Best 28mm for Nikon D2x

[George Mann]

I am looking to replace my Nikkor 28mm f3.5 Ai-S which performs acceptably well on film, but does not get along with my D2x.

I am looking for a lens that has the rare combination of refinement and critical resolve of fine detail like my 50mm f2 Ai does to perfection.

Barrel distortion is another issue as well. The less, the better.

The biggest issue is finding one that is compatible with my Nikon cameras, and doesn't cost a fortune. None of the vintage Nikkor 28mm's achieve this.

Any suggestions?

 

[BradS]

I'm curious....I've never used a DSL of any kind so, please forgive me if this is a dumb question but, I would have expected the AI-S Nikkors to play nice with the pro level (and advanced amateur) Nikon FX DSLRs.

What is the nature of the incompatibility?

I would have suggested the very best 28mm manual focus lens ever made (the 28mm F/2.8 or f/2.0 AI-S Nikkor) but it seems like that would be any better in the 'play nice' category that wht you have...

So, why don't they play nice?


EDIT: incidentally, I don't think Nikon has ever made a bad 28mm prime lens.They're ALL excellent. Many are/were the best you could get at the time.

 

[George Mann]

What is the nature of the incompatibility?

The D2x is ruthlessly revealing of the character and limitations of a lens.

So, why don't they play nice?

The 28mm f3.5 Ai-S has rather poor rendering of fine detail when used with the D2x.

 

[BradS]

Ah. I see... not an interface issue.

Have you tried a 28mm f/2.8 AI-S Nikkor? It really is about the best 28mm manual focus lens ever (well, better 28mm lenses came along later but, you know...).

 

[George Mann]

Have you tried a 28mm f/2.8 AI-S Nikkor? It really is about the best 28mm manual focus lens ever (well, better 28mm lenses came along later but, you know...).

It lacks the refinement necessary to play well with the D2x. And just so you know, the 28mm f1.4 AF-D cleans its clock.

A latter day Zeiss lens may provide the solution, but spendy!

 

[BradS]

....And just so you know, the 28mm f1.4 AF-D cleans its clock....

not surprising. Nikon seems to improve optical performance of its lenses with each successive generation...sometimes the improvements have been quite dramatic and sometimes more subtle.

 

[George Mann]

Well, for now I am going to stick with my 50mm f2 Ai with my D2x, and my longnose 35mm f2.8 Ai on my D300s as these lens fit these cameras the best.

I rarely have a need for wide angles, but find the 42mm perspective that the 28mm provides to be perfect. It just isn't perfect for these cameras as it gives them a mushier "digital" character than I prefer.