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For the ability to review the legendary lens Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D (IF) many thanks to Dmitry. Dmitry is engaged in the sale of excellent professional lenses, his catalog can be viewed here.

Review of Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f 2.8D (IF-ED)

The lens Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D (IF) was introduced back in February 1999 and was produced right up to 2007, since August 2007 the legendary Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D was replaced by nanocrystalline Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8G ED AF-S N Nikkorwhich, in turn, was supplemented by the Nikon N VR AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8E ED.

All Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D lenses were manufactured exclusively in Japan. By the way, there are black (black) and white (gray) versions of Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D, they differ only in the frame of the body.

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f 2.8D (IF-ED), front view. The lens uses SIC enlightenment.

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D refers to professional zoom lenses, this is evidenced by the yellow edging near the front lens. The Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f / 2.8D itself is huge, it uses a 'professional' front filter diameter on 77mm, and the weight of the lens is as much as 935 grams, the lens looks simply irresistible on the camera. This whopper did not fit into my small photo bag, and I had to drag my own wardrobe trunk CL-74... Even the execution of the wardrobe trunk is top notch with a comfortable latch and velor interior trim.

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f 2.8D (IF-ED), view of the lens with the native HB-19 lens hood. The hood can be worn back and forth.

The optical scheme is made on 15 elements in 11 groups, 2 element are ED glasses (Extra low dispersion) type, and one item is aspherical (PGM ASP) For comparison, the new model Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8G has 3 ED, 3 APS and one element with a nanocrystalline coating.

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f 2.8D (IF-ED), mount type, mount, focus mode switch.

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D uses special SWM (Silent wave motor), which achieves very fast and quiet autofocus. Since the lens has a built-in focus motor, the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D will work at any modern Nikon digital SLR camera. The focus on the lens is really very fast. Often the name is assigned to the lens designation IFMeaning Iinternal Focusing, and talks about internal focus the lens. When focusing, the front lens remains stationary, which allows you to easily use any kind of light filter.

Bokeh on Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D

The lens has a focus mode switchM / AM'. In the 'M / A' mode, automatic focusing is available with a priority of manual control, which means that focus can always be corrected without switching to manual mode 'M'. This mode is very convenient to use, without switching the mode, you can focus both manually and automatically, using this focusing method is very convenient to use focus trap... In manual focus mode 'M', the focus ring rotates 90 degrees in active mode, and then simply slides in passive mode. The focusing ring is rubberized and very comfortable to use. The lens has a focusing distance scale from infinity to MDF, the minimum focusing distance is 50cm at a 70mm focal length, you can get a macro with a magnification of 1: 5.6. There is an infrared shift indicator on the lens. In general, the quality of the focusing system is at the highest level, it is a pity that there is no depth of field indicator.

Two Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f 2.8D (IF-ED) models - black and white.

When zooming, the lens trunk is slightly lengthened, the minimum lens length is available at a 50mm focal length, as the lens trunk moves in waves. The disadvantage lens is a spontaneous change in focal length under its own weight. The focal length range from 28 to 70 millimeters is very, very convenient, on full-frame cameras the lens allows you to shoot with a wide angle at 28mm and allows you to shoot in a short telephoto range at 70mm. If you use Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D on Nikon DX cropped cameras, then EGF will correspond to 42-105mm, which will not allow you to use a sufficiently wide angle of view. I do not recommend using this lens on a crop, there is a Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S equivalent for this. DX Nikkor

Optical design Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F2.8D IF-ED

An unusual fact is that the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D is a type D lens, that is, a lens with an aperture control ring and at the same time it has a SWM motor. Usually only AF-S G and AF D lenses are found, and it is very rare to find AF-S D lenses, you can read more about this. here.

Landscape on Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D

Important: In order for the lens to start working normally on modern DLCs, you need to set the f / 22 value on the lens and click a special switch near the aperture control ring. After such manipulation, it will be possible to control the aperture from the camera, as with any modern lens, in more detail in the section about Non-G type lens.

Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D backlighting

The lens has a maximum aperture. F / 2.8which is available over the entire range of focal lengths. Take off hand is not difficult, even though the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8 lacks an image stabilizer. Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8 is one of the 'must have' lenses, as it is included in the classic top three of a professional photographer's kit on the Nikon system: 14 (16) -24 (28), 24 (28) -70 ( 80), 70 (80) -200 (210) mm.

Sample photo on Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 2.8D

Image quality

Lens uses 9 blade aperture with rounded petals, which allows you to get even circles in the blur zone at any F values. The lens was very surprised by the amazing 70mm bokeh. The Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D was also a sharp, contrasting lens with good color reproduction and minimal aberration. At F2.8 inherent weak software, at 28mm F2.8 noticeably strong vignetting. The lens perfectly transfers backlight. The image quality is high.

Portrait Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F2.8D (IF-ED)

Sample Photos

All examples of photos from this review were shot on camera. Nikon D700 JPEG JPEG L, Fine, VI, NL using protective filter B + W 77 010 UV-Haze 1X MRC F-PRO. Photos without processing, only the size is reduced to 3MP and the data from EXIF snapshots.

Personal experience

Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D is a versatile lens, very fast, can serve as a reportage lens, especially useful for shooting weddings and other dynamic events.

The zoom ring of the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D seemed to me more convenient for Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8G, on the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f / 2.8D the ring is narrower and closer to the camera mount. By the way, 24-70 and 28-70 have about the same weight, and he Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8G seemed to me sharper. The fat Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f / 2.8D gives a slightly narrower field of view at 28mm than Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8G on their 24 mm.

Instead of 24 (28) -70 I use in everyday shooting Nikon 28-105mm f / 3.5-4.5D AF Nikkor... I ran a test, and as it turned out, the focus speed of my non-motorized Nikon 28-105mm f / 3.5-4.5D AF Nikkor exactly the same as the very expensive professional Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f / 2.8D with a built-in motor. I'd also like to add that the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D lens is something unique, which is difficult to describe, it is better to hold the Nikon AF-S 28-70mm F / 2.8D once in your hands and shoot with it.

Professional fast wagon

Choosing a good high-speed universal lens is one of the most important for a large number of photographers. I pay a lot of attention to this issue, because I prepared this list of all full-frame universal (standard range of focal lengths) fast autofocus lenses:

Canon

Bayonet EF:

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 L USM
2. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 L USM
3. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 L II USM

Bayonet R:

1. Canon Lens RF 28-70 mm F2 L USM, since September 2018
2. Canon Lens RF 24-70 mm F2.8L IS USMsince August 2019

Nikon

Bayonet F:

1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-70 mm 1: 2.8D ED SWM (two body color options)
4. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm 1: 2.8GN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Asphericalsince December 2007
5. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm 1: 2.8EN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Aspherical VR

Bayonet Z:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 S
2. Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 mm 1:2.8 (the scheme is similar to Tamron a036, animation)

Tokina (for different mounts)

1. Tokina AT-XAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 270 AF)
2. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO)
3. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO II)
4. Tokina AT-X PRO 28-80 mm 1: 2.8 Aspherica (Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO)
5. Tokina AT-X PRO SV 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 287 AF PRO SV)
6. Tokina sd 24-70 F2.8 (IF) FX AT-X PRO Aspherical

Sigma (for different mounts, in chronological order)

1. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom, from May 1992 (Vivitar 28-70 / 2.8 VMC was made on its basis)
   
2. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Ashperical [+ -D], from the end 1998
3. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Aspherical DF [+ -D]since February 2001
4. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Aspherical [+ -D], [DF version], since February 2001
5. Sigma 24-60mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], from May 2004
6. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Macro [+ -D], From september 2004
7. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], From september 2004
8. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 EX DG HSM, From september 2008
9. Sigma 24-70mm 1:2.8 DG HSM OS A (ART), from February 2017, Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA
   
10. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN A (ART)since November 2019, Sony E, Leica L, the layout is similar to Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 2.8 / 24-70mm, animation
    
11. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN C (Contemporary)since February 2021, Sony E, Leica L

Tamron (for different mounts)

1. Tamron SP AF 35-105 mm 1: 2.8 Aspherical Model 65D
2. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105 mm 1: 2.8 Model 176D
3. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105 mm 1: 2.8 Model 276D
4. Tamron SP AF Aspherical XR Di LD [IF] 28-75 mm 1: 2.8 Macro Model A09 (Model A09N & Model A09N II) (scheme like Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75mm 1: 2.8 (32) D и  Sony 2.8 / 28-75 SAM)
5. Tamron SP 24-70 mm F / 2.8 DI VC USD Model A007
6. Tamron SP 24-70 mm F / 2.8 Di VC USD G2 Model A032
7. Tamron 28-75 mm F / 2.8 Di III RXD Model A036, (15/12), only for Sony E / FE, the scheme is similar to Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 mm 1:2.8, animation
8. Tamron 28-75 mm F / 2.8 Di III VXD G2 Model A063, (17/15), only for Sony E / FE, Fall 2021
9. Tamron 35-150 mm F / 2-2.8 Di III VXD Model A058, Sony E / FE only, Fall 2021

Sony

Sony / Minolta A mount:

1. Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75 mm 1: 2.8 (32) D (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
2. Minolta AF Zoom 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (32) G
3. Sony 2.8 /28-75 SAM (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
4. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24-70 ZA SSM T *
5. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24-70 ZA SSM II T* (circuit from the previous lens)

Sony E-mount:

1. Sony FE 2.8 /24-50 G (G, SEL2450G)
2. Sony FE 2.8 /24-70 GM (G, SEL2470GM)
3. Sony FE 2.8 /24-70 GM II (G, SEL2470GM2)

Pentax (K)

1. Pentax SMC FA 28-70 mm f / 2.8
2. Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 24-70 mm f / 2.8ED SDM WR

Angénieux

1. Angenieux zoom F.28-70 1: 2.6 AF (for Nikon F, Minolta / Sony A, Canon EF)

Vivitar

1. Vivitar Series 1 28-70mm 1: 2.8 VMC AUTO FOCUS ZOOM, different mounts, presumably a copy Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom

Panasonic

1. Panasonic Lumix S PRO 1: 2.8 /24-70 mm, from August 2019, Leica L

Leica

1. Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 1: 2.8 / 24-70mm f / 2.8 ASPH., from May 2021, the optical design repeats Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN Art (animation)

Samyang

1. Samyang AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, aka Rokinon AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, from October 2021, only for Sony E / FE
2. Samyang AF 35-150/2-2.8FE, from April April 2023, only for Sony E/FE

The impressive dimensions of the Nikon AF-S 28-70 mm f 2.8 D IF-ED

List of all Nikon FX 28-XXX autofocus lenses:

• Nikon 28-70 mm 1: 2.8D AF-S Nikkor ED SWM (black / white)
• Nikon 28-70 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor (MKI)
• Nikon 28-70 mm 1: 3.5-4.5D AF Nikkor (MKII)
• Nikon 28-80 mm 1: 3.5-5.6D AF Nikkor (MKI)
• Nikon 28-80 mm 1: 3.5-5.6D AF Nikkor (MKII)
• Nikon 28-80 mm 1: 3.3-5.6G AF Nikkor (MKIII, black / silver)
• Nikon 28-85 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor (MKI)
• Nikon 28-85 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor (MKII)
• Nikon 28-100 mm 1: 3.5-5.6G AF Nikkor (black / silver)
• Nikon 28-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5D AF Nikkor (Japan / China)
• Nikon 28-200 mm 1: 3.5-5.6D AF Nikkor (Japan / China, Black / Silver)
• Nikon 28-200 mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED IF Aspherical AF Nikkor (Japan / Thailand)
• Nikon 28-300 mm 1: 3.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor ED SWM VR IF Aspherical

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

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