The Nikon 28mm lens is one of the older Nikkor lenses that was manufactured back in the mid 90s. It is still available for sale and you can get this lens from Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
This is a full frame lens which means it can be used with both cropped sensor and full frame DSLR camera.
When used with a full frame camera, this lens will be the ideal wide angle lens and when used with a cropped sensor DSLR camera, it will become a normal, fast lens.
In terms of build quality, it is very similar to the Nikon 20mm lens. I often get confused when looking at these two lenses 
You really need to read the writings otherwise it is too difficult to distinguish these two lenses from each other by just looking.
Anyway, how good this lens perform on a cropped sensor DSLR?
Let’s see it in the Nikon 28mm lens test below!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Nikon 28mm Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Nikon AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D
Focal Length Markings:
28mm
Features:
AF – Autofocus only compatible with non-entry level Nikon DSLR camera. It is not compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
FX – Compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor, film and full frame DSLR camera.
D – Distance information will be transferred to the camera body for metering purpose.
Full Technical Specs (from Nikon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 6 / 6 |
| Angle of View | 53 (DX) – 74 (FX) |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.85ft. (0.25m) |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
| Weight | 7.2oz. (205g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 2.6 x 1.8in. |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.18X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Nikon 28mm Sharpness
The center sharpness on this lens is excellent at any aperture.
Border sharpness is also great at any aperture as well. In general, sharpness is not a problem on this lens.
See my sharpness test result below for each apertures.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Nikon AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 28mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Nikon AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 28mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
There is a slight barrel distortion on this lens, but it is should not be of a concern. You can use post processing program to correct this.
See the distortion test result below.
Nikon 28mm Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is visible at the widest aperture of f/2.8. At f/4 and above, it can be ignored.
You can see the test result here for each aperture.
Nikon 28mm Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is very low at the first three apertures, but it is somewhat high at f/8.
See the full chromatic aberration test result below for each apertures.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Nikon AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 28mm | Very Low | Very Low | Low | High |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Good quality polycarbonate with metal mount.
Focusing
The focusing ring operates fairly smooth on this lens. The physical dimension of this lens will change slightly during focusing.
This lens has no internal motor (non-AF-S) and so it will not autofocus with entry level Nikon DSLR camera. Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100 will not autofocus with this lens.
Also, the autofocusing will be a bit noisy because it will rely on the screw motor on the camera body.
Autofocus speed is fast and accurate on this lens. The front filter thread does not rotate so you can use polarizing filter easily with this lens.
Image Stabilization
There is no VR or Vibration Reduction on this lens.
Compatibility
Being an FX lens, it is compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor DSLR and full frame DSLR camera. Also compatible with Nikon film camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images that I took with this Nikon 28mm lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
OK, here is my conclusion for this Nikon 28mm lens review.
Drawbacks
- Slight barrel distortion
- Visible vignetting at f/2.8
Positives
- Great sharpness both on the center and borders
- Good vignetting control above f/2.8
- Great chromatic aberration control
- Fast and accurate autofocus performance
- Good build quality
Good For
- Normal lens, fast lens for cropped sensor DSLR
- Wide angle lens for full frame DSLR
- Street photography
- Landscape photography
Not So Good For
- Architecture photography due to slight barrel distortion
What Others Are Saying…
by “Glenn Carpenter”
This is an undistinguished but competent lens, a viable solution for DX users looking for a “normal” lens at a bargain price, and a useful and inexpensive wide angle for FX and film shooters…
Click here to see the full review
by “CC”
This is my second copy of this lens. I sold my first one when I went digital and didn’t think I would need it anymore. However I found zoom lens were sometimes to large or slow and found myself…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Nikon 28mm lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
See the following related Nikon prime lens reviews to see more options.
Thanks for reading this Nikon 28mm review and I will catch you in the next review!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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