Nikon top quality lens range.

modchild

modchild

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I know the Canon L series lenses are generally regarded as the cream of the crop when it comes to their lenses (I've got 4 of them) and the EX series is the same for Sigma lenses (not got any yet) but I was wondering what the equivalent Nikon lenses are.
Unfortunately as a Canonite I dont know much about Nikon gear but am trying to get a knowledge of photography in general just in case I can pass anything on to fellow togs and in the Nikon case I'm clueless.
 
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modchild said:
I know the Canon L series lenses are generally regarded as the cream of the crop when it comes to their lenses (I've got 4 of them) and the EX series is the same for Sigma lenses (not got any yet) but I was wondering what the equivalent Nikon lenses are.
Unfortunately as a Canonite I dont know much about Nikon gear but am trying to get a knowledge of photography in general just in case I can pass anything on to fellow togs and in the Nikon case I'm clueless.
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As far as I'm aware there isn't a specific marketed line in the same way L lenses are. The 'gold ring' might be an indicator for it - my 50 and 85 1.8s don't have it, my 70-200, 105 and 24 PC-E do have it - but I couldn't say for certain.
 
Think the gold ring is an indication of it being high end (i.e. carrying features not found on general consumer lenses). As far as I'm aware, they tend to be the f/2.8 and f/4 lenses that carry the premium price, as well as the specialist TS and macro lenses. Unlike Canon, the gold ring doesn't differentiate between FX and DX lenses - case in point being the 17-55 and the 24-70 both carrying very similar features and the gold ring :)

I don't think the gold ing is applied to AF-D lenses - seems it started with the introduction of the AF-S and 'G' lenses although ED glass also seems to be something to do with it.......
 
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Thanks for your answers guys, I'm quite surprized that Nikon dont have a top range of lenses per se. I've noticed the more expensive gold ringed lenses and wondered if they were the equivalent of the red ring L's. Might just have to get a book on Nikon basics, not that I have any intentions to change from Canon, but it's always handy to know.
 
modchild said:
Thanks for your answers guys, I'm quite surprized that Nikon dont have a top range of lenses per se. I've noticed the more expensive gold ringed lenses and wondered if they were the equivalent of the red ring L's. Might just have to get a book on Nikon basics, not that I have any intentions to change from Canon, but it's always handy to know.
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There is a list somewhere of the lenses Nikon consider their professional offerings, but there is no designation like canons l lenses
 
I think there is more about it on the Nikon website in the lens section - dissects all the anachronyms and initials...

The thing with Nikon is its lens range is a real mish-mash because it uses lenses from years ago and pitches them alongside new ones. Look at something like the 60mm macro - old, screw-driven, basic (but a good lens) but with very little in the way of features. Then look a something like the new 70-200 - it has VR, ED, it's a G lens plus a load more...

This goes in stark comparison with Canon, which developed a totally new range of lenses to be used on its EOS system and they all started from a base level where they all use the same focussing system in the lens. Things like IS and USM have been aded over the years but essentially, all Canon AF lenses start from one point. Where Canon uses can only go back to 1987 for AF lenses, it's possible with Nikon to use lenses from the 1950s because the mount hasn't changed but that's meant some compromises - cameras like the D5000 can't incorporate an in-body AF motor (needed by AF and AF-D lenses) so they can only be used in manual focus mode.

I suppose it's one of those quirks that sets the brands apart. You kind of know where you stand with EOS - every lens works on any body, although the don't attribute a red ring to EF-S lenses, some of which are truly brilliant. Plus, when they introduced EF-S then they threw the cat among the pigeons and have almost taken a leaf out of Nikon's book because of the incompatibility with FF bodies like the 1Ds.... :)
 
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