Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MK I) lens for review has provided Boris V.

Review Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Review Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) - nice old universal lens for full-frame cameras. The lens was originally designed for film cameras. Due to the fact that it has a special macro mode, the prefix 'Macro' is often added to its name. The Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm f / 3.5-4.5 is the very first autofocus zoom lens from Nikon that can use a focal length range from 28mm. The lens has an optical design from its predecessor Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 with manual focus.

Color rendering Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Color rendering :) Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Please note that I exist two versions of Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5. First version MKI produced from 1986 to 1990, version MKII produced from 1991 to 1999. You will find differences between them in the review. Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII).

Nikon AF 28-85mm F / 3.5-4.5 in macro mode

Nikon AF 28-85mm F / 3.5-4.5 in macro mode

Despite the fact that my copy is at least 23 years old, it works wonderfully on my Nikon D700. In its optical scheme, consisting of 15 elements in 11 groups, the lens does not have special items. Nikon AF 28-85mm F / 3.5-4.5 assembled in japan, I have no complaints about the workmanship. The lens is heavy, weighing over 500 grams. Almost all old 'old school' AF Nikkor lenses are very reliable workhorses. At the time of their assembly, it was believed that the lens is a real product of the highest achievements of science, and not 'whale plastic'.

Nikon AF lens transfer Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Lens Cat Transfer :) Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

I was very surprised by the smooth zoom ring, the ring is rubberized and rotates very, very smoothly. The zoom ring on this Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm F / 3.5-4.5 I like much more than on my Nikon AF NIKKOR 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D... But here's what's strange - at 85mm focal length the lens trunk is hidden, and at 28mm focal length the lens trunk has a maximum length - the opposite is true compared to other lenses. The lens trunk consists of one section, and when zooming, the front lens does not rotate - this property is often not enough for me for Nikon AF NIKKOR 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D... During the change of focal length, the rear lens moves, but the effect of “vacuum cleaner” from its movement is insignificant. In general, the lens is very similar to Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5.

Enlightenment of the front and rear lenses

Enlightenment of the front and rear lenses

The focusing speed of the lens is above average. When focusing front lens rotates... The focusing ring is plastic and rotates 90 degrees. Focusing is slightly slower at 28mm than at 85mm. The minimum focusing distance at 85mm is 80 cm. In macro mode, at 28 mm focal length, the MDF is 23 cm, while you can shoot macro with a magnification of 1: 3.4. It is very strange and not very convenient to use the macro mode at 28 mm focal length.

To switch to macro mode, you need to set the focal length to 28 mm, press the release button with the letter 'M' and rotate the zoom ring towards 28 mm. Attention: in macro mode, automatic focusing does not work, and even worse, for manual focusing, you have to switch the focus mode selection lever on the camera. This is quite inconvenient.

Macro mode

Macro mode at open aperture

The lens has a focus distance scale in meters and feet, and there are two infrared shift indicators for 28 and 50 mm. But there is no depth of field scale. The lens has a slightly enlarged aperture, in comparison with other station wagons of the class F / 3.5-5.6. In fact, F / 4.5 is 1.55 times larger than F / 5.6. The aperture has 7 blades and closes to F / 22 @ 28mm and F / 29 @ 85mm. The diameter of the front filter is standard, equal to 62 mm.

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D

Features Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) to work with various Nikon cameras

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to the F / 22 value and fix it with a special latch, which is located to the right of the marks aperture. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 are plotted on it. It is impossible to establish an intermediate value between pairs of numbers using the aperture ring. Intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu.

EGF lens for Nikon DX cameras is 42-127.5mm. I don’t see much point in using Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) on cropped Nikon cameras, since the wide angle disappears, and with it all the versatility of the lens. Who is looking for a similar zoom for Nikon DX cameras, I advise you to look in the direction of inexpensive Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED DX SWM IF Aspherical.

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D

Sample Photos

The lens was sharp throughout the range, well tolerating backlight. It catches very few glare, has a little vignetting and distortion. In some scenes, the contrast noticeably drops, which is typical of some old lenses. Chromatic aberrations not particularly dangerous. In general, the image quality is inferior to modern lenses, but still remains at a decent level:

The parameters shown in the photo gallery:

Everything is filmed on Nikon D700. On-camera JPEG L ('optimal quality' compression). Functions that enhance the image, such as vignette control, ADL, noise reduction at long exposures, noise reduction at high ISOs were turned off. All shot in Picture Control mode SD (standard mode): contrast correction - 0, brightness - 0, saturation - 0, hue - 0, sharpness - position 5 between 0 and 9. Used white balance: 'Auto', 'Shadow', 'Sunny'. Photos have been reduced to 2048px by 1363px (approximately 3MP) using FastStone Photo Resizer 3.0, data from EXIF JPEG file module. When reducing the size of the photos, quality equal to 80% of the original was used, the Lanczos3 compression method.

Personal impressions of Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5

I liked the lens very much, it is very pleasant to work with it. Construction, picture - everything is at a high level. It's a pity there is no inner focus and letters'D'in the title, and the macro mode at 28mm is a bit strange. Of course new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED VR SWM IF Aspherical can easily 'do' this old man, but if we take into account the price, the Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) is a very attractive lens for simple photography tasks. At flea markets, such a lens is sold for $ 100-150, so it can serve as a good replacement for Nikon AF NIKKOR 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D и Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm 1: 2.8-4D IF.

For some reason, many are sure that the flash will not work with this lens in automatic mode - this is not the case, TTL will work, but the output power is calculated differently from the D and G lenses. Details about it here.

ZK lens view

ZK lens view

List of all Nikon FX 28-XXX autofocus lenses:

The catalog of modern universal lenses for Nikon can be see here.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 - good (almost excellent for its price) universal lens with 3x zoom for full-frame cameras. Nowadays, amateur photographers don't look at such 'oldies', give everyone SWM, IF, ED, G, N, HRI, Aspherical, E and VR lenses - but in vain, old Nikon optics can still 'light up' :).

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 60, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)

  • Andrei

    I will comment on the last lines: “Nowadays, amateur photographers don’t look at such 'oldies', give everyone SWM, IF, ED, G, N, HRI, Aspherical and VR lenses” - for some reason I personally do not recognize autofocus optics in myself , well, except to shoot something that runs when you run yourself :). As for me, a GOOD CAMERA with autofocus optics turns into a boring camera.

    • Zakhar

      I don’t like modern lenses at all, because almost all of them are plastic, like rattles, or it’s old iron eternal glass. :) So you think if I drop it, will it continue to work, the repair is not cheap.

    • Gene jb

      I don't know what about Nikon, on Canon all plastic lenses usually shoot worse than old metal ones. What a quality now in deep well ... I don't know what about the whites, but the whole range of whale and ultra, and just consumer-grade zooms - g ... super-enlightened fifty kopecks from canon.

  • Denis

    "As for me, a GOOD CAMERA with autofocus optics turns into a boring camera." - the camera should be a tool for taking photos, not a “boring” or “not boring” toy. Autofocus is almost indispensable in many situations, and greatly speeds up shooting. After all, it was not invented for entertainment, but to simplify the work of the photographer.
    I myself like to shoot on manual optics, but not because of aversion to autofocus, but from reluctance to buy modern expensive analogues. It is suitable for a leisurely shooting, but in some situations autofocus is really not enough. And on optics with a weak aperture, plus modern SLR focusing screens, you can manually focus only with a focus confirmation system, in fact, you do with your hands what the engine would do :)

  • Sergei

    Great review!
    ps
    Here "Everything is tight on Nikon D700" - a typo

  • Denis

    If the subject is not sufficiently contrasting, then focus confirmation during manual focusing is often mistaken. To navigate through the viewfinder visually catching focus on the desired object is not very convenient and difficult all the same. Using Live View, it is convenient to focus manually when the depth of field is very shallow, and for example, you need to sharply highlight any part of the wedding rings. Autofocus “does not understand” what needs to be sharply highlighted (it is easy to miss with it, playing small depth of field), but manually the situation is under control.
    Sequential shooting is hardly possible without autofocus. The DSLRs considered here in the reviews (and those models that were not included in the review) are mainly a reporting technique, originally intended for shooting dynamics, due to which the autofocus system is quite well developed in them. For leisurely photography using manual focus, there are several other manufacturers of photographic equipment.

  • Anonymous 1

    The whole feature is that modern “DSLRs” are BASICALLY designed for autofocusing, and only as a pleasant option, for manual control. The whole construction of cameras is subordinated to the idea of ​​global automation of the shooting process. Therefore, the viewfinders of the devices are poorly adapted to focusing manually, often it is difficult to simply see the observed field in them; the screen is "cluttered" with squares, lines, etc. But try to bring the viewfinder of an old F-90-70 to your eye. You will go crazy with the size of the view, the brightness of the field and the amazing simplicity and speed of manual focusing !!!

  • Igor

    What was once will never come back. Autofocus is needed in 99% of cases for shooting people and especially children. Only stationary objects can be shot manually. I am sure that in a couple of years, new lenses will not have manual focus at all to reduce cost and simplify the design. It will be the same as with aperture control, which disappears from new models.

    He himself was thinking of buying a manual zoom, but taking an old Nikon zoom from a friend for a week, he realized that my nerves would not be enough for manual focus.

    • Zakhar

      Nevertheless, you can use the manual completely, it turned out that the first manual glass was the MSZM6A, in general, an analog of the MTO-500, well, while I was running with this pipe weighing 1.5 kg + almost a kilogram ph (without a tripod, all with hands), I have adapted to such an extent that now there are no problems with manual glasses.
      Everything is relative here, someone likes it, someone doesn't, for example, I like to feel metal in my hand, and indeed I like to point the pens. :)

    • Denis

      Aperture and focus control are completely different things. The aperture ring has disappeared, so why is it? Cameras automatically set the aperture, it is easily set manually by the camera's organs (since a pre-planned number is set), a separate ring on the lens complicates everything and requires reading the position of this ring itself. With focus, it's a completely different story, focusing through the camera controls is still a perversion.

  • Vitaly U.

    It is not clear why the question of "manual" lenses arose here? The review was Nikon (((AF))) !!! Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 ... It is much more convenient to focus on vintage lenses, if you have certain skills, than on modern autofocus not top line (especially in poor lighting conditions). My father is at “zenith” (I don't remember which one), with Helios 44-2 made a lot of photos from my kindergarten, school, sports section. Very dynamic, you can take my word for it! There would be a desire ... Now a question to Arkady: what is the difference between Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 from the review and Nikon AF Nikkor 28-70mm 3.5-4.5D (except for 15mm focal length)?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Another optical design, different dimensions, close-up, other, transmission of the focusing distance to the camera

  • Vitaly U.

    Thanks for the quick response! And in your opinion (very important for me): in the picture, what sharpness will be better?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I did not use the latter, it is difficult to accurately judge.

  • Vyacheslav

    Good day, I think to put it on a D300 as a staffer. Is the game worth the candle?

  • Andrei

    I was looking for an overview of this lens, tell me, despite the loss of a wide angle on crop cameras, the picture itself will not change ???

    • Dmitriy

      Thanks to Arkady for the reviews, for taking the time to share his experience, to enlighten us. I have been fond of photography for a long time, but I read the reviews / thoughts of Arkady regularly and with interest. Thanks.

      I spent several years looking for “my” lenses. The result is a line: Nikon AF 28-85 \ 3,5-4,5 + Nikon AF 70-210 \ 4-5,6 + Nikon AF 35 \ 2,0D, there is also Nikon AF 18-35 \ 3,5 -4,5D, but this is true, only for a wide angle.
      I use all these lenses on the D90, I haven’t tried it at the full frame, the picture gives a wonderful, much more interesting modern one. In modern optics, I was somehow disappointed (plastic + electronics, and the picture is so-so).
      Nikon AF 28-85 \ 3,5-4,5: portraits are very good, at focal points 28-40 mm, the picture is normal, at 50-85 mm. already has its own "zest".
      Sharp, quite contrasting, with backlight I use a rubber threaded hood (it helps very well), there is no letter D, but it works quite well with the flash, it focuses quickly.
      If 28 mm. not narrowly for you - I recommend it, you will not regret it.

  • Dmitriy

    I wanted to write a comment - it is not displayed. I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong?

  • Dmitriy

    Thanks to Arkady for the reviews, for taking the time to share his experience, to enlighten us. I have been fond of photography for a long time, but I read the reviews / thoughts of Arkady regularly and with interest. Thanks.

    I spent several years looking for “my” lenses. The result is a line: Nikon AF 28-85 \ 3,5-4,5 + Nikon AF 70-210 \ 4-5,6 + Nikon AF 35 \ 2,0D, there is also Nikon AF 18-35 \ 3,5 -4,5D, but this is true, only for a wide angle.
    I use all these lenses on the D90, I haven’t tried it at the full frame, the picture gives a wonderful, much more interesting modern one. In modern optics, I was somehow disappointed (plastic + electronics, and the picture is so-so).
    Nikon AF 28-85 \ 3,5-4,5: portraits are very good, at focal points 28-40 mm, the picture is normal, at 50-85 mm. already has its own "zest".
    Sharp, quite contrasting, with backlight I use a rubber threaded hood (it helps very well), there is no letter D, but it works quite well with the flash, it focuses quickly.

    • Oleg

      is the crop sharp enough?

  • Olga

    I have nikkor af 5-105 f / 3,5-4,5 D
    Apparently version II or III?
    No macro.

  • Olga

    Wrong, of course 35-105

  • Irina

    Arkady, I have just such a lens, I really like the picture. But today I put it on - bad luck, I turn it to F22, the camera sees it, I open the aperture - the camera stops perceiving it, FEE blinks instead of shutter speed and aperture values. Before that, everything was ok, I have had it for a long time. I would be grateful for hints what could be the reason.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Actually, on F / 22 the aperture should be controlled from the camera itself.

  • Irina

    You are a genius! This is what I have after a week only with manual techniques, apparently, there was some kind of shift - I twist my hands :))) Thank you very much!

  • Yaroslav

    Good afternoon.
    I had a question on this glass, it would be very nice if you answered it.
    In general, I bought this glass for a long time, the first version.
    Even during the inspection, I was alerted by the fact that the lens rises quite tight. Then I gave little importance, I really liked it. But then, after a thorough inspection of the bayonet, he noticed it here.
    http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9558/136002945.35/0_cd2a3_edec4de3_XXL.jpg
    http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9301/136002945.34/0_cd2a2_793ac308_XXL.jpg
    That's just because of him the glass rises tight. But not only gets up, but also spoils the bayonet mount. Now I live on the crop (d90) and there the bayonet mount has already loosened because of this dumb bolt. The plans for a fullframe, I would very much like to leave this glass in my park (just because I need an autofocus staffer in the whole manual kingdom that’s going on with me), but because of this little muck, it’s just going to make me poke this glass into an expensive carcass .
    this bolt sits very tightly, I could not unscrew it with my screwdrivers.
    The question is, was there the same bolt in your copy, or is it a modernization of the old owners that you need to get rid of?

  • Next

    Good day! I got a lens, try it on the d600. The zoom ring goes from 85 to 35mm perfectly. The pictures are clear. Further to 28, light effort is needed and the lens does not focus on this segment. Pictures are all out of focus. Tell me. is there any trick or is it a marriage? Thanks!

    • Andrew

      I bought it the other day using the D600. I'm great. The clarity is super after 4.5 very sharp. Macro also liked it. It focuses with a couple of centimeters like my old Sigma Macro 18-55 2.8, but manually. I bought another 35-70 2,8, so it turned out to have backfocus paired with the D600.

  • HELMET

    Good day . Tell me please about such a lens on the Internet there is nothing at all about it. Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1: 3,5-5,6 G Thank you in advance.

  • Dmitriy

    I had a Nikon AF 28-80mm 1: 3,5-5,6 G (still on film), nothing special, a cheap plastic rattle, maybe a full frame one. Nikon AF-S 18-55 \ 3,5-5,6 G VR will be better, but for crop.

  • Sergei

    Kind time of the day, I just love this site, I turn to knowledgeable people, I need help, there is a choice between this lens and 35-70 af 3.3-4.5, if you do not take into account focal lenses, which one will be sharper and more pleasant with a picture, I saw a review of the two. I think Arkady can definitely share his impressions, if you compare these two lenses, I will be extremely grateful for the answer, I have a nikon d300 camera, if it is important.

  • Oleg

    Hello.
    maybe someone used this lens on d80 ?!
    how did he show himself?

  • Stanislas

    Good afternoon! I bought this lens, it justifies everything for my money, I shoot on the D7000, I showed myself well for portraits and group shots, the focus is certainly not quiet, but we all need a picture, the initial result is good, all the same, Japan in its pricing policy can give competition to the new Chinese! Question: if someone uses such a lens, he needs a lens hood, I don’t have one.

    • Novel

      Stanislav, but you can get a couple of photos on an email or a link to a photo.
      My sister will have a wedding, so I'm looking for a used bad lens for my D7000 for such an event. what do you think fit?
      Thank you.

  • Dmitriy

    I shoot with this lens on the D90, I really like it, portraits at focal lengths of 50-85 mm. - just fine, at focal lengths 28-40 mm. - the image is “ordinary” (everything is sharp, everything is normal, but without a “zest”). It is better to cover the aperture at the wide end up to f4, at the long end - up to f5, so it turns out sharper and at the same time the background normally blurs.
    For shooting indoors, architecture needs something more wide-angle (on crop).
    Overall a very good lens.

  • Dmitriy

    Here are a few shots (unfortunately already processed in the corrector: sharpness / blur, saturation).

    http://album.foto.ru/photos/100049/

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