With the advent of the digital era, it seems like manufacturers have stopped experimenting with focal lengths. Back in the 19th century, there were more than a handful of lenses that had really quirky focal ranges. Nowadays it’s all about the trinity – 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. But there was a time when these focal ranges were covered but in very unconventional zoom ranges. We’re taking a trip down memory lane to explore these yesteryear classics (and some notable recent ones) that brought a unique flair to photography.
Nikon’s Zoom-NIKKOR Auto 43-86mm F3.5
Known in Japan as the “yon-san-hachi-roku,” or literally the “four-three-eight-six,” this lens was a 2x zoom with a focal range that you can’t convince any manufacturer to produce anymore. In fact, it’s rare to see manufacturers make 2x lenses nowadays. Rare but not completely absent in some modern lineups. This was the third-ever F-mount lens to be released by Nikon. It succeeded the Telephoto-Zoom 85-250mm f/4-4.5 and the Auto NIKKOR Telephoto-Zoom 200-600mm f/9.5-10.5 lenses. Weighing around 410 grams (14.4 oz), this was a relatively lightweight lens for Nikon’s legendary F SLR users. The constant f3.5 aperture throughout the focal range greatly aided users of this lens.
Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM
This one was released in 1993 but isn’t exactly an old lens. But it’s featured here because of its focal range, which no other manufacturers have attempted since then. It was launched for a little over $2000 back then; that’s over $4000 now, adjusted for inflation. A heavy lens at 1385g (48oz), it’s one that is still quite popular among sports, aviation and travel photographers, judging by the many images there are on Flickr tagged to this lens. 21 lens elements in 15 lens groups were used in this push-pull type of lens. An L-series lens, the ultrasonic motor always ensured quick and silent autofocus. We’ll unlikely see this lens in the mirrorless RF mount, but Canon does seem to have some high magnification lenses in the works.
Sigma 200-500mm f2.8
If you can handhold this lens and snap a handful of sharp images with it, I will gladly sign up for a membership at your local gym. The Sigma 200-500mm f2.8 APO EX DG lens weighs a whopping 15.7kg (554 oz). It’s known in many photography circles as the BIGMA. I think it’s safe to say that this is a super-specialized lens. Aside from needing nearly $26000 to become yours, you’d also need a very sturdy tripod and gimbal to support it.
Nikon’s Alternate f2.8 Mirrorless Trinity
The S-line lenses in Nikon’s Z-mount lineup come with a hefty price tag, and rightfully so, given their reputation for exceptional sharpness and near-silent operation. However, not everyone transitioning from Nikon DSLRs is ready to break the bank on these lenses. Many opt to continue using their F-mount lenses with the FTZ adapter on their new mirrorless Nikons. Yet, when the time comes to upgrade, the available choices can strain the budget. To prevent losing these users to rival brands, Nikon smartly introduced an alternative to the pricier f2.8 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm lenses in the Z-mount lineup.
This move caters to a more budget-conscious audience, providing a strategic solution for users keen on embracing the advantages of the Z-mount without burning a hole in their pockets. The resulting set is also slightly short on both ends of the zoom spectrum, but they do a decent job. And in doing so, the focal lengths are a little unusual for modern times. This trinity is made up of:
The 17-28mm took the highest rating (so far) from us. In our review, we said:
The Nikon Z 17-28mm f2.8 is a versatile ultra-wide zoom with a wide aperture. The 17mm creates that feeling of large, wide-open spaces, while the 28mm creates a bit more natural point of view. Angle this lens just right and you can get lovely flare. The lens is lightweight and capable of handling light rain. Of course, one of the biggest perks is that this lens costs $1,100 less than the 14-24mm f2.8 S.
Worth A Try
The abundance of almost any combination of lens-to-lens mount adapters has opened up a world of possibilities for using rare lenses on modern mirrorless cameras. This trend is clearly observable in the multitude of photos shared on platforms like Flickr, where photographers showcase their work captured with these adapted lenses. Many in the photography community opt for these unique lenses for their functional adaptability and as a deliberate homage to a bygone era, embracing a sense of nostalgia in their creative pursuits.
The lead image in this article is by dem_Christoph; used under the CC BY 2.0 License