NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: tommiejeep on January 18, 2018, 11:35:54
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Anyone using on a Df? Thoughts?
Tom
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Tom, I've always heard that the sample variation of this lens is too huge to generalize its performance. Also, considering its elevated price, I don't see any reason to choose it over the latest AF-S 28/1.4E ED, especially because Df is fully compatible with the 28/1.4E.
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I tested a sample at a second-hand shop, on Df. It cost a whopping 1300-1400 Euro. Performance (wide open) was feeble, with lots of haze and purple fringing. Cause might be sample variation as mentioned by Akira. Any noct or 35/1.4 AIS I experienced were visibly better. Unfortunately I cannot show you the sample shots (they're at home and I'm away for a few days).
By the way, the 28/1.8 G would be a cheap alternative, especially second-hand. I am not fond of its rendering, but it is usable wide open.
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Anyone using on a Df? Thoughts?
Tom
Tom, do not waist your money and time. Akira and Airy said it everything! Good luck! LZ
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This lens is a legendary lens, and it's nothing more than that.
Wide open, it's hazey, and there's lots of halos. The D-series AF/MF clutch by today's standards is just nuisance. AF speed isn't fast but certainly snappy and acceptable.
The main problem is its price to performance and sample variations. A clean copy can cost up to $4000+, why? The 28/1.4E is superior in every aspect... maybe not the looks? I really love the looks of full metal pro D-series lenses, one could argue it's built better. The 28/1.4E however should be reasonably sealed against weather.
But then, there's another issue -- do you really need f/1.4?
The f/1.8G is also really good, and costs about one fifth used. ;)
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(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4231/34996831134_b701723f21_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VjxUCf)Nikon 28mm f/1.4E (https://flic.kr/p/VjxUCf) by Macro Cosmos (DH) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/133023063@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4263/35125416603_0e3a415eab_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VvUWB6)Digidirect in Brisbane City (https://flic.kr/p/VvUWB6) by Macro Cosmos (DH) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/133023063@N04/), on Flickr
One day I'll find one. Both shots wide open, love the rendering (can't say that for most unsaturated modern lenses) and sharpness.
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Many thanks. I have never really looked at this lens, price put it on the list not to be considered. One has become available from a local man I know. I did not know about sample variation. I really do not need the lens since I have two 28 f2 (Ais & Ai). I had already told him no but was having second thoughts. I've pretty much left the wider lenses to the Sony a7rii. I do not shoot at f1.4 very often. I do not like the 35 f1.4 Ais at f1.4. The copy I have is not sharp (even on a Tripod) and does have a lot of haze and fringing wide open. Fine at f2. I took it as part payment when I sold the D3S.
The 105 f1.4E remains on the "want" list but only if I get the D850.
M-C, many thanks for the images. I caught the image of the model at the beach shot with the new 70-200 2.8E vr....now that lens would interest me (as would the model :) ). Tough work but someone has to.... ;)
Cheers,
Tom
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Remarkably, one of the admins of the nikon forum at Getdpi, seems quite fond of the 28mm f/1.4d.
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I used to shoot with this lens back in the days of D1, D1Xs and D2Xs - in the DX days,,, So i was like a semi vide normal lens,,, Well it was sort of a nice lens if you where really careful about lighting, bright lights etc could easily make it hazy looking, but overall it was a super nice lens, I don't feel screwdriver lenses where lacking in any way except for a few of them ;) Sure AFS is nice but not especially that much 'better' for lenses in the similar focal length.
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Nikon have an article on this lens: http://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0028/index.htm, a "wide-angle version of Noct Nikkor".