Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.

2022-03-31T07:06:10

I purchased this lens when it was first introduced back in 2012. In combination with D8__ cameras, it was my favorite of more than 11 Nikkor lenses that I owned, with highest resolution when viewed at 200% on the screen. Due to a tripod mishap, this first lens was lost to water damage. I repurchased the same model 6 months ago from my local Nikon dealer, and Nikon has taken an already very good lens and improved it significantly, with better lens coatings, a major reduction in aberations such as field curvature, less lateral CA and internal flare, with even better color output (I thought this was not possible) and the ability to manage very high contrast light with an exquisitely refined image. Fine detail and point source light management is now extraordinary; in fact, I have to turn down contrast and sharpening settings with this lens in NXD; it is that good. Having used Nikons for almost 40 years and 3 versions of this lens, it is clear that Nikon listens to its customers, but more importantly, takes steps to make something that is already exemplary better. It is light enough to work beautifully with Z series cameras. Well worth the investment still if you are using the Z7ii or Z9 and prefer a prime 28mm focal length.

Mr F.

Originally posted at

2020-12-28T18:15:29

This lens on my D850 is a wonderful combination. I love the 28mm focal length and was a bit unsure about this lens because a lot of reviews state that it isn't up to the same standard as some of the other f/1.8s, but I can say that I have had absolutely no regrets. My lens is sharp wide open and I often shoot it that way when I am documenting a bride or groom getting ready. I almost never use flash in that situation, bride or groom getting ready, and the lens is never stopped down further than f/2.8. Sharp, fast and light. I love this lens.

Robert K.

Originally posted at

2020-06-15T09:11:26

Recently got a Nikon D750 and needed a full frame lens. This 28mm lens was my first choice to go with and was the best decision I’ve ever made. The shots come out very clear and sharp. I? highly recommend.

TRENITY T.

2019-10-11T12:26:31

This lens takes gorgeous images. For me, quick focus, tack sharp, easy to use. Very happy with it. Thank you.

SPENCER R.

2019-07-10T11:06:43

Terrific lens, love the images and bokeh. Build quality feels a bit cheaper and more plastic-y than my other Nikkor fast primes, but still loving it! Replaced my 35mm prime for this lens

CATE B.

2018-12-28T08:16:45

Love the wide angle this provides.

Harry W.

2018-11-09T19:00:00

I'm seriously happy with this lens. It's a bit expensive but 100% worth it imo. The only negative thing I can say is that it's a bit slow to focus in low light, but I guess that's expected. But for sure it's a great lens and if I had to buy it again, I would. For sure the 1.4 would be great to have, but that one costs more than double the price and I simply cannot find a single reason to go for it when this 1.8 is just fantastic already

DiegoV

Originally posted at

2017-12-13T07:53:19

Great lens, beautiful bokeh.

Jeremy D.

2016-12-21T10:52:00

This is a great lesson! With great depth of field and amazing clarity

Mary L.

2016-12-13T10:07:04

I used to own the far more expensive 24mm 1.4G. I found 28mm to be a much more appropriate focal length for environmental portraits throughout the day. 24 just seemed a little to wide for my taste. Not only that, but I found this lens focused faster and more accurately than the 24mm 1.4G. I can't recommend this lens more highly if you know you need a fast/ moderately wide spot filled. Some fault this lens for build quality, but when I'm shooting a 10+ hour day, the weight of this lens is a welcome change opposed to a 1.4 series prime or a 24-70 sized zoom. Optically this lens preforms on par with lenses that cost twice as much. Nano-coating is fantastic it preforms as well as any other nano coated lens your familiar with in terms of controlling flare.

NICHOLAS H.

2016-03-25T20:00:00

I love the feel, look and how quiet this lens is. Superb on the D800. Fast, accurate and images are sharp and beautiful in tone and contrast. I'm not a zoom lens type gal so this lens fits so many needs from landscape, to portraits...its just wonderful!

AniT

Originally posted at

2016-01-07T18:14:06

Recommend this lens. Clear and great quality.

WILLIAM T.

2015-12-21T09:36:57

Great lens, clear and bright, but unfortunately experienced front focusing issue, waiting for replacement. But overall if you got a good copy of this lens you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this product.

IVAN B.

2015-01-05T19:00:00

I needed a wide-angle lens that was fast and sharp. The 28mm focal length works perfectly for most of my wide-angle applications. The lens is well-built, fast auto-focus, smooth focus pull and the nano-crystal coat works great! I just used this lens for some landscape work in Tennessee and the results were gorgeous. I have posted a photo of its use on the street using my Nikon D610. I highly recommend this lens for someone that demands the highest quality 28mm f/1.8 prime.

D610Photog

Originally posted at

2014-12-06T19:00:00

The Nikon 28mm f/1.8 wide angle lens is compact, optically superb, and great for nighttime hand held photography. Below are two photos taken at night, hand held, at a shutter speed of 1/125 of a second, an aperture of f/1.8, ISOs of 450 and 3200, Auto White Balance, and Matrix Metering.

Scripps23

Originally posted at

2014-06-23T21:00:00

I bought this lens for street photography and some landscape work. It is a lot lighter to carry about than the Nikon professional zoom. Very crisp image at 2.8 and above. Bokeh is good at F1.8-2.8 but not quite as pretty as lenses with 9 leaflets. Unlike the 35mm f1.8 lens, Nikon put its nanocoating on this one--not sure why they left it off the 35 mm.Crisper image than the 35 mm. Still, for street photography, I prefer the 35 mm space to 28. Focus adequate, not superfast.

Rogar

2014-05-22T21:00:00

I have read much about the soft focus on this lens. This lens is not soft! its fast! Wide aperture lenses need the use of the center focal point to achieve the sharpness most of us desire. At least on a lens in this price category. It's not fun to recompose but this lens has impressive performance if you do. I love this glass for having the ability to shoot semi-wide at f1.8. Great for landscape as well as indoors. Build quality is weak and for that alone I negate one star.

17Millimeters

2014-03-17T21:00:00

soft at all fstops even after in camera focus adjustments. Buy the D series lenses that say made in Japan on them. my Nikon 16-30 f4 and 24-120 f4 are sharper then this lens at 28mm at all fstops. returned it for a nikon 35d 2.0

B&H f.

2014-02-24T19:00:00

love this length, if they made a new 1.4 i'd buy that. But for now this is great. Focus is a bit slower than with the 2.8 zooms, but extremely lightweight. easily my new walk around lens. 24-70 is still the my go to for events because of the versatility. but this lens will probably start shouldering some of that duty soon.

VINCENT N.

2014-02-24T19:00:00

Very nice lens. Good angle for landscapes. Nice and bright when light is dim. Good pairing with my 85mm 1.8 lens.

Sonita

2014-01-27T19:00:00

I love this lens. It is probably better than new because it was refurbished by Nikon. It is great for wide angle, low light photos with my Nikon D600 camera.

WILLIAM K.

2014-01-20T19:00:00

I'm a newspaper photographer that shoots primes. I recently did away with my 24 and 35 for the 28. I was a little worried about buying a refurbished lens, but the price was right. I'm really impressed with this lens. There are a lot of reviews that I read talking about its focus issues and it not holding up but I can first hand say that it has been tack sharp and focus well even in low light conditions. I recently did a nightlife story on the music scene for a Sunday story and even in lowly lit dive bars the lens held it's own. Mostly shooting at f/2 I found this lens to be very sharp. Highly suggest this lens to full frame prime shooters.

Jupiter

2014-01-20T19:00:00

I use it for team shots. Sharper then my zoom that I used before.

Popcas

2014-01-13T19:00:00

Very sharp on my D800. Its capacity to focus very close makes it a superb all-around for landscape and pretty much everything else.

Ellen B.

2014-01-06T19:00:00

After several years of shooting and post processing I noticed many of my photographs were taken at or near 28mm, so I bought this lens. The lens is razor sharp and the size of it is great for real world shooting situations. Color is excellent as well. If you do not need the durability of the 24mm 1.4G you will most likely be very happy with this lens.

GLENN P.

2014-01-01T19:00:00

This lens is very sharp. The size is nice for holding. The weight is light. The price is reasonable. If that were not enough, the DXO on this lens is up there with the 24mm 1.4 which costs about $1500.00 more.

Hindsight2011

Originally posted at

2013-12-31T19:00:00

I wanted something wider than my existing 50mm f/1.8G. After so much research, I was wary to purchase the 28mm f/1.8G as there are so many reviews that claim that this lens suffers of focus shift. However, my practical tests, which means using the lens in real situations, have not shown any issues with my lens. Or maybe they are unnoticeable, but again, this is actual usage in most common situations such as landscapes, travel, and street photography. This lens is tack sharp even wide open, which combined with its wide angle, makes it a perfect lens for indoor photography where flash photography is not allowed, especially in museums.

CARLOS R.

2013-12-30T19:00:00

I just purchased this lens, ran a bunch of tests at high ISO at f1.8, 2.8 and 4, all available light at several distances - everything sharp as a razor. Used it on an assignment and very pleased with the images, clear, crisp and good color. When I opened the box, I was concerned because this lens is so light - the results are there, that is what counts. My work is primarily for publications, available light photography is the norm.

Anonymous

Originally posted at

2013-12-30T19:00:00

I just purchased this lens, ran a bunch of tests at high ISO at f1.8, 2.8 and 4, all available light at several distances - everything sharp as a razor. Used it on an assignment and very pleased with the images, clear, crisp and good color. When I opened the box, I was concerned because this lens is so light - the results are there, that is what counts. My work is primarily for publications, available light photography is the norm.

JRDPHOTOG

Originally posted at

2013-11-23T19:00:00

I compared this with the Nikon 35mm 1.8G AF-S DX, and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM. In relation to those, this is noticeably "brighter", my sample had possibly a 1/2 stop more light in every image. The focus ring on the Sigma is smoother and better quality, but overall I preferred everything about this lens to the other two. The Sigma is a little heavier feeling, which some may like but this balances better on the D7000. Also the Sigma finish shows fingerprints. The Bokeh on the 35 is the least desirable; this and the Sigma look identical; neither comes near premium lenses like the Nikon 85 1.4. Overall I would rate them in terms of their price, with this one being the best - but the actual difference in IQ and sharpness is very very slight between all three (at least the samples I tried). Those on a budget (with DX cameras) may prefer one of the others, and those wanting the best should consider the Nikon 35 1.4 or a Zeiss. I did not try the popular Sigma 35 1.4 that also works on full frame, as does this.

DAVID D.