Nikon AF-D lens reviews

Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D mounted on a Nikon D3x

With a DxOMark overall score of 20, the Nikkor AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D is still a good, solid lens. (Just as a reminder, the 20mm f/2.8D achieved a DxOMark overall score of 21.)

Comparison: Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T 28mm f/2 ZF2 Nikon mounted on a Nikon D3x

With a DxO Mark Score of 23, the Carl Zeiss 28mm f/2.0 is the winner of this competition. But at only 3 points behind, the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 should not be dismissed out of hand… especially given that it is five times less expensive (!) than the Zeiss.

The advantages of the Nikon:

• Half the weight of the Zeiss.
• 1000 USD less expensive.
• Negligeable distortion.
• Autofocus (if the camera is equipped with a motor).

The advantages of the Carl Zeiss :

• Better sharpness.
• Brighter: a gain of 0.77EV at full aperture (which explains the difference in DxOMark scores).
• Negligeable distortion.
• Mechanical precision.

Some other available comparisons

The Nikon 28mm AF-D vs the latest in the G prime lens series:

Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D vs Nikkor AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED

Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D vs Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G

(Yet another opportunity to take note of the amazing progress that has taken place in just a decade!)

Of note:

• As ever when considering Zeiss lenses, it’s important to keep in mind that they do not have autofocus.
• Nikon AF-D lenses do not have self-contained motors and thus are dependent on the camera motor for autofocus.

Here we have analyzed its full-field performance when mounted on a Nikon D3x, but as per usual, performance results are available for this lens when mounted on other cameras — for example, the Nikon D5000 or the even older Nikon D200.