Wideangle Nikkor Lenses

 

Ai Nikkor 28 mm f/2.0, f/2.8 & f/3.5 lenses

At the beginning of the '70, Nikkor 28mm lenses have gained its popularity with increasing number of photographers who often find this focal length so useful in handling commercial, industrial, architectural, travel, landscape and news photography. The Ai lens coupling system used in the updated metering system employed by Nikon SLRs during the late seventies also saw many of the lenses went through the important transitional Ai change. Like many other Nikkor lenses, these lenses can also be easily identified from earlier ones with its new improved cosmetic changes which carried a more modern Nikkor feel and appearance. The most noticeable feature is the dual aperture rings that contains the aperture settings and direct readout scales. The aperture ring of the Ai Nikkors can also help to identify this series with the diamond ridge design and the holed meter coupling prong that rest a top of the aperture ring.

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However, since during that similar period many Nikkor owners had took up Nikon's offers for a Factory conversion to Ai coupling, a lot of the older Pre-Ai era of 28mm Nikkor lenses may carry such modified Ai-Spec or more commonly known as "AI'd" (By the way, who invented this funny term ?). Anyway, lenses between pre-AI version and subsequent Ai series do not have much of a difference in their optical designs, except lenses with Ai coupling system provide better lens and camera compatibility in the metering system with subsequent introduced Ai Nikon SLR bodies.

Credit: Image courtesy of Photo_Arsenal-Worldwide® Germany. The Company also maintains an active EBAY Store, trading many used and new photo equipment of various labels. Photo Aersenal can be contacted at Photo Arsenal Boris Jamchtchik, Altenfurter Str.16a 90475 Nuernberg Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 911/ 4008081 E-Mail: ebayshop@arsenal-photo.com. Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

However, if using those non-Ai lenses with an Ai Nikon camera body, one has to use the stopped down metering method. Since most Nikon SLRs introduced after 1982 Nikon EM in 1979 is included) DO NOT provide a flexible meter coupling tab in their Ai metering ring at the lens mount, using non-Ai lenses with those Nikon camera bodies may NOT be able to utilize open aperture metering anymore. So, please ensure the used lenses that you intend to acquire is conform to such minimum specification.

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Optically, despite Nikkor have evolved through a few stages of changes in their lens updating program, other than the Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 and 28mm f/2.8, the f/3.5 lens has remained unchanged since its introduction till its discontinuation. The Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 may have two versions which are significantly different; where an early version which can only focuses to 1ft while the next which was an Ai spec lens has improved its nearest focusing distance down to 0.9 ft.. However, its weighs slightly heavier at 360g from earlier version which has a weight of 345g.

Credit
: Mr Hong of Ipoh for lending his lens for me to take a few pictures appeared in this site.

Similarly, the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 also being upgraded from the pre-Ai series mentioned earlier at Pre-Ai Nikkor section, the lens was eventually replaced with an improved version which is slightly heavier and focuses even closer at a minimum distance at only 0.2m (0.7 ft) - which is the best performer among all the manual focus Nikkor wideangles. This change occurred between the period of very late seventies and early eighties of which you can differentiate them visually via the engraved closest distance indicator on the focusing ring of the lens.

Nikon Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 wideangle lens Ai version FRONT lens element Nikon Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 wideangle lens Ai version REAR lens mount
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Bert Furnari ®™ where I found the image(s) from his excellent Ebay Store. All image(s) appeared herein are Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
Whatever it is, the most important element that went through for all these Nikkor wideangle lenses was the incorporation of the Ai lens coupling system, regardless they are original factory production unit or a Ai-converted old Nikkor lens - this permits integration between newer and older AI and Non-AI camera body to take full advantage of the convenience in updated full aperture metering used by Nikon SLRs. Further, most of theseNikkor wideangles carried with them a practical lens speed that permits easy, accurate focusing and facilitates picture taking indoors or under unfavorable lighting conditions. They are also being designed to improve their lens handling and portability with a more compact size and lighter in weight. Cruising along with the best of mechanical engineering period of SLR camera bodies with such fine camera represented by the Nikon F2 series SLRs and emergence of compact midrange SLRs such as the mechanical Nikon FM and electronic Nikon FE, there were three versions of Nikkor wideangle lenses at this 28mm focal length where each of them offering differing lens speed, performance and price tags to fit almost evry phtographer's needs ad budget. Optically, all three lenses have their spherical and coma aberrations well corrected, ensuring uniform sharpness edge-to-edge which has made these Nikkor lenses such a favorite among many photographers.
Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 - Perfect for Available Light Shooting in Close Quarters

Technical Highlights
:
* Wide 74° picture coverage. * Large maximum aperture. * Weighs only 355 grams. * Floating Element System for improved close focusing performance - down to one foot (0.3m).* Takes 52mm filters - the standard for most Nikkor lenses from 20 to 200mm. * Photographic uses include photojournalism, sports, environmental portraiture, annual report shooting, scenic, interiors, candids of people, and available light photography.


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Specifications

Focal length/Aperture: 28mm f/2.0
Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
Picture angle: 74°; Diaphragm: Automatic

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Nikon Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 wideangle lens Ai version
Aperture scale: f/2.0 - f/22 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales
Exposure measurement: Via full aperture method with AI cameras; via stop-down method with non-AI cameras.
Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 0.3m (l ft) to infinity (oo)
Weight: 355g; Dimensions: 64.5mm dia. x 68.5mm long (overall); 58.5mm extension from flange
Filters: 52mm front screw-in
Front lens cap: Snap-On; Lens hood: HN-1 screw-in metal
Lens case: CL-31S hard leatherette, No. 61; CP-1
Usable teleconverter: TC-200, TC-201, TC-16, TC-14A


Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Bert Furnari ®™ where I found the image(s) from his excellent Ebay Store. All image(s) appeared herein are Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

28mmf28AI.jpg
Ai Nikkor 28mm f/2.8

Technical and Sales Advantages * Wide 74° picture coverage. * Very compact and lightweight - only 245 grams. * Macrophotography - up to nearly 9X magnification when reverse mounted on a bellows unit. * Takes 52mm filters - the standard for most Nikkor lenses from 20 to 200mm.

*
Photographic uses include photojournalism, sports, travel, backpacking, environmental portraiture, annual report work, scenic, interiors, and candids of people.

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of 'Peter Pickering' (e-mail) from Australia Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

28mmf28AI.jpg
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of 'Peter Pickering' (e-mail) from Australia who specializes trading of new, used collectable Nikon and other cameras/lenses/accessories. Peter also operates a popular Ebay Store. All image(s) appeared herein are Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Specifications

Focal length/Aperture: 28mm f/2.8
Lens construction: 7 elements in 7 groups; Picture angle: 74°

28mmf28.jpg 28mmf28.gif 28mmf28AI.jpg
Diaphragm: Automatic
Aperture scale: f/2.8 - f/22 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales

Exposure measurement: Via full aperture method with AI cameras; via stop-down method with non-AI cameras.

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Distance scale
: Graduated in meters and feet from 0.3m (l ft) to infinity (oo); Weight: 245g
Dimensions: 63.5mm dia. x 54.5mm long (overall); 44.5mm extension from flange
Filters: 52mm front screw-in; Front lens cap: Snap-On; Lens hood: HN-2 screw-in metal; Lens case: CL30S; No, 61; CP-1
Usable teleconverter: TC-200, TC-201, TC-16, TC-14A



Nikkor
28mm f/3.5 - A Good Wideangle for the Budget-Minded Photographer

Technical and Sales Advantage * Wide 74° picture coverage. * Very compact and lightweight -only 235 grams. * Macrophotography - up to nearly 9X magnification when reverse-mounted on a bellows unit. * Takes 52mm filters - the standard for most Nikkor lenses from 20 to 200mm. * Photographic uses include photojournalism, sports, travel, backpacking, environmental portraiture, annual report work, scenic, interiors, and candids of people.

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of 'Peter Pickering' (e-mail) from Australia who specializes trading of new, used collectable Nikon and other cameras/lenses/accessories. Peter also operates a popular Ebay Store. All image(s) appeared herein are Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Specifications

Focal length/Aperture: 28mm f/3.5
Lens construction: 6 elements in 6 groups
Picture angle: 74° Diaphragm: Automatic
Aperture scale:
f/3.5 - f/22 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales

Exposure measurement: Via full aperture method with AI cameras; via stop-down method with non-AI cameras.

28mmf35aitoplens.jpg 28mmf35.jpg
Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 0.3m (l ft) to infinity (oo)
Weight: 235g


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<< ---PDF file (48k) Credit: Mr Hong of Ipoh for lending his lens for me to take a few pictures appeared in this site.

Credit: Image(s) courtesy of 'Peter Pickering' (e-mail) from Australia who specializes trading of new, used collectable Nikon and other cameras/lenses/accessories. Peter also operates a popular Ebay Store. All image(s) appeared herein are Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
Dimensions: 64mm dia. x 54.5mm long (overall); 46.5mm extension from flange
Filters: 52mm front screw-in; Front lens cap: Snap-On; Lens hood: HN-2 screw-in metal
Lens case: CL-30S; No. 61; CP-1; Usable teleconverter: TC-200, TC-201, TC-16, TC-14A

NOTE: Serial Numbers were believed to have been started with 450001 for 28mm f/2.0; 430001 for 28mm f/2.8 and 1760201 for 28mm f/3.5 on Ai-Spec lens

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Nikon 28mm focal length MF Nikkor Lenses:
|
Early non-Ai versions | mid-1970 (pre-Ai) | Late 1970 | Early 1980 - Present: 28mm f/2.0 ; 28mm f/2.8 | 28mm f/3.5 | Relative: PC-Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 and PC-Nikkor 28mm f/4.0

| Back | to Main Index Page of MF Nikkor lenses at 28mm focal length

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Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm


MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

Recommended Reading Reference on Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses | about this photographic web site

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leofoo.Gif Co-developed with my web buddy, Rick Oleson® & LARs.Gif Denmark, Creator of the Nikon Repair Group Mailing-List; A contributing effort to Michael Liu's Classic Nikon SLRs and Nikkor optic site.

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites; Lars Holst Hansen, 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official content; Ted Wengelaar, Holland who has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; Hiura Shinsaku from Nikomat Club Japan. Lastly, to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site. It is also a site to remember a long lost friend on the Net. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets & brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification. "Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.