Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D Review

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The Nikon AF 28mm f/2.8D is one of the older AF lenses in Nikon's lens lineup. The lens was released back in 1994. The Nikon 28mm have for years been one of the few choices to get a equivalent to a 50mm on a DX sized Dslr. This was one of my complaints back in the day when I was using the Nikon D2H, there really wasn't any fast AF equivalent of a 50mm on the DX cameras. Over the years this has changed somewhat, and there is now a few alternatives available for the DX shooters. On a FX sized camera the AF Nikkor 28mm is considered a "wide" angle lens. Unfortunately Nikon seems to have struggled with making 28mm primes, so lets se if they made it back in 1994 with this one.

Specifications

*Prices are subject to change. Listed price is from March 7, 2010

Positives

• Cheap. still its not worth the money in my opinion when used on a FX sized camera, unless you are into photo journalism.
• Light weight. @ 205 grams this is a really lightweight lens.
• Infrared performance, no hot-spot at any aperture.

Drawbacks

• Softness. This lens is quite a bit softer then the 17-35mm f/2.8 @ 28, to soft for my liking.
• Vignetting, This lens vignettes on a DX sized camera, performance on the D3 is of course even worse.
• CA, not the worst I've seen but small traces can be found on f/8 in the worst of conditions.

Verdict

Released back in 1994 the Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D is one of the older AF lenses in Nikon's lens lineup. I originally purchased this lens to get a DX equivalent to a 50mm prime, unfortunately the performance on this lens did not meet my expectations. 28mm lenses have been in Nikons lens lineup since 1959, and you would think by now that they know how to make them. Unfortunately it seem that they still struggle with the 28mm primes. If you insist on using this lens, the best performance is between f/5.6 and f/11. Peak performance is @ f/8.

Features
Performance
IR Performance
Build
Value

Purchasing items through these links helps me adding more content to this website. The links takes you to B&H's website, which is my recommended store to get equipment from. I've used B&H personally since 2005, and I get all my equipment from them these days(including the lenses used for these reviews). Thanks for your support, Fredrik.

Price from: $ 244.95 USD

Alternatives

Nikon AF 35mm f/2.0D Price From: $349.95 USD

Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF From: $569.95 USD

Zeiss MF 35mm f/2 ZF Distagon T* Price: $826.00 USD

Nikon MF Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-S Price From: $999.95 USD

Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF From: $1,629.00 USD

DX alternatives:

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Price From: $194.95 USD

Sigma AF 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Price: $439.00 USD

*Prices are subject to change. Listed price is from March 7, 2010

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS4 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode(click on the thumbnails). Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.