All Nikon Lens Technology Explained by Ken Rockwell 

THANKS Rich!

I second that. Over the years your website was invaluable for me in choosing lenses and not to forget your excellent manual of the D90. I am very glad you have come to RU-vid Ken!

Thirded. A decade later, I'm still rocking the D3100 with 35mm F/1.8 I got based off of Ken's recommended cameras. This man could've monopolized RU-vid's camera gear segment had he started earlier. Still, better later than never.

@@sofuckingannoying He still could, he'd just have to make the right kind of videos. But I doubt he has any aspirations for that.

And what a listenable explanation, too!

Adam Allen thank you! I could do one for Canon, but as you hear Canon got it all right back in 1987 pretty much eliminating the need for such a video.

Thanks Ted!

I was about to say the same :) I've read KenRockwell.com for more than a decade and finally I can hear you, Ken!

Have a listen to the guy on the channel " lock picking lawyer " , sounds similar. Also, I know of Ken Rockwell by finding his Mercedes SL500 web site after I got my SL. Great SL revue the way. .

You convinced me to buy my first Nikon DSLR, the D40, many years ago. Thanks for all your excellent coverage of photography products, you're the best!

Thank you Abishek!!!!

Thanks for watching!

Thank you!!!!

Thank YOU for finding it so helpful. Best for the new year!

Thanks!

Thank you!

Thank you!!!!!

Thanks!

Danke!

Paul W thank you! So glad all you folks enjoy this. This is something that shows well on video so you can see everything.

Yessss

Thank YOU!!!

Thanks! Be sure to share it.

Thanks!! You rule!!!!

Thank you!!!

I got my F100 in 1999 when I started the site. Ought to be 25 years in October 2024. Thanks!

Thank YOU!!!!

Actually, that old Fisheye-Nikkor, the 8mm f/8 is the pig in the Nikkor fisheye world. It was soon surpassed by the 7.5mm f/5.6 and was a nice improvement. I know Ken and would like to thank him for saving me the trouble of having to talk people through the complexities of the Nikon lens mount world, particularly with the advent of the Nikon F. And yes, I’m old enough in the Nikon world to have bought a Nikon F when you could buy one new! I personally have about 50 Nikkor lenses 7.5mm to the 1000mmm, including the incredible 13mm f/5.6 AIS ultra wide. Keep in mind another thing that perhaps Ken will touch upon some day-the glass. Two basic things to consider. Coatings, and the glass types. Over the decades Nikon has improved their coatings with multi-coatings, to nano. When buying a used Nikkor, try to find the latest coatings that you can . The simplest way to tell it by color. If it reflects a blueish color, it’s vey old and original. The better multi-coatings reflect more of a greenish color. That happened in the early 1980s, generally. Optically, it all comes down to the glass, right? I highly recommend that you only buy glass known as ED (Extra-Dispersal) for anything 100mm and longer. Until they used ED glass (like the APO glass within Leica) you have less sharpness at the focusing plane. Each color in the spectrum would focus a little farther or closer in relative to the prime focusing plane and you got softness in your focus. So, stick to ED glass, for the longer longest. They have even begun to adopt it for the shorter focal lengths. Just a few tips along with what Ken is putting o. -Dan

And in sometimes even in stereo! Thanks!

THANK YOU!!!!!

Thanks Matt!

Thank you! Yes, while these videos here are fun, if you’re actually about to buy something always read my site which will always be more up to date and detailed. Once published, there’s no way to edit RU-vid videos except for the title and comments. I edit my site numerous times every day as things develop. Thanks!

Thanks!

Merci bien!

Ditto! Thanks for checking it out. See ya!

That you will! Thanks!

Hee Hee. Thanks!

Thank you!!!

Aha! Thanks!!!

Thank you; it was fun to do!

Perfect! Thanks!

Thank YOU!!!!!!!!

I agree!!!

Thank you!!!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! Somebody in the know needs to document before it's forgotten.

Thanks!

Thanks!

And THANK YOU!!! You folks make it all possible.

Thanks Mike!!!

Thanks Peter!

Yes, and it's easier and faster to turn one ring a little rather than set seventeen autofocus menus! Thanks!

Thanks!!!

Thanks!

You make me a legend, thank you!!!!!

donteatsomtam working on it! I think I have a great idea I may just go work on now.

Thank you! Those lenses are the best thing nikon ever did.

@@KenRockwellTVMy first camera was a Nikkormat from Fox Photo- Now im using a a7iv and a a7riii converted to infrared with a novoflex f to e - everyone of my modern lens, Voigtlander produce sensor hotspots- but with the old nikkors the images are spectacular at f16+_ so far ive i have 20 mint lenses ive ordered from Japan with great success! Cheers from Missouri

Thanks John!!!

Good point, I just added links to www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm where I cover compatibility in great detail

@@KenRockwellTV Thanks! I find these pages quite helpful.

Thanks!

Thank you!!!! Tons more at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm

Thank YOU!

Hi Jerome, Man, you're a REAL photographer. If someone can't load film holders and work a dark slide, they may was well just use their iPhone. Thanks!

David Fraser thank you for watching!

You're awesome, thanks for enjoying it! Thanks!

Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV no problem :) btw Mr. Rockwell I have a question, I built a pinhole camera using an old style hasselblad magazine 12, if I use the peep hole in the back to check my winding to the next frame, do I risk light leaks through the peep hole onto my film or is it made so you can always open the hole in normal light conditions?

Thank you!!!!

You got it! Thanks!

Thank you!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Exactly. Just avoid Nikon’s Mirrorless; nothing older than about 1990s will work properly on the weak FTZ.

Coming...... Thanks!

Thanks Ronaldo!!! That means a lot to me, glad you enjoyed it. Took forever to borrow all those lenses !

THANKS Chirag!!!!

Thank YOU!

Only had good stuff up a few weeks. Thanks!

Easy to find on eBay www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/45.htm thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV not sure I need one that bad$$$.

Arrigato!!

Thank you for reading all these years! I’m a little behind because I’m working with one broken arm and working on editing photos to publish from my October trip. Thanks!!!

Ken Rockwell is such a legend!

frankthespank Thanks Frank!!!!

Thank You!!!

Tech Life TV thanks for watching!

Thanks!

YES!!! Thanks!

I heard it was Economy for lower cost version. Or maybe that was the name given it by the haters.

Yes, Nikon is all about its history, but just a sad shadow of its former innovative self today.

@@KenRockwellTV I’d argue that lately Nikon has been gaining steam. Their removal of a mechanical shutter was a bold move that others will follow. Seems like it will improve reliability, and it drives mirrorless where it should naturally go… toward everything managed electronically. The Z Noct is insanely cool. Many of their zooms are great for enthusiasts like the 200-500 and now the 180-600, and they have been killing it with super telephotos lately. I’m not happy either that I can’t use my old D lenses on my Z body, but my old D lenses are, well, old. I do see your point about how they have changed. Ever since Canon invented EOS, Nikon has struggled with its relationship with its past. Over the last few years we’re finally seeing a new Nikon.

Craig Conway it’s real, read Subliminal Seduction by Bryan Wilson Key amzn.to/2Nur9sg

@@KenRockwellTV After reading from your site for years, it's nice to communicate with you. Keep up the good work Ken :)

@@KenRockwellTV Maybe Nikon should designate an SX line of Z camera bodies and lenses for eXceptionally SeXy and Seductive.... introducing the Z 8 SX with the new SX line of lenses.....for the advanced connoisseur....

read Ken's 'Leicaman' diatribe, priceless. like the best humour, there is a good deal of real truth in it. A.

It was kinda funny the 1st time. After that it was just creepy!

Yip, the E 100/2.8 is optically superb!

Thanks! How do I sound?

Not bad in about a half hour, huh? Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV It's refreshing to read and listen to someone that is talking from first hand experience. I've shot Nikon film cameras since 1965 and you are still teaching me something every time I tune in. Heck my 30 something son visits your site for advise, I always knew is was a smart guy!

Yes! Sadly except for LEICA all cameras today are disposable. Thanks!

Thank you!!!

Thanks!

Yes, they were failures. Thanks!

Thanks! What should be my next topic?

@@KenRockwellTV Next topic: History of Leica M Systems, a walk down memory lane. The road to the M3 and after. I don’t own one but I think they are a thing of exceptional beauty (engineering, design, functionality). I don't know why but I still get more excited by old classic rangefinders, it inspires me and makes me want to go out and shoot. Alternative topics … Nikon ES-2 system: any good and solutions for Z system users. History of Canon lenses. History - Legends of the past: Yashica Electro 35, Contax G2, Olympus 35 SP, Nikon FM3a, Nikon S3, Minolta SRT-101 etc - how do they stack up against legends of today. History of lenses: Interesting lenses past and current - macro, fisheye, telephoto, collapsible, pancake, Noct, etc and their application - how can we still use them today, what should we keep an eye out for. Lessons learnt: starting a new system today (particularly with all these new mirrorless lenses), what's the smart way to proceed if you are looking at Nikon and Canon. How do you take advantage of the past, present and future. It could be that you already answered this with your past discussion on converters - food for thought. Cheers, A

Thanks! I use a Geiger counter, and yes, I have radioactive lenses - even the ones Leitz swore we’re not radioactive.

@@KenRockwellTV No manufacturer likes to admit their mistakes and when they have to it's quite embarrassing, so it is understandable!

Thanks!!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

And those are Nikons best lenses ever. Been downhill ever since autofocus. Thanks!

Thanks!

Wow! That’s hardcore. Thanks!

Probably half the Sony shooters come from Nikon. The world evolves. Thanks!

Thanks!!!

Great idea! It’s much rockier with the great rift of FD then EOS, which of course was the right thing to do.

Thanks!!!

Thanks!

THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks for watching! Thats why I do all this.