p.1 #1 · 28mm 1.8G's optical problems something to worry about
Hi everyone, I have been reading up on review of this lens and it seems to have to bad optical problems, namely focus shift and a curved plane of focus. What I was trying to get a handle on was whether these to traits were actually a problem in real life photography. I know that is a vague statement, so some qualifiers: I am using a D700, I am not printing 24x36'' or anything.
Thanks
p.1 #5 · 28mm 1.8G's optical problems something to worry about
No problems here, D800 and I print big! If you shoot brick walls and over flat subjects that curved focal plane will suck. If you shoot 3D objects and particularly large apertures like the lens was designed, it's awesome! I think it's one of those lenses that is awesome in the real world but doesn't test well on the brick walls and focus charts. If you need 28mm and a 1.8 aperture, it's amazing!
"bad optical problems" is definitely a term NOT used his review
His bottom line is if you want better, then it will cost you 3x the price of the 28 to buy a 24. Yes the 24 is better but dont dis the 28. You can work with and around its limitations.
p.1 #16 · 28mm 1.8G's optical problems something to worry about
@mshi, I think I am staying away from the 1.4G primes for now, due to their price, size, and weight (they weigh as much as some of my zooms!). Whereas I can fit a D700 + 50G,28G,85G in a small bag.
For everyone else, I guess these are the kind of optical oddities I was talking about: http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/8/the-28mm-f1-8g-nikkor-on-d800
But it seems that you will get everything in plane with your focus point in focus, you just might get some extra too, which is okay with me. And, well, some slight examination of focusing may be a good idea.
p.1 #17 · 28mm 1.8G's optical problems something to worry about
cope07 wrote:
@mshi, I think I am staying away from the 1.4G primes for now, due to their price, size, and weight (they weigh as much as some of my zooms!). Whereas I can fit a D700 + 50G,28G,85G in a small bag.
For everyone else, I guess these are the kind of optical oddities I was talking about: http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/8/the-28mm-f1-8g-nikkor-on-d800
But it seems that you will get everything in plane with your focus point in focus, you just might get some extra too, which is okay with me. And, well, some slight examination of focusing may be a good idea.
Anyway, just being a worry wart, don't mind me....Show more →
Tim's review (linked above) is exceedingly thorough and excellent. But one thing makes me wonder about the copy he tested: when talking about some of the focus oddities he states "And if you turn it on its side, something rather marvellous happens." and some of those oddities disappear. It's been my experience in general (not on the 28 f/1.8 specifically, though) that a lens that behaves differently in landscape and portrait mode usually has a loose element inside that's shifting slightly with the change in orientation. It's possible his copy had an issue.
p.1 #19 · 28mm 1.8G's optical problems something to worry about
Mansurov, who originally reviewed the lens as "ok" Recently tested a second copy and it performs spectacular. It seems his first copy was off and hence the original review.
No problems on my D800/D3/D700/D300s/D2Xs or D7K's. 
Best $699 I've spent in a long...long time! 