Subjective Lens Evaluations, by Grover Larkins
Here are some Lens Rankings Based upon Personal Experiences of several Closely Allied Pro Photographers:
NOTE: THESE ARE OPINIONS OF ABOUT 10 WORKING PROS -- They are ONLY OPINIONS -- If you disagree, fine; if you flame I'll ignore you (as will most others). They may not include your pet lens -- if not I'm sorry but it isn't one we use or I've omitted it inadvertently. This version has updated teleconverter information -- better estimation scheme thanks to Bob Atkins -- and it also rates two of the Russian lenses often asked about at the end.
Grover Larkins
Rating is on a scale of 0-5 w/5 high and are Optical, Mechanical
A RATING OF ABOVE 4 IS PRO QUALITY!
Optical Ratings
5 Super -- Sharp at All Apertures until Diffraction Limit set in with Outstanding Contrast and Flare Resistance.
4 Very Good -- Center 75% of the Image is Sharp Wide Open and by 2 stops down entire image is crisp w/very good contrast and flare resistance at all apertures.
3 Good -- May have to be stopped down more than 2 stops to get the entire image sharp and contrast could be better but is still OK, Flare resistance is not as good as it could be -- this is a lens you need to be cautious using a teleconverter with.
2 So-So -- Portraits and Family Photos -- Contrast is acceptable but not nearly as good as a 3 or 4 rated lens, don't even think of using a teleconverter. May have one good aperture for sharpness and contrast but in general a lens strictly for amateur use.
1 Dog -- Only slightly better than an Instamatic Lens.
0 Awful -- a lens polished using sandpaper or bubble gum.
Mechanical Ratings
5 Pro Quality in EVERY respect
4 Better than Avg. Amateur quality
3 Avg. Amateur Quality.
2 Below Avg. Quality
1 It will Break in Normal Use
0 Manufactured Broken.
Teleconverter ratings should be as follows (gives ESTIMATE ONLY!)
Lens + TC = Lens rating*Teleconverter rating/5
Hence for the 400 f3.5 EDIF Nikkor the Rating w/a TC14 is = 5X4.5/5 = 4.5 With the TC 300/301 the 400 f3.5 EDIF = 4.2
Lens Ratings Comment
opt. mec.
20 f2.8 MF AIS Nikkor 5 5
24 f2.8 MF AI/AIS Nikkor 4.5 5
28 f2.0 MF Nikkor AIS 4.5 5
28 f2.8 Series E Nikon 4.5 4
35 f2.5 Series E Nikon 3 4
35 f2.0 MF Nikkor AIS 3.5 5
35 f1.4 MF Nikkor AIS 5 5
35 f2.0 AF Nikkor AIS 5 4
50 f1.4 MF Nikkor AIS 4.5 5
50 f1.8 MF Nikkor AIS 4 5
50 f1.8 Series E Nikon 4 4
55 f1.2 Nikkor 3 5 (a true dog)
55 f3.5 Micro Nikkor AI and Non-AI 5 5
55 f2.8 Micro Nikkor AIS 4.5 4.5
55 mm f2.8 AF Micro Nikkor 4.5 4
58 f1.2 Noct Nikkor 5 5
60mm f2.8 AF Micro Nikkor 5 4
85 f1.4 MF AIS Nikkor 5 5
85 f1.8 AF Nikkor 5 4
105 f4 Micro Nikkor 4.5 5
105 f2.8 MF AIS Micro Nikkor 4 5
105 AF Micro Nikkor 5 5
200 IF Micro Nikkor MF 5 5
200 IF Micro Nikkor AF 5 5 (Goes to 1:1 and does better at infinity due to ED Elements)
180 ED MF Nikkor 4.8 5
180 EDIF AF Nikkor 5 5 New Version)
180 EDIF AF Nikkor 5 4 (Old Version)
200 f2.0 EDIF Nikkor 4.5 5
300 f4.5 MF Nikkor (Non-ED) 3 4.5
300 f4.5 EDIF Nikkor 4.8 5
300 f4 EDIF AF Nikkor 5 5
300 f2.0 EDIF MF Nikkor 5 5
300 f2.8 EDIF MF Nikkor 5 5
300 f2.8 EDIF AF-I Nikkor 5 5
300 f2.8 EDIF AF-N Nikkor 4.8 4.8
300 f2.8 EDIF AF 1st vers. Nikkor 4.8 4
400 f5.6 EDIF Nikkor 4.8 5
400 f3.5 EDIF Nikkor 5 5
400 f2.8 EDIF AF-I Nikkor 5 5 (Good lens, great boat anchor 6kg vs 3kg for the f3.5; couldn't Nikon make the 400 f3.5 as an AF lens?)
500 f8 Mirror Nikkor 3.8 5
500 f4 EDIF-P Nikkor 5 4.5 (Wimpy Tripod Mt.)
500 f4 EDIF-AF Nikkor 5 5 (AF Version IS sharper wide open in the corners than the MF but they both are quite good)
600 f5.6 EDIF Nikkor 5 5
600 f4 EDIF Nikkor (AIS) 5 5
600 f4 EDIF-AF Nikkor 5 5
600 f4 EDIF Nikkor (AI) 5 5
20-35 f2.8 AF-Nikkor 4.8 5 (Arguably the best wide zoom on the market; Crisp and competitive with primes for sharpness and contrast)
24-120 f5.6 Nikkor (AF) 4.5 4.5 (Zoom loose on early versions, great travel lens)
75-150 f3.5 Series E Nikon 5 4.5
80-200 f4.5 AI Nikkor 5 5
43-86 Nikkor 3 4.5 (later vers. better but still not great)
80-200 f2.8 EDIF MF Nikkor 5 5
80-200 f2.8 EDIF AF Nikkor 4.8 4 (No Tripod Mt)
80-200 f2.8 EDIF AF Nikkor 4.8 5 (Tripod Mt. -- Yahoo!!!!)
50-300 f4.5 EDIF Nikkor 5 5 (An African Classic should be done in AF!)
200-400 ED MF AIS Nikkor 5 5 (An African Classic; should be done in AF!)
Teleconverters:
TC-14/14B/14E 4.5 5
TC-300/301 4.2 4.5
TC-20E 4.8 5 (Noticably better than TC-301)

Views since - 1 Aug 2003