When I entered the world of digital photography, I started with a Nikon AF-S 18-200mm DX VR lens and a D300 body. Over the course of a year, I've expanded my lens collection to include several more Nikon lenses (AF-S 50mm f/1.4G, AF-S 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro, AF-S 70-300mm VR, AF-S 35mm f/1.8 DX and an AF 85mm f/1.8) and a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I also ended up selling the 18-200mm lens, as I decided that I liked the quality, size and simplicity of prime lenses. All of the lenses that I have purchased and used so far have been auto-focus lenses, but I got the fancy of getting and using manual focus lenses. I usually check the used equipment page of a local photography store and several online sites and found a used AI 135mm f/3.5 lens for under $80. I did some research on the lens and found that the lens has almost no distortion when used on a DX body. So, I decided to try out the lens in the store and checked to make sure that there was nothing wrong with the optics and casing. The exterior of the lens had a bit of wear, but the glass and diaphragm was still perfect. I purchased the lens at that point. The lens will never match the beauty of the AF 135mm f/2 DC, but considering the cost and optical quality, I don't think I'll be disappointed; not to mention, I could still opt to get the AF version at a later date. Later during the week, I located an AI-s 24mm f/2.0 lens on eBay for $350, which was listed in mint condition and had both caps. I had already been considering getting an AF 24mm f/2.8, but wasn't really impressed with the plastic casing (akin to the AF 85mm f/1.8). Since the AI-s lens was one-stop faster, had a metal case and was slightly cheaper than the AF, I opted for the AI-s lens. It arrived and it was in fact in mint condition, zoom ring was butter-smooth and optically beautiful. These purchases will not supplant the need for auto-focus lenses, but will help round out my prime lens collection and hold me over until I can afford an AF 180mm f/2.8 and an AF-S 300mm f/4. |
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