Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 D

Comparable to the modern day AFS f1.4 primes... I already own the AFS 24 and 35 f1.4 but found that the focal ranges isn't my preferred range which was 28mm. As the price of this lens came down somewhat from what it used to be and the copy which I'm writing a review on was advertised as mint from a trusted caller, I decided to take a chance on one. When the AFD28mm f1.4 lens arrived, I compared it against both the newer f1.4 lenses and found that its construction are as good if not better then its modern counterparts. It is also smaller in size which is good in my opinion. Only the hood is a letdown as it does not reverse on storage. I then used the lens on fx and I am happy to report that it does compare well too. The autofocus for the 28mm is fast enough for my use and on par to the newer f1.4 lenses, which was known to be slightly slower the the f2.8 zooms... I can happily confirm that finding as I own those as well. On tracking in dim lights, the f1.4 primes perform similar enough that I cannot discern any difference between them. When the focus is locked, the image is sharp and clear. I must declare that my copy needed a minor lens correction (+8) in lens tuning but I do the same for the other AFS primes as well. In terms of color, it presents a slightly cooler (blueish tinge) palette and not as contrasty as the newer lenses in my comparisons. That is not to say it is bad but its just different. I also shot this lens against the sun and I am happy to say that my copy handles flare very well, in fact better then the newer boys with their nano coatings. I then used the lens on my dx system as well and found similar results. Btw, the focal length on dx works very well too and that's another bonus. To conclude, I would recommend this lens if 28mm is your preferred angle (focus length) but if it isn't, go for the newer lenses as they are likely to be cheaper and easier to obtain. Should you be lucky enough to chance on a mint copy at the same pricing levels of the AFS24 f1.4, then your choice should be for the focal length that suits you best since the AF28mm f1.4D does not lose out in sharpness, focus accuracy nor speed in my short usage of the lens. It does present the colors differently but that may be a preferred palette to some rather then the contrasty depiction of the modern lenses.Read full review

Low Light Magic It is not often that a camera lens as expensive as the Nikon 28mm f1.4 exceeds your expectations, but the quality of the images it produces in concert with a Nikon D700 are nothing short of brilliant. In low-light and twilight shooting conditions, the 28mm f1.4 will reveal details not visible to my eye and render them sharply and crisply with wonderful colour rendition and contrast. The lens is sharp edge to edge wide-open, granted with some light fall-off in the corners . Handheld, I was able to get sharply focused images down to 1/15 and even 1/8. Coupled with the low noise, high ISO capabilities of the D700 it is possible to shoot in extremely low light. As the D3 has the same sensor as the D700, I think this lens fully exploits the capabilities of Nikon full-frame FX camera bodies. I was prompted to investigate this lens, based on Ken Rockwell's lengthy and enthusiastic analysis: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2814af.htm I found Rockwell's observations to be highly accurate. Now that this lens is no longer being produced by Nikon it has become highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors, driving the price up significantly. Frankly, it would be a shame not to use a lens as well-crafted and as highly capable as the 28mm f1.4. Is it worth the price? Yes, but ask yourself the tough questions first. If you frequently shoot in low-light, do street photography or shoot in a documentary or photo-journalistic style, if you often shoot where the use of a flash is prohibited or not the look you are seeking, then I can heartily recommend the 28mm f1.4, because it will provide you with an opportunity to get images you might otherwise never get, or worse yet for any shooter, miss completely. If you are shooting star trails, astrophotography or the aurora borealis (Northern Lights), the sharpness of this lens is a tribute to the optical engineers and dedicated craftspeople at Nikon. If you shoot at night, it is well worth checking out what Nikon Master Photographer Moose Peterson has to say about the 28mm f1.4: http://www.moosepeterson.com/gear/28f14.html# http://www.moosepeterson.com/digitaldarkroom/lessons/lights_of_the_Heavens.pdf But there is no getting around the fact that you are paying a steep premium to get those extra stops that separate the 28mm f1.4 from the significantly less expensive 28mm f2.8 (and the absolute lack of comas at the edges when shooting wide-open with the f1.4). I rate the lens as excellent because it does everything you ask of it and more. In terms of its value, you need to be very honest with yourself about how you will use this lens. Me? I love it.Read full review

THE low light wide choice for Nikon Technically and visually minimal vignetting at f/1.4, all gone from f/2 to smaller apertures (DX). Minor barrel distortion, very good for a lens this wide. Sharpness at f/1.4 is fair but already at f/2 it's very good, improving all the way to f/2.8 from where it's excellent. While some say it's not good for daylight shooting I have tested it to equal detail at f/8 when compared to the mighty 17-35mm at 28mm f/8. In the same test photos, 28/1.4 had better shadow detail. (F100 and Kodak UC 200). Paints a very smooth bokeh and gives brilliant low light color and contrast. I'm doing available light event and wedding photography with this lens and am constantly reminded by its performance in the form of photo quality appraisal from customers. If you shoot available light, stage performances, indoor or night sceneries this is the king of your choices. Results straight out of the camera. Production ended because of the banned use of lead in the construction, only 7300 were ever made.Read full review