Nikon/Nikkor
Wide Angle Lenses
(All Lenses are Not Listed)
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Nikon/Nikkor |
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I classify wideangle lenses as those from 28mm to below 50mm, with those shorter as ultra-wides and the next step up as normal. Others may use a different scale.
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Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 AF: This fast wideangle lens is of very high quality, and has a price to match. It is constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups. Production began in 1993. It takes 72mm filters, focuses down to 1.1 feet and weighs 20 ounces. |
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Nikkor 28mm f/2 AI, AIS: The AI has 9 elements in 8 groups, while the AIS has 8 elements in 8 groups. Filter size is 52mm. Weight for the AI is 12.2 ounces while the AIS is 12.7 ounces. |
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Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AI, AIS, AF: The 28mm is the most common and popular wideangle size, with f/2.8 and f/3.5 being the most common speeds. This f/2.8 is probably the best made by any manufacturer and is best suited for the average photgrapher who wants or needs a wideangle lens. It has a construction of 7 elements in 7 groups, uses a 52mm filter and weighs only 8.5 ounces. The latest AF models with D lenses weigh only 7.4 ounces and have a six-element design. The best value in this group of lenses. |
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Nikon 28mm f/2.8 Series E: If you're on a limited budget or have only a limited need for a wideangle lens, then the Series E is your best choice. Constructed of 5 elements and five groups, the lens weighs 5.3 ounces, uses 52mm filters, is economical and provides good picture quality. |
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Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 AI, AIS: Construction is 6 elements with 6 groups. Weight 8.1 ounces and filter size is 52mm. A later AI and the AIS version weighed in at 7.8 ounces. |
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Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI, AIS: The f/1.4 weighs in at 14.6 ounces and is constructed of 9 elements in 7 groups. It uses standard 52mm screw filters. |
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Nikkor 35mm f/2 AI, AIS, AF: The f/2 weighs in at 10.1 ounces and is constructed of 8 elements in 6 groups. It uses standard 52mm screw filters. There is a faster (f1.4) 35mm available, but the f/2 is a fast and dependable 35mm lens. |
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Nikon 35mm f/2.5 Series E: This is part of the Nikon economical series of lenses with plastic bodies. However they are light and compact, give good picture quality and have become very popular. This Series E lens weighs 5.6 ounces, is constructed of 5 elements in 5 groups and uses the standard 52mm filter. |
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Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 AI, AIS: The older f/2.8 weighs 7.1 ounces and is constructed of 7 elements in 6 groups, while later AI and AIS versions have 5 elements in 5 groups. Filter size is 52mm. |
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Nikkor 45mm f/2.8P: A very thin lens at 0.7 inches by 2.5 inches in diameter. It has a construction of four elements in three groups. It uses 52mm filters, focuses from 17.7 inches to infinity, a maximum reproduction ratio of 1/7.6 and an aperture scale from f/2.8 to f/22. |
My Recommendation: The manual AIS 28mm f/2.8 is the sharpest of these. However, many swear by the 35mm f/1.4. If you need a lowlight wideangle the 28mm f/2 would be a good choice over the more expensive 28 f/1.4, however, the 35mm f/2 lens has also proved to be a very good lowlight wideangle lens. For most people I'd recommend the AIS or AF 28mm f/2.8. The exception being that if you have a wider angle lens and a good zoom that goes down to 28mm then you might want to skip this category altogether or just add one of the 35mm lenses to your inventory.