through the Nikon F-Mount - Nikon AF Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 review

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 review

November 4, 2012

Nikon introduced this compact lens in 1991. It contains only eight elements, but one of them is an aspherical one. One year later, with the introduction of the first AF-D camera, the F90 (N90 in the USA), Nikon also introduced the D-version of this lens. Optically both versions are identical. Currently I own the non-D version. Over the years I have used three samples of this lens with consistent results.

Today you can get a used one on ebay for only about 50.-€, which is a real bargain!

The 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 at 50mm mounted on a D700 - a handy combination.

Specifications:

8 elements in 7 groups
Closest focus is 0.5m (0.4m with macro setting)
The macro setting is just an extension of the dictance scale and is available at every focal length
Screwdriver AF
Weight including both caps and hood is 380g
Filter size is 52mm
Length including hood from the camera's lens mount at infinity is about 87mm at 50mm and about 100mm at 28mm
Diameter with hood is about 77mm, without hood it is about 69mm
Hood: Nikon HB-6, not included in delivery

At closest focus (macro setting) and 70mm the lens reaches its maximum magnification of about 1:4.6.

In conjunction with a Nikon 4T closeup lens the maximum magnification is about 1:2.6.

Positives:

Good build quality.
Very compact lens.
This lens has an aperture ring, thus it is usable on older camera bodies.
Very good sharpness and contrast at every focal length, top notch at the long end.
Good close-up performance on its own or in conjunction with a Nikon 4T at 70mm.
This is one of the best lenses for shooting into the sun!

Drawbacks:

Rotating filter thread.
The corners are a bit soft at the short end (doesn't matter for normal photography).

Alternatives:

AF Nikkor 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 and AF-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D:
I tried both lenses intensively on my D700. They are a bit less contrasty than the 28-70, but have sharper corners at 28 and 35mm. The weak point of these lenses is the long end with soft areas at the border of the frame. Also important: both lenses are significantly bigger than the 28-70, especially with mounted hoods!
AF Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4 D:
This was also one of the lenses I tried intensively when I was searching for a standard zoom for my D700. It is not a very compact lens but optically overall a very good one with two weak points: the bokeh is a bit too busy and it shows heavy distortions at the long end.
AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8 (D):
Pro-built quality, a nice bokeh and top notch sharpness, especially at 35mm. I love this lens. But it has a serious problem: it is unusually prone to flare.
The new one: AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 G VR:
After all I've read about this just announced lens it seems to be a mixed bag. Currently, I don't plan to try it.

Sample images:

Lighthouse in southern Iceland in summer 1995. F-801, Fujichrome Sensia, 28mm.

Ice-covered stone at the banks of lake Vänern, Sweden in winter 1996. FM2, Fujichrome sensia, 70mm.

Tiny little beetle on the way to the centre of its universe. Captured in summer 2004. D70, 70mm, Nikon 4T closeup lens.

Sunset at a sand mine near Rheine in Summer 2012. D700, 28mm, F16.

Sunset at a sand mine near Rheine in Summer 2012. D700, 70mm, F16.

The village of Elduvík, Faroe Islands, Summer 2012. Evaluating corner sharpness @35mm, see 100% crop below. This shot was made hand-held with the Nikon D700 at ISO 400, F11 and 1/160sec. No post-processing was done, the image is just raw converted by Nikon Capture NX2.

100% crop of the lower right corner.

Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) at a brookside, Faroe Islands, Summer 2012. Evaluating sharpness @70mm, see 100% crops below. This shot was made hand-held with the Nikon D700 at ISO 400, F11 and 1/80sec.

100% crop of the lower central area.

100% crop of the lower right corner.