On 10 Aug 1998 03:09:54 GMT, purphrtvet@aol.com (PurpHrtVet) wrote:

>I have recently decided on the camera body I am purchasing within the next
>couple of weeks (F5) , and am getting dizzy in regards to all the lenses I will
>need. I shoot a pretty wide range of shots, with mostly landscapes, and some
>group shots, and some candid, and portrait shots. I am going to purchase it
>from B&H photo and would like some reccomendations for either fixed focal
>length or some moderate zooms. I want only the best and have around $5000.00 to
>spend total including for the body. Also is the Nikon filters really worth the
>cost as opposed to lets say Hoya..etc. I really am deadly serious about all
>this. I am flat tired of having to replace worn out cameras after every few
>years AKA Canons. I presently am selling my A2E after getting it out of the
>shop for the 4th time in 3yrs. and am using my old double stroke Leica
>M3...which I bought new from the Leica plant direct in 1955. Any input would be
>VERY much appreciated.

You may find my Nikkor evaluation list (on my web page, under
"I babble") useful... Tastes vary, but my choice of the best of the best (;-) for a variety of work includes the following Nikkors:
16mm *f3.5* *AI* ([used only] good wide-open to the corners and
good on the TC14A for a good "people" super-wide), 20mm *f2.8*
(one of the best wides around), 28mm *f4* PC ([used only] excellent
sharp wide coverage when stopped down) or 28mm f2.8 *AIS* (if
you skip the 35mm), 35mm f2 *AIS* (or 35mm f2.8 PC, *latest
version* - both excellent at wide stops), 50mm f1.8 (metal-barrel
AI/AIS version [if you skip the 35mm]), 60mm f2.8M (for macro and
mid-distance work only, good on TC's when greater FL is needed),
any Nikkor 85mm, 180mm f2.8 AF, any Nikkor longer lens (and/or
the 80-200mm f2.8 + TC14B), TC14A, TC201 (for small-stop macro
work only), PK-12 (+ other?) extension tube. Add the SB-26/8 and
SC-17 cord for flash work. (If flash and AF are not important, I
would consider the F3 instead of the F5 for size/weight/cost
reasons...). ("*-*" indicates important characteristic - other
versions aren't as good...) For the work you describe, I would
suggest the 20mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 85mm f1.8, and 180mm f2.8
(or latest-version 80-200mm f2.8) as a good basic set of lenses.
Nikkor filters are first-rate, and have unusually thin rims, but
the Hoya filters are a good substitute. Most non-zoom Nikkors show
little significant manufacturing variability, but I would check out
any newly-purchased gear so that defective gear can be replaced
during the exchange period. (People often incorrectly assume
that gear that is new and/or expensive must be OK, but that is
not necessarily true...) Have fun with it!