Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED Review

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED Performance

The great handling would be to no avail if the performance were not up to the mark, so it is good to find that the lens excels. Central sharpness is simply excellent through the entire aperture range, from f/1.4 all the way through to f/16. That in itself is impressive and looking at the edges we find the sharpness is in the same league, again being excellent from f/1.4 through to f/11 and still being very good at f/16.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is almost banished, with ultra-low figures both centre and edge. If we really try very hard to induce it, some CA can be seen at very bright edges, but the fringing is very, very slight and for virtually all purposes will not need further work in software.

Barrel distortion is in the nature of wide angle lenses and the Nikkor is no exception. We can measure -1.11% barrel distortion, which is really quite modest for a bright lens of this type. If necessary, further correction could be made in software, but generally the effect is very acceptable as it is.

Even in the most challenging circumstances there is no real issue with flare, there being no loss of contrast nor any creation of optical artefacts.

Bokeh is the quality of the out of focus areas in an image. A 28mm lens, with its wide angle of view, is not the first choice for bokeh effects, but nonetheless where there are out of focus areas in a shot the gradation is very smooth and pleasing.

In summary, an excellent optical performance of the highest grade.

Value For Money

The AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E ED is priced at £2079.

Whereas at one time there would have been a multitude of alternative choices, currently 28mm lenses seem to be much thinner on the ground and certainly fast ones especially so. Alternatives might be the Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8 G (£579) or the AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 D (£289).

Zeiss offer a few lenses, such as the OTUS 28mm f/1.4 Distagon T* (£3600), and 28mm f/2 Distagon T* (£879).

Clearly paying the price of the new lens will be a tough choice, but there is nothing quite like it if the requirement is for a bright, fast lens around 28mm.

For more options have a look at the Top 14 Best Nikon Lenses. or Top 15 Wide-angle Landscape Lenses.

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