Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens Review

Background

This is a low priced, but extremely capable legacy lens.  I love shooting the Nikon Df and along with that, shooting legacy lenses or older AF glass.   I was looking for a reasonable wide to middle telephoto walk about lens.  Certainly you could go with something more modern, perhaps the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR.   I already owned that lens and it is a fine performer.  However, there is something that I like a lot about the renderings of the pre AF-S glass.

Join us on our stream of consciousness on this lens.

Handling/Size/Weight

Against something like the Nikon 24-85/3.5-4.5 VR, this is a bigger, heavier lens.   It is a solid metal construction.    Relatively, I do not find the lens heavy at all and I also shoot Micro 4/3 as well.

The zoom ring on every version of this lens that I've used has always been smooth and responsive.  Budget modern zooms never really felt this good to me.  While I also like the image rendering, the handling is good.  You have plenty to hold on to and going from 28mm to 85mm is quick and easy.

The one big downfall of this lens in the handling department is manual focus.  You have to actuate the switch on the camera body to go to manual focus as there is no full time override, like you'd get on the 24-85/3.5-4.5.    On top of that, the focus ring is very tiny and hard to find.  I basically don't use the manual focus feature of this lens unless I am using the macro mode.

How's that for a segue!

This lens a has a dedicated macro mode, which is great if you do not want to also carry a dedicated macro lens with you.   The downside of the convenience?   You lose auto focus and macro focal length is 28mm.  You'll be putting the front element of the lens very close to the subject.  Not the best for insects or skittish subjects, but OK for static things.

Image Quality

This lens is capable of good image quality even wide wide open.  Aperture runs from f/3.5 at 28mm and then goes to f/4.5 at 85mm.   As with most older lenses, it performs better stopped down.  Noticeable improvement is seen at f/4 and f/5.6 respectively on the focal length range.

It's IQ reminds me very much of the Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6D.

Sharpness does suffer a touch at the longer end, but it is not something that is a deal breaker.

It is basically good to go from wide to tele range.

Nikon Df
1/80, f/8, ISO 180 @ 72mm

Nikon Df
1/100, f/11, ISO 400 @ 28mm 

Now, lets be 100% honest with each other here.  Is this lens as sharp as a modern lens?  Technically no, but we can sometimes put too much of a premium on ultimate sharpness.   That is not always needed or desirable - and to be totally honest uber sharpness can be a bit of an overblown concept.

Nikon Df
1/60, f/3.8, ISO 900 @ 55mm 

Nikon Df
1/30, f/3.5, ISO 1600 @ 28mm

Focusing

The focus was always very accurate.  Speed is lacking compared to more modern designs.  However, it is fast enough to handle most things.  You may miss a shot or 2 if you have to wait for the lens to focus from close focus to infinity.  The screwed gears design of this lens is not up to the speedy standard of the current AF-S marked lenses.

Since this lens requires a camera body with the AF screw in the body, you'll need a higher spec DSLR body if you do not want to use this lens as manual focus only.

Nikon Df
1/100, f/8, ISO 450 @ 85mm 

Nikon Df
1/100, f/8, ISO 140 @ 85mm

Nikon Df
1/100, f/8, ISO 100 @ 45mm 

Bottom Line

Most of the time, when you discuss what is considered legacy lenses, you'll get a lot of people that would not even give them the time of day.  Not sharp enough, not fast enough, too heavy...too clunky.

I can understand how this lens would not be for everyone...but I challenge you to do this.   Give up going out to a fancy dinner one night a month.  Spend the sub $100 dollars on a lens like the 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 or even the 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6D.    Find out for yourself how these lenses perform.  I think you'll see that they have more going for them than against.  On top of that, you'll get to see that they are not the old clunky dinosaurs you've probably got envisioned in your head.

If you are a pixel peeper and obsessed with the penultimate of image quality, then this is not for you.  However, if you are trying to find that bit of a different look then definitely give this lens a try.

Here are some additional images for you to look through.

Nikon Df
1/500, f/4.5, ISO 400 @ 85mm

Nikon Df
Macro Mode on tripod
1/30, f/3.5, ISO 250 @ 28mm 

Nikon Df
1/250, f/5.6, ISO100 @ 40mm 

Nikon Df
1/320, f/8, ISO 200 @ 35mm

Nikon Df
1/100, f/5.6, ISO 800 @ 85mm

Nikon Df
1/60, f/11, ISO 200 @ 28mm

Nikon Df
1/320, f/6.3, ISO 200 @ 50mm

Nikon Df
1/320, f/8, ISO 200 @ 85mm

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-P ED VR - Lens Review

Image © NikonUSA

Background

By now, if you are into camera gear at all, you know that there is a soon to be released new Nikon mirrorless FX camera.  The Z7 (45+ mp) will be released end of September 2018 and the Z6 (24mp) will be released November 2018.

We've already pre-ordered one of the Z6 camera kits with the new z-mount 24-70mm f/4 lenses and the FTZ adapter.   It is this FTZ adapter that is of particular interest as it will allows for hundreds of f-mount lenses to work 100% on the new camera.  Metering, AF and all!

Our current batch of Nikon DSLRs are all models that have the screw drive built into the camera body.  This allows any of the pre AF-S auto focus lenses to auto focus on these cameras.  The majority of our lenses fit into this pre AF-S category.

Scooping up some of those older lenses, we made a trip to our local camera store and upgraded to ones that are newer and will work with both our DSLRs and the new Z mount cameras.  We'll get into those other lenses in later posts.

The newest 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR AF-P lens is one that we did a lot of research on.  The current Nikon lens roadmap does not have a native long telezoom until 2019.  So wanting a companion lens to go with the native 24-70/4, we decided on the AF-P 70-300 FX lens.

Let's get into the lens itself.

Nikon D500
1/160, F/4.5, ISO 100 @ 70mm

Handling/Size/Weight

This lens was built for 135 or FX size Nikon cameras.  It will work just fine on the DX f-mount cameras.  However, if all you shoot is Nikon DX and you have no plans on upgrading to FX sensor sizes, then I'd recommend giving the DX version of this lens a look.   Similar IQ but less expensive.

I've owned and used other f-mount 70-300mm lenses.  We've done previous review on the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6VC and tested out the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6VR AF-S.  It is a very similar size to those 2.

The zoom ring is large and easy to manipulate.  There is a longish zoom throw, so you may need to adjust your grip if you are zooming from 70mm all the way to 300mm and back again.

The lens is a mix of plastic and metal.  It does not feel cheap and I found no wiggle in any of the operational points like the zoom ring or the focus ring.   Given it's size, the lens is not really that heavy.

I did notice lens creep when carrying the lens on the D500 on a black rapid strap.

The controls on the lens are right where you'd expect a modern Nikon to have them.  M/A and A switch on top and a VR switch below it with OFF/Normal/Sport modes.  They take a little pressure to move position, so I do not anticipate any issues with accidentally switching the positions by accident.

The lens also comes with a large petal shaped lens hood.  It snaps on and off the bayonet and stays on well.  It also reverses for storage in your camera bag or cabinet.

Weather Sealed

One thing you do not often see in the consumer grade lenses is weather sealing.  This iteration of the 70-300 is dust and drip resistant.  This is great for times when you might be in a dirty environment or a light rain.

Nikon D750
1/200, f/6.3, ISO 1250 @ 180mm

Image Quality

Reading some of the online forums, IQ is what impressed most people.  They kept going on about how well the 70-300 AF-P lenses resolve, sharpness at all apertures and the rendering.

I can confirm all the positive accolades.  I was not expecting a consumer grade lens to be this good.   Nikon really did well on this lens.   Sharpness is top notch, with good micro contrast and the colors are nice and punchy.

As I usually do, here is where I will allow the images to do the talking.

The Bokeh quality of the lens is a lot better than one would expect.  Usually you would not expect a consumer grade variable aperture telephoto lens to have as smooth a rendering as this lens does.  I think it comes from the rounded aperture blades.  From the sample image below, even at f/5.6 on the FX sensor, you'll be able to blur backgrounds rather well.  Even on DX, you'll be able to get some nice, blurred backgrounds.  Just check out some of the D500 images below for examples.

Nikon D750
1/320, F/5.6, ISO 3600 @ 300mm

Nikon D500
1/320, f/5.3, ISO 250 @ 190mm

Focusing

I was told that the AF on this lens was very fast...and again, no disappointments in this regard.  The micro stepping motors move the glass elements quickly and efficiently.  I have a high standard for what I require in my work lenses, and even though this will most likely not be a "work" lens for me, it is quick enough in AF to be able to qualify.

Point to point or AF-S focusing is damn near instantaneous.    I've yet to have the D500 or D750 hunt for focus with it.   It just slams right to the point you focus on.

AF-C has a lot to do with the camera and the AF systems on the D500 and D750 are top notch.  AF-C on this lens is right up there and definitely usable for sports if you needed to use it for that.

Full time manual focus override is available for this lens as well.  No need to switch any switches on the lens or camera if you need to use manual focus.  Just grab the MF ring and adjust away!

Nikon D500
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 110mm

Nikon D500
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 70mm

VR

Nikon claims 4.5 stops of VR support and I found this to be very close to true.  The VR engages and unlike some other implementations of VR, you don't really hear it.  Also, when it engages, you don't really notice it either. It is quite seamless.   I love having IBIS in my Micro Four Thirds cameras, so having a good stabilization implementation in these Nikon lenses is a plus.

Nikon D500
1/200, f/5, ISO 140 @ 120mm

Nikon D500
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 280 @ 300mm

Bottom Line

This is a great lens in the Nikon lineup.  A worthy upgrade to the 70-300 G VR lens it replaces.   Given it's performance, so long as the new Z6 AF system is up to task, the 70-300 AF-P will be a great adapted lens option to use on it.  The double bonus is that I also have a lens that will work 100% on the D500 and D750 cameras, and even works 99% on the Df. 

The Df falters a little.  It is 100% functional in an exposure capacity.  Where it doesn't work 100% is in AF.  The AF-P lenses on the Df do not remember the last position that 70-300 was at, so it resets the AF position if the meter goes to sleep or you turn the camera off.

I wondered if this would be an issue for me, but the AF on this lens is just so fast and sure as to make that a non-issue.

If you have a camera that is compatible with the AF-P lenses and are looking for a great consumer grade longer telephoto, I highly recommend the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF-P VR lens.


If you do not have a compatible camera, then you will want to definitely look at the older Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR or even the Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 VC.    The definite nod would go slightly to the Nikon if you plan on an upgrade path to the new Nikon mirrorless.  I say this because we do not know if all/any of the third party lenses will be compatible or function with the FTZ adapter.

If not upgrading, I can recommend the Tamron with no question.  Quick AF and great IQ.  Check out the review of the Tamron I have linked at the beginning of this review for my in depth thoughts and sample images.

Some additional images for your viewing pleasure!

Nikon D500
1/250, f/4.8, ISO 100 @ 90mm

Nikon D500
1/320, f/5.3, ISO 250 @ 185mm

Nikon D500
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 160 @ 300mm

Nikon D500
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 240mm

Nikon D500
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 320 @ 220mm

Nikon D500
1/200, f/5.6, ISO 140 @ 116mm

Nikon D500
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 300mm

Nikon D500
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 900 @ 220mm

Nikon 20mm f/3.5 AI/AIS Lens Review

Background

Not only do we want to look at lenses for use on the newly released Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, but we can also use these vintage AIS lenses on the Nikon Df.  There are also some modern DSLRs that are capable of using these manual focus gems.

Looking for something on the wide end, one of our local camera stores had a nice copy of the Nikon 20mm f/3.5 AIS.  How does this lens, released between 1977 and 1984, hold up today?

Let's find out!

Olympus PEN-F
1/100, f/5.6, ISO 200

Handling/Size/Weight

This is a small lens.  Smaller than the newer Nikon 20mm f/1.8 AF-S.

You've go an all metal lens on your hands here.

It is easy to find the aperture ring and differentiate it from the focus ring without even looking at the lens.

I must say that there is something very satisfying when using a manual focus lens.  While the more modern Nikon AF-S, full time manual focus override, lenses are more convenient - there is something quite different about the way that Nikon made their AI/AIS lenses.  Manual focusing is satisfying, and just feels right.   The focus ring is dampened, but only really moves when you want it to.   It feels so smooth and the throw is such that getting precision and accuracy is almost effortless.

The aperture ring has clicks for each setting.  f/3.5 and f/5.6 are marked on the lens, but there is a detent you'll hit right after f/3.5.   That will put you on f/4.  That setting is not marked on the lens, but the Nikon Df indicates the aperture when used.

Speaking of the Df, the lens mounts perfectly and handles well on my favorite DSLR.

Since the size is so small, the Olympus PEN-F or EM5 Mark II can use this lens adapted with ease.

Nikon Df
1/160, f/8, ISO 100

Weather Sealed

Not on this guy!  An old AIS lens.

Nikon Df
1/320, f/4, ISO 100

Image Quality

While it probably is not up to speed in relation to the thousand dollar state of the art Nikon lenses, this one can perform quite well.

One thing I'd like to point out and I find this to be true for all Nikon manual focus lenses that I own:  There is a potential for the aperture ring to move slightly past the widest setting.  When this happens, it degrades a image quality quite noticeably.

So, for this lens, you can turn the aperture dial just to the right of f/3.5.  I first captured this example on the Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 Q lens.  That review is linked to the left and it is shown in the first set of images.

I mention this as it is easy to do accidentally.  I just want everyone to be aware if it.  It may be normal, but those may not know could appreciate the heads up.

IQ - In a word, it works very well to capture crisp images.  I find that wide open is not it's strongest suite, although it is by no means unusable.  Even going to f/4, you could shoot there all day long and be happy.   The lens is sharp, but I would not call it bitingly sharp.

It does fall off in sharpness from center to the edge at wider apertures.  Shooting this lens on the Oly PEN-F, you get a 40mm field of view and the sweet spot of the lens all the time.

Shooting on the Df, you'll appreciate using it sot between f/4 and f/11.

I did not notice any real distortion on this lens either.  There are plenty of brick walls in the sample images here and none of them were corrected.  This is straight out of the camera stuff here except for some exposure tweaking

As I usually do, here are images to let the lens speak for itself.

Nikon Df
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100

Nikon Df
1/125, f/8, ISO 640  

Nikon Df
1/125, f/4, ISO 140

Nikon Df
1/125, f/4, ISO 320 

Focusing

This is manual focus all the way, but since it was made to be manual focus, working the ring is a satisfying experience.

On the Df, the AF confirmation point worked well...better when using the middle point, especially if shooting at f/5.6 or smaller apertures.   You can always start shooting wide open,then close down the aperture after you got the focus nailed down.    I found that I did not need to do that much and is not how I generally shoot.

On the Oly PEN-F, focus peaking worked well with this lens and made it super easy to dial in.  You may be asking why the dual testing?  Simply put, I wanted to see how this lens might feel in use when I get the Nikon Z6, which should be in our hands come sometime November 2018.

The focus throw is good and you can go from close focus to infinity with not much movement.

What you also have going for you is that 20mm depth of field is generous, even at f/3.5, that when shooting further away subjects that say, 3 ft, you can just put the lens to infinity and shoot away!

Bottom line here, is that if you've ever used a Nikon manual focus AI/AIS lens, you know what to expect here.  It is all good!

Nikon Df
1/60, f/4, ISO 450 

VR

No VR in the lens, but used on adapted cameras like the Olympus PEN-F with IBIS, you do now have the ability to take advantage of it.  Even the new Nikon Z mirrorless cameras have in body image stabilization that will work with this lens.

We are looking forward to testing this lens out on the Z6.

With our time using it on the Olympus PEN-F, we set the focal length for the IBIS to use and off we were.   No issues, whatsoever.

Nikon Df
1/60, f/8, ISO 5000 

Bottom Line

Not much is thought of manual focus lenses in this age, but i think people forget how easy it is to work with them once you give them a chance.  The 20mm is helped by having a generous depth of field to help get things just right.

Another reason to give these older lenses a chance is the newer technology in the camera bodies.  Here, we have punch in focusing and focus peaking when adapted to either a Micro 4/3, Fuji, Sony mirrorless camera as well as the newly released Nikon Z cameras.

Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS Lens Review

image © NikonUSA

Background

Not only do we want to look at lenses for use on the newly released Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, but we can also use these vintage AIS lenses on the Nikon Df.  There are also some modern DSLRs that are capable of using these manual focus gems.

Nikon Df
1/400, f/4, ISO 100

Looking for something on the wide end, one of our local camera stores had a nice copy of the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS.  How does this lens, released between 1971 and 1984, hold up today?

Let's find out!

Nikon Df
1/100, f/4, ISO 100

Handling/Size/Weight

This is a small lens.  Smaller than the newer Nikon 28mm f/1.8 AF-S.

You've go an all metal lens on your hands here.

It is easy to find the aperture ring and differentiate it from the focus ring without even looking at the lens.

I must say that there is something very satisfying when using a manual focus lens.  While the more modern Nikon AF-S, full time manual focus override, lenses are more convenient - there is something quite different about the way that Nikon made their AI/AIS lenses.  Manual focusing is satisfying, and just feels right.   The focus ring is dampened, but only really moves when you want it to.   It feels so smooth and the throw is such that getting precision and accuracy is almost effortless.

The aperture ring has clicks for each setting.

On the Df, the lens mounts perfectly and handles well on my favorite DSLR.

Since the size is so small, the Olympus PEN-F or EM5 Mark II can use this lens adapted with ease.

Weather Sealed

Not on this guy!  An old AIS lens.

Nikon Df
1/640, f/4, ISO 100

Image Quality

While it probably is not up to speed in relation to the thousand dollar state of the art Nikon lenses, this one can perform quite well.

One thing I'd like to point out and I find this to be true for all Nikon manual focus lenses that I own:  There is a potential for the aperture ring to move slightly past the widest setting.  When this happens, it degrades a image quality quite noticeably.

So, for this lens, you can turn the aperture dial just to the right of f/2.8.  I first captured this example on the Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 Q lens.  That review is linked to the left and it is shown in the first set of images.

I mention this as it is easy to do accidentally.  I just want everyone to be aware if it.  It may be normal, but those may not know could appreciate the heads up.

In a word, it works very well to capture crisp images.  I find that wide open it is just as sharp in the middle of the frame as it is at f/8 and f/11.   What gets better are the edges of the frame at smaller apertures.  I would call this lens bitingly sharp.  I'm not sure you could get a whole lot better in a modern lens than this.  Modern lenses will give you the convenience of auto focus, but image quality wise - if 28mm is what you want, this is a great option.

It does fall off in sharpness from center to the edge at wider apertures.  Shooting this lens on the Oly PEN-F, you get a 56mm field of view and the sweet spot of the lens all the time.

Shooting on the Df, you'll appreciate using it shot wide open, but if you want greater depth of field, go through to f/8!

I did not notice any real distortion on this lens either.  There are plenty of brick walls in the sample images here and none of them were corrected.  This is straight out of the camera stuff here except for some exposure tweaking.

As I usually do, here are images to let the lens speak for itself.

Nikon Df
1/80, f/2.8, ISO 100

Focusing

This is manual focus all the way, but since it was made to be manual focus, working the ring is a satisfying experience.

On the Df, the AF confirmation point worked well...better when using the middle point, especially if shooting at f/5.6 or smaller apertures.   You can always start shooting wide open,then close down the aperture after you got the focus nailed down.    I found that I did not need to do that much and is not how I generally shoot.

On the Oly PEN-F, focus peaking worked well with this lens and made it super easy to dial in.  You may be asking why the dual testing?  Simply put, I wanted to see how this lens might feel in use when I get the Nikon Z6, which should be in our hands come sometime November 2018.

The focus throw is good and you can go from close focus to infinity with not much movement.

What you also have going for you is that 28mm depth of field is generous.  Not as generous as the 20mm f/3.5 AIS that we also reviewed, but not bad either. When shooting further away subjects that say, 5 ft, you can just put the lens to infinity and shoot away!

Bottom line here, is that if you've ever used a Nikon manual focus AI/AIS lens, you know what to expect here.  It is all good!

Nikon Df
1/500, f/4, ISO 100

VR

No VR in the lens, but used on adapted cameras like the Olympus PEN-F with IBIS, you do now have the ability to take advantage of it.  Even the new Nikon Z mirrorless cameras have in body image stabilization that will work with this lens.

Nikon Df
1/800, f/4, ISO 100

Bottom Line

This lens is a bit sharper than the Nikon 20mm f/3.5 AI/AIS lens.   However, if you need the 20mm focal length on FX size sensors, there is no substitute.  If you need something in between 20mm and 35mm and want the size convenience of a prime lens, this Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS is just fantastic.

All the awesomeness of a made for task manual focus lens are there, plu image quality that should satisfy even by today's standards.