chambeshi wrote:
According to Roland Vink's site, it was the early 28 f2AI that was upgraded (slightly) to AIS, and all K, AI, AIS versions have CRC and 1:7.1, but the AIS is 1:5.4 and slightly closer focus.
Compared to the 28 f2.8AI the 28 f2.8AIS is a different optic entirely: 2 extra elements and CRC, and 1:3.9 ratio, MFD of 0.2m, and slightly shorter focus throw. Over 200 000 were made, and Serial # changed in 2006 starting at 900001
I've actually had the earlier 28/2.8 AI-S with 0.3m MFD. If you notice there's a serial gap between the last AI and the first AI-S it fits in there. It's actually quite uncommon, but is out there and I got burned (and it was definitely AI-S, with the telltale orange small minimum aperture on the ring). It's literally the last AI version with the AI-S mount hardware.
If I still had it, I'd send Roland Vink the serial to update.
mawz wrote:
I've actually had the earlier 28/2.8 AI-S with 0.3m MFD. If you notice there's a serial gap between the last AI and the first AI-S it fits in there. It's actually quite uncommon, but is out there and I got burned (and it was definitely AI-S, with the telltale orange small minimum aperture on the ring). It's literally the last AI version with the AI-S mount hardware.
If I still had it, I'd send Roland Vink the serial to update.
Bugger - sorry you got burnt. AIS also has the half-circular notch milled into the lens mount for coupling with the FA (released 1983). One hypothesis is the aperture ring had been changed/cannibalized off another AIS lens, and fitted it to a 28 f2.8AI. There's no mention of this quirk (ie different MFDs of the AIS version) in the 1001 Nights history: https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0057/index.htm
mawz wrote:
I've actually had the earlier 28/2.8 AI-S with 0.3m MFD
The orange colour is *not* sufficient to demonstrate it's a AI-S lens (AI-S lenses were introduced in autumn 1981).
It must have the milled semi-circular "notch" in the bayonet flange to inform Nikon cameras with exposure modes involving mechanical automatic aperture control, such the Nikon FA, that a lens with a linear aperture mechanism is attached, i.e. every millimetre the aperture coupling lever moves corresponds to an equal amount of stop-down operation.
Ripolini wrote:
The orange colour is *not* sufficient to demonstrate it's a AI-S lens (AI-S lenses were introduced in autumn 1981).
It must have the milled semi-circular "notch" in the bayonet flange to inform Nikon cameras with exposure modes involving mechanical automatic aperture control, such the Nikon FA, that a lens with a linear aperture mechanism is attached, i.e. every millimetre the aperture coupling lever moves corresponds to an equal amount of stop-down operation.
And it had the AI-S mount as well. But the orange colour on the smallest aperture of the second set of aperture markings is also definitive. Neither the AI-S notch on the mount nor the orange smallest aperture marking on the second set of aperture markings are present on AI lenses.
The linear aperture is not actually unique to AI-S, some of the AI lenses had it as well, but had no way of indicating that to the FA.
Note the first AI-S mount lenses were actually introduced in 1979, all Series E lenses are AI-S mounts. The regular Nikkor AI-S line were introduced starting in Aug 1981.
mawz wrote:
Neither the AI-S notch on the mount nor the orange smallest aperture marking on the second set of aperture markings are present on AI lenses.
I have not understood: had your 28/2.8 lens (0.3 m MFD) the notch typical of AI-S lenses ?
For Sony sensor (Minolta is predecessor of Sony and Minolta always working together with Contax), Contax is more suitable to Sony sensor. Once I tested with Nikon 28mm F2.8 AIS with Contax Distagon 28mm f2.8 MMJ. Both show similar sharpness and character. Leica lens usually more light sensitive and delicate than Contax in casual use. GR 28mm once used is also provides very nice color character with good sharpness if you want use PS camera. Using Kindai(Rayqual) adapter is the best adapter for Contax lens for Sony so far after using many including Novoflex.
trevanian wrote:
So I'm searching some for something wider than my Tamron 35. I think 24 is too wide for my use. I've narrowed down to either Nikon 28 1.4 or the Sigma version, but does anyone have the Sigma version and are you happy with it? Thanks!
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charles.K wrote:
The 28E is truly one of the best lenses out there now. It comes down to your budget of course
I don't have the Sigma 28, but I do have the 35 Art and it is a really good lens. I've used it on both my D800E and D850 without issue.
Part of the reason I bought the Sigma 35 Art was the positive reviews, the other was less expensive than the Nikon equivalent. In my opinion given today's tech in both camera and lens, all but the hardest pixel peepers will noticed any real world difference between some third party lenses and the Nikon or Canon named lenses.
That said, of the 15+ lenses I have only two are third party - the legendary Sigma 35 Art, and an old Tokina ATX 28-70 2.6/2.8 lens I've not used in about 10 years. All my other lenses are Nikon, so yeah, I bought into the establishment as well.
The only "issue" I might have with the Sigma equivalents over Nikon is their lens tend to be bigger and heavier than Nikon's. And some might also complain about weather sealing but I don't do anything to worry about that myself.
Anyway the "E" lenses are nice - I have the 70-200 2.8E, but the price isn't. Luckily for me I took advantage of the Father's Day sale and got the lens for $1896.99.
All that said, if budget is of a concern, I see no reason not to look at Sigma. Also, don't believe the hype, there are many "pros" using third party lenses as well. And some don't always shoot with Nikon's "top" lenses.
I used and tested Sigma 28mm F1.4 Art FE and found it is indeed sharp and produced fine output. I know Sigma will announce Sigma 28mm F1.2 Art FE soon and it is better optical quality that current Sigma 28mm F1.4 FE, but huge size and length so not many will interested in. In my comparison test with Nikon 28mm F1.4 E, Sigma produced better image in Sony system than Nikon 28mm on Nikon system. When I compare with Leica 28mm Elmarit-M and Elmarit-R V2 E55, I think sigma is better sharpness and AF, also better than Contax 28mm MMJ or Nikon AIS that I used. It is indeed top-tier and near outstanding Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar or Tamron 35mm F1.4 SP on Sony using adapter or F2.8 SP macro on Sony. I test all of these recently.
junglialoh wrote:
I used and tested Sigma 28mm F1.4 Art FE and found it is indeed sharp and produced fine output. I know Sigma will announce Sigma 28mm F1.2 Art FE soon and it is better optical quality that current Sigma 28mm F1.4 FE, but huge size and length so not many will interested in. In my comparison test with Nikon 28mm F1.4 E, Sigma produced better image in Sony system than Nikon 28mm on Nikon system. When I compare with Leica 28mm Elmarit-M and Elmarit-R V2 E55, I think sigma is better sharpness and AF, also better than Contax 28mm MMJ or Nikon AIS that I used. It is indeed top-tier and near outstanding Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar or Tamron 35mm F1.4 SP on Sony using adapter or F2.8 SP macro on Sony. I test all of these recently. ...Show more →
For the manual lenses, do you like the look of Nikon 28/1.4 AFD compared to the Leica Elmarit-R 28 V2, which you called "vivid in detail"? I am thinking to replace the R28/2.8 V2 with Nikon 28/1.4 AFD to go with the other three Summiluxes for video shooting.
steve.chang wrote:
For the manual lenses, do you like the look of Nikon 28/1.4 AFD compared to the Leica Elmarit-R 28 V2, which you called "vivid in detail"? I am thinking to replace the R28/2.8 V2 with Nikon 28/1.4 AFD to go with the other three Summiluxes for video shooting.
Thank you in advance for your insights.
In my own user experience, the color palette of Nikkor 28/1.4 AFD is really excellent with very deep and rich color rendering. I would rank it one of the best if not the best for Nikkor 28mm lenses for color richness. I find the lens does its best at f/2 to f/2.8 for its colors. The Leica Elmarit-R 28mm V2 also has beautiful color rendering but among these two lenses, I personally prefer the Nikkor 28/1.4 AFD for its color rendering. Since I don't shoot video, my comments are only related to photos.
I owned the 28mm 1.4E for a few years but sold it when I sold off all my gear. Recently picked up the sigma 28mm 1.4 Art for $540 during the sale, and for the price its a steal. The Nikon and it both have a wonderful draw, and if they were both $1000 I’d vacillate back and forth, but getting the Sigma makes the math easy for me. Works great on the Z9 with FTZ.
In regarding sharpness, Nikon 28mm F1.4E and Sigma 28mm f1.4 Art are neck to neck based on my experience. Theses two are the sharpest 28mm lenses ever used. I never used Otus. 2nd sharpest tier is Elmarit-R 28mm F2.8 V2 E55 and Contax 28mm F2.8 MMJ and Contax G 28mm f2.8 and Voigtlander 28mm F2 VM II that I am using. Pentax 28mm F3.5 and Minolta MD 28mm F2 are also same tier in sharpness. Elmarit-M does not shine in Sony system due to stack thickness and curvature of Sony sensor. Sony 28mm F2 and Nikon 28mm F2.8 AIS, and Nikon 28mm F1.8G, Canon 28mm F2.8 IS show no special character, and sold out them.
ocean2059 wrote:
In my own user experience, the color palette of Nikkor 28/1.4 AFD is really excellent with very deep and rich color rendering. I would rank it one of the best if not the best for Nikkor 28mm lenses for color richness. I find the lens does its best at f/2 to f/2.8 for its colors. The Leica Elmarit-R 28mm V2 also has beautiful color rendering but among these two lenses, I personally prefer the Nikkor 28/1.4 AFD for its color rendering. Since I don't shoot video, my comments are only related to photos.
Can you post comparison examples of this deep and rich color rendering vs other Nikon 28mm color renderings? If you don't have these comparisons handy, can you at least share examples that demonstrate it's best for its colors from f/2 to f/2.8 [vs other apertures]? Thanks!
kimballistic wrote:
Can you post comparison examples of this deep and rich color rendering vs other Nikon 28mm color renderings? If you don't have these comparisons handy, can you at least share examples that demonstrate it's best for its colors from f/2 to f/2.8 [vs other apertures]? Thanks!
I don't have any direct test comparison images for Nikkor 28/1.4 AFD with other Nikkor 28mm lenses.The comments I made are based my images of several projects but they are not shareable here on the internet. If I have time this weekend, I will take the lens out for an outing. I hope to post some images soon.
