I use a 28mm f/1.4E - 58mm f/1.4G - 105mm f/1.4E combo and it ROCKS!! This is my favorite lens lineup EVER. I especially love the 28mm for portrait shots when I want to capture a subject in their environment, at normal distances I’ve noticed the effects of perspective don’t distort faces noticeably. Using a 24mm in the same scenario resulted in a tad too much perspective distortion for my taste.

Two friends had the earlier version of the 28mm f/1.4. One had a copy for several years and sold it for a huge profit, something like $3000 around 2007. The other still owns and uses his copy with a D850. If the roadmap didn’t have a 35mm f/1.2, the E version of the 28 f/1.4 would be on my short list.

Nice to see you outside lads! 😄

I’d love this lens as well and have heard so many good reviews. We’ve just pulled the trigger on the 85 1.2 so unfortunately the 28 will definitely have to wait 😁

The holy trinity of F mount primes are the 28mm 1.4e , 58mm 1.4g , 105mm 1.4e best bokeh colors and rendering of all the F mount primes only other exception is the 200mm F2 but that’s a different animal

I've wanted this lens for a long time. So nice.

Nikon F mount 28mm 1.4 and 105mm 1.4 real gems

Best lens I've ever used purely in terms of image quality

The wide and shallow Z mount really shows its advantages out to the edges on wide lenses.

28mm lenses are not recognized as much as 24mm and 35mm lenses obviously. This is really a pity as 28mm is the most used focal length today using your iPhone, which default focal length is 28mm. Nikon has a long legacy of producing amazing 28mm lenses, which is a hidden treasure to most photographers. For example, the legendary classic 28mm f/2.8 AI-s lens, which was the first SLR lens I purchased over 20 years ago still is available brand new from Nikon by special order. It’s an amazing lens, still today! Then we have the almost mythical 28mm f/1.4D, which from I understand is the ultimate of all! I do need to get this one for sure… Then we have the 28mm f/1.4E, which is the ultimate in the Nikon/Nikkor line ever and I never leave the house without it in my bag. Only other 28mm f/1.4 lens to challenge the Nikon/Nikkor D/E lenses is the Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4, which I also own and it is in a league of its own. It is pure perfection at any aperture!

Hello, I am really looking forward to your contributions on youtube. My opinion is, that you should not compare sharpness of nikon z cameras/lenses in lightroom. I've used lightroom for years, but find that the nikon native program is so much better (by nikon z) than lightroom in terms of sharpness, colors, etc. unfortunately, the nikon nx studio is so much more sluggish and equipped with so few options as lightroom. the differences in the d850 are negligible, in the z6 significant. Many thanks again for your otherwise very entertaining and competent contributions. 👍👍👍

This really is a very, very special lens! Very sharp, nice bokeh for a 28mm and I have just fallen in love with the focal length vs 35mm. It works fantastic with the 58mm and 105mm, although the 28mm and 105mm are probably more evenly compared as the 58mm is not built for sharpness (but still produces magic). The colour coming out of the 28mm is fantastic I should add. Nice job highlighting a hidden gem......cost is likely the huge deterrent and the reason why I jumped for joy with a good used copy at a reasonable price.

I am still in the proces of getting used to the Z system (especially the EVF) . You are making me miss the F system even more now.

I kept 4 F-mount primes which I consider very unique, this is one of them. along with 58 1.4G, 105 1.4E and 200 F2 VRii. The rendering are so special and work fantastic with my D5. I have the Z lens, while sharper and more modern look, they are too clinical to my taste due to optical precision and in my view, lack organic touch comparing to the F mount primes noted here. I love this lens as my street and walk around lens, the focal length is better than 35 and the color out of the lens is unmatched and looks like something from vintage camera like Leica.

You've confirmed my suspicions of my z 35mm 1.8. Thank you.

A 28mm f1.4 G lens & 28mm f1.2 D lens are the best for quick shots

Wow. This one looks like best lens for situations other than wildlife and sport. Now hunts begin.

You found a gem in the F mount system 😎👍

I had commented before in another of your videos but Tamron 35 mm 1.4 is a great option; can be bought new for less than a used 1.4 Nikon primebut with 2019 design and optics. Not to be dismissed.

Thank you both for this informative video! I'm going to Japan for 3 weeks next April, and I'm hesitating between this 28mm and the 24mm f:1.8 in Z mount. My question : Does the autofocus via the FTZ 2 adapter ring work as fast as the 35mm (z mount) mentioned in this video?

Interesting, I never even knew this lens existed It has piqued my interest already. Anything between 14mm to 35mm is particularly interesting for me, and within the 20mm to 30mm both 20mm and 28mm happen to be my favorites in the range. I just checked where I can get one, and it seems Amazon is the only place where I can order one here for around $1,700. While not cheap, it's definitely worth the price based on your tests.

Ironic that this video came out about half an hour after I'd ordered the 35 1.8 :D

Once the Z 35 1.2 comes out, it would be an interesting comparison. Im trying to hold out until its here and reviewed, with my backup plan to buy the 28 1.4E if the Z 35 1.2 doesn't have enough "character". Would also like to see how the 28 1.4E compares against the Tamron 35mm 1.4 as a budget alternative.

How do you do a field curvature test?

I seriously think that if Nikon makes an f-mount retro mirrorless a lot of Nikon users would be waiting at the shop to open. The f mount lenses are still very relevant. You’d have the benefit of not having to use an adapter so things will be smaller and with today’s technology the thing would just be so awesome. Would you buy one?

You gotta stop doing this to me Russ . Im still breaking in my 105 1.4 ,which I love, and you drop this in my lap. I didnt know it existed. It looks like a great wide , wide/normal

If Nikon gave us a 24mm 1.2 S lens....oh my! I believe it can happen!

The 35mm lens is S class. Is it possible you just got a bad copy?

Great comparison... I'm surprised at the relative poor performance of the 35mm, which has been widely lauded.

I dont know if anyone pointed this out but you used a 50mm f1.2 for the shot at 11:50

Do clients notice the sharpness difference between the 35mm f/1.8S and 28mm f/1.4E?

Thank you for another great review! Just got a used one for $700, hope it's a good copy! I'll try to compare it with my 20mm 1.8 Z for some night cityscape photography

That is probably my dream lens... but not at €2k.

The 35 is for sure the worst of the 1.8s primes.

I find your 35 suspect. My copy is stupid sharp even wide open. But let’s be clear sharpness is not the end all be all.

You missed it. The 35 is tack sharp at 2.8...it's easy to see in your photo, and you clearly do not acknowledge it.