Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G Review

General information

This is a prime lens manufactured by Nikon and the lens was released 2012.
The lens belongs to the category wide angle prime lenses, a wide angle lens where you do not have the possibility to zoom in and out.

Product description from Nikon

At launch 2012 Nikon wrote this regarding Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G:

"FX-format prime lens offers fast f/1.8 aperture and delivers outstanding clarity and high contrast, low-light performance and depth-of-field control for beautiful stills and HD videos.

Bring a dramatic wide-angle perspective to your still and HD video shooting. The AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G´s fast maximum aperture lets you create in nearly any light—dusk to dawn, indoors or out—and offers outstanding depth-of-field control. Nikon´s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat nearly eliminates the ghosting and flare seen with some wide-angle lenses for improved clarity and contrast. Impressive on both FX- and DX-format cameras, the AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G excels with landscapes, architecture, group shots, travel and more.

Complete control, even in low light
Fast f/1.8 aperture with a 7-blade rounded diaphragm
An f/1.8 maximum aperture frees you to create in low-light settings, like the cool blues of dawn or the warm oranges of an indoor event. Not only will your photos and HD videos be brighter, your view through the camera will be brighter for fine-tuning and manual control. An f/1.8 aperture also gives you remarkable depth-of-field control, so you can softly blur your backgrounds and draw attention to your subjects. The AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G features a rounded 7-blade diaphragm to enhance that effect by giving a more natural appearance to out-of-focus elements.

Unleash your camera´s full potential
Nikon technologies for unrivaled performance
A great lens draws peak performance from a camera, and the AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G is no exception. Impressive on both FX- and DX-format D-SLRs, it incorporates Nikon advancements for consistent, superlative performance, even in tough shooting situations. Nano Crystal (N) and Super Integrated (SIC) coatings enhance contrast and color and nearly eliminate ghosting and flare, even in backlit scenes. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) powers high-speed autofocusing that’s extremely accurate and quiet.

Build an exceptional fast prime lens system
The wide-angle piece of Nikon´s versatile new f/1.8 FX lens collection
Pair the AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G with the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G and AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G for a truly exceptional compact prime lens system. All three lenses offer the latest Nikon advancements and optical design characteristics, so you´ll get consistent performance at each focal length: wide-angle, standard and medium telephoto. It´s never been easier to expand your capabilities and creativity.


Overview

FX-format wide-angle lens with 28mm focal length and fast f/1.8 aperture.

A great choice when you want to capture a wide perspective, this lens is ideal for shooting in tight indoor spaces, photographing stunning vistas, or for capturing cityscapes and street scenes.

An excellent match for high-resolution D-SLRs, the optical design delivers beautifully rendered images and movies. The fast f/1.8 aperture enables sharper shots in low light, and perfectly balances sharpness and bokeh.

Key features

FX-format wide-angle lens with 28 mm focal length (42 mm when used with a Nikon DX-format SLR).

Fast f/1.8 aperture: enables beautifully smooth bokeh, sharper shots in low light and a bright viewfinder image.

High-performance optical design: delivers sharp, beautifully rendered images to support the performance of high-resolution D-SLRs.

Two aspherical lens elements minimize aberrations and correct the distortion that can occur with a wide angle of view.

Nano Crystal Coat effectively reduces ghost and flare.

Silent Wave Motor (SWM) allows quiet and accurate AF operation.

Two focus modes are available: M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual focus).

Lightweight and compact body.

Weather-sealed metal lens mount.

Bayonet lens hood and lens pouch included."


Compatibility, autofocus and focal length

This lens is constructed to fit all models of Nikon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.

The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.

The lens has a focal length of 28 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.

Lens brightness and image stabilizer

The lens brightness and aperture value is f/1,8.

This aperture value indicates that the lens is extremely bright.  This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues.

The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds. Since the lens is bright, with good aperture value, the lack of image stabilization might not be that big of a deal, although a image stabilizer is always an advantage to have.

Filter and Lens Hood

The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 67 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.

If you buy this lens it will come with a lens hood, whose model name is "HB-64".

Images of Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G

In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.

Things to consider before buying

Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.

  • The lens brightness, f/1,8
  • Works on all sensor types
  • Has a built-in autofocus motor
  • A lens hood is included
  • The lens is sealed against dust and moisture
  • Light weight (330 gr)

Our Review Ratings

Time to grade Nikon AF-S 28mm F1.8 G.

Build Quality     
Image Quality     
Autofocus     
Sharpness     
Versatility     
Value     
Overall rating 3 of 5

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