Does Nikon do a luxury lens range like the Canon L series?

c22w1

c22w1

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Pretty much as in the title, Canon do a L series range and are pretty easy to spot when looking second hand. Do Nikon do something similar and what signifies that range if there is such a thing.
I always buy second hand and I am finding it confusing as to which lenses are which and hence wether a lens is entry level, mid class or top of the range.
In other words how would I know if a lens I am thinking if buying is an overpriced entry level or an underpriced pro version?
 
L glass or the Red ring is a branding thing than anything else. Nikon do have their higher range of glass but they don't do it with such PR than Canon (Canon's PR department is probably bigger than Nikon Cooperation alone). I think nikon's top lenses are call Nikor and they have a gold ring?
 
The gold ring at the end is the indicator of the top end lenses.

2185_AF-S-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f-2.8G-ED-VR-II_front.png
 
Not L lenses are that amazing. 24L mk1 was nothing fancy at all and their ultrawide zooms are rather average. Even 24-105 is just a normal lens with red ring painted on it... so maybe you should look at the optical formulas, reviews and reputation of the glass that interests you.
 
its abit less important now cos sigma are bringing out lenses that are better than oem stuff, so theres more choices
 
Raymond Lin said:
L glass or the Red ring is a branding thing than anything else. Nikon do have their higher range of glass but they don't do it with such PR than Canon (Canon's PR department is probably bigger than Nikon Cooperation alone). I think nikon's top lenses are call Nikor and they have a gold ring?
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All recent Nikon Lenses are called Nikkor... except the cheapo E series back in the 80s, and a few from WAYY back in the dawn of time :) I'm sure there are a few other isolated random Nikon lenses, but in general, all Nikon lenses are Nikkor.

Some of the higher end lenses have a gold ring, but that's not really an indicator of anything, as many of their pro lenses don't have it. My 105DC doesn't, both my 50mm G series lenses don't. Canon just use it as a marketing ploy to snare the unaware. There are many Canon non L lenses that are superb, and many L series that aren't really worth the money. Same with Nikon.

Use a lens.. evaluate the images they produce. That's the only real way to be sure.
 
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Pookeyhead said:
Use a lens.. evaluate the images they produce. That's the only real way to be sure.
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That's fair enough, but it doesn't help you to know before you buy, which is what the OP was after.
 
Then google reviews of the lens or ask on here.

Just because a lens a certain colour ring on it,doesn't mean its brilliant.
 
Goody13 said:
That's fair enough, but it doesn't help you to know before you buy, which is what the OP was after.
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There are still camera shops. Alternatively, ask on here for images taken with the lens. Many will oblige.
 
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I think so long as the price isn't extortionate, having it in my hand, right there and now would be a powerful persuasion to buy. only if there were really massive savings would I not. If it was a £2300 camera I could get for £1700 online, then obviously not. If it's a £900lens I could save, say £70 on, then I'd probably buy it there and then from new toy excitement :)
 
Pookeyhead said:
I think so long as the price isn't extortionate, having it in my hand, right there and now would be a powerful persuasion to buy. only if there were really massive savings would I not. If it was a £2300 camera I could get for £1700 online, then obviously not. If it's a £900lens I could save, say £70 on, then I'd probably buy it there and then from new toy excitement :)
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And the satisfaction of having a counter to bang your fist on when it all goes wrong, hopefully not though.
 
Pookeyhead said:
I think so long as the price isn't extortionate, having it in my hand, right there and now would be a powerful persuasion to buy. only if there were really massive savings would I not. If it was a £2300 camera I could get for £1700 online, then obviously not. If it's a £900lens I could save, say £70 on, then I'd probably buy it there and then from new toy excitement :)
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I still havnt got this internet thing yet,brought nearly all my stuff from my local dealer,or s/h of the the forum,but been using the same shop for years so they do look after me,and come up with a good deal for me :)
 
Pookeyhead said:
I think so long as the price isn't extortionate, having it in my hand, right there and now would be a powerful persuasion to buy. only if there were really massive savings would I not. If it was a £2300 camera I could get for £1700 online, then obviously not. If it's a £900lens I could save, say £70 on, then I'd probably buy it there and then from new toy excitement :)
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Local store lost out on a big impulse buy that way: "How much is a 70-200?" not in stock. Wasn't even much more than the usual online suspects, maybe £10 more. I also went in to buy a BR strap they did used to sell and again, no stock. They don't do them selves any favours.
 
The gold ring is usually a good indicator like others have said. The other thing would be, if i'm not wrong, is that Nikon's expensive lenses are usually nano coated and have "N" code on the lens.
 
Pookeyhead said:
All recent Nikon Lenses are called Nikkor... except the cheapo E series back in the 80s, and a few from WAYY back in the dawn of time :) I'm sure there are a few other isolated random Nikon lenses, but in general, all Nikon lenses are Nikkor.

Some of the higher end lenses have a gold ring, but that's not really an indicator of anything, as many of their pro lenses don't have it. My 105DC doesn't, both my 50mm G series lenses don't. Canon just use it as a marketing ploy to snare the unaware. There are many Canon non L lenses that are superb, and many L series that aren't really worth the money. Same with Nikon.

Use a lens.. evaluate the images they produce. That's the only real way to be sure.
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This is very true. For example the Canon 17-40 L is OK but not wow, whereas the 85 1.8 (non L) is a stunning little lens!
 
James.H said:
The gold ring is usually a good indicator like others have said. The other thing would be, if i'm not wrong, is that Nikon's expensive lenses are usually nano coated and have "N" code on the lens.
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Again only the newer lenses. The nano coating came in with the G lenses which is also where the gold ring thing started.
 
maninsuitcase said:
Again only the newer lenses. The nano coating came in with the G lenses which is also where the gold ring thing started.
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Not quite - the gold ring originally signified that the lens had at least one ED element, and this goes back even to the days of manual focus lenses. Only more recently has the issue been confused somewhat, so that now it's a bit of a vague indicator of quality (though some of the high priced 'pro' quality lenses don't have the ring).
 
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