Nikkor 28 mm Ai, Ai-S or variable 14-24

I have a 28 mm Ai Nikkor manual focus. Old lens but does well on my D700.

1) I don't know how to tell the difference between the "short focus" Ai-S? or the standard? The focus is measured to the film plane or the front of the lens. One is about 11" and the short model goes to under 8".

2) And, for landscape photography, is the new 14-24 zoom worth the price differential--huge? Focus speed isn't a big issue for landscape.

Opinions and knwledge base increase appreciated.

the fisch

I have used the 14-24. It takes great photos! It has several drawbacks: It does not take filters and it is difficult to keep clean. If you use grad filters, be prepared to hold them by hand. If you are in or near a lot of dust, keep the cap on and don't take it off except to focus and take pictures.

You can get a Cokin filter adapter that will work on the 14-24mm. It isn't cheap - but neither is the lens. Probably the best wide angle lens on the market though.

Thanks for th infor but I'm really interested in the difference between the 28mm Nikkor Ai and the AiS (short focus--reporetedly one of the sharpest lenses). It is very much cheaper than the new 12-24. Is it worth it? Is it "that" much better. Autofocus I don't need for landscapes???

Haven't been able to Google the information.

Input appreciated.

the fisch

The 28mm /f2.8 AIS is rated quite a bit better than the AI. The 28mm f/2 (AI or AIS, I believe) is rated even better overall by this reviewer (scroll down):

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html

Alan,

I've been to that site.

I still don't know how to tell the difference; no difinitive photos. I know the Al-S is better.

The near focal length is about 11 " for the Al, and just under 8" for the Al-s.

I presume that length is from the object to the focal plane.

If not then, to the front of the lens. I need to know which one; without a definitive picture, to determine which lens I have I have no other way.

Mine focuses to 11" to the focal plane so I'm guessing it is Al???

Additionally, I think the Al-S may have the apperature numbers in a silver ring. Mine has the aperature numbers in the black behind the ring.

HELP!!

I like my current 28mm Nikkor, f/2.8 lens a lot, and if it is Al, then I'm going to an Al-S before spending megabucks for the 14-24. Both are f/2.8; the Al-S is much easier to handle and accepts all the lens stuff.

the fisch

There are ways to determine whether a lens is non-AI, AI or AIS by certain physical characteristics, but perhaps the easiest way is to check the serial number here:

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#28

The lenses you are talking about are all about a quarter century old or older. Just as cameras have dramatically improved in the past quarter century, so have lenses. New computer design, aspherical elements, ED glass, improvements to greatly reduce internal flare, plus the modern coatings designed to maximize performance with digital sensors to name just a few. The 14-24mm f2.8 is state of the art, one of the very best lenses Nikon has ever made. I've had trouble in the past when I tried the older lenses on my D300, mostly flare, CA, and less intense color. Myself, I'm not even considering using anything but modern lenses on D700. I want all the performance the camera can give.


Kent in SD

Alan,

Thank you so much. That serial no. website answered my question. My lens was the last run of the Ai, the run just before the Ai-S was introduced.

I'm impressed with the Ai and if the Ai-S is better, I think I'll try to find on.

Kudos!!!

the fisch

Kent,

You are probably right.

But, in visiting with personnel in our local camera store, which is a Nikon dealer, most of the sales people think some of the older lenses are as good or superior to the new ones. Notice I said "some".

The 14-24 has rave reviews. That once in a lifetime shot begs for the best, but cost contraints often shadow us all.

The reviews on the 28 mm Ai-S are good, too, especially mentioning "flare". Heck, my older model 28mm, f/2.8, Ai does a really nice job--at least as good, and I think better, than my 18-200 Nikkor.

Thanks for you input.

the fisch

I'm at the point where I don't care about the price of lenses. I want the very best. My strategy has been to just have a few, but each one is state of art and will be able to take advantage of all current camera sensors, and those to come in the near future. Already we see sensors outresolving some lenses. If a lens is cheap, there is usually a reason for that.


Kent in SD

Kent,

Your strategy is great. Again, I'm just wondering, esp. from anyone who may have had experience with both of these lenses, if the size factor (the 14-24 is huge) and quality is an issue. I'm happy with the regular 28 mm and if the Ai-S version is better, reported one of the sharpest lenses made, I think that's for me. And these lenses are cheap often because of advertising hype. Will investigate more.

I could be wrong and I do realize the 14-24 is supposed to be one of the best modern wide-angle lenses. However, it is a zoom lens which means it even though it is very sharp it still wouldn't compare to a modern prime lens somewhere in that zoom range which was engineered to the same pro quality specs.

In my experience using adapters to use old manual focus prime lenses on my Canon camera I have found that even though the lenses are 25-40 years old they still produce noticeably sharper images than my modern zoom lenses including a couple of Canon's Pro L series lenses. I would expect the same might be true using nikon prime lenses over nikon zoom lenses.

Austin,

I've always read that primes are better. Makes sense, and their is apparently individualtity in each lens. I mean by that some lenses just come together better than others of the same model.

the fisch

It doesn't seem to be the case that single focal lenses are optically better any more. Note that Nikon really holds the zoom ratio down on their pro zooms. The 14-24mm isn't even 2x. The 24-70mm isn't even 3x. Computer design, aspherical elements have allowed zooms to come into their own now.


Kent in SD

I have a 28 mm Ai Nikkor manual focus. Old lens but does well on my D700.

I'm happy with the regular 28 mm...

I like my current 28mm Nikkor, f/2.8 lens a lot,..

Heck, my older model 28mm, f/2.8, Ai does a really nice job--at least as good, and I think better, than my 18-200 Nikkor.

Then why all the silly worry about something else being better? Do you ever take any photos with your camera and lens? Do they look good to you for the use you intended? Could you really see any difference with a different manual focus Nikkor 28?

Because Richard, I've never had a side-by-side comparison.

"Good" to me is subjective with ever having seen what the 14-24 will do.

So, I thought I'd use this resource to gather information from those who may have had experience with both lenses.

Fair enough?

the fisch