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Worth buying the Nikon 28mm f/2.8D?

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Shooraq

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I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon 28mm f/2.8 lens used for $169. I currently have a D7000 and lenses close to that range that I have are a 35mm f/1.8 and a tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.If I want to do general landscape shots without the "distortion" that a UWA lens gives, is this lens worth the price?

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynalman
 
Only you can evaluate the focal length to decide if it would work for you.

As to the price, if it's not a D lens, then KEH sells it in ex condition for $179.
 
I had a chance to buy one used for $100 and passed after shooting with it for a day. I was unimpressed.
 
28mm 2.8 AF-D lens is not highly regarded, but the 28mm 2.8 AI-S is excellent. With your D7000, you would be able to meter with the latter, but it would be manual focus, of course. So if you really want a 28mm lens, I'd get that one, though I am not sure how much a used one would cost.

If you can get the 24mm 2.8 AF-D for a similar price, I'd get that one instead. That lens is actually pretty good, and the focal length would equal 35mm on full-frame.
 
yep, if I was in the market for a 28mm ... despite my preference for AF, I would be hunting a 28/2.8 AIS (must be the one with the close focus of 0.2m, its this version that is the stand out performer, apparently).
trts said:
28mm 2.8 AF-D lens is not highly regarded, but the 28mm 2.8 AI-S is excellent. With your D7000, you would be able to meter with the latter, but it would be manual focus, of course. So if you really want a 28mm lens, I'd get that one, though I am not sure how much a used one would cost.
Click to expand...
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My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
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28mm is too close to 35. I think you would be better served with a 24mm lens.

Goodlight
Ranamo
 
trts said:
28mm 2.8 AF-D lens is not highly regarded, but the 28mm 2.8 AI-S is excellent. With your D7000, you would be able to meter with the latter, but it would be manual focus, of course. So if you really want a 28mm lens, I'd get that one, though I am not sure how much a used one would cost.

If you can get the 24mm 2.8 AF-D for a similar price, I'd get that one instead. That lens is actually pretty good, and the focal length would equal 35mm on full-frame.
Click to expand...
The 24 is generally considered to the better optically then the 28 anyway. In this price range, the 24 is better.
 
Thank you everyone for the respsonses. I will pass on it, because it is a D lens. I only have so much money to spend on camera gear, hence why I try to buy quality used gear. Since I coughed up a lot for get the D7000, I will wait until I can afford a zoom f/2.8! :)
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynalman
 
As you begin to think about a zoom 2.8, consider the older AFD 20-35mm f 2.8 - it's a favorite of mine and goes nicely in both directions from 28mm (my default FX focal length). It's also a bit smaller and lighter than its several newer replacements. There are many samples in my gallery.
 
of course, this is all just other people's opinion ... and sometimes you just need to try something yourself.

I'm not impressed enough with the on-line reviews and various forum opinions to get the 24/28 f/2.8 - but I would have liked a lens in that zone. 28/2.8 AIS (0.2m) is the one that stands out. I went to the 16-35/4 VRII as my wide and it replaced my 20/2.8 + 35/2. The 20/2.8 doesn't get the most glowing reviews, but that said I've had it twice! Enjoyed it both times, but not blown away, I am really pleased with my upgrade to something much much more modern (N coating).

One option is to buy a used 28/2.8 or 24/2.8 ... try it, use it, like it, or hate it, keep it, or sell it ... you should be able to sell a used lens for the around the same price. I call this free no rush rental (the risk is that Nikon bring out a G version while you are trying and the used value drops through the floor!)
--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG
The FiveFifties: OnePointTwoAIS + OnePointFourD/G + OnePointEightD/G

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup
 
This lens seems to be a 1984 optical design. Nikon's f2.8 MTF show by modern standards it is a poor performer in the corners on f2.8 - though DX crops out the worst of the poor f2.8 corners.
It is small and light.

On "distortion" if you mean converging verticals in buildings - theses are caused by not keeping the camera back vertical. The effect is there when we look up at a building but from a young age our brain learns to correct the verticals and we do not see the effect - unless we take a photo :(

If this is a problem a solution to correct the verticals in something like PhotoShop elements. Doing this crops the frame edges so use a slightly wider lens to allow for the processing crop.
--
Leonard Shepherd

Good photography is mainly about doing simple things well. The challenge is doing simple things well enough for good results.
 
If the rumour mill is to be believed there is a possibility of some forthcoming updates to the secondary primes such as 24/28/35 f2.8's or f2's and the 85 f1.8. May therefore be worth waiting a while.
 
LensLineup said:
of course, this is all just other people's opinion ... and sometimes you just need to try something yourself.

I'm not impressed enough with the on-line reviews and various forum opinions to get the 24/28 f/2.8 - but I would have liked a lens in that zone. 28/2.8 AIS (0.2m) is the one that stands out. I went to the 16-35/4 VRII as my wide and it replaced my 20/2.8 + 35/2. The 20/2.8 doesn't get the most glowing reviews, but that said I've had it twice! Enjoyed it both times, but not blown away, I am really pleased with my upgrade to something much much more modern (N coating).

One option is to buy a used 28/2.8 or 24/2.8 ... try it, use it, like it, or hate it, keep it, or sell it ... you should be able to sell a used lens for the around the same price. I call this free no rush rental (the risk is that Nikon bring out a G version while you are trying and the used value drops through the floor!)
--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG
The FiveFifties: OnePointTwoAIS + OnePointFourD/G + OnePointEightD/G

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup
Click to expand...
Have you bought the 85mm 1.4 yet? ;-)
 
Those lenses show high CA on DX bodies, and get sharp only from F5.6.

I tried my 24AFD 2.8 on a D90, and results were horrible (camera functions perfectly with other lenses, and no focus error). On a D700 the lens shines instead.
My advice would be to pass, and buy something DX based.
Good luck!
Lory
--

'The human race is a race of cowards. And I'm not only marching in that procession, but carrying a banner.'
Mark Twain
 
azoele said:
Those lenses show high CA on DX bodies, and get sharp only from F5.6.

I tried my 24AFD 2.8 on a D90, and results were horrible (camera functions perfectly with other lenses, and no focus error). On a D700 the lens shines instead.
Click to expand...
Interesting. On my D3100, my 24 AIS 2.8 (same lens formula as AFD) works exceptionally well. Is the difference that something is wrong with your len, or that there is something different between D90 and D3100 that makes it work with mine and not yours.

No trace of CA or other problems that I can see. I generally try to use it at 5.6, but that was the same with film, too.



 
Just shot some panos with my 28 AI MF old lense. Great lense. Did a comparison to the 24-70 a few years ago and could see no difference (in that subject on test).
--

Sold the (old) half-frame from Thailand. Bought a 700 under my own personal stimulus
plan.
 
I chose not to buy anything at this time. At least I have my tokina 11-16, which is great. I am in no idea of a fixed wide-angle lens, just wasn't sure to jump on buying the used lens if it was a great deal. I don't forsee myself making any new lens purchases for a while.. gotta be able to afford my hubby's D800 purchase and 24-70 lens purchase, whenver Nikon finally releases that camera!

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/robynalman
 
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