Nikon's 'recommended' lenses for D800E

tganiats

My turn....I'm confused or surprised.

First, I'm the proud owner of a D800, not D800E, and I understand the difference. :-) So I am asking to understand, not because I necessarily think is applies to me.

Nikon just came out with a list of "sharp" lenses it suggests is 'good' for the D800E (according to Nikon Rumors), "lenses that offer excellent resolution" for the D800E."

The new 80-400 is not on the list. However, in this Forum everyone who has used the lens raves....

Is the list not complete, or is the 70-200 (on the list) really sharper than the 80-400?

THANKS!

sevencrossing

I have a D800 and the latest 80 -400 this lens is SHARP very sharp
I can only guess the list is still out of date

Msmoto

This guide has a copyright date of 2012....does not include the 85mm f/1.8 G which is by test sharper than the 1.4. Also is missing a 50mm...does Nikon think they do not have a good 50mm? And, the 135mm f/2 is missing...

My thoughts are the same person at Nikon who decided to publish this was also involved in the D600 shutter/mirror lubrication specifications....

spraynpray

@Msmoto: The 85/1.8 is on the new list, but you're right they don't make a good 50 it seems :P

scoobysmak

I admit, I am a bit suprised at some of the lenses that made it an didn't make it. I have been eyeballing a 300mm F4, mainly because it is pretty sharp on its own but also the last of the super teles that have an aperature ring and as a bonus it has a close focus distance (this combo might make some interesting use of extention tubes). The other couple of lenses I thought would have made the list is the 200mm F4 micro and the 135mm F2 DC (mentioned before). The one lens that I did not expect to see listed is the 24mm F3.5 PC-E, not a bad lens for its purpose but not the sharpest 24mm lens to own. I would have also expected either of the new 50mm G lenses to appear but not shocked on that matter. I own a 50mm 1.4D so guess I can't complain I don't have the new one.

Just my opinion not that it matters.

Emcee

What I find more interesting is the new 24-85 made the list. It is pretty horrid in the corners when wide open. but when stopped down it is as good as any other lens.

shawnino

It wouldn't shock me if one consideration in the list's creation is to give positive press to lenses they need to clear out of inventory (to 800E owners, D40 owners, and all inbetween). Nikon knows about how many nifty-fiftys they're going to sell annually, no need to pump those.

Msmoto

Oops...my error, I was looking at the old list. Still puzzled by lack of the 135mm f/2....

As to the 24 mm f/3.5 PC... Mine is tack sharp

tganiats

Thanks to all..... As expected, a helpful discussion.

roombarobot

I was also surprised that the 24-85mm VR kept up with the 24-120mm f/4 VR on the DXOMark ratings. That said, I was fairly impressed with that lens on my D600 and I have barely gotten to shoot with the 24-120mm on my D800E.

Elvishefer

It seems like a badly assembled marketing list more than the result of real tests.

I know that's an extremely speculative statement, but I'd put the 200 f/4 micro as equal, if not better than, the 105 f/2.8 any day.

I don't have a lot of trust for that list.

Golf007sd

Weather your lens is on the list or not...from my perspective it is irrelevant. What really counts is what you where able to produce with the lens you have on your D800. The list be damed...and I don't even have this body.

Having said that...6 of my lenses made it on that list and those that did not....well I know what they can do and cannot do.

Happy shooting

shawnino

Happy shooting indeed...
...but when a company does something like this, I find it really odious.

Golf007sd

@shawnino: Why do you find this information offensive or repulsive? Many have asked this information from Nikon and all it is doing is respond to those requests.

Regardless of the body, the owner should know or have a good base in knowing how a particular lens will perform on his or her camera body...D800 or not.

Case in point, do you happen to see the 800mm on there? Nor do I. But does it mean that the 800mm is unworthy of this body....I would say: Hell no! Just think of how many of the lenses that are on the list can one buy for the price of the 800mm....

birdman

I was also surprised that the 24-85mm VR kept up with the 24-120mm f/4 VR on the DXOMark ratings. That said, I was fairly impressed with that lens on my D600 and I have barely gotten to shoot with the 24-120mm on my D800E.

Nothing on DXOMARK surprises me, really. Not to be critical, but I must. ;-) Actually it is not THAT bad or off-base with some comparisons.

shawnino

Golf: because instead of providing comprehensive information, the list is a naked attempt to generate sales.
I understand companies are in business to make money.
A proper company makes money the right way (and tons of it) by providing proper information. Especially when it initiates the conversation. (Responding to a customer's inquiry of "Where's my D400?" is something a little different. Here, Nikon started the conversation.) This list isn't the right way.
Your 800 f/5.6 note is another example about how this list wasn't about getting it right, just about moving product.

Golf007sd

@shawnino: I see your point. Lets see if the list gets update again and maybe then we will see a more complete list. Yet, I do find the current lens list given, very complementary when used with a D800 or D800e.

Msmoto

Here is an interesting lens... An 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor H built in 1966. I had it converted and here it is on my D4. But, it appears pretty sharp, good enough for a D800

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/8696737321/sizes/o/in/photostream/

spraynpray

Wow Msmoto - that lens makes me wonder how far lens design has come on the last 50 odd years - not very far it seems. Perhaps the development has been more on cost cutting/profit increasing than image quality.

@shawnino: I just think that list was compiled by a dope rather than anything cynical, after all it has two of the cheaper lenses that Nikon make on it which a cynically arrived at list may not have had?

Msmoto

@spraynpray

Yes, I was quite amazed. I have a 300mm f/4.5 which John converted as well. A new thread is coming soon with several images to demonstrate we may want to look at some of the "olden goldies". Of course, the most significant change in lens design may be in coatings and AF.

shawnino

s-n-p: I'll buy that. All of it.

Ironheart

I was at a bar a number of years ago having a discussion with a young person and at some point we were discussing human nature. I said, "Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by stupidity"', to which she replied, "What's malice?" I replied, "Exactly". The conversation continued on from there without skipping a beat.

This is really just a corralary to Occam's razor. +1 to @shawnino and @s-n-p

shawnino

@ironheart: muhahahahahahaha.

sevencrossing

One of the nice things about Nikon gear, is that most of it is backward compatible
However i think it is unrealistic to expect Nikon to actually recommend equipment that is discontinued
glass made in the 60s was and still is ,very good but Nikon's latest offering are in a differed league

TaoTeJared

Here is the new list - I was clicking on the wrong thing (as I think MsMoto was as well.)

http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d800_d800e_tips/d800e/

AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II
AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G
AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED
PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED
PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D

TaoTeJared

I'm halfway between Shawnino & Golf on the opinion of it. The list really is just all of Nikon's most recent lenses and provides zero "why these are better" aspect. And that is why from that point I take Golf's thought "Weather your lens is on the list or not...from my perspective it is irrelevant. What really counts is what you where able to produce with the lens you have on your D800."

Every lens I own from the 1950s 50mm, to the 70s 105mm, to my 90's Tokina, and everything inbetween all look better on it. If you are shooting the older "kit" lenses I would think it is time for an upgrade, but everything else is fine.
The information in the Technical guides on how to properly shoot is more important than what lens is on it.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D800/D800_TechnicalGuide_En_v2.pdf
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D800/D800_TechnicalGuide_PC_En.pdf

Interestingly the neither 50mm lenses are on the list - something that every "testing" place uses to test performance. I have often wished they moved to 60mm macros for testing - then you know you are getting optimal results.