Subjective Lens Evaluations, Mostly Nikkors

Here is a list of all the Nikkor lens optical types made for Nikon SLR bodies (with thanks to Walter Pietsch and Roland Vink for their early help in assembling this list), plus some other lenses that fit Nikon bodies and performed well enough to evaluate. Included also are a few lenses I've tried that do not fit Nikon bodies, but which were interesting enough to include. Having used many of the following lenses (often multiple samples), I cannot resist passing on my experience with these lenses in the form of a brief discussion of the general characteristics of Nikkor lens performance by lens groups, a listing of SUBJECTIVE performance quality numbers for the lenses used (with the number of samples of each lens used, and with an indication of the range of sample performance variation encountered), and notes about the characteristics of individual lenses. I have not included barrel type variations (such as non-AI, AI and AIS, AF and AF-D, etc.) unless the barrel type variation also indicates an optical type variation. If the optics are different, I then list the different identifying barrel types. If you have used some of the lenses evaluated, I hope that you will be able to combine that experience with what is offered here to get a good idea of how other evaluated lenses perform. NOTE: This list was begun during the film era and all of the evaluation numbers given here are based on lens performance using full-frame 35mm film. Lens performance may be different, especially at the frame edges and corners, when the lens is used with a digital sensor.

In general, Nikkor lenses are well matched in terms of color rendition, contrast, and freedom from excessive distortion and flare ("flare" used here refers to a spreading or spilling of diffuse light into or across an image - it does not refer to well-defined reflections of the lens aperture caused by small bright light sources, called "ghosting"). Only a couple of the very earliest Nikkor designs flare easily with strong backlight. Multicoating ("IC", which appeared on Nikkor lenses just before "AI" appeared) seems to have improved lens image contrast a bit, and to have reduced flare in lenses that were prone to showing it. Nikkors have remarkably uniform illumination even wide open (except for the 18mm MF's, 21mm f4, and 35mm f2 MF), and remarkably little sample-to-sample variation (with the exception of some of the 35mm-to-X zooms).

The extreme wide-angle non-zooms perform well to the corners by f11 (except for the 18mm f4, the 15mm f3.5 with B&W film, and the 52mm filter-sized 20mm lenses [near infinity-focus]) Notably, the 16mm f3.5 and 20mm f2.8 perform well to the corners at much wider stops. The moderate wide-angle non-zooms perform well at all distances by f5.6 (some perform well wide-open). The 50mm lenses perform well by f2 (except for the f1.2 near infinity at the edges). The non-zooms 55mm and over perform well wide-open (except for the 55-58mm speed lenses, the early 60mm AF and 200mm AF macro lenses near infinity focus, and the non-IF lenses without floating elements in the 85-135mm range near minimum focus distance). The short zooms generally have very good center-to-edge sharpness by f5.6 and acceptable corners (a couple are good to the corners even wide-open). The long zooms generally have very good center-to-corner sharpness by f5.6 (most are good wide-open), remarkably uniform performance throughout their zoom ranges at mid to long distances, and remarkably good close-focus performance (except for the 80-200mm f2.8 AF near 200mm near minimum focus distance). The newer f2.8 constant-aperture zooms (14-24mm, 17-35mm, 24-70mm, 28-70mm) and f4 zooms (16-35mm, 200-400mm) are excellent center to corners even wide open throughout their zoom ranges.

All Nikkors (including most zooms) have relatively low linear distortion, with the wide-angles shorter than 35mm generally showing the wavy-line ("moustache") type (except for the 21mm and the 15mm f5.6, which have almost no linear distortion), the 35-50mm lenses showing barrel distortion (except for the compact 50mm AIS, E, and AF f1.8 lenses, which have almost no linear distortion), the non-zooms 55mm and over showing no linear distortion (except for the 55-58mm speed lenses), and the zooms showing barrel or wavy-line distortion at the short end and pincushion at the long end (except for the 100-300mm f5.6, which has almost no linear distortion beyond about 135mm).

The SUBJECTIVE lens evaluation numbers are:

0 --	unable to form an image
1 --	very poor image quality, a "pop bottle bottom"
2 --	low image quality, possibly usable for snapshots
3 --	fair image quality, perhaps good at one or two stops
4 --	good to excellent image quality at most normally used stops, a professional-level lens, but with some limitations (this level, with many fractional gradations, includes most Nikkors)
5 --	excellent image quality at all stops, with only minor limitations
6 --	near perfect lens with hard to detect shortcomings
7 --	absolutely perfect lens in every respect

These numbers may be compared with those in Grover Larkins' useful and valuable summary of lens performance. His list includes a few short Nikkors and many long Nikkors that I have not covered, plus many lenses of other brands. Bjorn Rorslett covers on his web page many Nikkor lenses (including many specialty lenses) that I have not covered, and he uses a similar rating system (but with somewhat different standards, since he is more concerned with close-in work than I am, and with color performance while I was mostly concerned with B & W). You will find no "0", "1", "6" or "7" in the list below, but I wanted to place real-world optics for 35mm in the context of a scale running from completely terrible, unable to form an image ("0"), to absolutely perfect, able to form an image with no defects under any conditions ("7"). Any lens rated "4" or above is excellent, capable of fine, professional-level performance with few reservations (though keep in mind that manufacturing differences can and do occur, and that bad samples of many good lens designs [especially zooms] do exist). Please remember that these are SUBJECTIVE ratings, not mathematical, and that DIFFERENCES OF 1/2 POINT ARE QUITE SUBTLE. Smaller differences are included to try to differentiate quality among similar-performing lenses, but please DO NOT get hung-up on them (the area between "4" and "5" is crowded with many fine lenses, and sample variation can easily make minor rating differences irrelevant). It is my opinion that a lens that is not sharp almost to the far corner of the frame at a particular stop should not be considered sharp at that stop. Among the various lens performance characteristics, edge/corner sharpness at the widest stop that good performance for the type can be expected has been given by far the largest influence on the number rating assigned (see the note before each lens FL category for the general expectation of the widest good stop for lenses in that category), though unusual characteristics of a particular lens or type may also influence the rating. This number rating system does not allow for details of performance, like variations in sharpness with distance or the particulars of wide vs. mid-stop performance, let alone other lens characteristics - but I hope it will still be useful. It is too general, but I think it is still a good rough guide to relative lens quality. Use the general notes on Nikkor lens performance in the 2nd paragraph of this article (above), the notes about the lenses in the categories below (above the ratings in each category), and the notes with particular lenses to get a better overall understanding of how a particular lens performs.
"Hope This Helps", AND DO NOT TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY!
000000(Photography should be fun!)

NOTES ON THIS LIST:

- All lenses are Nikkor manual focus, checked on film with
full frame (unless otherwise noted).

- Optical types only are listed (there is not a separate entry for
         an AIS or AI version of a non-AI lens, for an AF version of
         an MF lens, for a D version of an AF lens, etc., if the optics
         are the same). A Nikkor-lens/Nikon-body compatibility matrix
         chart, with the lens acronyms for the different lens types,
         is here: http://www.bythom.com:80/lensacronyms.htm.

- Edge and corner performance at the widest stops at which
         good performance should be expected is the primary basis
         for arriving at the rating numbers (see the note preceding
         each lens group for what this stop is for that group).

- Checking is done at infinity focus, but when performance is
significantly different with closer focus, this is noted.

- The number of samples of a lens that were checked is in
         parentheses following the rating number(s) - performance
         can vary considerably among different samples of some
         lenses.

- As noted above, this list was begun during the film era and
         all of the evaluation numbers given here are based on lens
         performance using full-frame 35mm film (I have not rated any
         of the DX cropped-frame lenses). Lens performance may be
         different (especially at the frame edges and corners) when
         the lens is used with a digital sensor.


THE LENS CATEGORIES ARE:

SUPER-WIDES
WIDES
NORMALS
SHORT-TELES
LONG-TELES
ZOOMS
TELECONVERTERS
DX LENSES

SOME CLOSING COMMENTS

MANY USEFUL NIKON-RELATED URLS

- Many Additional Useful URLs Are At This URL - Including
     The History of Nikkors, AI vs. AIS, Various Lens Modifications
     Available, Lens Accessories, Serial Numbers, Specifications,
     A Nikkor-Lens/Nikon-Body Compatibility Matrix, Other Notable
     Lens Evaluations/Comparisons/Reviews, Other Lists Of Links, Etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Note: The super wides generally perform well by f11 - the exceptions are noted. The
6, 7.5, 8, 10, 13, 15 f5.6, 16 f3.5, and some mirror Nikkors have built-in filters.)

(Note: The wides 28mm and shorter and the slower 35mm lenses generally perform
well by f5.6, and the fast 35mm lenses by f2.8 - the exceptions are noted.)

LENSES:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
6mm f5.6	4 (1)	no TTL viewing; no accurate VF; fits only on bodies with mirror lock-up; 220 degree circular image (the widest fisheye-perspective lens made for 35mm); very good sharpness almost to the edge of coverage when stopped down some (see image here)
6mm f2.8	(untried)	very large, heavy, and expensive; reflex viewing; 220 degree circular image (the widest fisheye-perspective lens made for 35mm short the 6.2mm below)
6.2mm f5.6	(untried)	"SAP-230" 230 degree fisheye with "EquiSolidAngle" projection and an aspheric element; circular image; never sold to the public
7.5mm f5.6	4 (1)	no TTL viewing (though the separate VF is remarkably accurate); fits only on bodies with mirror lock-up; 180 degree circular image; very good sharpness almost to the edge of coverage when stopped down some
8mm f8	(untried)	first 35mm version of 180 degree circular image fisheye; no TTL viewing; no accurate VF (had only a centering finder); fits only on bodies with mirror lock-up
8mm f4 Sigma	4.2 (1)	very compact size compared with Nikkor (this sample is the longer, earlier version); approx. 170 degree circular image (image circle narrows when the lens is stopped down); better in color than B & W; very good sharpness even wide open in color, very good almost to the edge of coverage in B & W when stopped down to about f11 (see image here); good on TC14A by f8
8mm f2.8	4.4 (2)	180 degree circular image; equally good in B & W and color; not great at wide stops, but excellent sharpness to edge of coverage by f11; physically big and heavy (see image here); works well with TC14A at f11-16 (see image here)
10mm f5.6 OP	(untried)	orthographic projection, with most of the image curvature showing near the edge of coverage; no TTL viewing, no accurate VF (the fisheye finder designed for the 7.5mm lens and supplied with the 10mm is inaccurate in perspective); fits only on bodies with mirror lock-up; 180 degree circular image
12mm f5.6 Voightlander	3.9 (1)	Leica 39mm screw mount - fits Voightlander Bessa bodies and Leica screw mount, Leica bayonet (with adapter), and Nikon bodies with mirror lock-up (in a special version); illumination is not even, but sharpness (even in the corners at f5.6) is remarkably good, with good sharpness by f8; separate viewfinder is OK for framing but its fisheye perspective gives little hint about the extremely wide low-distortion rectangular perspective image the 12mm produces (but highly "distorted"-looking - see image here); it and the 12-24mm Sigma are the widest rectangular-perspective lenses made for 35mm
13mm f5.6	(untried)	large, heavy, very expensive; 118 degrees diagonal coverage
14mm f2.8 AF	(untried)
15mm f5.6	3-4.2 (several samples)	some sample variation; very low linear distortion; unexpectedly even sharpness center to corner; very even illumination (in common with all the Nikkor wides except the 18mm MF's, the 21mm, and the 35mm f2 MF at wide stops); slightly yellow color cast compared with other Nikkors; need to open 1/2 stop from meter reading for correct exposure; corners improve slightly in B & W using yellow, orange, or red filter; best at f11-16 where sharpness is very good over the whole frame (though the corners are not bad even at f5.6 - see image here); compared with the 17-35mm Nikkor and other Nikkor wide angles here
15mm f3.5	4 (2)	poor edge-to-corner performance in B & W, good in color; excellent sharpness short of the edges at most stops
16mm f3.5	5 (3)	170 degree diagonal coverage; full frame fisheye perspective; unusually low flare and ghosting; this is a wonderful lens, sharp to the corners wide open, very sharp over entire frame stopped down slightly (see image here); some samples show incorrect scale infinity focus; works very well with TC14A by f5.6 for a great people super-wide (see image here)
16mm f2.8	3.5-4.4 (3)	180 degree full frame fisheye image; best samples equal the performance of the f3.5 at f11-16 (f3.5 version is better at wide stops); works very well with TC14A by f5.6; AF optics are the same
17mm f3.5 ATX Tokina	3.2 (1)	poor edges and corners even stopped down, does not equal at any stop the 20mm f2.8 Nikkor at f5.6
18mm f4	3 (2)	poor edges and corners even stopped down, with sharp center
18mm f3.5	4.5 (2)	better in color than B & W; good wide-stop color performance (though with noticeable corner illumination roll-off at wide stops), very good sharpness stopped down
18mm f2.8 AF	(untried)
[19mm f2.8 Micro]	(untried)	one of four high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm and no focus - with Royal Screw thread mount (15X - 40X)
20mm f8	(untried)	fisheye, 153 degrees coverage; part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set"; fixed focus and aperture
20mm f4	3.4 at infinity, 4.3 at medium distances (2)	tiny; useable near infinity-focus when well stopped down; very good nearly wide open when focused closer
20mm f3.5 (72mm filter version)	3.5-4 (2)	good when well stopped down
20mm f3.5 (52mm filter version)	3-3.5 at infinity, 4.4 at medium to close distances (several samples)	some sample variation; tiny; useable when well stopped down for distant subjects; very good nearly wide open focused closer than about 15'
20mm f2.8	4.3-4.7 (5)	the best samples have excellent performance to the corners by f5.6 - the worst by f8; relatively low linear distortion, AF optics are the same
21mm f4	4 (3)	no TTL viewing (though the separate VF is remarkably accurate); no linear distortion; very even and good center to corner sharpness; some tendency to flare; noticeable illumination roll-off toward the edges and corners; extremely compact when mounted on the camera; 3' minimum focus distance; will fit only the F and F2 bodies (the lens should not rotate while being mounted and only the F and F2 bodies have the necessary tab to prevent rotation)

LENSES:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
24mm f3.5 PC-E D ED Tilt/Shift	(untried)	tilt-shift wide angle lens; MF-only; push-button diaphragm stop-down, with auto diaphragm possible on D3 and D300
24mm f2.8 non-AI	4 (2)	one of the first "floating element" lenses, with reasonably good performance for its time and type
24mm f2.8 AI	4.2-4.7 (many samples)	needs shade, some samples are not quite as crisp at the edges and corners near infinity focus as the slightly wider 20mm f2.8, but the best samples are excellent by f5.6; AF optics are the same
24mm f2	4.2 (2)	low contrast at wide stops; good sharpness stopped down some
24mm f1.4 EDIF AF-S G	(untried)	two aspheric lens elements; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
24mm f1.4 Canon AF	4.7 (1)	excellent sharpness nearly to the corners by f2.8; some noticeable illumination roll-off toward corners at widest stops
28mm f4 PC	4.6 (3)	better off-axis performance than most 28mm f3.5 PC samples; all of the Nikkor PC lenses will illuminate the complete frame even with the most extreme movement (well beyond the recommended shift limit), but all then require f16-22 to sharpen the far edge of coverage (see image here with full vertical rise, likely taken about f16); f11 is sufficient with this lens to sharpen the top corners of a horizontal frame with full rise applied; metering with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted
28mm f3.5 PC	4-4.4 (3)	better wide stop performance with no shift than the 28mm f4 PC, but off axis it is generally not up to the f4 even stopped down; a good sample is useable on the TC200/1 for extreme shift effects; metering with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted
28mm f3.5 non-AI	3.4 (3)	vignettes with any filter; must be stopped well down for acceptable corner sharpness
28mm f3.5 AI	4.8 (4)	good wide open, very even center to corner performance
28mm f2.8 - earlier	3.6 (3)	unusually resistant to flare and ghosts; poor corners until well stopped down
28mm f2.8 AIS	4.8 (4)	good wide open short of far corners, excellent sharpness at most stops
28mm f2.8 E	2.8-3.8-4.2 (several samples)	two of the samples tried were good at smaller stops, the others were poor, with one AF sample tried being quite good; E-series non-zooms have plastic focus parts that wear fairly quickly (though even well-worn E focus mounts are often tighter than new AF focus mounts...) and they are not multicoated; AF (non-D) optics are the same except that the AF optics are multicoated
28mm f2.8 AF D	4.2 (1)	A sixth element was added with the D, with improved edge performance - though corner performance is still not great even well stopped down
28mm f2	4-4.6 (many samples)	some sample variation, often not as good at wide stops as the f2.8 AIS 28mm - but often better than the f2.8 AIS by f5.6 where sharpness is excellent over the whole frame
28mm f1.8 AF-S G	(untried)
28mm f1.4 AF	4.4 (1)	(see review article, listed in index)
[35mm f4.5 Micro]	5 (1)	one of four high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm and no focus - with Royal Screw thread mount (8X - 20X)
35mm f3.5 PC	3.5 (1)	poor off-axis performance; metering with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted
35mm f2.8 PC non-AI - earliest	4.2 (3)	non-AI PC's generally fit AI cameras though they nudge the coupling tab a bit (check the tab position after the lens is mounted to be sure the tab was not moved during mounting or exposures may be inaccurate); metering with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted; very good on-axis sharpness, fair when fully-shifted
35mm f2.8 PC AI - latest	4.8 (3)	excellent sharpness to the corners wide open shifted up to about 3mm; the lens will illuminate the complete frame even with the most extreme movement (well beyond the recommended shift limit), but then requires f16-22 to sharpen the far edge of coverage; f8 is sufficient with this lens to sharpen the top corners of a horizontal frame with full rise applied; it has the best performance of all the Nikkor 35's at f2.8; good on TC14A with about 5mm or less shift (effectively 7mm) when not stopped down beyond about f5.6; metering with all bodies except the F3 must be done with the lens unshifted
35mm f2.8 non-AI	3.8 (1)	OK performance, surpassed by several later lenses
35mm f2.8 AI	3.8-4 (2)	there is an early AI version (also offered as a late non-AI with rubber focus ring) with six elements (untried); the later version has five elements
35mm f2.5 E	3.2-4 (3)	very small and light; small front element makes effective shading easy; best samples are very good by f5.6
35mm f2.5 Voightlander	4.4	Leica 39mm screw mount - fits Voightlander Bessa bodies, Leica screw mount, or Leica bayonet (with adapter); tiny pancake version; good short far corners wide open, very good to corners by f4
35mm f2	3.5-4.8 (many samples)	some sample variation (most AIS are about 4.5, with one 4.8 - many pre-AI samples drop to the 3.5-4 range and the non-multicoated ones flare easily with backlight), the best are sharp wide open short the far corners, and very sharp by f4 - though all show noticeable illumination fall off wide open
35mm f2 AF	4.4 (2)	small front element makes effective shading of this wide-angle from sun, rain, and snow easy; very good, but not exceptional, performance (there is a need in the Nikon line for a top-quality 35mm f2 or faster AF lens); some report problems with oil on the diaphragm leaves of early samples of the D version
35mm f1.4	4.2-4.4 (4)	good sharpness wide open at middle distances, reasonably good contrast and reasonably even illumination wide open, very good stopped down, but without the "snap" of the 35mm f2 AIS
35mmf1.4 EDIF AF-S G	(untried)	aspheric lens element; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
35mm f1.4 double aspheric Leitz	4.8 (1)	excellent sharpness almost to the corners even at the widest stops

LENSES:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
45mm f2.8 GN	4 (1)	diaphragm can vary with distance setting for use with manual flashes (guide number is set on lens); excellent performance stopped down, though it is not as good as the 50's at wide stops
45mm f2.8 P	(untried)	optics are similar to the GN (but with larger rear element and multicoated); MF but with AF electronics; overpriced for what it offers
45mm f2.8 PC-E D ED Tilt/Shift	(untried)	tilt-shift lens; MF-only; push-button diaphragm stop-down, with auto diaphragm possible on D3 and D300
50mm f2	4.6 (several samples)	very even center to corner performance at all stops, good wide open, excellent stopped down a bit
50mm f1.8 larger metal-barrel	4.8 (many samples)	very even center to corner performance at all stops, good wide open, excellent stopped down a bit
50mm f1.8 E, plastic AIS, and compact metal-barrel AIS	3.8-4.6 (many samples)	very small and light; small front element makes effective shading easy; usually good wide open; no linear distortion; the E is not multicoated but the other versions are; some sample variation; AF optics are the same except that the AF optics are multicoated (and the barrel is longer); excellent sharpness stopped down a bit
50mm f1.8 AF-S G	(untried)	by reputation, this version (which includes an aspheric element) may be the best of the Nikkor 50mm lenses - and it is relatively inexpensive; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
50mm f1.4 non-AI	4-4.2 (many samples)	low contrast wide open, though with excellent image quality at middle and smaller stops (wide stops can be sharpened with a red filter in B & W though illumination fall-off shows until about f4)
50mm f1.4 AIS	4.6 (many samples)	very good by f2 (short of corners), excellent stopped down a bit - the AI version may be slightly different optically; AF optics are the same
50mm f1.4 AF-S G	(untried)	number of elements increased from 7 to 8; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
50mm f1.2	5 at 4 to 15 feet or so, otherwise 3.6-4 (several samples)	excellent center to corners wide open near optimum focus distance, with declining quality at edges as infinity focus is approached; shows severe coma at infinity wide open with point light sources near the frame edges
55mm f4 UV	(untried)	(may exist only as prototype)
55mm f3.5 Micro	4.8 close, 3.8-4.5 near infinity (many samples)	noticeable field curvature near infinity with some samples; earliest version had a preset diaphragm, the next version had an auto diaphragm that opened with closer focus to compensate for extension exposure loss, the later version did not have the compensating diaphragm; goes to 1:2; excellent sharpness nearly wide open with the best samples
55mm f2.8 Micro	5 at infinity, 4 close (many samples)	the MF version tends to acquire oil on the diaphragm leaves; sharp at infinity wide open, excellent stopped down a bit; goes to 1:2; AF optics are the same but the AF lens goes to 1:1
55mm f1.2	3.5 (3)	reasonably good at middle distances
[55mm f1.2 CRT]	4.8 (3)	Leica thread; no focus; f11 minimum aperture, 8 elements and 6 groups, optimized for 363mm focus distance; wonderful reversed on tubes/bellows for around 5X magnification
58mm f1.4 non-AI	(untried)	first "speed" lens for Nikon SLR
58mm f1.4 AF-S G	(untried)	expensive, but likely very high image-quality; 72mm filter (with likely more even illumination at wide stops than usual); two aspheric elements; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
58mm f1.2 Noct	3.8 (1)	possibly defective sample (wide stops relatively poor though performance excellent by f5.6)
60mm f2.8 Micro AF	3.5 at infinity, 5.2 close (2)	poor at infinity at corners at wide to mid stops, though excellent by f11, the best of the Nikkor macro lenses tried in the macro range; works very well with converters in macro range; goes to 1:1
60mm f2.8 Micro EDIF AF-S G	(untried)	goes to 1:1; complex design with 12 elements (one ED, two aspheric); doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
[65mm f4.5 Micro]	(untried)	one of four high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm and no focus - with 39mm thread mount (3.5X - 10X)

LENSES:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
80mm f4.5 AF	(untried)	very early AF lens; internal AF mechanism; may exist only as prototype
80mm f2.8 AF	(untried)	early AF lens for F3AF (has a good reputation)
85mm f2.8 Tilt/Shift Micro-Nikkor	(untried)	tilt-shift macro lens; MF-only; push-button diaphragm stop-down; goes to 1:2
85mm f2.8 PC-E D Tilt/Shift Micro-Nikkor	(untried)	tilt-shift macro lens; MF-only; push-button diaphragm stop-down, with auto diaphragm possible with D3 and D300; goes to 1:2
85mm f2	4.8 (several samples)	performance declines considerably at wide stops near minimum focus (both conditions together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open
85mm f1.8 non-AI	4.8 (2)	very good wide open, excellent stopped down slightly; flares easily with backlight in non-multicoated samples
85mm f1.8 IF AF	4.9-5.2 (2)	one sample slightly better in corners wide open near minimum focus distance than near infinity, the other sample excellent to the corners wide open - excellent wide stop close focus performance
85mm f1.4	4.8 (4)	good wide open, floating element maintains good performance down to minimum focus distance, doesn't have quite the "snap" of the other Nikkor 85's tried
85mm f1.4 AF	(untried)
85mm f1.4 IF AF-S G	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
90mm f4.8 Soft-Focus	(untried)	part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set"; fixed aperture; converts to 120mm f4.5 macro
90mm f2.5 Vivitar Series I	4.6 (3)	flares easily near infinity; this lens (with its matched glass 1:1 adapter) and the 60mm Nikkor are the best of the macros I have tried for magnifications near 2X; requires skylight filter to match color with Nikkors; slightly lower contrast than Nikkors for distant focus; works well with Nikkor 6T achromat and with converters; goes to 1:2, comes with an optical 1:1 adapter of very high image quality
90mm f2.5 Sigma macro	4.4 (2)	odd center flare spot with some converter-tube combinations; very good sharpness; goes to 1:2; comes with an achromat for 1:1 which is excellent with this lens - and it works well with non-macro lenses (Sigma achromat + 200mm f4 Nikkor compact non-macro lens at f11-16 + TC200 or PN-11 makes a very sharp macro combination for about 3X magnification)
100mm f2.8 E	4.8 (3)	light and compact; excellent performance even wide open
105mm f4.5 UV	(untried)	lens designed to pass ultraviolet
105mm f4 preset	(same optics as 105mm f4 Micro)	normal focus range
105mm f4 Micro	3.5 (3)	not great at wide stops, though others report much better results with this lens than I found; goes to 1:2; 105mm f4 short mount version has the same optics
105mm f2.8 Micro	5 at infinity, 4.4 close (2)	excellent center to corner performance at infinity at f2.8 (with the 180mm AF, 135mm f2 MF, later 105mm f2.5, 100mm f2.8 E, 85mm f1.8 AF, and the latest-version 35mm f2.8 PC also performing unusually well at infinity-focus at f2.8); goes to 1:2
105mm f2.8 AF Micro	4-4.5 at infinity, 4.8 close (3)	too difficult to focus manually near infinity - focus is too fast, and alignment problems noted in two samples near infinity; excellent stopped down; goes to 1:1
105mm f2.8 AF Micro EDIF G	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
105mm f2.8 AF-S Micro EDIF G VR II	(untried)	continuous focus from infinity to 1:1; doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring
105mm f2.5 early	4.4 (several samples)	(small rear element [early non-AI with silver front]) very good performance at all stops
105mm f2.5 later	4.8 (several samples)	(large rear element [late non-AI with black front]), performance declines at wide stops near minimum focus (both conditions together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open
105mm f2 DC AF	(untried)	permits shifting the areas of under/over-corrected spherical aberrations relative to the plane of focus
105mm f1.8	4.5-4.6 (many samples)	performance wider than about f4 can be good, though disappointing compared with other Nikkors in this range, but excellent stopped down some
[120mm f6.3 Micro]	(untried)	one of four high-magnification micro lenses, with manual diaphragm and no focus - with 39mm thread mount (1/3X - 4X on 35mm, 1X - 4X on 4x5)
120mm f4.5 Macro	(untried)	part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set"; fixed aperture; only two fixed magnification ratios; converts to 90mm f4.8 soft-focus
120mm f4 Medical	(untried)	needs power pack for the built-in ring flash
[135mm f4 short mount]	(untried)
135mm f3.5	4.5 (2)	very good sharpness at all stops
135mm f2.8 non-AI	4.5 (3)	very good sharpness at all stops
135mm f2.8 compact	4.8 (4)	performance declines at wide stops near minimum focus (both conditions together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open
135mm f2.8 E	4.5 (2)	very good sharpness at all stops
135mm f2	4.9 beyond about 10', 3 at minimum focus (3)	heavy and large, very sharp center to corner at f2 at mid to long distances but with some very slight field curvature barely detectable only at wide stops near infinity; performance is poor near minimum focus at wide stops (both conditions together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open
135mm f2 DC AF	(untried)	permits shifting the areas of under/over-corrected spherical aberrations relative to the plane of focus
[150mm f5.6 Vivitar VHE enlarging lens (actually, a Schneider Componon-S in Viv. clothes) on PB-4 tilt-shift bellows]	4 (1)	provides the 35mm user with a mini long-lens view camera of good quality when used with the Nikon PB-4 bellows; 52mm filter size; needs strong skylight filter to match Nikon lens color; lens press-fits into a BR-2a ring to add a Nikon bayonet mount
180mm f2.8 non-ED	4.6 (1)	good even wide open, excellent stopped down slightly
180mm f2.8 ED	4.8 (1)	very good wide open, excellent stopped down slightly
180mm f2.8 EDIF AF	5.2 (1)	this lens is wonderful at all stops, center-to-corner, all distances (even on a short tube)
180mm f2.5 preset	(untried)	adapted from rangefinder camera
200mm f5.6 Medical	(untried)	used 6 screw-in close-up lenses in various combinations of one or two to reach magnification ratios of 1:15 to 3:1, with no other focus adjustment; needed power pack for the built-in ring flash
200mm f4 older	3.8-4.2 (several samples)	can be quite good even wide open
200mm f4 compact	4.5 (several samples)	very good even wide open; can be great as a macro lens - the best auto-diaphragm lens for about 3X that I have used: the 200mm f4 Nikkor compact non-macro lens at f11-16 + the Sigma achromat + TC200 or PN-11 makes a very sharp macro combination for about 3X magnification (see example here)
200mm f4 IF Micro	4 (2)	slight sample variation (one nice at infinity but less so close, the other the reverse); goes to 1:2; compact, with internal focus
200mm f4 EDIF Micro AF	3.8-4.5 at infinity (depending on f-stop), 4.5 close (1)	rather large, heavy, and expensive macro lens with fine infinity-focus performance by f8 (but not much wider); goes to 1:1 (see article on this lens, listed in the index)
200mm f3.5 EDIF AF	(untried)	early AF lens for F3AF (has a good reputation)
200mm f2 EDIF	(untried)	(all of the fast EDIF Nikkors have good reputations)
200mm f2 EDIF AF-S G VR	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring; stabilizer works only with recent bodies

LENSES:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
300mm f4.5	3.6-4.2 (several samples)	some variation, often not wonderful at wider stops; not good with converters; fairly compact and light
300mm f4.5 ED non-IF	4.8 (1)	fairly compact and light; excellent sharpness at all stops; very good with converters
300mm f4.5 EDIF	4-4.4 (3)	fairly compact and light; good to very good sharpness; good on tubes but not good with converters; internal focus, as are most of the non-zoom lenses below
300mm f4 EDIF AF	4.8 (2)	compact and light compared with the f2.8 versions; excellent sharpness even wide open; good with converters (especially the TC14/14B/14C)
300mm f4 EDIF AFS	5 (1)	large for a 300mm f4 but well-balanced and not heavy; equally sharp at infinity-focus and minimum-focus which may make it useful with converters and achromats (neither were tried) for macro work - VERY sharp (the sharpest of the Nikkor 300's wider than f8); internal focus motor
300mm f2.8	(untried)
300mm f2.8 EDIF	5 (3)	very sharp even wide open - contrast improves to f8; excellent with converters (good even wide open on matched converters); large, heavy, and expensive, as are all the long and fast teles
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF	(untried)
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF I	(untried)	internal focus motor
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S	(untried)	internal focus motor
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S II	(untried)	lighter than earlier 300mm f2.8 Nikkors; internal focus motor
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S G VR	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring; internal focus motor; stabilizer works only with recent bodies
300mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S G VR II	(untried)	designed to be small and light enough to hand hold with the aid of improved stabilization
300mm f2 EDIF	(untried)	came with the wonderful TC14C converter
350mm f5.6 Tamron mirror	4 (1)	very compact and light mirror lens; comes with inverting long shade; fits Adaptall-2 mounts; surprisingly sharp
350mm f4.5 semi-auto	(untried)	adapted from rangefinder camera
400mm f8	(untried)	part of limited-offering "Fun Lens Set"; fixed aperture; unusually compact when "telescoped"; accepts 52mm filters
400mm f5.6	(untried)
400mm f5.6 ED non-IF	(untried)
400mm f5.6 EDIF	4.8 (1)	very good with converters; fairly narrow and light barrel; overpriced, I think (as are most of the big, fast teles of all brands, in my opinion...); excellent sharpness at all stops
400mm f5.6 Sigma APO	3.6 (2)	OK for the price, not a great performer
400mm f4.5 ED non-AI	(untried)	came as lens head that fit a standard focusing unit common to 400mm, 600mm, 800mm, and 1200mm lenses of the time (the 400mm, 600mm, 800mm, 1200mm heads were available as either ED or non-ED)
400mm f3.5 EDIF	5 (2)	excellent at all stops; excellent with converters (good even wide open on matched converters)
400mm f2.8 EDIF	(untried)
400mm f2.8 EDIF AF-I	(untried)	internal focus motor
400mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S II	(untried)	internal focus motor, more compact
400mm f2.8 EDIF AF-S G VR	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring; internal focus motor; stabilizer works only with recent bodies
500mm f8 mirror, early	4 (3)	good with TC14/14B; surprisingly sharp, performs better near infinity than near minimum focus distance; rate film speed 1/2 stop lower when using this lens; there is a moderate center "hot spot" (as there is with most mirrors - using the TC14/14B reduces this); fairly compact and light; see image here (see image with TC14 here, see image with TC14 and TC200 here)
500mm f8 mirror, late	3.6 (2)	very close focus; compact and light; best performance near middle of focus range; good sharpness
500mm f8 Tamron mirror	3.2 (1)	OK sharpness
500mm f5 non-automatic	(untried)	adapted from rangefinder camera
500mm f5 mirror	3.2 (1)	large, but surprisingly light; minimum focus 50'; OK sharpness
500mm f4 EDIF P	(untried)	MF but contains AF electronics
500mm f4 EDIF AF-I	(untried)	internal focus motor
500mm f4 EDIF AF-S II	(untried)	internal focus motor
500mm f4 EDIF AF-S G VR II	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring; internal focus motor; stabilizer works only with recent bodies
600mm f5.6 non-AI (ED)	(untried)	(see 400mm f4.5 notes)
600mm f5.6 EDIF	(untried)
600mm f4 EDIF	(1)	(inconclusive results from a brief trial)
600mm f4 EDIF AF-I	(untried)	internal focus motor
600mm f4 EDIF AF-S II	(untried)	internal focus motor
600mm f4 EDIF AF-S G VR	(untried)	doesn't work properly on older AF and MF bodies since there is no aperture ring; internal focus motor; stabilizer works only with recent bodies
800mm f8 non-AI (ED)	(untried)	(see 400mm f4.5 notes)
800mm f8 EDIF	(untried)
800mm f5.6 EDIF	(untried)
800mm F5.6E FL EDIF AF-S G VR	(untried)	includes two flourite elements (plus two ED elements) and an accessory teleconverter TC800-1.25E ED AF-S to provide 1000mm at f7.1
1000mm f11 mirror	3.3 (1)	it is very difficult to use a lens this long beyond a few hundred feet because the air qualities have a great affect on the image quality; OK to good sharpness; fairly light and compact for its very long focal length
1000mm f10 MTO mirror	3 (1)	remarkably even illumination; OK sharpness
1000mm f6.3 mirror	(untried)	very large - minimum focus 100'
1200mm f11 non-AI (ED)	(untried)	(see 400mm f4.5 notes)
1200mm f11 EDIF	(untried)
2000mm f11 mirror	(untried)	very large; very heavy; very expensive

Converters:	RATINGS: (and the number used)	NOTES:
TC800-1.25E	(untried)	Supplied with (and it is specific to) the NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens to increase its FL to 1000mm.
TC14A	4.8 (2)	1.4X for short lenses that do not have rear elements recessed enough to accept the long-lens TC14s; works well with most lenses it fits that are 200mm and shorter
TC14 and TC14B	4.8 (4)	1.4X for lenses that have rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with projecting front elements (mostly long lenses), can be used with other lenses for macro work when using tubes on the front of converter (TC14 is AI, TC14B is AIS)
TC14C	5 (2)	1.4X for lenses that have rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with projecting front elements (mostly long lenses), can be used with other lenses for macro work when using tubes on the front of converter; this unusual converter is near perfect on some lenses and out-performs the excellent TC14/14B on all lenses they will fit except the older 500mm f8 mirror (the 80-200mm f2.8 AF with the TC14C by f4 is as good as non-zoom lenses, and betters the excellent 100-300mm f5.6 at similar stops); came originally with the Nikkor 300mm f2
TC14E (+ II)	(untried)	1.4X designed for AFI/S (long) lenses and it will not fit others without modification of the converter bayonet
TC16	(untried)	1.6X designed for F3AF; adds limited focus range AF ability to MF lenses f2.8 and faster
TC17E (+ II)	(untried)
TC16A	4-4.6 (2)	1.6X adds limited focus range AF ability to MF lenses f2.8 and faster; does not pass AF lens electrical signals to the camera body; does not match well as many lenses as the TC14A does
TC-1, TC200, TC201	X (4)	2X for lenses that do not have rear elements recessed enough to accept the long-lens TCs; works well on some lenses - adequately on some - and poorly on some; f5.6 is the widest stop for good performance even with the best-matched lenses on it; excellent for increasing magnification in macro work when using small stops (TC-1 is non-AI, TC200 is AI, TC201 is AIS)
Vivitar 2X Macro Conv.	X (2)	2X (same comments as TC200); has a built in focusing mount for closer focus; about equal in quality to the TC200/1
TC-2, TC300, TC301	3.5-4.5 (3)	2X for lenses that have rear elements recessed enough to accept converters with projecting front elements (mostly long lenses), can be used with tubes on the front of converter for macro work; results are good with most lenses that it fits except the 300mm f4.5 non-ED and the 300mm f4.5 EDIF (TC-2 is non-AI, TC300 is AI, TC301 is AIS)
TC20E (+ II, III)	X (1)	2X designed for AF-I/S (long) lenses and it will not fit others without modification of the converter bayonet; works fairly well with the 80-200mm f2.8 AF (better than the TC200/1) but not well on other non I/S lenses I tried it on
TC20E III	(untried)	2X designed for AF-I/S, new optical design with an aspheric element