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Production
1993 – 2005
Country
Japan
Optical
11 elements in 8 groups, with 1 aspherical element
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-S
Nikon F
Overview
The Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-S is the slightly-wider alternative for those who found 24mm too extreme but 35mm too narrow. At 28mm, you get a versatile wide angle that's great for street, travel, and environmental work. It was often the 'one wide' in many Nikon shooters' kits.
Verdict: The versatile wide-angle. 28mm works for almost everything — street, travel, interiors, landscapes. Not specialized, but capable of handling most wide-angle needs.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Creamy and smooth, with beautiful separation between subject and background.
Color
Warm and saturated, with a distinctive Minolta color signature that many photographers love.
Sharpness wide open
Soft with a glow wide open, but sharp in the center by f/2 and excellent by f/4.
Flare resistance
Single-coated versions flare significantly, but the MC coating improved this.
Contrast
Low contrast wide open, increasing as stopped down. Very filmic rendering.
Vignetting
Heavy vignetting at f/1.2, which is part of the lens's distinctive look.
Community Insights
Summary: The Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens is generally well-received by the community, with praise for its close-focusing capability, image quality, and build quality. However, some users feel it is overpriced compared to alternatives like the Pentax 28mm f/3.5. Sentiment: Mixed Top Praised: - Close focusing ability - Good image quality, especially at narrow apertures - Solid build quality Top Complaints: - Considered overpriced by some users, especially compared to alternative 28mm lenses - Potential issues with adapters and infinity focus when used on non-Nikon cameras - Softness at the widest aperture of f/2.8 Use Cases: - Close-up/macro photography when combined with extension tubes - Wide-angle photography, especially for landscapes and architectural subjects - Creative photography due to the lens's unique character Disagreements: - Some users feel the lens is overrated, while others find it to be a capable and enjoyable lens. Confidence: 4/5 The sources generally agree on the key strengths and weaknesses of the lens, with some minor disagreements on value and comparisons to other 28mm lenses.
What people love
- Perfect 'first wide' focal length
- Compact and lightweight
- Sharp and reliable
- Natural wide perspective
- Affordable
What people dislike
- 28mm is 'in-between' for some
- f/2.8 isn't fast
- Not as distinctive as 24mm or 35mm
Pro Tips
- Great paired with a 50mm for a two-lens kit
- Good for interior shots
- Less distortion than 24mm
Sources (3)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-af-28mm-1-4-d-the-wide-angle-noct-nikkor/
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-af-28mm-1-4-d-the-wide-angle-noct-nikkor/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-S is the slightly-wider alternative for those who found 24mm too extreme but 35mm too narrow. At 28mm, you get a versatile wide angle that's great for street, travel, and environmental work. It was often the 'one wide' in many Nikon shooters' kits.