Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm 1:1.8 G Lens (f/1.8)

Overall Rating:

This modest little lens is 13 years old and made in China. Its debut price was $700 (USD). It has two aspherical elements and, unlike the AF-S 24mm/1.8, has no ED elements. It is unclear why this lens did not receive ED elements. This is a very popular focal length and ED glass certainly would have benefited the design. Due to it have two aspherical elements, its design is relatively modern. It is a good lens to partner with the AF-S 50mm/1.8 and AF-S 85mm/1.8. When it was introduced, the Nikon D800E — a 36MP camera — was modern.

Performance

There is very little color fringing to be found, and vignetting is well controlled particularly when stopping down some. A little barrel distortion is there (around 0.5% — not bad for a wide-angle like this).

This lens is sharp and constrasty in the center and the corners when stopped down some. Even wide open it is not bad at all.

The autofocus is relatively zippy meaning it will probably be able to capture a toddler zipping around given its short focus throw and short focal length. It doesn't hesitate like the AF-S 85mm/1.8, and it's silent as it focuses.

Because it is a prime lens, it lets more light in than a zoom lens meaning the shutter values will be slightly higher than a zoom given the same scene and aperture, plus the lens has a greater maximum aperture than a zoom lens.

Diffraction begins around f/8.

Color fringing detail at 3-to-1:

Infrared

This lens is poor for infrared photography. It exhibits a strong hot spot at f/16. It will be fine if shooting wide-open or nearly so.

Ghosting & Flaring

There is not much ghosting at all, but some flaring.

Bokeh

The bokeh is only okay because the highlights take on the shape of the diaphragm which is not perfectly round.

Compatibility

"G" lenses like this are not compatible with older cameras, but they are compatible with all Nikon DSLR's and Z cameras (with FTZ adapter).

Construction

This is a sturdy all plastic lens design. The manual focusing feels good and there is no slop. It focuses beyond infinity to perhaps accommodate the UV wavelength, or it is just limited by manufacturing tolerances.

This lens has a focus and depth of field scale but it's usefulness is limited because it is so small no doubt to help make the autofocus faster by making it travel less.

Specifications

Images

Related links:

• Nikon Nikkor Lens Reviews
• All Lens Reviews