28 f1.4D

[tommiejeep]

Anyone using on a Df?  Thoughts?
Tom

[Akira]

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.

[Airy]

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.

[longzoom]

Anyone using on a Df?  Thoughts?
Tom

  Tom, do not waist your money and time. Akira and Airy said it everything! Good luck!  LZ

[Macro_Cosmos]

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. 

[Macro_Cosmos]

Nikon 28mm f/1.4E by Macro Cosmos (DH), on Flickr


Digidirect in Brisbane City by Macro Cosmos (DH), 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.

[tommiejeep]

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

[Fons Baerken]

Remarkably, one of the admins of the nikon forum at Getdpi, seems quite fond of the 28mm f/1.4d.

[Erik Lund]

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.

[Roland Vink]

Nikon have an article on this lens: http://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0028/index.htm, a "wide-angle version of Noct Nikkor".