Spot metering with the 24mm AIS lens works well for me a majority of the time. I lean toward lenses in the 20mm to 28mm focal length for more 'general' or 'walk-around' photography. If I was going with a fixed-focal-length lens and I wasn't concerned about 3D Color Matrix Metering and autofocus then it would be the Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AIS. To take advantage of all the advanced metering and autofocus I'd say the Nikkor 20-35 f/2.8D. I prefer it to my 50mm f1.4 D.Ī 50mm f/1.8 AF-D most of the time. Secretly I'd consider a 28-105mm as a companion to it.Ģ0-35 f/2.8D to start out. I recently upgraded to an F5 and the only lens I've bought for it is the 50mm F1.4D. Recently got an F5 with an 80-200mm Tamron Zoom, bought a second hand 50mm 1.8D for 60 bucks and I actually use the 50mm s crazy fast to autofocus.I am looking for something wider (24mm-20mm)but taking my time for a bargain. I traveled all over Europe with that combo. I mostly shoot portraits, so the 105mm F/2 DC or the AIS 105mm F/1.8 would be my go to lens choice. My F5 generally has my AF28-105 D and it works great for an all round shooter The 50mm f/1.8D is almost permanently mounted and a kit 24-85 is just about the only other lens that I put on my F5. The f/1.4D is better in low-light situations. The next best lenses are the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and f/1.4D. The best lens for my Nikon F5 is the Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G, I capture images with details even in low-light. The 50mm 1.8G, IMHO, is a better lens, but the AF is not as fast.Īnother great lens is the 28-105mm zoom. If you want to utilize amazing AF speed of the F5, check out the 50mm 1.8D (a tad older) lens. I am new to the Nikon scene and am curious what lens you would choose if you were allowed to have only one lens. Next step may also be Nikon full frame digital. Collection was stolen and now I start (with money from the insurance company) with a 'full frame' analog (super) Nikon camera. Previous camera was a full frame digital sony camera with about 6 different minolta lenses.

Nikon f5