Nikon 28mm f/2 AI-s. enlarge. Look for it used at Adorama.

Introduction

This manual-focus lens has been around for decades, and has always been excellent. I prefer it to the 35mm f/1.4, but prefer the 28mm f/1.4 AF to any of them.

It has enough depth of field at f/2.0 to be useful wide open.

I had an older 1970s AI version, which has the same optics as the AI-s version shown above.

Specifications

The 28 f/2.0 AI is as sturdily built as any lens.

It focusses to 0.9.' It has close range correction (CRC).

It takes 52mm filters and the common HN-1 metal screw-in hood.

It has a seven-bladed diaphragm that stops down to f/22.

It has 9 elements in 8 groups.

It weighs 13 oz (355g).

It's 2.5" (64.5mm) around by 2.7" (68.5mm) long.

Nikon Product Number: 1419.

Performance

It has the typical barrel distortion of most Nikon wide angle lenses.

It has the usual performance: sharp in the center at all apertures, and coma makes the corners relatively soft and fuzzy at f/2. The corners get better as you stop down; they are great at f/5.6 and above. Even thought f/2 is slightly softer in the corners, this Nikkor is far better than the Kiron 28mm f/2 at f/2 in the corners. The Kiron loses resolution, while at f/2 the Nikon merelt loses contrast, but not resolution, in the corners of the full FX frame.

The 28mm f/2 produces great results until compared to the much slower 28mm f/2.8 AI-s (no distortion and just as sharp or sharper from f/2.8 and smaller) or the spectacularly expensive 28mm f/1.4D AF (better in every way except six times as expensive).

These f/2 lenses sold for about $250 used in 2005, and about $450 used in 2008 with the introduction of the D3 FX camera. They are well worth it. New, they sold for $700 in 2000, $610 in 1996, $430 in 1992, $310 in 1987 and $260 in 1986.

When I was traveling in Germany in 1992, I used this lens for 80% of all my photos on an FA in program mode. It's fast, sharp, and does everything well.

Recommendations

They were fairly inexpensive used around 2005, but climbing in value with FX digital cameras as of 2008. They will continue to appreciate until Nikon introduces an AF-S version of a fast 28mm fixed lens.

The 1970's AI version is the same optically as today's AI-s.

If you need fast and are short of cash you may want to consider a 35mm f/2.0D AF (watch for the common oily diaphragms), or if cost is no object bet the farm and buy the superior 28mm f/1.4 for low-light photography.

Otherwise, this is a solid and classic lens. It's better to buy used for about half of the price of a new one. If price is no obstacle go for the 28/1.4D AF.