Both lenses are very good, and as you say, differences are only minimal. If at 2.8 you're already stopped down 1 f-stop, there is obviously an advantage.
@@diyextravaganza I have an old 28mm f2.8 Ai presently and am thinking about up upgrading to the newer Ai-s version (one of the few lenses that was optically revised in the transition to Ai-s). But this video has got me thinking about an f2 :-)
@@NigelHuddart the f/2 is excellent ant the extra stop is very useful in low light situations. The 2.8 Ai-s has a very short focusing distance, the choice depends on what you shot the most, low light or extreme close-ups
@@NigelHuddart The f2.8 ais can go significantly closer and it doesn't bent the straight lines on lower apertures. i do like the videos of this channel and it was very helpful, i have both lenses the ais 2.8 is a better investment for me. But i love shooting with the F2 only on F2 i love how it renters even in bright day light i love shooting with the F2 i use filters....My only problem it bents the straight lines in the corners on F2
Wonderful video. I happen to have exactly the same both Nikon lenses that you have discussed. I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you so much. RS. Canada
Most Nikon vintage lens, AI & AIS were same but different period & coating. The 28/2.8 - AI & AIS had different optical design. AIS had micro & AI was better in infinite. SO that I kept both@@diyextravaganza
I upgraded my Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 AIS lens with a Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar. When compared at the same f/stops, I was so impressed with the superior image qualities of the Zeiss that I decided to upgrade my Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 with a Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon. However, I was disappointed that when compared at the same f/stops, there was no significant difference in image quality between the two 28mm lenses.
In general good lenses only have marginal differences between them, sometimes only being really copy dependent since most optical recipes are fairly similar, if you're looking for a very good 28mm, you should try the F2 Ai, very good one, and if you manage to find one, the 28mm f1.4D which is just a tad better than the F2 ai. Cheers
The 2/28 mm Distagon is one of the weaker spots in Zeiss lineup and the Nikkor 2.8/28 one of Nikons outstanding lenses. With the Zeiss 2.8/25 vs Nikkor 2.8/24 mm which is a solid but not excellent performer from Nikon you would have noticed quite a difference in favour of Zeiss, same for 2/35 mm Nikkor/Distagon. Lesson is you cannot just go for a brand and expect they have only the best lenses, their reputation is an averaging opinion and there may be surprises.
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411 Thanks for the valuable information. I also have a 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI for my 35mm Nikon SLRs and a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon for my 35mm Leica rangefinders. Since I have been satisfied with the performance of both, I have never performed a head-to-head comparison. Do you have any information about these two lenses?
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411interesting comment as I was playing with the idea of making a comparison between the Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 and the Nikkor 24mm f/2. The distagon seems to have good reputation, the Nikkor none, the Zeiss costs about 5x more, so it sounds like an interesting challenge.
@@Narsuitus Unfortunatley not but the Nikkor's construction dates back to the sixties and is a traditional, comparably simple and compact design, whereas the Distagon is about forty years younger, a modern, complex and large lens with ED-glass and asphericals which results in an impressive, measured MTF-curve (published at Zeiss website). I would be more than surprised if it didn't kick the venerable Nikon's lensmount in any conceivable way regardless of which company made it.
Excellent comparison. I too own both F 2 & 2.8 at the same focal lengths on most of my primes; in fact - if I were to choose between the two - I'd have the wider aperture in most scenarios, but unless this is your main occupation, there's very little to discriminate, there is however (in 2024) quite a large void in prices between the two ultimate apertures (no prizes for guessing which is the pricier version). Superb analyses !
Hi, thanks, I'll naturally go to the wider aperture too as it contains the smaller too. I agree, the difference between 2 and 1.4 is usually double in price, and the less common 1.2 can sometimes skyrocket. These days I look into really old glass, my favorite one right now being the Nikkor 35 1.4 from 1971. Cheers.
Agreed; prices on e-bay at the moment are ridiculous. The only F 1.2 I own is for a 55mm Olympus, coupled with an early OM1. The largest chunk of vintage Nikon glass I possess is one of the very first issued 85mm F 1.4 AI-S's - & that's heavier than both my FM & F3, individually, or equal to my F4 standard (it doesn't outweigh the F4S). The only 35mm I have presently is the F2 AI-S, however, there is a general consensus that the F 2.8 is optically superior - your channel is equally superior !
@@andrewtongue7084 Hi, thanks for the feedback, the 35mm F2, superior, that's interesting and sounds like a very good comparison video since I have those two around presently 😊
@@dmystify1381 You're welcome, yes, I try to do videos in French, Spanish and English so they are accessible for people who speak French and no English, English but no French, and so on.
I owned the 2/28 mm and the 2.8/28 AIs mm and compared them side by side on a Nikon D800E on a tripod at infinity for landscapes. The 2/28 which I used and loved for many years was clearly inferior to the 2.8 AIs on this demanding sensor: Higher spherical abberation and coma over the whole aperture-range with the older contruction of the 2/28 mm which still delivered a very pleasing result which it to me it always did. There is something to and I still recommed this lens. But sharper than the 2.8/28 mm AIs? No, I cannot confirm this finding. Same goes for the 1.8/28 AFS which again slightly raised the bar in my tests and was the lens I finally kept for use on the D800E.
Thanks for the complement of information. It's good information for people looking into these lenses. You seem to be very knowledgeable about 28mm lenses, have you ever tried or compared the 1.4D and 1.4AFS? I haven't seen convincing comparisons. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza Unfortunately I only looked into the lenses I had and used at the time when upgrading to the D800E which brutally revealed all of their flaws. I ended up moving to Zeiss on some lenses (2.8/21mm and 35mm) and modern AFS on other (1.8/28mm and 4/80-200 mm). I never looked into the super-fast options as I often do not like their size and weight which with modern lenses can be quite substantial. Lenses aren't becoming smaller in recent years.
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411That's true, cameras are getting slightly smaller, lenses significantly bigger. I like the Zeiss 35mm f/2 a lot. I'm preparing a comparison test of some Nikkors 85mm 1.4 vs. the Zeiss 85mm 1.4, while the Zeiss is no better in overall, it has some dramatic look that the others lack.
@@diyextravaganza thank you!! Reason being i do an anamorphic oval masking on the back of the lens.. if it spun the bike would spin too and not remain oval. Now I can purchase this lens!
Thanks for the comparison. I do own the Ais version and i couldn't be more happy! The close distance focus is unique and stopped down to f5.6 the lens is still terrifying sharp on my D800. I have to admit tho i am impressed with the performance of the F2 wide opened!!
@@diyextravaganza Check the 28mm f2.8 with serial no between 900001-907127. This batch was made from 2006 ’till 2020, and the engineers at Nikon created something very special.
@@TomFindahl they just updated the lens with the SIC Coating… I have currently 2 versions of the 28 2.8 AIS at home (SIC and the 2nd gen NIC)… but still have to make an in depth comparison..
I have the nikkor 28mm f/2 and its very sharp! I even compared some shots against the Sony 35mm 1.4 gm and the Nikkor 28mm 2 held its own .
you're 100%, this lens is a gem. Cheers.
Held it's own... means what in result terms - comparitively
I'm surprised that the older f2 Ai held up so well against the highly rated f2.8 Ai-s and even outperformed it (albeit slightly).
Both lenses are very good, and as you say, differences are only minimal. If at 2.8 you're already stopped down 1 f-stop, there is obviously an advantage.
@@diyextravaganza I have an old 28mm f2.8 Ai presently and am thinking about up upgrading to the newer Ai-s version (one of the few lenses that was optically revised in the transition to Ai-s). But this video has got me thinking about an f2 :-)
@@NigelHuddart the f/2 is excellent ant the extra stop is very useful in low light situations. The 2.8 Ai-s has a very short focusing distance, the choice depends on what you shot the most, low light or extreme close-ups
@@NigelHuddart The f2.8 ais can go significantly closer and it doesn't bent the straight lines on lower apertures. i do like the videos of this channel and it was very helpful, i have both lenses the ais 2.8 is a better investment for me. But i love shooting with the F2 only on F2 i love how it renters even in bright day light i love shooting with the F2 i use filters....My only problem it bents the straight lines in the corners on F2
Wonderful video. I happen to have exactly the same both Nikon lenses that you have discussed. I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you so much.
RS. Canada
Hi, thanks again, getting feedback like this is always heartwarming. Question, do you agree with my findings?
Very nice, detail, and scientific comparison. It's confirming my finding from my usage too. Thx.
Thanks a lot !
Great video, kudos! I personally prefer the smaller size of the 2.8, although it is more expensive, I'm very happy with it.
Thanks, both lenses are in truth great, what I show on the video are just small differences
I also hesitated between the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 Ai-s and the f/2. Finally I decided to buy the Ais 28/2.8. 😀 and later the Ai 28/2.8😃
Good choice, I've always liked ai lenses a bit more. Have no experience with the 28mm f2.8 ai. How it renders? Cheers
Most Nikon vintage lens, AI & AIS were same but different period & coating. The 28/2.8 - AI & AIS had different optical design. AIS had micro & AI was better in infinite. SO that I kept both@@diyextravaganza
@@kinhungchan7871 you never have enough lenses :)
😜😍😗@@diyextravaganza
I upgraded my Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 AIS lens with a Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar. When compared at the same f/stops, I was so impressed with the superior image qualities of the Zeiss that I decided to upgrade my Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 with a Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon.
However, I was disappointed that when compared at the same f/stops, there was no significant difference in image quality between the two 28mm lenses.
In general good lenses only have marginal differences between them, sometimes only being really copy dependent since most optical recipes are fairly similar, if you're looking for a very good 28mm, you should try the F2 Ai, very good one, and if you manage to find one, the 28mm f1.4D which is just a tad better than the F2 ai. Cheers
The 2/28 mm Distagon is one of the weaker spots in Zeiss lineup and the Nikkor 2.8/28 one of Nikons outstanding lenses. With the Zeiss 2.8/25 vs Nikkor 2.8/24 mm which is a solid but not excellent performer from Nikon you would have noticed quite a difference in favour of Zeiss, same for 2/35 mm Nikkor/Distagon. Lesson is you cannot just go for a brand and expect they have only the best lenses, their reputation is an averaging opinion and there may be surprises.
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411
Thanks for the valuable information.
I also have a 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI for my 35mm Nikon SLRs and a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon for my 35mm Leica rangefinders. Since I have been satisfied with the performance of both, I have never performed a head-to-head comparison. Do you have any information about these two lenses?
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411interesting comment as I was playing with the idea of making a comparison between the Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 and the Nikkor 24mm f/2. The distagon seems to have good reputation, the Nikkor none, the Zeiss costs about 5x more, so it sounds like an interesting challenge.
@@Narsuitus Unfortunatley not but the Nikkor's construction dates back to the sixties and is a traditional, comparably simple and compact design, whereas the Distagon is about forty years younger, a modern, complex and large lens with ED-glass and asphericals which results in an impressive, measured MTF-curve (published at Zeiss website). I would be more than surprised if it didn't kick the venerable Nikon's lensmount in any conceivable way regardless of which company made it.
Excellent comparison. I too own both F 2 & 2.8 at the same focal lengths on most of my primes; in fact - if I were to choose between the two - I'd have the wider aperture in most scenarios, but unless this is your main occupation, there's very little to discriminate, there is however (in 2024) quite a large void in prices between the two ultimate apertures (no prizes for guessing which is the pricier version). Superb analyses !
Hi, thanks, I'll naturally go to the wider aperture too as it contains the smaller too. I agree, the difference between 2 and 1.4 is usually double in price, and the less common 1.2 can sometimes skyrocket. These days I look into really old glass, my favorite one right now being the Nikkor 35 1.4 from 1971. Cheers.
Agreed; prices on e-bay at the moment are ridiculous. The only F 1.2 I own is for a 55mm Olympus, coupled with an early OM1. The largest chunk of vintage Nikon glass I possess is one of the very first issued 85mm F 1.4 AI-S's - & that's heavier than both my FM & F3, individually, or equal to my F4 standard (it doesn't outweigh the F4S). The only 35mm I have presently is the F2 AI-S, however, there is a general consensus that the F 2.8 is optically superior - your channel is equally superior !
@@andrewtongue7084 Hi, thanks for the feedback, the 35mm F2, superior, that's interesting and sounds like a very good comparison video since I have those two around presently 😊
I'd be interested to see how an F 2.8 fares against its larger brother in this particular focal length 🙂
@@andrewtongue7084 it is a very good idea indeed, I'll dig into that.
...so glad you done this in english...thankyou...must of been quite difficult.
what do you mean?
@@diyextravaganza ...you also do this video in french ...yes...?
@@dmystify1381 yes I did
@@dmystify1381 You're welcome, yes, I try to do videos in French, Spanish and English so they are accessible for people who speak French and no English, English but no French, and so on.
Thank you for excellent comparison
Thanks
thanks
Cheers, don't forget to share with your friends !
Really nice comparison video, did helps me ,Danke!
Bitteschön, :)
I owned the 2/28 mm and the 2.8/28 AIs mm and compared them side by side on a Nikon D800E on a tripod at infinity for landscapes. The 2/28 which I used and loved for many years was clearly inferior to the 2.8 AIs on this demanding sensor: Higher spherical abberation and coma over the whole aperture-range with the older contruction of the 2/28 mm which still delivered a very pleasing result which it to me it always did. There is something to and I still recommed this lens. But sharper than the 2.8/28 mm AIs? No, I cannot confirm this finding. Same goes for the 1.8/28 AFS which again slightly raised the bar in my tests and was the lens I finally kept for use on the D800E.
Thanks for the complement of information. It's good information for people looking into these lenses. You seem to be very knowledgeable about 28mm lenses, have you ever tried or compared the 1.4D and 1.4AFS? I haven't seen convincing comparisons. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza Unfortunately I only looked into the lenses I had and used at the time when upgrading to the D800E which brutally revealed all of their flaws. I ended up moving to Zeiss on some lenses (2.8/21mm and 35mm) and modern AFS on other (1.8/28mm and 4/80-200 mm). I never looked into the super-fast options as I often do not like their size and weight which with modern lenses can be quite substantial. Lenses aren't becoming smaller in recent years.
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411That's true, cameras are getting slightly smaller, lenses significantly bigger. I like the Zeiss 35mm f/2 a lot. I'm preparing a comparison test of some Nikkors 85mm 1.4 vs. the Zeiss 85mm 1.4, while the Zeiss is no better in overall, it has some dramatic look that the others lack.
very curious... does the rear element on the 28mm F2 spin when focusing? or does it protrude back and forth when focusing?
it moves back and forth, just checked. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza thank you!! Reason being i do an anamorphic oval masking on the back of the lens.. if it spun the bike would spin too and not remain oval. Now I can purchase this lens!
@@fourth1000 great !
The 2.8 at f 5.6 a way better than the 2
maybe, I don't remember.
is the 28 f/2 acceptable wide open? thanks
it is a very good lens, I prefer the Ai version over the Ais one because the focusing throw is a lot longer. Cheers.
How about the NC version?
Thanks for the comparison. I do own the Ais version and i couldn't be more happy!
The close distance focus is unique and stopped down to f5.6 the lens is still terrifying sharp on my D800.
I have to admit tho i am impressed with the performance of the F2 wide opened!!
Both are fantastic lenses, the applications just slightly different
@@diyextravaganza Check the 28mm f2.8 with serial no between 900001-907127. This batch was made from 2006 ’till 2020, and the engineers at Nikon created something very special.
@@TomFindahl I'll look for one of those. Thanks for the tip.
@@TomFindahl they just updated the lens with the SIC Coating… I have currently 2 versions of the 28 2.8 AIS at home (SIC and the 2nd gen NIC)… but still have to make an in depth comparison..
@@Zlaja192 I'm looking forward to the test, check the serial no
I have the same Shortwave radio !
Hahahah nice !
Verry good comparison, I have all the fastes AI-S lenses from 20- to 135 mm, if only one lens it would proparbly be the 28 f/2 or 35 f/1.4.
maybe the same for me, cheers !
your volume is too quiet
I'll try to improve that in the future