or as a walk around lens, or everyday casual shots. In my opinion, the 85mm is great in all of those situations.
   
   There are some negatives to this lens - it is a little too long on a DX body at times and there are some chromatic aberration and flare issues when shooting wide open.
   
   If you are thinking about getting this lens, do your homework and figure out of this is a right fit for you. For me, it is a very versatile lens and a great performer and I am completely satisfied with it.



3. I have been shooting with this lens for 5 months now and find this is my new favorite lens to shoot with. The 85mm is a little bit too long for me at one point or another when trying to frame my kid in tight area. I have been doing a lot of foot works since I got this lens. Just be prepare to do some exercises when you decided to purchase one if not shooting in a portrait studio.
   
   One small detail that I had noticed though is that the len is "Made In Japan" but the lens' cap is "Made In Thailand." Could this be right? Nikon uses lens' cap from Thailand instead of manufacturing their own in order to save money?



4. I didn't expect this lens to be so astonishingly good.
   
   I've read all the reviews and all the tests, and I've used my share of older Nikon AF and AF-D lenses, and I expected a performance from this lens along the lines of what I'd experienced with other, similar lenses - just with the addition of the legendary bokeh that everybody seems to buy it for and the giant fast aperture.
   
   Instead what I got is a lens that exceeds its spec sheet, exceeds the performance implied by every formal test I've ever seen of it, and exceeds nearly every expectation I had for it.
   
   Here's why:
   
   Any lens will tend to lose acuity as larger apertures are used. This is due to spherical aberration and occurs to very different degrees in different lenses, but occurs to some degree in every lens. Tests of this lens show this loss of acuity to a similar degree to that which occurs in its smaller f/1.8 sibling, which I found to be mediocre wide open, and to most of Nikon's older AF and AF-D primes, the performance capabilities of which I'm also familiar with and not always particularly impressed by.
   
   Yet while those other lenses are indeed diminished in terms of image quality as their wide-open aperture is approached, the 85/1.4 doesn't seem to lose a thing in terms of the visual impact of its images no matter how wide it's opened up. Even wide-full-open at f/1.4, this lens gives stunning images with excellent sharpness, excellent contrast, and beautiful colors that leap right out of the image in full three-dimensional glory.
   
   The reason, I suspect, has to do with the fact that the perception of sharpness in an image is not at all the same thing as pure optical acuity. Acuity is the element effectively measured by performance tests, which look at the loss of contrast on a tiny scale barely resolvable by a digital sensor. Quite different is what our eyes perceive when we look at an image. The "snap" we find striking when looking at a stunning photo has to do with color and contrast on a somewhat larger scale, and also with other factors in the image as a whole, such as the contrast between in-focus and out-of-focus parts of the image. Under close inspection at full magnification, it is clear that this lens, like any other, loses acuity at very large apertures. The overall color and contrast, though, the snap and pop that makes images look vibrant, alive and three-dimensional, does not diminish. That is extraordinary in an f/1.4 lens. It means that I can take a photograph of a colorful, detailed subject with this lens at f/1.4, and with another excellent lens at f/5.6, and the image made by this lens will have at least as much of those qualities, even viewed with moderate magnification, as the f/5.6 image will have. That is the reason this lens deserves its legendary reputation.
   
   Of course, that f/1.4 image will also have the beautiful bokeh that this lens is famous for, and it will have a degree of de-focus (not the same as bokeh, which is the QUALITY of the de-focus) that can make the background meld into a soft blur of color mere inches from the plane of perfect focus. That of course is also what this lens is legendary for. Many lenses can create de-focus, though: wider, slower lenses can do it close-up, and longer, slower lenses can do it at similar distances - and some, to my eyes at least, have bokeh that is just as nice as the 85/1.4. What makes this lens remarkable is the combination of those qualities: excellent quality of bokeh, degree of blur controllable all the way to extreme at f/1.4, and a rendering of the in-focus part of the image that is just superb, and that loses not one whit of perceived quality even at wide-open aperture. That is a combination that will let you make magic.
   
   It is not perfect. This lens' biggest optical flaw is something that is most commonly called purple fringing. This is a chromatic aberration that occurs in out-of-focus contrast transitions and can also, I believe, be called longitudinal chromatic aberration. It occurs because different wavelengths of light are focused slightly differently as they pass through the various lens elements, and it is very noticeable in certain types of images if you look closely. The lens is also susceptible to flare, so it's important to take care to shade the front element, if possible, when shooting into backlit scenes. These qualities do affect the usability of the lens to a degree, but this lens is a rather specialized tool, and knowing when to use it, and how to use it properly, should be considered a reasonable requirement for anybody who wishes to benefit from its extraordinary capabilities.
   
   Perfection is one way to greatness, and there are lenses out there that come close to perfection without being extraordinary in any particular way. Some of those lenses are deserving of five-star ratings. This lens does the exact opposite, being extraordinary despite significant imperfections, and I give it five stars as well. It is utterly unmatched, probably by a wide margin, and probably at any price, at doing what it does well. Regardless of its relatively minor imperfections it is, with a capital "G," one of the Great Nikon lenses.
   
   Notes:
   
   - This lens has a near complete lack of any of the latest Nikon buzzword tech: there are no ED elements and no aspherical elements, it does not have Nikon's close-ratio correction (CRC) floating-element design, and of course it does not have AF-S focusing. It could probably benefit from all of those things, the first two of which would no doubt help with its issues with chromatic aberration. It does, however, have Nikon's excellent "SIC" lens coating, which I suspect is responsible, along with a good overall optical design, for its excellent performance in terms of contrast and color rendition, especially wide-open. Having fewer elements than the complex zooms no doubt helps as well, as each air/glass and glass/glass interface causes some attenuation in lens performance. The complex zooms with multiple ED and aspheric elements seem to need those tricks, while this lens gets by without them.
   
   - Compared to the 85mm f/1.8D: In my humble opinion, there is no comparison. This lens suffers from none of the 1.8 lens' relative lack of contrast in comparison to Nikon's newer lenses: in fact just the opposite - it seems, if it's possible, even contrastier and more vibrant in its rendition of colors than even the best of them. That alone gives its images a subtle, but noticeable, bump in quality compared to the f/1.8. This lens' wide-aperture shots don't lose the punch that the 1.8D's do. And while I didn't personally find the 1.8D's bokeh to be particularly nice, this 1.4D does certainly live up to its reputation in that area, being equal to the very best. Even if you never shot this lens wider than f/1.8 it would be twice the lens the 85/1.8 is. These differences are modest but not small, and they show up in every image. The difference between greatness and competence is often subtle. Here, to my eyes, it is nevertheless very clear.
   
   - This lens uses 77mm filters, which is very handy for most Nikon users as that has been the standard pro filter size for twenty years or so now. To get the most out of this lens you will really need to invest in at least one high-quality neutral density filter of 2-3 stops. This will allow you to shoot the lens in brighter conditions and still benefit from its control over depth of field. I have two 2-stop ND filters and sometimes use both of them together, which the lens handles well, although focusing can become difficult. Another good investment might be a very high-grade, multi-coated protective filter, which can be helpful in diminishing the flare that this lens can suffer from. I recommend Hoya's excellent "HD" filters, the best I've used at helping to control flare.
   
   - Focus is very accurate on my sample. That is a very important consideration for a lens with such a narrow wide-open depth of field, and I've had more than one fast lens whose wide open performance was effectively ruined by inconsistent focus. While this is not an AF-S lens and consequently lacks the subtle, incremental ability to track motion that AF-S lenses tend to have, it is extremely good for still shots even at f/1.4.



5. If you are looking at this lens, you will probably already know what it is. Within the limitations of it's design, it is perfect and a real classic.
   
   Having said that, it is what it is. Obviously it is a Prime Lens, not a zoom, so you have to want that. And also clearly it is an old design - no AF-S, no VR. But, you already knew that didn't you?
   
   Bokeh, especially wide open, is wonderful... This is the reason people buy this lens.
   
   Build quality could not be better. All metal construction. You could use it to hammer nails if the need arose. It also feels great in the hand (I have it mounted on a D700 with battery grip).
   
   Only slight irritation (not worth deducting a star for) is the lens hood. It is a screw in design, not a quick bayonnet mount and can not be reversed for storage. When mounted it is slighly tricky to get the lens cap securely on (I had it falling off a few times). However, it is a good, solid metal hood so will also give some physical protection.

5 comments about Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I spent 30 years as a pro shooter, using Nikons. Since I retired, I only use my cameras to photograph my child. My F3s and fast AI lenses are stored away, and I now use a D70s and a new D300. I found the zooms a bit soft, bought a 60mm D lens, loved it, and got the 35 f2D. Very sharp, fast enough (my AI was a 1.4 but that was a working lens, this one is for fun) for my current needs, good color, good edges, seems to do the job for a reasonable amount of money.



2. This lens has been around for a long time, and mine has superb optics. Unfortunately, I can't recommend it because mine eventually succumbed to the well-documented oily-aperture-blades problem (google it), causing all my pictures taken with it to be grossly over- or underexposed.
   
   I sent it to Nikon for repair and they quoted me a repair charge of more than one hundred dollars, even though the lens is defectively designed judging from the number of similar complaints about it online. As I understand it, these problems have been worked out in later versions of the lens, but there is no way to tell if you are getting a lens from before or after the fix.
   
   So, the lens gets 5 stars for image quality, but for faulty design and for Nikon's refusal to admit they made some mistakes and to fix my lens free of charge, they get 1 star. Because this thing is pricey enough already and one would hope that it would be more durable than a couple years of mild use, that averages to 1 star in my assessment.
   
   I love Nikon stuff, and sadly will probably keep using their stuff despite the way they've treated me. But they really messed up here in their commitment to their customers.



3. This is a great lens if you need the speed. However, up until around f/4 it is soft, meaning it is not as sharp as other lenses. At f/2 it is very noticeable. I actually didn't notice this at first. It was only until I started using other lenses consistently, that when I finally went back to the 35mm f/2, I noticed how soft it was. For this reason, I choose not to use it over other lenses, but if I need a dedicated 35mm, this is the one I go with.
   
   At f/8 it's particularly sharp. I uploaded a shot of some daises here on Amazon (which you can see by clicking on "Customer Images"). The crispness is spot on.
   
   So keep that in mind. I have not used the 35mm f/1.8 so I can't give an equal comparison. Regardless, if you are shooting with a cropped sensor, I would recommend that for the speed and only this lens for full frame (if you needed a dedicated 35mm prime).



4. Really enjoying this lens on my D80. As other reviews have pointed out, very short minimum focusing distance (~10 inches), solid (plastic) build, sharp at f/2 and even sharper beyond, and pretty decent bokeh. "Normal" (~50mm equivalent) on a DX body, and as a bonus, FX-compatible (full-frame) for the future...
   
   Pretty much the same size lens as the 50mm/1.8.



5. If you use an FX camera -- I have a Nikon D700 -- this is one of the two "everyday walk around" lenses you want to keep on your camera if you see something and want to grab an immediate shot. The picture quality is excellent, it is a lightweight and small lens (bulges in a pocket but fits), rugged enough but not a tank, can hang off your neck with the camera most of the day without creating backache, and will hold almost all of its value in the auction market if you do not like it after an extended test. I titled the review "Two of Two" because most would say that the Nikon 50mm 1.4g (which I also own) would be One among the two choices as a walk around lens that stays on the camera much of the time. I might say that a lot of days also but my opinion does flip-flop on this. Since variety is a great thing, I might also say to leave this 35mm on a full frame camera if you ask me other days. It depends on what type of image you might want to "grab." If you are in dimly lit places, the 50mm f1.4g has a distinct advantage and is also great for isolating subjects and creating very good bokeh. If you have a little more light, the 35mm f2.0 has an advantage inside if you are photographing groups (you can get a half dozen or more folks in the picture without stepping back or doing the cliche everybody push together shots or you can get the whole table of folks in at a restaurant table without bumping into the table behind you). Outside during the day, it is a minor artistic choice because the pictures are not that different. The 35mm is the more "conservative" or safe choice because you can always crop away stuff at the edges with the number of megapixels in current cameras with the 35mm rather than missing or clipping them with a 50mm. If I am in a city or other place taking grab shots, I would tend toward the 35mm; if I want to do grab shots and portraits at places, I would tend toward the 50mm. One of Two or Two of Two -- it is an artistic choice among two very high quality tools (lenses).

5 comments about Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. This is by far my favorite lens. In several reviews you'll see that people have said it's great for portraiture. In my opinion, it's great for everything. Even though this is not a zooming lens, I find that I use it more than any other lens in my bag. It's that flexible. The bokeh that it renders is wonderful. However, the most important thing to me is how sharp this lens is. It is absolutely tack sharp. Many people have said that it is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon has ever made. You will not be disappointed. The one issue with this lens is that you need to get very close to your subject if you're doing 1:1 macro work. Like others here have noted, that makes it pretty difficult to use for insect photography. However, that is a known limitation of a lens with a focal length of 60mm... If you want to get away from your subject a bit, you might want to consider the 105mm Micro Nikkor (which I'm sure is just as sharp as this one). If you own the Nikon D40, D40x, or D60, you will have to manually focus with this lens. I have the D40, and that's no problem for me. You can buy the AF-S version of this lens, but it will cost you extra, and for someone like me, it's not worth it. The focusing ring is very nice with this lens. It's well weighted, and doesn't feel flimsy (Nikon put extra effort into this focusing ring, because this is a macro lens, and you need to manually focus when you're doing macro work).
   
   Overall: I HIGHLY recommend this lens to ANYONE with a Nikon camera. You will not be disappointed with its performance one bit, and the macro capability might open some new doors for your photography.
   
   By the way, at the time of my writing of this review, the current price for this lens is $549, sold by "Wall Street Photo" (a crummy 3rd part seller on amazon) - DON'T BUY IT AT THAT PRICE. I say this for 2 reasons:
   
   1.) You can buy the AF-S version of this lens for even less than that
   
   2.) You can buy this lens for about $399 from a reputable dealer like B&H Photo Video
   
   To me, the lens is actually worth $549 (in other words, it's priceless to me), but it's pointless spending that much when you don't have to.



2. I am a beginner to DSLR and wanted to play with macro photography, and am really pleased with the results of this lens--crisp, light-weight, economic, and reliable. I manual focus on such intricate shots as reflections on water drops and have never been disappointed with the results. I would recommend this lens for beginners or intermediate hobbyists.



3. In my bag of camera tricks, I have 3 prime lenses, and this lens is by far on my camera the most.
   I shoot with a Nikon D80, and this lens compliments my camera very well. The macro is amazing, and ultra sharp; but I also love what it can do for portraits. I recently did some family portraits with this lens, and they turned out beautifully!
   It might be pricey, but it is so worth it. I promise you wont be disappointed!



4. This lens is the BEST! I can get about 2 inches from my subject and still focus! the auto focus doesn't work with the Nikon D40 because it needs AF-S, but I am fine with using manual focus. Truly, I don't care about the inability to zoom. Overall a great lens.



5. I bought this lens about seven months ago and wanted to get some use out of it before I wrote my review. This has been a great lens for macro photography work that I do. I have not had any problems with it and the lens quality is very good.

5 comments about Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. Whenever I try or buy a lens, I perform a simple but fairly objective test on the lens: I photograph a bar code from a glass bottle on a tripod. Why a bar code from a glass bottle? Because the definition of the lines are very sharp.
   
   I photograph the bottle's bar code with the aperture wide open then stop down an f-stop at a time.
   
   With the 85mm 1.8 lens at f1.8 aperture, the contrast is poor and bar code is fuzzy. At around f5.6, the bar code is perfectly sharp and the contrast is excellent.
   
   I've also owned the 85mm 1.4 lens and it's perfectly sharp at 1.4 but it is nearly 3x the price and a lot heavier. All of my $1000+ Nikon lenses are astonishingly sharp wide-open. You do get what you pay for.
   
   I also own the Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens and it too is fuzzy and has poor contrast wide open. Only when the aperture is closed down several stops does one obtain very good sharpness and contrast.
   
   I wish reviewers wouldn't arbitrarily state that a lens is perfectly sharp wide-open without stating how they arrived at that conclusion.
   
   If I could, I'd post my results as proof but Amazon won't allow links and I can't include images.



2. i really struggled over whether or not to drop the extra $1000 and get the 85 1.4. i decided to save my money for now, and i must say i am really pleased with this lens. it's by far my favorite lens i own, and i have rarely taken it off my camera. the clarity is great, and the colors even seem more vibrant. beautiful DoF, sparkly bokeh, and sharp. a definite must-have for portraits!



3. This is a solid performer on any Nikon, although the old-school screw-drive AF system will render it less useful on less compatible models. The depth of field is so narrow at f/1.8, that users will have hard time nailing sharp focus on moving objects if they're limited to manual focus mode (as you would on a D60 or D5000 for instance).
   
   On my D90, this lens is awesome -- razor sharp with professional-looking bokeh. I never liked the built-in flash using my other lens (16-85mm Nikon), but I find that shots taken with my 85mm look totally different -- the bokeh is so rich that the harsh background shadows otherwise captured with lesser lenses just disappear in the blur.
   
   Even with functional AF on my D90, accurate focus tracking can be tricky on moving subjects. I suspect that if this lens was updated to AF-S, it might focus a tad quicker (and not drain my battery so fast). But overall, this is a great lens for the price. Flawless optical quality.



4. Great contrast, bokeh, and speed! Only wish you didn't have to be 3' from the subject. This lens is a keeper.



5. This is an excellent lens for portrait and low light photography. I used it to shoot a cheerleading group at a night stadium game - the portraits of the cheerleaders were sublime!!!
   
   While I am better using my F2.8 70-200mm lens for football action photos, this lens was perfect for closeups and group shots of the cheerleaders.
   
   I hope to use this lens for high school basketball. Can't wait.
   
   Very pleased!!!!

5 comments about Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Nikkor SLR Camera Lens.

1. This lens is described in the product description as an auto-focus that will work on digital SLR cameras. While the lens is technically an "auto-focus lens" it is misleading. If you have a digital SLR camera youR lens has a switch on the side that allows the camera to focus the lens when you press the photo button. This lens does not do that. On a digital SLR camera it is just a manual focus lens. I called the seller and they wanted to argue that the lens was auto-focus but did agree to allow me to return the lens. So while the lens was new and the size specified, my complaint is that the description misleads you into thinking that this is a fully autofocus lens compatible and fully functional on digital SLR cameras such as my Nikon D40 it is not.



2. I have a Nikon D90 kit with the 18-105 VR lens, and I wanted more telephoto reach for the kids' sports games etc. I found this 70-300 non-VR lens for one hundred twenty five dollars at Adorama dot com, shipping included, and received it two days later--wow. My impression is that it is definitely a budget lens but it does a pretty good job for the price. It appears to be well-constructed and it is fairly light weight as the overall construction is made of nicely molded composite-type plastic, so it is not flimsy. The lens comes with a hood and the telephoto adjustment action of the barrel is just as smooth as my kit lens. This lens does not have its own built-in autofocus motor, nor an aperature adjustment ring. However, the D90 does have its own AF motor, which handles the auto focus and aperature just fine, it is pretty fast and accurate. If your camera is the D5000/3000 or D40/60 which do not have an AF motor, I would recommend you avoid this lens unless you have a lot of time ad skill to manual focus your shots. The lens is definitely much softer than my kit VR lens, and definitely not tack-sharp, especially at 200 to 300 mm range, and it needs bright sunshine outside to operate well. It's really not an indoor-use lens unless you have a high ISO and some serious flash capability. Even though this lens lacks the vibration reduction (VR) feature, it is possible to hand-hold it and get some really good shots even at the far end of the range. However, a tripod or even a monopod provide much better stability for fast action shots. I also added a Tiffen 62mm polarizing filter on this lens and that seems to make the colors better but doesn't help the sharpness, so I would still recommend using a filter with this lens. Overall, I would say that this lens will scratch your itch if you just want really good far reach, but you're willing to sacrafice the extra tack-sharpness of the five hundred plus dollar VR Nikkor lens.



3. this lens is not VR, but for the price, the quality is awesome. I'm an ameture just getting started and this has really made a difference in my pictures.



4. This is the cheapest Nikkor zoom lens that will get you to 300mm, so is the build quality. The lens feel little cheaper next to my 18-105VR ED lens.
   I have shot the Moon with this lens. It came out good with all the fine details of the moon.
   But the lens is very slow to focus. I used this lens in an air show. It took lot of time to focus the fast moving jets.
   You would need a tripod if you are zooming all the way and the lighting is not enough. Even on cloudy day light, pictures came out blurry when completely zoomed in. I think this will be the issue with all zoom lens without VR.
   Auto Focusing is noisy but I can live that.
   But its definitely worth every single penny if you can't afford its expensive clone VR.
   You will not be disappointed. Picture quality is very good.
   By the way, I have Nikon D90. I don't have any issues using this lens.
   I'm completely satisfied with the lens despite some shortcomings.



5. This is a great lense- I really didn't know much about lenses when I purchased it but learned a few things just by playing with this one. If you are looking for a lense that zooms AND has a wide angle then you might want to keep looking. This has an AWESOME zoom but is not very widescreen (when I shoot objects, I have to stand really far back to capture it- not very suitable for standard shots- in the future, I will try to get an all in one lense- 18-300 would be great if they even make them!)

5 comments about Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. Got this lens a month or so ago, perhaps longer. Build is strong and the quality of the images are superb. Now I just wish I had a full frame camera to go with it!



2. I have always wanted to get the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens for my camera but normal for the Nikon DX cameras was the 35mm f/ 2.0 which I have. The 50mm is the equivalent of 75mm with the DX's smaller sensor. Now with the Nikon D700 The 50mm is back to producing a normal size image because the sensor in the camera is the same as 35mm film in size. So I got one.
   The lens is excellent. It allows shooting in available light and with this camera, at ISOs faster than otherwise possible. The lens is sharp as a tack and it allows for selective focus, producing a narrow depth of field at its maximum f stop. It is a breeze to operate. You have to remember to keep your focusing hand clear of the focusing ring as it spins in auto focus mode.
   This lens configuration is one of Nikons oldest and simplest and is one of the sharpest lenses they make. I would recommend this lens to anyone wanting a prime lens that is tack sharp and very fast.
   
   Mike



3. I am new to photography, after reading several review between Nikon 50mm f1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 , I decided to choose 50 mm f1.4
   with this one, even the one who have not known much about photography, like me, can make a good picture. this lense is good for portrait, or macro



4. Background you can skip
   I realize a lot has been written everywhere about this lens. Just look at KenRockwell or DPReview and the sheer detailed reviews from fellow photographers around the internet. One thing is special about photo-ists: they are hardly fan-boys: if something is a-miss with a product then that get splattered out in gory detail, often with photo evidence... Why am I saying this? Because I think you can therefore trust the overall rating of this lens on the web. This one is often referred to as the model 1902, as well, by the way.
   I wanted to add my 2 cents since I have bought several lenses in the last year that are all very similar. This review focuses on the 1.8 and 1.4 50mm lenses. The other 2 lenses are reviewed on their individual product pages. I thought some others might be trying to choose between these 2 lenses, but having a hard time determining the relatively steep price difference between the 1.4 and 1.8. I will not go into the technical differences between the 2 either as others that are more adept than me have done that and I am predominantly a person that focuses on the results and not the specs.
   
   The primes I own:
   85mm 1.8
   35mm 1.8
   50mm 1.8 ( http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265596625&sr=8-2 )
   50mm 1.4 (this one)
   
   About this lens
   I bought this lens especially for portraiture. I am a hobbyist but my camera is glued to me (a D90) and I tend to shoot lots of shots indoors, capturing casual moments of my kids, pets and so on. Probably very similar to any other proud dad and hubby.
   Initially I did not want to shell out for the 50mm 1.4 and decided to get the well respected 50mm 1.8. I loved the 1.8 from the start. It was great indoors and even at the 1.8 f-stop it was sharp (with the softness that one can expect). The color rendering is beautiful and I love what it does to skin tones combined with the softness wide open. Since the 1.8 became my most beloved portrait lens I decided that it would be worth looking at upgrading to the 1.4. So I took the leap.
   
   Of course the extra light is great but do the photos come out magically better? No, not for the pro-mateur like myself. The AF is a little faster it seems and perhaps, but I am not sure, the colors come out a little more vibrant. Softness wise at wide open I think they are equally soft but the 1.4 gets tack sharp at f2 whereas the 1.8 needs to get closer to f4. I happen to shoot mostly in the f2 to f4 range so this is acceptable for both.
   
   The bokeh (the out of focus texture of the background that can make the subject look like it was placed in front of a wonderful milky pastel) is impressive on both lenses. I cannot say that there is a visibly distinguishable edge for either.
   
   Ofcourse the depth of field with the 1.4 is more pronouced than with the 1.8 at wide open.
   
   My simple conclusion
   I am not trying to compare a 100 dollar lens to a 300 dollar lens because the 300 dollar one is the better lens when you read all the reviews and I *think* I agree. However, when you are looking for value for money, the 1.8 wins hands down. You get so close to the 1.4 results and if you're a photoholic amateur like myself you will be deliriously happy with the 1.8. Once you have exhausted its capabilities (which will take most of us 20 years of learning) or you become enamored with sports photography (or your kids play ice hockey and you do not want to flash) then the 1.4 becomes more realistic.
   I recommend that if you are on a budget then you start with the 1.8. Once you are ready to upgrade you simply sell it, you will always get 80% of value back if well treated, and substitute with the much more expensive 1.4.
   Al the serious pros would simply jump straight to the 1.4 but that is not the audience this review is meant for. Hope this helps.
   
   A humble non-technical amateur photographer



5. I had initially tried the 50mm f/1.8 version and hastily returned it due to its soft image characteristics at f/1.8. This lens on the other hand maintains great sharpness at f/1.8 trough f/16. While it is more expensive than the f/.1.8, it is worth the extra money if you are looking for a a lens that you can actually use at f/1.4. SWM focusing would have been nice, but the focusing on this lens is quiet and fast. I am very pleased with this gem's performance on my D300s.

5 comments about Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. bought this Lens for my Nikon D5000, I was afraid that it might not behave in accordance to the caliber of the D5000 body, but I was amazed to see the results. This is a nikkor lens manufactured especially for Nikon DSLR's, I own a 70-300 telephoto, 18-55 standard nikon lens and a fish eye and now this 50mm portrait lens, which completes the package. The lens does not comes with a motorized automatic focus and so is sensitive enough to through the picture of focus so mind that you ensure the frame is in focus. I would recommend using eye-piece over live view feature, it helps ensuring crisp picture...... long story short.... must buy lens, awesome for portrait photography. The depth of field could be controlled by setting the aperture, you will be amazed to see that the DoF changes dramatically just by setting aperture, so get the lens and start shooting, I have posted few customer provided images, so please chck them to see the fantabulous results...... enjoy clicking
   
   http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B00005LEN4/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all



2. I use this lens all the time, it rarely comes off. Very inexpensive but the picture quality and DOF are better then some more expensive lens. No zoom but it you just need to be ok with getting close to your subject. Worth every penny!!



3. I'm just a beginner and own a Nikon D60 with both the 18-55mm wide angle kit lens as well as a 50-200mm zoom lens. I added this lens for the fact that to me, it combines the benefits of both those lenses in one, at an excellent price point. I can take photos that have shallow depth of field and I can take them without having to use the zoom lens while not having to be 2568974 ft away from my subject. Granted this lens will not work in all scenarios, but for a situation where I'm in close proximity to my subject but am looking for that portrait effect, this is FABULOUS. I read that some people had trouble fitting this lens on their D60 but I've had absolutely no problems with it. The size is so compact (smaller than my 18-55mm kit lens for sure) that I'm pretty confident this is the lens I'll be keeping on my camera majority of the time from now on. Yes, it does not auto focus on the D60. But I like the creativity that's allowed with having to manually focus the image. All in all, I'm VERY happy with the lens. I recommend it hands down.



4. Its handy, light weight and a fast lense.. pixs at 1.8f is pretty good, but the sharpest ones could come out from 2.8f aperture. It is great lense if you photograph inside, with the little light you can get some great pictures.. AF is amazing, it is fast and sharp! I use it with D90 and by the time you half press the shutter bigno ! it focus!
   
   certainly not a pro-portrait lense, but this little boy can sure surprise you with the outcome.. If you have kids and would like to capture some happy moments while they play then you got to hook this lense to your cam, it captures fast and well exposed pictures inside with very little light... it def. worths that 120 buckss!
   
   Enjoy!



5. this is an excellent intermediate lens. it's fast, sharp and awesome. on my d200, its a 75mm equivalent on a 35mm sensor. this is the perfect length for head-and-shoulders portraits. i bought it on a whim at a local new brunswick nj camera shop, and haven't taken it off since.
   
   before this, i used a 1976 nikon 50mm f/2, produced at the height of the nikon vs. canon arms race. once i adjusted electronic aperture controls, it was smooth sailing.
   
   look no further than this lens for low light amateur photography.