Bob G wrote:
I'm switching to Nikon and I would like you to list the three Nikon
lenses (current or not, but AF only) you think are the best in image
quality.
http://www.naturfotograf.com/bestof.html
eliminating the ancient ones from his list:
* Wide-angle lenses
o 35 mm f/1.4 Nikkor
o 28 mm f/2 Nikkor
* Normal lenses
o 50 mm f/1.8 Nikkor
o 50 mm f/1.4 Nikkor (latest versions, including AF D)
* Medium short ("portrait") lenses
o AF 85 mm f/1.4 Nikkor
o AF 105 mm f/2 DC Nikkor
* Short telephoto lenses
o AFS 200 mm f/2 ED IF VR G
o AF 180 mm f/2.8 ED-IF Nikkor
* Long telephoto lenses
o AFS 300 mm f/2.8 ED-IF Nikkor (Mk. I only)
o AFS 400 mm f/2.8 ED-IF G VR Nikkor
o AFS 500 mm f/4 ED-IF Nikkor
* Lenses for close-up photography
o AFS 60 mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor ED G N (well, sometimes
"newer" is in fact better!)
o AF 200 mm f/4 ED-IF Micro-Nikkor
o 85 mm f/2.8 PC-Micro-Nikkor
* Zoom lenses
o AFS 14-24 mm f/2.8 ED G N Nikkor
o AFS 200-400 mm f/4 ED-IF VR G Nikkor
o AFS 24-70 mm f/2.8 ED G FX Nikkor (the old king 28-70/2.8
has been overthrown by a new, state-of-the-art optic)
o AFS 70-200 mm f/2.8 G VR ED-IF Nikkor (a long march but
leading to revolution)
o AFS 17-35 mm f/2.8 ED-IF Nikkor
* Late-breaking entries, too good not to be mentioned here
o 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E ED N Nikkor (wide-angle tilt and shift)
And
http://www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html#super
16mm f3.5 5
18mm f3.5 4.5
20mm f2.8 4.3-4.7
24mm f2.8 AI 4.2-4.7
28mm f3.5 AI 4.8
28mm f2.8 AIS 4.8
28mm f2 4-4.6
35mm f2.8 PC AI - latest 4.8
35mm f2 3.5-4.8
50mm f1.8 larger metal-barrel 4.8
50mm f1.2 5 at 4 to 15 feet or so, otherwise 3.6-4
55mm f3.5 Micro 4.8 close, 3.8-4.5 near infinity
55mm f2.8 Micro 5 at infinity, 4 close
60mm f2.8 Micro AF 3.5 at infinity, 5.2 close
85mm f2 4.8
85mm f1.8 non-AI 4.8
85mm f1.8 AF 4.9-5.2
85mm f1.4 4.8
100mm f2.8 E 4.8
105mm f2.8 Micro 5 at infinity, 4.4 close
105mm f2.8 AF Micro 4-4.5 at infinity, 4.8 close
105mm f2.5 later 4.8
135mm f2.8 compact 4.8
135mm f2 4.9 beyond about 10', 3 at minimum focus
180mm f2.8 EDIF AF 5.2
300mm f4.5 ED non-IF 4.8
300mm f4 EDIF AF 4.8
300mm f2.8 EDIF 5
400mm f5.6 EDIF 4.8
400mm f3.5 EDIF 5
17-35mm f2.8 EDIF AFS 4.8