Nikon Nikon 28mm f3.5 Heritage

Overview

The Nikon 28mm f/3.5 traces its lineage directly to the very first 28mm SLR lens Nikon produced: the Nikkor-H Auto 2.8cm f/3.5, developed by Zenji Wakimoto and launched in 1959 alongside the pioneering, pro-level Nikon F. At the time the camera market was dominated by rangefinders, which lack a reflex mirror and therefore allow the rear element to sit close to the film plane. The Nikon F's SLR mirror box, combined with the F-mount's 46mm flange distance, made wide-angle design far more challenging. Wakimoto adapted the retrofocus principle pioneered by Angenieux of France to overcome this, and the Nikkor-H 2.8cm f/3.5 was born. As sources note, retrofocus lenses not only clear the flange distance but also reduce vignetting because the optics sit farther from the focal plane. The design saw several revisions: the multicoated 'K' (New-Nikkor) version arrived in February 1975 with updated cosmetics but the same six-element optic and, per one review, a seven-bladed diaphragm stopping to f/22 (an upgrade over the earlier five-blade unit). In 1977 the AI version introduced revised optics with a smaller front element, larger rear element, and thicker glass throughout to improve peripheral brightness. The AI-S version (1977-1981/manufactured, sold roughly 1981-1989 per one source) carried the same improved optics. Notably, the AI-S review states this f/3.5 does NOT feature the close-range correction (CRC) system found in its faster cousins the 28mm f/2.8 and f/2.0 AI-S lenses — though the Analog.Cafe review describes the design's floating-element CRC heritage, so sources disagree on this point (unknown/conflicting). The lens has a modest but devoted following among film shooters: one photographer calls the Nikkor-H 28mm f/3.5 his 'all-time favourite' lens that 'seems perfect,' with 'nothing else I need in terms of picture quality, build and handling.' No established nickname exists for this lens in the reviews.

Verdict: The Nikon 28mm f/3.5 is a compact, sharp, all-metal wide-angle that punches above its modest maximum aperture. It is best suited to documentary and street shooters who value a reliable, honest 28mm rendering, and to infrared photographers who will appreciate its clean, hot-spot-free performance. Its flaws — moderate color fringing, mild barrel distortion, some coma, and merely 'fair' bokeh — are typical of its era and largely correctable. Choose the multicoated K, AI, or AI-S versions for improved contrast and peripheral brightness; the AI-S offers the sharpest optics of the family. Not a bokeh showpiece, but a dependable, beloved workhorse for those who love the 28mm focal length.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Rated 'fair,' explicitly not swirly, with large non-swirly bokeh balls at close focus wide open; some coma present.

Sharpness wide open

A fairly sharp lens; the AI-S is sharpest overall, with the pre-AI sweet spot at f/8.

Flare resistance

Excellent for infrared with no hot spots and good contrast; visible-light flare behavior unknown.

Contrast

Good contrast, particularly in the multicoated K/AI versions; older single-coated Nikkor-H would be lower.

Vignetting

Retrofocus design reduces vignetting; AI/AI-S revisions improved peripheral brightness with no strong complaints.

Community Insights

What people love

Sharpness combined with compact, all-metal build — one owner calls it 'perfect' with 'nothing else I need in terms of picture quality, build and handling'
Excellent close-focus performance at 0.3m/1ft, unusual and useful for a vintage wide-angle
Superb infrared lens: no hot spots and good contrast, with a red infrared focus index built in
Smooth, precise manual focus with 'no play in the focus collar' and excellent manual focusing feel
Non-rotating 52mm front element, making polarizer use easy
A pleasant, capable everyday reportage/street lens — 28mm as a versatile go-to focal length

What people dislike

Color fringing described as 'somewhat high for a prime,' even compared to some zooms of its era (though easy to remove in post)
Presence of coma
Bokeh rated only as 'fair'
Barrel distortion present, if mild
AI-S build quality reportedly 'not as high as that of the earlier AI lenses'
Nikon focus direction (clockwise to infinity) is opposite most other brands, which can frustrate users coming from Canon/Minolta/Pentax/etc.

Pro Tips

Shoot at f/8 for the sweet spot on the pre-AI/H optic; diffraction sets in around f/8 (AI-S) to f/11 (pre-AI), so avoid f/16-f/22 for critical sharpness
Use it as a dedicated infrared lens — reviewers praise its lack of hot spots and good contrast; use the red IR focus index for correct focus
Correct color fringing in post-processing, which reviewers note is easy to remove
Exploit the 0.3m close focus for large, non-swirly out-of-focus highlights wide open
Fit a polarizer freely thanks to the non-rotating front element
Remember the Nikon focus direction (clockwise to infinity) if switching from other brands

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Nikon 28mm f/3.5 traces its lineage directly to the very first 28mm SLR lens Nikon produced: the Nikkor-H Auto 2.8cm f/3.5, developed by Zenji Wakimoto and launched in 1959 alongside the pioneering, pro-level Nikon F. At the time the camera market was dominated by rangefinders, which lack a reflex mirror and therefore allow the rear element to sit close to the film plane. The Nikon F's SLR mirror box, combined with the F-mount's 46mm flange distance, made wide-angle design far more challenging. Wakimoto adapted the retrofocus principle pioneered by Angenieux of France to overcome this, and the Nikkor-H 2.8cm f/3.5 was born. As sources note, retrofocus lenses not only clear the flange distance but also reduce vignetting because the optics sit farther from the focal plane. The design saw several revisions: the multicoated 'K' (New-Nikkor) version arrived in February 1975 with updated cosmetics but the same six-element optic and, per one review, a seven-bladed diaphragm stopping to f/22 (an upgrade over the earlier five-blade unit). In 1977 the AI version introduced revised optics with a smaller front element, larger rear element, and thicker glass throughout to improve peripheral brightness. The AI-S version (1977-1981/manufactured, sold roughly 1981-1989 per one source) carried the same improved optics. Notably, the AI-S review states this f/3.5 does NOT feature the close-range correction (CRC) system found in its faster cousins the 28mm f/2.8 and f/2.0 AI-S lenses — though the Analog.Cafe review describes the design's floating-element CRC heritage, so sources disagree on this point (unknown/conflicting). The lens has a modest but devoted following among film shooters: one photographer calls the Nikkor-H 28mm f/3.5 his 'all-time favourite' lens that 'seems perfect,' with 'nothing else I need in terms of picture quality, build and handling.' No established nickname exists for this lens in the reviews.

https://www.35mmc.com/18/11/2018/5-frames-with-my-dear-nikon-f-and-nikkor-28mm-f3-5-by-jano-urda/https://www.analog.cafe/r/nikon-nikkor-28mm-35-lens-review-tdhnhttps://www.base2photo.com/Photography/Reviews/Lenses/Nikkor/28mm_f35_Ai-Shttps://www.base2photo.com/Photography/Reviews/Lenses/Nikkor/28mm_f35_K_Pre-Ai