Saturday, 20 September 2025

The Nikon System Now


Nikon Z7, Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI-S

So with my Sony stuff gone, there's a few gaps in my setup to fill, but I still do have a nice selection of glass available to me, especially reasonably compact primes.

So what's in the rotation?

Standard kit:
Zeiss Distagon 2,8/21 ZF - my standard wide-angle lens and an absolute gem.
Z Nikkor 40mm f2 SE - My AF fast/compact prime for walkaround. Rather good, decently small and fast enough
AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 VR G - Very solid and sharp general purpose zoom
Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 N-AF - My macro of choice even though it doesn't AF on the FTZ. 

M mount kit:
7Artisans 35mm f5.6 - Fixed aperture bodycap/small walkabout lens
Nikkor-S.C 5cm f1.4 LTM - Not only my cold dead hands lens, but a solid classic-rendering Sonnar type normal. Some issues with the M mount adapter mean I need to use a different adapter than I do for the other M lenses.
7Artisans 75mm f1.25 - Big, fast monster. Unique rendering and weak wide open, but lots of fun. 

F mount kit:

24mm f2.8 K - Classic Nikkor wide angle.
28mm f3.5 H - Classic low-contrast rendering, muted but beautiful colour, Kinda a PITA to focus due to low contrast, metal focus ring
28mm f3.5 AI - Classic and solid AI mild wide. Got it with the Z5ii in a 1 for 1 swap for my unloved 35/2 AI (a lens I've owned and not loved several times over the years, my least favourite Nikkor 35mm)
50mm f1.8D - Yeah, I have one, it's technically my partner's for her D50. Neither of us ever use it, but we won't sell it at this point
Micro-Nikkor 55mm f3.5 AI - Heirloom, came with my FE from my Aunt (who bought it new from the camera store I worked at as a teen). Will never sell this lens, and I love it, my 3rd one and I always get great results.
Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI-S - The legendary Afghan Girl lens. Had a few copies previously, sold most foolishly (and broke one). Will not sell this one. 
Nikkor 200/4 Ai - This one needs a teardown, aperture is sticky. Nice lens otherwise and compact.
Nikkor 300/4.5 K AI'd - This thing sucks. But it's also worthless. Won't use or sell.

M42 kit
Super-Takumar 35/3.5 - Longstanding favourite. Keeping
Super-Takumar 135/3.5 - Tiny and decent. Fun and keeping.

I intend to add to all 3 kits. I miss my old (and formerly very complete) M42 kit, there's a few gaps in the F mount kit and I'm really enjoying cheap M glass.

Current priorities are:

1. AF telezoom
2. fast M wides - 28 and faster 35 for sure, then a modern 50 and last a 90. 
3. More ZF/ZF.2 lenses, especially a 35, 50 and 85. I miss my old 85/1.4 ZF.2 in particular. 


More native Z glass and M42 stuff when I can find it for pricing in the budget. 


The goal here is to get to a practical hiking kit quickly (UWA + normal + telezoom, and I just need the telezoom added), then focus on 'fun' lenses including backfilling some old stuff I sold and regret, or always wanted. 
 

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