Jump to content

Z 28 f/2.8 SE is in, jury is out but I will probably keep.


robert_bouknight1

Recommended Posts

I was (am still) looking for a small and light lens for my Z bodies that reduces the camera footprint to a minimum so that I am more likely to take one vs just using my phone. I have been using a Voigtlander 40/1.4 for this purpose, but wanted something wider but still smaller than the 14-30/4S I have and like. The newly available 28 seems like a good but still compromised choice for this purpose. Using a Z7 and a sharp semi-wide, I can crop to longer lens length without too much compromise.

 

Pros: It is light, and among the shortest flange to front viable lens for the Z. I am sure that there are some M & LTM mount wides that are a little smaller when combined with an adaptor, but most of the older wides don't perform all that well on digital in my experience.

 

Testing on a Z7 vs my 14-30 and 28/2AI, the Z28/2.8 is OK. Sharpness seems similar at f/4 to the 14-30. One test series had me thinking that the 28/2AI was a little better at 2.8 and 4, but another series reversed that opinion. The Z28/2.8 seems to have a good bit of vignetting at 2.8, and tends to render images that are slightly cool and underexposed compared to the other lenses in aperture priority auto.. I guess I should have locked auto WB, I did lock exposure to manual for another series which evened up the exposure variations. The 28/2AI did seem to put a bit more light on the sensor at the same settings, and I came away thinking that I have a slight preference for the images from the old 28. Warmer in AWB mode, and less clinical, somehow.

 

Cons: Value. When compared to a 50/1.8g or DX35/1.8g (that can be used on FX), I lose over a stop of speed, the metal mount, and spend more money. Welcome to 2022, I guess. I would have paid a bit more $ to have something faster like f/2.5, but in reality f/2.5 would not make much difference. Probably Nikon did not want to hurt sales of more expensive options when configuring the Z28/2.8. Another con would be that the Z28/2.8 does not seem to deliver a full 2.8's worth of light, especially away from image center. Sharpness is OK at 2.8 for me, though.

 

In summary, the Z 28 f/2.8 SE meets but definitely does not exceed my expectations. I think the opportunity for Nikon or a 3rd party to create a better option is still out there. Sony offers the 28/2 FE that I enjoyed using when I had an A7 camera. I was tempted to get another one of those with an AF adaptor, but I realized that there would not be any in cameras corrections that "improve" the 28/2FE on a Nikon body.

 

PS, just for fun, I included an early 60's 28/3.5 F mount lens in some of the tests. No surprise, the newer lenses are better. But the old timer still generates a viable image on a 45MP sensor.

 

 

 

 

 

z

Edited by robert_bouknight|1
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I should add that there seemed to be less image pincushion vs the 14-30, but this was an impression vs clinical test. I admit that I did not analyze raw files in extreme detail, just wanted to form an opinion about keeping and using the lens. I plan to keep it on the body as first option, with other lenses in a bag ready to go for photo excursions. I will probably add a faster Z mount wide prime to my kit someday, not sure which it will be, probably the 20mm.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...