I have the 28-105 AF-D, for which I paid a whopping $100 USD. I've used it on everything, to include a full-frame DSLR, film cameras, and currently it lives on my Nikon D7000. I love the photos it produces. It provides an odd wide end field of view of about 42 mm on a crop sensor body, which I first thought would be too limiting, but in actual practice just hasn't turned out to be a problem. I find myself using the Macro feature quite a lot. One thing that you should know about this lens is that if you use any Macro setting, before you can return the switch to the Normal mode, you must first focus on something at least 2 feet away. If you don't, the lens will not allow you to put the switch back to the Normal setting. If you force it, you will break the switch. As soon as I finish doing any macro work, I have developed the habit of pointing the camera at the far wall and half-pressing the shutter to focus on it. Then I can return the switch to Normal. It is surprising how easily you can forget this and return your camera to your bag with a lens that will stubbornly refuse to focus on any object at a normal distance! I thought I'd mention this because although it is covered in the lens instruction sheet, most of these are second-hand copies and don't come with instructions. Cheers!
43mm is a good focal length and considered a standard as that’s what a full frame sensor measures diagonally across. Pentax makes a prime in that focal length. It’s a really good looking focal length.
When I first bought this lens about 5 years ago, it was a leap of faith as there were no reviews of it here on RU-vid. I'm very happy it's being rediscovered here though, as there are several glowing reviews of this lens. I used to wonder if I was the only person lucky enough to stumble across this bargain lens!
You have the best reviews. I learn more from your reviews than anyone else. Thanks especially for pointing out why some very similar lenses are more or less expensive. Others never mention the weatherproofing.
I don't know the availability of the Nikkor AFD 28-105 3.5 now as I purchased mine years ago and even then it was a nice budget price, I've never regretted buying this lens as it gives me outstanding images, that even much more expensive lenses are capable of. It's macro is a big part of it's feature too. If anyone has the opportunity to come across one for sale, then grab it. I guarantee you will absolutely love it. Mine stays on my camera 90% of the time.
@@jklenses8611 Also - the lense has been an absolute gem on a D40 (as long as you don't mind focusing manually), worked even better on the D90, D7100... and even on the Z5 (once again dropping back to MF) it still kicks all kinds of ass if you don't want to shoot it wide open. From around 5.6 it's sharp enough throughout the zoom range. Curiously enough, it has gotten a bit less cheap nowadays... but still an absolute steal.
I have had two of these, and still have one. I have one mounted on my Z6 at the moment, doing a time lapse using the macro function. I found both of them to be very sharp, distortion-free, versatile, and reasonably sized. It is true that it only focuses manually on my Z6, it focuses easily on my D750, and my D7200 before that. It’s price on the used market is very reasonable. I agree with you about the speed at which the lens focuses. I will keep this lens for some time.
A truly great Lens. I also have the 200-500mm Nikkor and I love It. The 200-400mm outperforms it easily and I love the extra stop. Pity its so heavy...
I've been using this very capable, low distortion, compact lens for over 20 years now (second copy now). The only correction to the video, the front of the lens does not rotate during focusing but does rotate during zooming.
Thanks for an excellent review of an often overlooked lens. I have so many lenses in that range already, but I can think of venues where that wide range would cover all my needs - but outdoors rather than indoors.
I bought mine with my f80 30 years ago and I never sold it. Happy to see that I am not the only one to find it very sharp for its price and weight. I don’t use it too much at 105mm where it is a little soft. Very nice to take it when travelling due to its weight and versatility. One of the best budget lens far more appreciated with the new DSLRs with strong torque internal motors.
For the money this would be,extremely hard to beat often out performing much more expensive lenses. I have one I use on my Nikon D7000 which rarely comes off, absolutely brilliant images. Doug Kelly New Zealand
Considering "downgrading" my 24-120mm f/4 that I use with my D600 to one of these lenses for more friendly weight/size/ergonomics + leftover change in my pocket, and after watching this video I'm almost convinced to do just that. But when I rewatch JKLenses' video on the 24-120mm, I'm reminded of why that lens impresses me so (even if I've never quite gotten used to its bulk and weight)... ❓
Very, very concrete, dense and competent review, without any redundant flashes:) Great work! I'm currently looking for one in good condition in Poland as a good quality and light general purpose walk-around lens for my digital and film cameras, but actually they have become quite hard to get, and prices are all over the place. I regret I wasn't convinced enough to buy one in March as I could get it for equivalent of 95$
I have just purchased this lens for the macro feature, second hand, as an almost complete beginner, frustrated that I couldn’t get close enough to details with the lens that came with my camera. Seems like I accidentally stumbled across a good lens!
This lens is the SOP lens on my D750. My copy, from Japan via Ebay, is outstanding. With the 24-120 the kit isn't very handy at all. With the 28-105 its almost as unobtrusive as a rangefinder camera. Focus is quick, macro at your fingertips, long enough for intimacy indoors, wide enough to frame a smaller room. It's like shooting street 50 years ago with my FTb.
I actually just posted a comment on the 24-120 video about how I sold it because I could never get used to the size. I think I’m going to have to pick up one of these 28-105s.
@@veronikagundersen9334 I am thinking about getting a back up copy myself and have recently check whats available. There were several excellent copies in Japan, which is where I prefer to buy from Ebay, in the $125-$175 range. Shipping will be long because of customs and Covid but it's usually worth the wait.
Love this lens. Bought over 20 years ago when it was the kit lens for the F90x. Now lives on my D700 and is as sharp as the 24-70 G zoom. Just a bit stiff at the wide end which could be sorted by servicing. Barry CH
I bought a 28-105 f3.5-4.5 AF-D many years ago when I bought an F-100. I used the lens on a D-300 for many years also. A real jack of all trades lens. The macro ability is set on the long end of the lens, which is where it belongs. On my 35-70 f2.8 the macro end is on the 35mm end! Why Nikon? Great Reviews JKLenses. Much appreciated your doing the more affordable older lenses. There are some real jewels out there for phenomenal prices.
I've never been a fan of variable aperture lenses. And I get tired of carting around the Nikkor Trinity. But thanks to your video I'm going to get the 28-105mm out again. I'd like to have seen some of the other lenses in this range compared...
I had to buy this as a back up lens, because of the brittle and cheap plastic of my 24-70 2.8 which is only giving me headaches lately. I think I'll keep it anyways.
I know! I am a complete novice at video-making and have been having software problems which meant I could only produce 360p. However, Good News! I have now solved this problem and the next (and future videos) should all be in 1080p... :-) I also have 1080p versions of some of these 360p videos but RU-vid won't allow me to update them... :-(
@@jklenses8611 you could reupload them as new videos, label them as HQ update, and either place the old videos in private or retitled as outdated. Just my two cents
Thanks for this review. I bought one a year ago. Very good lens. It's only not so sharp in the corners. Specialy when i compare it to my Nikon afs 28 mm 1.8 prime. But that is no honest compare i guess.
I just ordered this with a mint Nikon D700 for early xmas for me. I was originally gonna get the 50 f1.8d but as you stated and showed in the church shot it's a bit cramped and I need the extra flexibility of 28mm for some shots I plan to do. I'll get the 50 later next year with the 70-210D
I've recently acquired this lens and have a question. I can not switch the macro switch back to normal without removing the lens from the camera. Is there a secret to doing this or is this normal?
Great review. I just ordered one form Japan as I dropped:( my 24-70 g2.8 and it shows some decentering. Hope it will be close in image quality to the 24-70.
iT has the same sharpness and better contrast than the 24-70.I got rid of it when i got the 28-105 All of them with the 28-105 www.flickr.com/photos/58919412@N00/
@@gman922 IF means internal focus; nothing moves when turning the focus ring but IF does not indicate whether anyting moves when turning the zoom ring.
This lens is getting buzz again. In the past 3 days I"ve seen seen 2 people post on social media about going back to a D700 and using this as their main lens.
it is a great lens. I love it. MF with it, forget about it tho. I only wished the Macro mode was on 28-50 instead. :D But i am happy anyway. Many thanks JKLenses!
id rather carry the trinity , and know my images are first rate .. im no snob but the problems iv had with third party lenses .some almost as expensive as nikons fast aperture lenses . two tamrons faulty sigmas ,, pheerrr . for full frame its nikon now every time .. , il keep to my fave three
