Full systems ie single mount lens line-ups with pricing

[Esox lucius]

The idea is to collect here your suggestion for single mount toolboxes, ie. if you were to build a manual focus system based on one mount or one brand; what would it contain? Please think of your post as information that would be useful to someone who wants to build a complete system, so include full solutions rather than individual lens recommendations. The composition of the system can be debated until eternity, so feel free to make your versions of already posted line-ups.

I'll start with my input, the classic Nikon toolbox which could also be called the Nikon DSLR video toolbox. This one is built on higher than average standards for optical performance and lens specs.

Nikon FM2n 140 EUR
24/2.8 Ai-S 200 EUR
28/2 Ai-S 270 EUR
35/1.4 Ai-S 380 EUR
50/1.4 Ai 60 EUR
50/1.2 Ai-S 380 EUR
55/2.8 Ai-S Micro 50 EUR
85/1.4 Ai-S 450 EUR
105/2.5 Ai/Ai-S 100 EUR
105/4 Ai Micro 100 EUR
135/3.5 Ai 70 EUR
180/2.8 Ai-S 180 EUR
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Total price about 2380 EUR

I know from experience the above system can be built for 1500 EUR if you have lots of patience and time but the prices above are based on eBay's completed items in 07-09/2010.

The following enthusiast's Nikon system is built on a budget, which sometimes means compromises in optical performance and lens specifications. Note: sometimes, not always. Once again, prices are from eBay's completed items 07-09/2010.

Nikon FM2n 140 EUR
20/4 Ai 130 EUR
28/3.5 Ai 40 EUR
Nikon 35/2.5 E 35 EUR
50/2 Ai 45 EUR
55/3.5 Ai 40 EUR
85/2 Ai-S 170 EUR
105/2.5 Ai 100 EUR
135/3.5 Ai 70 EUR
180/2.8 Ai 130 EUR
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Total price about 900 EUR

Vilhelm

[walter g]

This is my version of a Minolta MD System. Proven performers, not always the fastest lens. But great lenses, some are chosen for Bokeh,
others for sharpness. But all great performers.
USD pricing averaged off of recent Ebay sales. You can do alot better on some of these items.

Minolta X-700 - $45
Lenses
24 2.8 - $80
28 2.0 - $125
35 2.8 - $25
45 2.0 - $20
50 1.4 - $40
58 1.2 - $400
85 1.7 - $200
100 2.5 - $70
135 2.8 - $15
200 3.5 - $40

Total $1045 USD

Changing the 58 f1.2 for a 58 1.4. $35

Total $680 USD

[Orio]

Well, as you know I use Contax and things can get really expensive there.
Yet, I think that with some judgement, it is possible to get a basic Contax set that does not cost an arm and a leg:

Distagon 25/2,8 : wide enough to fit most landscape needs. At 350 Euros for an MM version, it costs significantly less than the Distagon 21 (1000+)

Vario-Sonnar 35-70/3.3 : a handy small zoom with outstanding image quality and macro mode (more closeup than macro). Minimum aperture does not change, so easy to use with external flash. Approx. 250 Eur

Planar 50/1.4 : always useful fast standard lens, 150 Eur

Planar 1.4/85 : fast tele for portraits, 450 Eur

Vario-Sonnar 80-200/4 : handy small zoom to take around, covers the most used tele lenghts, 250 Eur

additional 3 tubes set for macro : 20 Eur

Total: 1470 Euros for 5 lenses + 1 macro tube set. It's a selection that does it all, including macro. Sure, you can have better lenses in the Contax catalogue, but this set not just gets you started but also covers all the bases and even includes a very fast portrait lens.

[alex]

My primary system is Contax, for which I have an extensive range of lenses and a core system for regular use, so I will offer a very slightly different line-up. Whilst it can be expensive, quality is something you remember long after you've forgotten the price. My approximate prices are in GBP, but there can be considerable variation, often favourable.

CONTAX

Contax RX : £300
Distagon 2.8/28 : £200
Distagon 2.8/35 : £150
Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70 : £300
Planar 1.7/50 : £70
Sonnar 3.5/100 : £170?
Sonnar 2.8/180 : £450
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Approx total : £1640

The D28 is reckoned by many to be one of the finest of all Zeiss Contax optics. Though the D35 is less highly regarded, it's my favourite Distagon, because its field of view fits better with the aspects I favour. The P50 in its 1.7 incarnation has to be the bargain of all bargains in the Zeiss line-up. Personally I wouldn't care whether I took the 1.4 or the 1.7 (I have both), but the price of the 1.7 makes it irresistibly recommendable to someone looking to build up a quality core. The S100 is relatively rare, but outstandingly sharp. I put a '?' against the price because that's what I paid, but its rarity could mean quite a variation from that.

My S85 (not on the list above) is the f/2.8, since I didn't need the two stops of the 1.4 (itself having a stellar reputation), and its size suited me as it's barely bigger than the Planar. Although the S100 is sharp, I've found it pleasing for portraits of certain subjects when a mild Softar filter is attached, and my preference for the S100 is purely personal, and its appearance in place of the S85 merely reflects how often it's in my bag.

The RX is my favourite Contax body, but the Aria is a good alternative, and could reduce the cost by £50-£100. If I could take only one lens on an outing, it would be the VS35-70, a zoom that is justly said to be of prime quality in both senses.

If this is too costly for some, there's an alternative in the Yashica range which is a good example of the 80/20 rule (80% of the performance for 20% of the price). All the lenses mentioned are from the Multicoated ML/MC range, not the single coated and cheaper DSB (a.k.a. YUS) range. Prices on eBay vary enormously, especially with the ultra wides.

YASHICA

Yashica FX-3 : £30
2.8/24 : £100
2.8/28 : £25
2.8/35 : £30
1.4/50 : £40
2.8/135 : £20
3.5-4.5/28-85 : £60
4.5/70-210 : £60
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Approx total : £365

If wides aren't your thing, then the savings to be made are substantial. If they are your thing, the 3.5/21 could be a consideration, especially as an alternative to the stratospherically priced D21. The most recent prices I've seen for the 3.5/21 have breached the £300 barrier. There are no 85mm lenses in the YML line-up, and the 100mm macro is very rare. The cost of a 50mm can be halved if you opt for the excellent f/1.7 version, and whilst the 1.4/50 ML is a cracker, I've seen it approach the prices of a 1.7/50 Planar. If speed is not important, there are two outstanding zooms in the range, the 28-85 (not to be confused with the 28-80 model), and the 70-210. The 28-85 is my favourite, though it is big and can be subject to flare without a hood. Moreover, you may find you need two hoods, one for each end of the range, although a Contax 67/86 ring is an option.

The diminutive FX-3 is a delightful little camera. It's as basic as it gets, but in both my copies, the FX-3 and the FX-3 Super, the mechanical shutters are all within 0.15 of a stop of nominal values right throughout the range, and most speeds are within 0.1 of a stop, way inside the tolerance of even slide film.

If I could take only one of these lenses on an outing, it would be the 28-85mm zoom.

A flick through eBay will show that these prices mentioned are all rule-of-thumb numbers. It's also worth noting that Contax and Yashica share the same bayonet mount, so lenses are interchangeable and you then have the ability to add higher performance lenses as funds permit without abandoning the good ones you already have. It also gives you the ability to take good quality but lower value kit in situations where there might be a higher risk of loss for whatever reason.