I use a 28mm f/1.4E - 58mm f/1.4G - 105mm f/1.4E combo and it ROCKS!! This is my favorite lens lineup EVER. I especially love the 28mm for portrait shots when I want to capture a subject in their environment, at normal distances I’ve noticed the effects of perspective don’t distort faces noticeably. Using a 24mm in the same scenario resulted in a tad too much perspective distortion for my taste.
I’d love this lens as well and have heard so many good reviews. We’ve just pulled the trigger on the 85 1.2 so unfortunately the 28 will definitely have to wait 😁
The holy trinity of F mount primes are the 28mm 1.4e , 58mm 1.4g , 105mm 1.4e best bokeh colors and rendering of all the F mount primes only other exception is the 200mm F2 but that’s a different animal
Bought a mint D850 in Hong Kong & mint 28mm 1.4e in Tokyo earlier this year. It is my 1st ever full frame camera lens combo. I couldn‘t be happier with the very pleasant rendering & resolution.
This really is a very, very special lens! Very sharp, nice bokeh for a 28mm and I have just fallen in love with the focal length vs 35mm. It works fantastic with the 58mm and 105mm, although the 28mm and 105mm are probably more evenly compared as the 58mm is not built for sharpness (but still produces magic). The colour coming out of the 28mm is fantastic I should add. Nice job highlighting a hidden gem......cost is likely the huge deterrent and the reason why I jumped for joy with a good used copy at a reasonable price.
Yes I fully agree, it's my favourite lens as it's so useful and artistic. I recently got the 58 and yes as you say, its nice but doesn't have the power of the 28/105. I hope z mount can make 1.4's one day
I found one second hand this weekend, never seen one in the wild. I have a Leica Q with a 28mm 1.7 which I love, and my favourite lens on my Nikon D850 is my 85mm 1.4. So I decided to jump at the chance to add the 28mm 1.4 in to my collection to shoot with, looking forward to the experience. Watching this video 6 months ago when I was looking at a 35mm 1.4 and 24mm 1.4 second hand, gave me the patience to wait to find a 28mm 1.4 one day. Thank you.
Hello, I am really looking forward to your contributions on youtube. My opinion is, that you should not compare sharpness of nikon z cameras/lenses in lightroom. I've used lightroom for years, but find that the nikon native program is so much better (by nikon z) than lightroom in terms of sharpness, colors, etc. unfortunately, the nikon nx studio is so much more sluggish and equipped with so few options as lightroom. the differences in the d850 are negligible, in the z6 significant. Many thanks again for your otherwise very entertaining and competent contributions. 👍👍👍
Two friends had the earlier version of the 28mm f/1.4. One had a copy for several years and sold it for a huge profit, something like $3000 around 2007. The other still owns and uses his copy with a D850. If the roadmap didn’t have a 35mm f/1.2, the E version of the 28 f/1.4 would be on my short list.
Nice comparisons. I have both lenses and I agree with you. One more variation: try mounting the 28mm/1.4 on a D850 and compare it with it on Z6/7/8/9. You should be able to see that the lens is clearly even sharper on its native F-mount camera rather than on an FTZ+Z-camera. That's what I have found so far. I sold my D850 some time ago after I migrated to the Z7 and Z9. Then, I realized that my Zeiss Otus lenses aren't making images like they used to on my D850. So, I bought a D850 and the Otus lenses started making their usual eye-popping images again. Check out the 28mm/1.4 on a D850.
I had commented before in another of your videos but Tamron 35 mm 1.4 is a great option; can be bought new for less than a used 1.4 Nikon primebut with 2019 design and optics. Not to be dismissed.
@@russandloz Yes, Tamron’s software utility will let you calibrate the lens and not only that but make the lens prioritize certain distances, so let’s say that you’re a 35 mm close portrait photographer, the lens will be more responsive in those ranges
I can't really decide between the Sigma 28 1.4 or the Nikon 28 1.4 for my Z8. Not really any comparisons really lol. Have you looked at the Sigma at all?
28mm lenses are not recognized as much as 24mm and 35mm lenses obviously. This is really a pity as 28mm is the most used focal length today using your iPhone, which default focal length is 28mm. Nikon has a long legacy of producing amazing 28mm lenses, which is a hidden treasure to most photographers. For example, the legendary classic 28mm f/2.8 AI-s lens, which was the first SLR lens I purchased over 20 years ago still is available brand new from Nikon by special order. It’s an amazing lens, still today! Then we have the almost mythical 28mm f/1.4D, which from I understand is the ultimate of all! I do need to get this one for sure… Then we have the 28mm f/1.4E, which is the ultimate in the Nikon/Nikkor line ever and I never leave the house without it in my bag. Only other 28mm f/1.4 lens to challenge the Nikon/Nikkor D/E lenses is the Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4, which I also own and it is in a league of its own. It is pure perfection at any aperture!
@@russandloz Exactly Russ and Loz! Bingo for mentioning the Leica 28 as it is also amazing. I have a friend who is a Lieca shooter, and swears by it.I have never used the Leica as I simply don't dare as Mrs. would probably strangle me if I purchased a bunch of Leica gear! The Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 has no competition in my humble opinion and is in a class of its own, but it is manual focus only. The Nikon 28mm f/1.4 E is probably 95% as good, but it is auto-focus, which is important so some of us obviously.
I kind of fell in love with the 28mm focal length and was struggling to make up my mind to justify the damage of this hidden treasure, till I tried the Sigma 28/1.4 art, which is a more modern optical design, flawless AF, matching IQ to the Nikon 28/1.4E and for one third of the price. Wondering if you considered that and if not, why.
I kept 4 F-mount primes which I consider very unique, this is one of them. along with 58 1.4G, 105 1.4E and 200 F2 VRii. The rendering are so special and work fantastic with my D5. I have the Z lens, while sharper and more modern look, they are too clinical to my taste due to optical precision and in my view, lack organic touch comparing to the F mount primes noted here. I love this lens as my street and walk around lens, the focal length is better than 35 and the color out of the lens is unmatched and looks like something from vintage camera like Leica.
Interesting, I never even knew this lens existed It has piqued my interest already. Anything between 14mm to 35mm is particularly interesting for me, and within the 20mm to 30mm both 20mm and 28mm happen to be my favorites in the range. I just checked where I can get one, and it seems Amazon is the only place where I can order one here for around $1,700. While not cheap, it's definitely worth the price based on your tests.
I seriously think that if Nikon makes an f-mount retro mirrorless a lot of Nikon users would be waiting at the shop to open. The f mount lenses are still very relevant. You’d have the benefit of not having to use an adapter so things will be smaller and with today’s technology the thing would just be so awesome. Would you buy one?
Thank you both for this informative video! I'm going to Japan for 3 weeks next April, and I'm hesitating between this 28mm and the 24mm f:1.8 in Z mount. My question : Does the autofocus via the FTZ 2 adapter ring work as fast as the 35mm (z mount) mentioned in this video?
hey have you guys checked out the the Z 28mm 2.8 or the 26mm??? any good? Im looking for a wide angle where I can get in close enough to take pics of food, business cards etc..... ......and no i dont want a proper macro :) thanks in advance!
@@russandloz awesome! are you saying quality is the same on the 28mm as 40mm? im trynna take advantage of those sales right now! Just seems the 28mm is too soft
@@russandloz thanks! for sure -i did -few weeks ago :) I do like the that 40 even though its not perfect -but that 28 actually seems pretty bad for what I would use the lens for based on other reviews.... even on Nikons asia site -the only close up shot shown, and of food, is pretty blurry...js .... but hope to see ur 28mm review soon!
@@russandloz getting those was influcenced by lenses I already have. If creating an F-mount line-up from scratch I probably go with 24 or 35 1.4, and 58 1.4. But I got what I got. Using the lenses quite often. The 28 1.4E has bad chromatic aberration, taking a bit work in post. Otherwise, the lens is of course very good. Not cost-effective as for its price one could also get 24-70 2.8. Or two times the 24-120. Still using the 28 1.4 a lot, getting results. Would even consider it a portrait lens, for certain kinds of portraits.
@@russandloz I took portraits (which include a lot of environment) also stopped down. Having a lot of chromatic aberration is my main gripe with this lens as it means to spend more time in post. The other stuff, distortion, heinous light falloff towards the corners wide open, the compromized close-focus performance unless stopping down quite a bit, is all forgiven because if used right, the images have this, how do I call it, this look. Sharp (in the center) but graceful, unnecessary good bokeh if you need it, very good contrast. Colors might be a tad too cool for my taste but this can be addressed in post. Images have an almost 3-dimensional look. Backlight is handled very well. And if stopped down further, sunstars are excellent. It does need quite a bit of practice to use this lens right but when I manage, the nuance I get, the options I have, all that allows me to tell my story in photographs.
Once the Z 35 1.2 comes out, it would be an interesting comparison. Im trying to hold out until its here and reviewed, with my backup plan to buy the 28 1.4E if the Z 35 1.2 doesn't have enough "character". Would also like to see how the 28 1.4E compares against the Tamron 35mm 1.4 as a budget alternative.
@@russandloz Follow up comment, I got the Tamron 35 1.8 VC (cheap 2nd hand), really good 0.4x macro close up bonus feature, good VC but i never was happy enough with images/focus on D800 (focus was great on Z6 II but too long/front heavy with FTZ, and to use TAP IN would require a manufacturer/fixation free firmware update). Sold 1.8 and got Tamron 35 1.4, absolutely stunning! still want Nikon 28mm 1.4E but this was a good compromise and much cheaper.
@@russandloz but even at as the worst it’s not like I’ve ever delivered a picture from it and had issues. Also as a wedding photographer I really don’t want a full bag of 1.2’s. I wish they would make some small 1.4 lenses. That the best balance of both bokeh and size.
You gotta stop doing this to me Russ . Im still breaking in my 105 1.4 ,which I love, and you drop this in my lap. I didnt know it existed. It looks like a great wide , wide/normal
@@russandloz Ive been sitting on the fence for awhile , The only thing I care about mirrorless is ibis, is that worth the current Z autofocus? I have no issues with size and weight of a dslr. No z9 only looking at d850 vs z7 maybe z8 but...
Thank you for another great review! Just got a used one for $700, hope it's a good copy! I'll try to compare it with my 20mm 1.8 Z for some night cityscape photography
@@russandloz the 50 is sharper, although i now own the 35mm because its more usable (for me), looks like a great lens the 28mm. But unfortunately I don't even own a FTZ adapter any more. Only Z lenses.
