Nikon L series lenses

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Doog

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No such thing? I just wondered if Nikon have an equivalent of Canons' "L" series lenses?
 
Doog said:
No such thing? I just wondered if Nikon have an equivalent of Canons' "L" series lenses?
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They certainly have a "pro" range, but I don't think it has a specific title or description or way of "seeing" that it's a pro-series lens (like the red band on L glass)
 
Yes, the price is usually a giveaway.

Nikon used to make an E-Series range of lenses which were 'budget', but actually compare pretty favourably to their modern line up, especially in terms of build-quality.

People have perhaps forgotten how utterly bomb-proof the old Nikkors were, especially the ones with the metal 'scallopped' focus-rings...

35mm-f28-aid-KEN_3859-460.jpg
 
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Nikon never felt the need to grandstand.

They have good top end lenses and they have cheaper not so good lenses.

To be honest its fairly easy to spot - if its constant aperture f2.8 or better (or sometimes f4 on the really long stuff) then it in all probability is a good lens. Couple this with the price tag of around 1000 quid and upwards and you are well into "good lens" territory.

Now, armed with those few words of wisdom, do you need a letter to tell you that now?
 
desantnik said:
Nikon never felt the need to grandstand.



Now, armed with those few words of wisdom, do you need a letter to tell you that now?
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Kinda love the "L", red ring and especially White lens :love:

at least one can show off compared to the "everything black have to look twice in order to figure out what it is" of Nikon
 
Don't the pro Nikon series have a gold ring round the lens? Or does it mean something else that I haven't noticed?

But I agree the best way is probably just the price & appature. If in doubt, just google it, and look for a review :)
 
I note that canon do a sort of "budget" L range such as the 17-40/4, 24-105/4 & 70-200/4 - presumably aimed more at enthusiasts rather than the true "pro" market.
 
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Prob gonna sound :amstupid: - but hey its xmas & its a time for that allowance ;)

But aren't the Nikon "Canon L glass equivalant" virtually any lens that doesn't have "DX" on it :shrug:
 
Trig's said:
Prob gonna sound :amstupid: - but hey its xmas & its a time for that allowance ;)

But aren't the Nikon "Canon L glass equivalant" virtually any lens that doesn't have "DX" on it :shrug:
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Although DX will pretty much guarantee a lower quality lens (as it's made for crop sensors only, and therefore cheaper bodies). Although, just because it's not a DX, doesn't mean it's a pro lens, for example, one of my lenses (the Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 VR) isn't a DX lens, however it's also defiantly not a pro lens :lol:
 
P-Chan said:
Kinda love the "L", red ring and especially White lens :love:

at least one can show off compared to the "everything black have to look twice in order to figure out what it is" of Nikon
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Obviously you know nothing about Nikons then

Nikon 28-70mm

Nikon-LIGHT-GREY-AF-S-28-70mm-f2.8D-ED-IF-Lens.jpg


Nikon 70-200mm VR f/2.8

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300mm f4 AF-S

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Nikon 300mm f/2.8

-4132903648902780.jpg


Nikon 400mm f/2.8

nikon-400mm-f-2-8d-ed-if-af-s-ii-nikkor-light-grey-5034294.jpg


Nikon 500mm f/4

111b_nikon_500mm_f4_lens.jpg
 
Trig's said:
But aren't the Nikon "Canon L glass equivalant" virtually any lens that doesn't have "DX" on it :shrug:
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Not at all. There are DX lenses which are built to pro standards. The AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED is one that springs to mind. And there are non-DX lenses which certainly aren't pro lenses: for example the AF 50mm f/1.8.
 
The gold ring is the answer :) Not sure if it's the absolute answer but it's definitely a big part :)
 
RCAnderson said:
Don't the pro Nikon series have a gold ring round the lens? Or does it mean something else that I haven't noticed?
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db247 said:
The gold ring is the answer :) Not sure if it's the absolute answer but it's definitely a big part :)
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Mrs OutLore's 18-55 kit lens has a gold ring, so I doubt that it's anything to do with the quality as it feels like it came out of a Christmas cracker :)


Interestingly, the 35mm f1.8 DX lens Nikon do seem to consider "pro" when you register it for warranty.
 
The gold ring means that Nikon ED glass is used, extra low dispersion glass. Or at least it did.

But it's generally accepted that the gold ring is for the pro line up. (No idea about why that kit lens has a gold ring tho unless it has ED glass!)
 
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L = Luxury in Canonspeak, although to me a red L always reminds me of a 1970s Ford Cortina for some reason.


Perhaps they need XL and GXL versions too :lol:
 
Arkady2 said:
People have perhaps forgotten how utterly bomb-proof the old Nikkors were, especially the ones with the metal 'scallopped' focus-rings...
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agreed .,.have a 50mm f2 and a 28mm..perfect glass - almost 40 years old and both mount on my new D5000
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desantnik said:
Nikon never felt the need to grandstand.

...
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:naughty: Although they did decide to use REAL GOLD :eek: to make the ring out of :D. I've read different accounts concerning the purity of it, but Uncle Ken speculates that it's either solid 14 carat, or an alloy containing 18 carat particles.

Either way, I'd rather have a ring of gold than one made from purest ... red :(!?

(;) Jokey post, BTW).
 
boliston said:
I note that canon do a sort of "budget" L range such as the 17-40/4, 24-105/4 & 70-200/4 - presumably aimed more at enthusiasts rather than the true "pro" market.
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Unless your a landscaper then (to my mind, and many others too) a set of f/4 lenses and a 5D mk2 is a perfect mix.
 
MindofMel said:
Gary! That post was nikon lens porn if there ever was one. Can honestly say thats the first time I've seen white nikon lenses.. I WANT ONE!!! lol
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those white lenses are hand painted :D acryillic have to say.
anyways they are some non cool white lenses :p

this is a cool white lens and obvouisly screams lux :love:

Canon_70-200_L02.jpg
damn pic >:p

anyway always thought that NIKKOR means the lux for nikon lens
 
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How do Nikon designate their lenses as being the top quality, precision optical performance and well built professional tools?


Put the 'Nikon' sticker on...


It pretty much works out that any nikon lens that rrp's over £500 is an 'L' equivalent...
 
Dx / fx ... Not a sign of pro or not. For example 17-55 2.8 is dx but is definitely pro :)
 
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