Nikon AIS (or AI) prime set for shooting at f/2.8?

[Nick Junkersfeld]

Trying to decide which AIS or AI primes to consider for a set that can shoot a sharp and contrasty image at f/2.8. I'm taking cost into consideration and would like to assemble a 24(or28), 35, 50, 85mm set to start. It sounds like some of the fastest AI/AIS Nikons (like the 35mm f1.4) aren't necessarily the best performers, even stopped down. I'd be content at f/2.8 across a set if I was getting fairly consistent performance from all four.

Can anyone who has shot a lot of AI/AIS glass recommend ideal candidates at that f-stop?

 

[John Marchant]

I've tested a number and settled on the fastest Nikon AIS lenses - the 24 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.2, 85 f1.4, 105 f1.8

All of these are great at f2.8, if not as contrasty as more modern glass. Many of the criticisms of these lenses stem from coma which mostly shows up outside the image circle pertinent to RED cameras, and the expected veiling softness seen below f2 (which IMO has its place aesthetically if not technically). I would rate all of them as sufficiently sharp as to meet my expectations at f2.8, and great at f5.6. f2 is usually shootable, and below is use under caution.

The cheaper variants are mostly comparable or worse technically, but don't give you the option for grabbing an extra stop or so when it counts, or allow you to opt for the creamy dreamy softness and pretty bokeh that the f1.2 / 1.4 will bring.

 

[Alan Peterson]

I've cycled through owning a bunch of Nikkors before settling on my current set, so I'll share my thoughts:

The 35/1.4 is soft and has low contrast wide open (which can be nice if you want sort of a gauzy soft look). Contrast is better at f/2 and sharpness is superb from f/2.8 on down. The bokeh in this lens is great, and has a similar character to the 85/1.4. I had an older non-AI 35/2.0 before I traded up to the 35/1.4 AIS, and it was fairly sharp and contrasty wide open but didn't have as pleasing an overall character to it as the 1.4 IMO.

The 50/1.2 has good contrast wide open, but field/corner sharpness is noticeably off until around f/4 or so. A lot of people love the look of its bokeh, but I find it a little nervous-looking compared to the 50/1.4. IMO, the 50/1.4 gives you a lot more for your money. I hear very good things about the 50/1.8 as well, but haven't tried one out myself.

The 85/1.4 is a beautiful lens. Sharpness is surprisingly good wide open, and it will give you superb detail on every pixel of your Epic at f/2.8. Bokeh is phenomenal. I've never wanted to pick up another Nikon 85mm lens after using this one.

The 105/1.8 is a great lens, but only marginally better than the 105/2.5 in my opinion. The 2.5 performs decently wide open, has a very nice organic-looking bokeh and can be bought cheaply. The 1.8 is usually more than twice as expensive, but is slightly sharper and gives you that extra most-of-a-stop if you need it.

I have yet to find an AI/AIS Nikkor wider than 35mm that really performs on par with the ones I've described above - I've tried out a couple of 24/2.0's, a 28/2.0 and a 28/3.5 and was disappointed by the softness of these lenses (the 28/3.5 was the sharpest of the lot, but it has a pretty dull overall character to its look). I keep a 24/2.0 on the shelf in case I shoot a project with Nikkors and want a matching wide angle, but I usually just find myself going for my Red Pro Zoom if I know I'll want something wider than 35mm.

 

[Vance Colvig]

The 28mm f2.8 AIS is one of Nikon's best for sharpness, contrast and lack of distortion.

 

[Nick Junkersfeld]

Thanks for the insight gentlemen, and I hadn't paid much attention to the 28mm f2.8 Vance, sounds like a fantastic performer for such an affordable lens.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28f28ais.htm