NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: aerobat on March 04, 2026, 21:38:01

Title: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 04, 2026, 21:38:01
Interestingly I dumped all my F mount lenses at the Z transition just to later re-buy the AF-S 58mm f/1.4 and the AF-S 300mm PF.
Now I think the 28mm f/1.4 would build a phantastic combo with the AF-S 58mm f/1.4.
After exchanging with Paco we decided a thread to discuss this very lens could push me over the fence (which isn't that high with the current USD 600.- rebate B&H are offering  ;D)
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: John Geerts on March 04, 2026, 22:14:43
I use the 28/1.4 E on the Z camera's  (and my F camera's)  Great lens.  Recently I got 24/1.4 G  and I like it's output more, because it comes close with the 58/1.4 rendering.  The 28/1.4 E is on the clinical side, too perfect, too sharp.

 I also prefer the G lens because I can use it on older camera body's which is not really possible with the E lenses.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 04, 2026, 22:43:54
Many thanks John for your experience with the 24mm and 28mm. The rendering is a very good point which I'll need to compare to the AF-S 58mm f/1.4.
As I already have the Z 24mm f/1.8 I tend to lean towards a 28mm though.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: Wally on March 05, 2026, 02:29:55
Here too, I only kept a few F lenses (E: 8-15, 28, 105, and 300) as well as 58/1.4G, 24/1.4G, 200/2G VRII and 24/3.5D PC once transitioning to Z Series.

I love the 28E even more on the Z cameras, cleaner than the AF-S G versions - but still more character than the Z lenses. Not as sterile as the Z 35mm/1.2 but fairly similar rendering if you need to go wider.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: pluton on March 05, 2026, 05:21:22
I have yet to ever use the AF-S 28/1.4E, either on D or Z.  I've always wanted one, but been hesitant to acquire more F mount lenses, especially large ones. I can recommend the new Voigtlander 28/2 Apo Lanthar if a small but high-performing manual focus 28mm is needed.  Also, if you really want character, the first iteration of the 28mm f/3.5 in F, K or Ai versions (with FTZ) is very nice AND small AND lightweight. 
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 07:30:58
Many thanks Keith, did you compare the Voigtländers 28mm f/2.0 APO Lanthar to the 28mm f/1.5 Nokton?
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: Fons Baerken on March 05, 2026, 07:44:54
I use the 28mm f/1.4E on the D850 mainly, its awkward by size  on the Z camera.
I am also interested in the Voigtländer 28mm f/2 apo, the 28/1.5 seem to be prone to misalignment from what i read in reviews
There is also a zf 28mm f/2 as an option and of course the z28mm f/2.8!
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 08:06:15
Many thanks Fons,

What is the zf 28mm f/2.0 - Zeiss? The Voigtländers appeal to me for IQ, sunstars, size and feel. But in this case I tend to prefer an AF lens as the 28mm / 58mm combo shall also serve as event lenses with two bodies Z8 / Z5ii.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: Hugh_3170 on March 05, 2026, 11:47:34
Daniel, would you also add the F-mount 105mm f/1.4E to the list, as a longer complement to the 58mm f/1.4?
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: Fons Baerken on March 05, 2026, 12:27:05
Many thanks Fons,

What is the zf 28mm f/2.0 - Zeiss? The Voigtländers appeal to me for IQ, sunstars, size and feel. But in this case I tend to prefer an AF lens as the 28mm / 58mm combo shall also serve as event lenses with two bodies Z8 / Z5ii.

If you want autofocus there is afs 28mm f/1.8g probably cheap to be had!

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-28mm-f1-8g (https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-28mm-f1-8g)

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-af-s-28mm-1-8g/ (https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-af-s-28mm-1-8g/)
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: Frank Fremerey on March 05, 2026, 13:03:18
Interestingly I dumped all my F mount lenses at the Z transition just to later re-buy the AF-S 58mm f/1.4 and the AF-S 300mm PF.
Now I think the 28mm f/1.4 would build a phantastic combo with the AF-S 58mm f/1.4.
After exchanging with Paco we decided a thread to discuss this very lens could push me over the fence (which isn't that high with the current USD 600.- rebate B&H are offering  ;D )

I support the idea of getting the 1.4/24G instead of the 1.4/28G. I feel the color fidelity and geometrical correction quality are superior
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 13:14:29
Quote from: Hugh_3170 link=tpic=11453.msg215412#msg215412 date=1772707654
Daniel, would you also add the F-mount 105mm f/1.4E to the list, as a longer complement to the 58mm f/1.4?

Hi Hugh,

Many years ago I used the 35/85 combo to cover events but indoors 85mm proved to be long at times. So I discovered the 58mm which isolates the subjects perfectlyfor its focal length. And then the 28mm being about 1/2 of the 58mm makes sense. The 105mm is to long for this specific use.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 17:34:48
I use the 28mm f/1.4E on the D850 mainly, its awkward by size  on the Z camera.
I am also interested in the Voigtländer 28mm f/2 apo, the 28/1.5 seem to be prone to misalignment from what i read in reviews
There is also a zf 28mm f/2 as an option and of course the z28mm f/2.8!
Fons Fons Fons! I didn‘t know the Voigt 28 apo existed and foolishly visited the local dealer …
Z5ii & Voigt 28 APO at f/2.0 and min distance
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: MEPER on March 05, 2026, 18:11:35
Nice but there are clearly some LOCA (bluish/greenish). So calling it an APO?
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 19:19:35
I sat in the shaking train when taking this photo - so it wasn't exactly sharp and the watch also reflected my green jacket.
Here's another shot at home with the same setting but stable on the table. I'm impressed by the good contrasty files it produces.
Will test it more in street shooting tomorrow.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 19:57:52
I asked my dealer why people are paying EUR 1'000.- for some starbursts - I just love it  :-*
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 20:27:38
Now the Z 24mm f/1.8 S also at f/8.0 to compare - the starbursts are less likable to me.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: aerobat on March 05, 2026, 20:33:23
BTW the dealer just got two used but beautiful AF-S lenses in which I tested: AF-S 35mm f/1.4 and AF-S 105 f/1.4 E.
Both were really front heavy with the FTZ so I gave it a pass. That would have also applied to the AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E.
Title: Re: AF-S 28mm f/1.4 E - anyone still uses it on Z?
Post by: MEPER on March 05, 2026, 21:28:51
Ok, this looks better.
To provoke LOCA an image "unparallelly" to the watch could be interesting.
The lens has a lot of "exotic" glass:
https://www.voigtlaender.de/lenses/e-mount/28-mm-1-2-apo-lanthar-e/?lang=en (https://www.voigtlaender.de/lenses/e-mount/28-mm-1-2-apo-lanthar-e/?lang=en)