nikon ~28mm questions

dmtnkl · Jul 9, 2017

I was just looking into wide angle options for nikon, around 28mm. I am really interested in good sharpness at infinity @f/5.6~8 and as little barrel distortion as possible because i like to have the horizon as straight as possible in seascapes photos. Using film, so post processing is not an option.

Many people hold in high regard the 28mm f/2.8 ai-s, but i also read that it is a bit soft at infinity. Other options would include

- 28mm f/2 ai-s (also in high regard by many, but what about infinity sharpness and barrel distortion?)
- 28mm f/2.8 ai
- 28mm f/3.5 ai-s
- possibly others i am not aware of?

What do you think? Which one fulfills most effectively the great sharpness at infinity and minimal barrel distortion constraints? Your suggestions are most welcome.

Mick Fagan · Jul 9, 2017

Either of the Close Range Correction (CRC) 28mm lenses should do the trick.

I have a couple of CRC Nikkors, they are brilliant. None of them are the 28mm unit, but I would suggest that either of the two CRC 28mm manual focus units that Nikon produced, would be the go.

28mm f/2.8 Ai-S Serial number 635001 Manufactured from 08/81

28mm f/2.0 Ai-S Serial number 575001 Manufactured from 09/81

Source:- Nikon Compendium by Rudolf Hillebrand and Hans-Joachim Hauschild and personal use of Nikkor CRC lenses.

Mick.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 9, 2017

I have all of the 28mm Nikkors and have used the new Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4 and that is the very best but super huge heavy and very expensive. For your uses I would consider both the 2.8 Ais and the older 3.5 H.C (there are two optical versions I suggest the older version with the .C multi coatings). You should really test those two to see which one suits you the best.

Luis-F-S · Jul 9, 2017

I'd get the cheapest one you can find in good condition! At f/5.6 I doubt you'll see much difference.

Two23 · Jul 9, 2017

I've been using the 28mm f2 on my F3T and really like it.

Kent in SD

narsuitus · Jul 10, 2017

dmtnkl said:
I was just looking into wide angle options for nikon, around 28mm. I am really interested in good sharpness at infinity @f/5.6~8 and as little barrel distortion as possible...

The two high quality 28mm lenses I recommend are:
Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS
Zeiss 28mm f/2

Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS (lens in center) by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Zeiss 28mm f/2 (lens on left) by Narsuitus, on Flickr

E. von Hoegh · Jul 10, 2017

RidingWaves said:
I have all of the 28mm Nikkors and have used the new Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4 and that is the very best but super huge heavy and very expensive. For your uses I would consider both the 2.8 Ais and the older 3.5 H.C (there are two optical versions I suggest the older version with the .C multi coatings). You should really test those two to see which one suits you the best.

Another vote for the f:3.5. Mine cost $ 40 shipped, (plus $15 for a NOS hood) you can't beat that with a stick. CRC = close range correction, valueless at infinity.

dynachrome · Jul 10, 2017

My 28mm Nikkors include an old 2.8cm f/3.5, a 28/3.5 H, a 28/3.5 'K', two 28/3.5 AI lenses and a 28/2 'K'. The f/3.5 AI is very good and is an improvement over the older f/3.5 models. It has less darkening in the corners. The f/2 'K' lens has CRC but it is a different set-up from the CRC of the f/2.8 AIS. All of these 28s are good at infinity. the f/3.5 AI and the f/2 'K' suffer less from darkening of the corners. The f/2.8 AIS and the last f/2 both have CRC. The f/2 lens is easier to focus in low light and often costs less than the f/2.8 AIS. If I knew I would be shooting landscapes I would take out a Bronica GS-1 and put on the 50/4.5. I think my end result would be better than what I would get with any 28mm lens on 35mm film.

dmtnkl · Jul 10, 2017

unfortunately, i have no medium format gear yet

RichardJack · Jul 10, 2017

I've owned and used just about every 28mm Nikkor with exception of the very new fast AF lenses. I was concerned the most about performance at infinity. I wound up choosing the 28mm f2 AI. For me it gives me the best images at infinity on both film and full frame digital. The f2.8 AIs is regarded by many to be the best but that is not true at infinity. The optics of the 28mm f2 AI and AIs are identical (not true for the f2.8), the AI is a bit more affordable.
The very best 28mm Nikkor is probably the rare 28mm f1.4 AF-D, it's difficult to find one under $2k.

destroya · Jul 11, 2017

i bought the 28mm ai-s 3.5 and use it like you are planning, mainly for landscapes, focused at infinity or closer, but never really close, and shoot at 5.6 to 11. I have never been disappointed in the lens. does all it should and its a bargain in the nikon lens stable.

I found that for me, I prefer the slightly slower lenses over the faster ones. I usually open up 2 or 3 stops, maybe more. I have a 1.4 lens but have taken fewer that 10 shots wide open. I just find I get the best performance to go along with a much better price with the slower lenses for what I shoot.

blockend · Jul 11, 2017

I have the 28mm 3.5 AIS and wouldn't swap it for anything.

dmtnkl · Jul 16, 2017

I managed to get a 28mm f/2.8 ai-s for a good price. It is in mint condition both cosmetically and the glass itself (no fungus, haze, cloudiness, not even dust inside it).

However the focus ring feels a bit stiff, although still very very smooth. It just needs more force to turn than most of my other nikkors. This is the second sample of this lens that i see behaving like this.

Has anyone else noticed said stiffness?

Jerevan · Jul 16, 2017

Old grease contributes to the stiffness, and your lens has probably been sitting around most of its life, judging from the description of its cosmetic condition.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 16, 2017

The CRC of the f/2 and Ais f/2.8 are of the same concept using the shifting of the front group of elements rather than the shifting of the rear elements of the 24mm f/2.8 and the 35mm f/1.4 both of which were designed and released just prior to the 28mm f/2. My impression of the Ais 28mm f/2.8 is that it utilized the very best of what Nikon learned with the CRC and wide angles (until the AF 1.4) and is still a tremendous value.

dmtnkl · Jul 17, 2017

I wondered if the complexity of the crc system (i think there are 3 helicoids in there?) along with old grease makes the lens prone to stiffness as it ages. This is why i mentioned it.

Btw, it feels better now after playing around with it a little bit. I am starting to like it a lot.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 18, 2017

The standard Nikon construction of F mount lenses is a double helicoid and the CRC adds a single so yes it most likely needs a relube after cleaning. The AF 28 f/1.4 has another set of shifting elements as well.

nikon ~28mm questions

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency