Nikkor vs. CV lenses??

[Jamie Pillers]

This is a shot in the dark, but it would be great if someone here had some advice for me.

I'd like to add a 28mm lens to my kit, which includes both Nikon slr and Leica rf bodies. Cost is always an issue for me so I'm looking for the most economical way to do this. I'm looking around at a CV 28/1.9, 28/3.5 or Nikkor 28/2.0 AIS. Size of the lens is obviously not an important criteria for me. Image quality (sharpness, saturation, and distortion) is.

So... while I'm searching around for a good deal on a 28, it would be nice to know if there's any substantial image quality difference between these lenses. Anyone here have experience with both the CV and Nikkor lenses? Thanks.

 

[Tim Gray]

From the reviews it gets, I'd get a CV 28/3.5. In fact I did. It should get here this week. Sounds like the only problem with it is its a bit slow. You can still buy it new in silver too.

 

[BillBingham2]

Jamie,

The best Nikkor 28mm ever made hands down was the 28/2.8 AIs. It is the close focusing one. Sharp, reasonably fast, 52mm filters, low distortion, it does not get any better. I have heard good things about the 28/2, but never owned one.

I never had occasion to use any of the CV 28s either, but there's a good amount written about them here, just search.

Between using the 28 AIs and any of the CVs I'm not sure where I would look. I love the CV 25/4 and it's the same era as the 28/3.5, so my assumption is it's almost as good or the same.

My camera system is an RF for wide and SLR for longer glass. The 28/2.8 AIs is the just in case lens (in case the RF body goes south). I think that this Nikkor (28/2.8 AIs) is as good as any of the CV glass out there.

B2 (->

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks much Bill. I actually had the 28/2.8 close-focus lens for a short time but gave it up in a trade some time ago (before I had time to test its abilities). :-(

I also had the CV 25/4 on a Bessa L. Looking back at the images I created with it, I really like what that lens did. I may search around for that combination again.

 

[former member]

The Nikkor 28/2 is a great lens, was always overshadowed by the 35/1.4. Both are the same basic optical formula. It has close-range-correction (CRC) optics and is quite good across the range. I traded a near mint one off a while ago, and replaced it with a user condition 28/2 for $100. Hard to go wrong with it. It is a big lens compared to RF lenses, about the same size as the Nikkor 85/2 SLR lens.

 

[Pablito]

Jamie,

The best Nikkor 28mm ever made hands down was the 28/2.8 AIs.

A matter of opinion, I suppose. The worst Nikkor I ever had in 30+ years was the 28/2.8 AI. VERY fuzzy in the corners even at f8. The older 28mm 3.5 is much better. Don't know if the optical formula changed when they released the AIs. I'd go for any of the CV options.

I might add: I don't test lenses one against another and I don't go looking for flaws with a microscope. I am a photographer and I don't have time for that. I do look at my photos very carefully, I'm quite fussy, and I've found over the years that buying good lenses, like Leica and Nikon, usually ensures good image quality. The 28mm 2.8 is the one lens I found in my entire career that was truly lousy. Ah well, maybe I had a lemon, but I've heard this from others as well.

 

[BillBingham2]

Pablito,

Yes, there was a huge change between the AI and AIs. When they moved to AF they changed it again. From everyone I have heard the AI is perhaps one of the worst.

Jamie,

I've gotten into less being more, but that is me these days. It's one of the reasons I moved from Nikon SLRs to RFs. I've also gotten away from one system is perfect for everything I want to shoot so I often do an RF and an SLR when I'm shooting film or anything that really matters.

I loved my Bessa L and CV 25/4 combo (both black). It was my carry everywhere system for many years. I only moved to a Ricoh GR-D to save money on film only slightly before money became really tight. I have a small belt bag that I now use for the GR-D that held the L, 25, finder and a few rolls of film. Could have used one of my other bodies (T, M4-P or M6) but the weight and built in meter made it almost perfect. I did not worry about bumps as I would have if it was either of my Ms as it had not RF.

Perhaps the answer is a Bessa L /25 on the belt, a M with a 35/1.4 and 50/2 and your FE with a 85/1.8 and 180/2.8 ED.

What's your lenses and bodies on your RF and SLR systems now and what do you shot?

B2 (;->

 

[peterm1]

The AIS is regarded as the best F2.8 28mm in nikons line up. If you do not wish to spend on the CV lens, a good alternative (and quite cheap) is the f3.5 28mm which is regarded as a bit of a sleeper by those in the know. It tends to be overlooked as it is slower. I think an AI version of this lens was made - but not an AIS. A non AI version certiainly was made and AI convertd ones are highly regarded for film and digital. (But I suspect will not be multicoated which may affect contre joure shots.) A further alternative if you are willing to go a tad wider is the Nikkor AI or AIS 24mm f2.8 which is likewise a great lens. I dont think its opticla formula changed from the pre Ai version

 

[Bingley]

I can't comment on the Nikkor 28, but the CV 28/3.5 (which I've had and used quite a bit for a couple of years) is outstanding, reputedly one of the sweet spots in the CV lens line-up. It's tiny but built like a tank (a tiny tank!). It's very sharp, lots of punch and contrast, but also captures tones really well; it's a great lens for b&w, and ain't too shabby for color, either. It works perfectly for landscapes and street photography, and its small size makes it a great travel companion. The slow speed does not bother me, as I don't need shallower dof in that size, and I use faster film in low light. In short, it's a great lens, and very affordable.

 

[former member]

The Nikkor 24/2.8 is the first to use a floating element for close range correction. It is very sharp. Most Nikon users skipped the 28mm focal length in favor of the 24/2.8. I've have a non-AI 24/2.8 and an AIS. The latter is smaller and has a short-throw focus. Both are sharp.

 

[raid]

I have none of the lenses mentioned above. I do have three 28mm RF lenses though. I find the Minolta Rokkor-M 28mm/2.8 a great lens overall. My example does not have white dots. Maybe the lens was cleaned by Minolta at one stage. My other two 28mm RF lenses are the Canon 28/3.5 [tiny and sharp]and the wonderful Kobalux 28/3.5. I am quite happy with my 28mm options.

 

[kxl]

Jamie,

The best Nikkor 28mm ever made hands down was the 28/2.8 AIs.
B2 (->

I'd have to disagree with that one... While I do agree that the 28/2.8 AIS is the best AFFORDABLE or the best MANUAL FOCUS 28mm for the Nikon F mount, IMHO, it is NOT the best Nikon 28mm hands down.

That honor would have to go to the 28/1.4 AFD.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Ahhh.... you guys are making it complicated! 🙂

First, thanks for the warnings about some of the 28mm Nikkors. I'll do more research into those.

Bill, most of my photography takes place out on the streets here in my Oakland, CA neighborhood and on the streets of San Francisco. And occasionally some landscapes up in the Sierras. And of course the daily bunch of my 7-yr. old. I'm curious about your switch from the Bessa L/25 kit to the GRD. Are you happy with the GRD? Its an option I've thought about... for a small carry-around.

For those of you that say some of the Nikkor lenses (28 or 24mm) are great lenses, do you feel they produce images with as much interesting character as your rf lenses?

 

[jonmanjiro]

I've previously owned a Nikkor Ai-S 28/2 (purchased new in 2004) but my copy was fairly soft in the corners until stopped down a few stops. By f5.6 it was sharp (as you'd expect it to be) but it wasn't the performance I expected of a fast lens. I sold it, and got a Nikkor Ai-S 35/1.4 instead.

I also currently own an Ai-S 28/2.8 (purchased used) with an s/n in the 2006 onward range. Comparing this lens to my Ai-S 24/2.8 on a D200, I found it to be a little softer at infinity with slightly softer corners. However this lens excels at close distances, and can focus as close as 0.2m.

I also have an S-mount CV 28/3.5. If you want excellent sharpness at all distances with no distortion, this is your lens! It's outstanding. The sharpest 28 I've ever owned.

My advice is that if you think you'll find the close focusing ability of the AI-S 28/2.8 useful, go for it. Otherwise just get the CV 28/3.5. You won't regret it.

 

[jonmanjiro]

If you haven't found these links already, check out Roland Vink's website for information on the s/n's and specs of the different Nikkor versions.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks Jon, and to everyone else that responded to my post. After all you've said, I'm leaning toward the CV 28/3.5. At the 28mm focal length, I very rarely need speed, but sharpness.. definitely. And its compact size will go well with the Leica CL I just purchased.