Anyone Shooting a Nikon AF 28 105 Lens?

[Steve M.]

Many years ago we lived in Tucson and I had all auto focus cameras. Today I looked at some of the negs from back then and was surprised by the shots from my old Nikon AF 28 105 zoom. I was also surprised by how much crud was on the negs from the lab I was using! These days I do everything myself, and up till now thought I had some pretty good manual focus lenses, but that old zoom was pretty darned sharp. It wasn't very fast and it had pincushion at the short end, but it was cheap, small and light too.

Here's some scans from it w/ Tri-X film. Back then I didn't use a hood or a yellow filter, so I'm pleased things came out pretty good w/o that. As usual the scans are limited due to my inexpensive flatbed that I use mainly for proofing.

Now I'm wondering if I really need these pricey lenses, filters and hoods on my cameras? Or maybe it's the difference in light. Tucson sun is Southwest bright and contrasty. The sun here in Florida isn't the same. Just wondered if anyone else used one of these things? It's sort of slumming on this forum, where a lot of people shoot very expensive Leica glass, but the results ain't that bad either.

 

[keechoon]

Hey Steve, I have 3 copies of it. The first was a dud, some coating damage ruin it. My 2nd was good and was used to take these pics you see below but there is some issues with focusing at infinity at 105mm so off it goes. Now on my third and works well, they are so cheap yet works well for film. Much lower distortion compared to the newer 24-120. Perfect with F5. Taken these during a trip to China.

 

[Mablo]

I use the 28-105mm AF regularly with my F100. It's a good everyday lens. The macro switch is quite handy although I don't use it much.

 

[gerikson]

I've got it for my D700. Got it as a travel / walkaround lens but haven't really stressed it. I like it but the hood is huge!