Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED 28mm
The f/1.4 maximum aperture combined with three aspherical and two ED elements delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast even wide open, with Nano Crystal Coatings effectively suppressing flare. Its weather-sealed, 645g build houses a fast Silent Wave Motor for reliable autofocus, making it a durable tool for demanding environments. This lens is best for professional event and wedding photographers who need a bright, wide-angle prime with robust build quality for low-light, full-frame F-mount work.
Overzicht
The 30-Second Version
The best 28mm F-mount lens Nikon ever made. Pay the premium, get the magic.
Pros & Cons
Pluspunten
- Best-in-class optical performance for F-mount 28mm 87th
- Beautiful rendering with minimal distortion 73rd
- Weather sealed and built for pro use
- Gorgeous bokeh at f/1.4
Minpunten
- No stabilization, which hurts for handheld video
- Autofocus is just average
- Heavy at 645g for a prime
- Pricey compared to the f/1.8 version
Wat eigenaren vinden
The Word on the Street
Hoe de mening van eigenaren in de loop van de tijd veranderde
ExclusiefOp basis van wanneer klanten hun reviews daadwerkelijk schreven - zo zie je of de eerste lof standhield.
- Q4 2024100/100
Buyers praise the lens for its spectacular 3D rendering, sharpness, and beautiful bokeh, calling it a perfect addition for people photography.
- Spectacular 3D rendering and beautiful bokeh, like a wide-angle version of the 105mm.
- Very sharp lens, captures exact colors and works well with mirrorless via adapter.
- Excellent for low-light street photography and creative shots.
- Completes a perfect set (28, 58, 105mm) for people pictures.
- Q1 202267/100
Two reviews praise the lens for sharpness, low-light performance, and quiet AF; one reports a defective unit.
- Sharp at f/1.4, excellent low-light performance, and soft bokeh.
- Quiet and accurate autofocus.
- Outstanding customer service from Adorama Trade-in Program.
- One buyer received a defective lens, not worth the money.
- Q3 201885/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, build quality, and low-light performance, though some note the high price and compare it unfavorably to an older model.
- Excellent image quality, sharp at f/1.4, with minimal distortion and pleasing bokeh.
- Great for landscapes, portraits, and low-light photography; delivers cinematic look.
- Build quality is good but plastic compared to older metal version; some prefer the predecessor.
- High price point may be a barrier for many buyers.
- Q3 2017100/100
Buyers praise the 28mm f/1.4E as the best in its class, highlighting its sharpness, lack of focus shift, and versatile wide angle for indoor and professional use.
- Excellent optical performance: sharp wide open, minimal distortion, and beautiful bokeh.
- No focus shift issues, making it easy to shoot wide open compared to other fast lenses.
- Versatile focal length: wider than 35mm for indoor and group shots, yet not too wide like 24mm.
- High build quality and future-proof for high-megapixel cameras like the D850.
Gebaseerd op 31 gedateerde klantreviews, gegroepeerd per kalenderkwartaal. Analyse per periode is in het Engels.
De feiten
Performance
The optical score lands in the 87th percentile, which means this thing is a standout. Three aspherical elements and two ED glass elements do serious work, keeping distortion minimal and chromatic aberration basically invisible. The f/1.4 aperture isn't class-leading in our rankings, but wide open it delivers creamy bokeh and enough light gathering for real low-light work. The Silent Wave Motor autofocus is fine, middle of the pack, but nobody buys this lens for speed. They buy it for that rendering.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.9 |
vs Competition
The obvious rival is Nikon's own 28mm f/1.8G, which costs a fraction of the price and gets you 90% of the way there for most shooters. But the f/1.4E ED has noticeably better correction for spherical aberration and just renders scenes with more depth. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is a zoom and for crop sensors, so it's not a direct fight. The Tamron 28-300mm is a travel zoom, totally different beast. If you want the absolute best 28mm for F-mount, this is it. If you want value, get the f/1.8G.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED 28mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 XF | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 9mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 644 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 175 | 326 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | STM | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Gebruikersoordeel | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED 28mm | 54.1 | 39 | 59.6 | 73.4 | 86.9 | 43.1 | 33.6 | 64.7 | 35 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 80.8 | 64.1 | 84.1 | 96.6 | 68.9 | 97.9 | 52.1 | 80.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.4 | 84.4 | 85.4 | 90 | 81.7 | 86.3 | 78.7 | 90.8 | 35 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54.1 | 84.4 | 84.7 | 49.2 | 86 | 86.3 | 80.8 | 86.4 | 96.7 |
| Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 XF Compare | 85.4 | 84.4 | 87.2 | 89.4 | 84.6 | 86.3 | 33.6 | 86.4 | 80.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.3 | 71.8 | 38.5 | 78 | 80.1 | 95.9 | 90.8 | 80.3 |
Prijs
Value & Pricing
You're paying a premium for that f/1.4 aperture and the optical magic. USD prices swing from $1,197 to $1,520 across vendors, so shop around. The best deal we're seeing is at the lower end of that range. In EUR, expect to pay between €1,877 and €2,265. It's not cheap, but if you shoot wide-angle portraits or environmental work on a Nikon DSLR, this is the lens that justifies the cost.
Lees meer
Overview
Nikon's 28mm f/1.4E ED is the best 28mm prime ever made for F-mount, and it's not close. This is the lens you grab when you want that perfect balance of environmental context and subject isolation, with sharpness that makes a D850 sing. The optical performance sits near the top of our database, and that's the whole story here.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens worth the extra money over the 28mm f/1.8G?
If you shoot wide open a lot or care about the absolute best rendering, yes. The f/1.4E ED has better spherical aberration correction and just looks richer. If you're on a budget, the f/1.8G is still excellent.
Q: Does it work on crop sensor Nikon DSLRs?
Yes, it mounts fine and gives you a 42mm equivalent field of view. But you're paying for full-frame coverage you're not using. A DX-specific prime would be lighter and cheaper.
Q: Is the autofocus fast enough for action?
It's fine for most things, but it's not a sports lens. The Silent Wave Motor is accurate but not blazing. For fast-moving subjects, you'd want something with a more aggressive AF system.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a travel shooter or someone who wants a lightweight kit, this isn't your lens. At 645g with no stabilization, it's a brick. Go grab the 28mm f/1.8G or a compact zoom instead. If you shoot video handheld, the lack of VR will drive you nuts.
Verdict
Buy it if you shoot Nikon FX and want the finest 28mm ever made. The optical performance is genuinely top-tier, and the f/1.4 aperture opens up creative possibilities the f/1.8 can't match. It's heavy, it's expensive, and the autofocus won't blow you away, but the images will.
