Is there a big difference in Nikon 28/2.8 Ai-s and Nikon Series E 28mm?

[ColdEye]

I have a Nikon 28/2.8 AI-S coming in, and I was wondering if there is a big difference performance wise between that and the Series E 28mm? I mean like an eye opening difference in sharpness wide open. I will mostly be using it at 2.8 and hopefully for long exposure night shots. I don't have the Series E yet so I cannot compare. I am considering the Series E because it is quite small.

 

[brucemuir]

Probably mostly in build quality and maybe distortion. Possibly sharpness in extreme corners.
I don't own either (have the 28 f/2) so I'm just guessing.

 

[2F/2F]

You are putting the Series E to a pretty tough test comparing it to the AI-S 28mm f/2.8. The latter is one of the best wides ever made for an SLR.

That being said, I am sure the Series E is a good lens.

 

[brucemuir]

Dont forget,
the series E's have no hog nose so forget using it on older bodies without stopping down for metering.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I had a Series E and later replaced it with the 28mm f2.8D AF. There are three different 28/2.8 lenses. The Series E is a 5 element design, while the AiS is a more complex optical formula. The Series E optics were also used in the original version of the AF 28/2.8 lens. It had a poor reputation compared to the AiS, so when Nikon came out with the D-version of the 28/2.8 they redesigned the optics. I have not shot the AiS, but the AF-D version is sharper than the Series E and original AF. Main difference is wide open. Stopped down, the Series E is actually really good. The AF-D is fairly cheap used, so I'd probably go for that over the Series E if you cannot afford an AiS, which costs more used.

 

[ColdEye]

Thanks for the replies. I actually have a 28 AIS that is coming in next week. I used a series e 50mm, and I really liked the performance plus the size ( I'm all for small and compact stuff). When I get my hands on the 28 ais I'm gonna see if its just right. I had a 28 3.5 before and it was quite bulky.

 

[fstop]

There is AiS and every thing else, including the plastic AF ..... lenses

AiS first

E series if you are on a budget, the AF etc series lenses are a waste of time and money on a manual body

 

[darinwc]

You will be very happy with the 28mm f2.8 AIS. it's one of the best wide angle lenses Nikon ever made. The series E is a inexpensive lens with 5 elements. The AIS is an 8 element lens with a floating element for added close-range performance. It will focus down to .7 feet if I remember correctly.

 

[2F/2F]

Also worth nothing is that there is a difference in performance between the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S and the AI. They are different lenses optically. Not all AI and AI-S lenses were different, but these were.

 

[ColdEye]

.7 feet? I gotta research about this lens, that's pretty amazing. It looks like I am really going to enjoy it. Can't wait for it to arrive!

 

[Carl V]

I've never used the series E but I do have the AI-S 28mm f/2.8 lens and can highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.

 

[SafetyBob]

I think I have a copy of every Series E lens that was made by Nikon. Inexpensive and a lot of plastic and unless you have some very specific reason for wanting the "true" Ai-S lens, save your money, get the Series E, try it, see how it works out, if it doesn't sell it and get the other.

Honestly, in my case, I have more worries about ME getting the shot in focus than the lens resolving the image on the film. With all my manual focus lenses, expensive or cheap, when I am able to nail the focus.......the picture is sharp enough. Composition and the character of the photograph is going to make the picture. I can't really say I have any bad copies of any Nikon lens so far.

I can back up my above statement too.....routinely I use a AF teleconverter on my F4S with mostly MF prime lenses. When I do, even chasing after the soon to be 4 year old girl, I am able to nail the shot with perfect focus.......not exactly 100% with the FA or the FE unless everyone is standing still and posing....for a long time....which they hate.

I got my EX or EX+ Series E 28mm from KEH about 2 years ago, it still looks like nobody ever used the thing (like most of my Series E primes). However, great glass is great glass and that 2.8Ai-S is noted as one of Nikon's best, so if you can swing it, get it. You will always be able to get your money back with great glass if it doesn't work out. And yes, I too have been looking and scratching my head over this too......I really want one of the Ai-S lenses too, I just have to much other equipment I need to get instead.

Bob E.

 

[BradleyK]

Another nod to the 28mm F2.8. A very nice piece of glass, and definitely better constructed than the Series E.

 

[al5256]

Hi, I have both. 28/2.8E (later edition with metal ring) has unsharp corners until f/5.6. The center sharpness is very good. Actually its performance is more or less equal to 20/3.5 AIS.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Nikon really threw their optical weight around with the 28mm f/2.8 Ais, front CRC, Nikon Intergrated Coatings, and what looks to me as an extended optical design time, probably using a fairly cutting edge computation programs/hardware (for the time), all based on an already great Nikkor optic, the 28mm f/2. My 2.8 Ais version compares favorably to my 28mm f2, and both were better at wider stops closer in than my version of 28mm f/2.8 Ai, which was an actually quite good lens in most scenic shots, just not closer up nor wider open. I sold off the 2.8 Ai and kept the f/2 and the 2.8 Ais.

 

[narsuitus]

Based on my research and the feedback from others, the 75-150mm f/3.5 and the 50mm f/1.8 Series E lenses were the top two performing Series E lenses. Since the 28mm f/2.8 Series E did not perform as well as the 28mm f/2.8 AIS, I purchased the AIS.

I have been very happy with my decision.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/6179456359/

 

[2F/2F]

In regards to the 28mm f/2.8 AI-S, it would be hard to do much better in terms of performance in an SLR wide, unless you go to the rare and expensive 28mm f/1.4 AF lens. For what they cost, every Nikon shooter should have one.

 

[ColdEye]

Finally got my hands on it! The size is just right, I thought it will be quite big. Plus the close focus is very refreshing, coming from a Canonet and a Yashica D!