<p>Don't know about micro contrast, but in terms of "snap", "Crackle" & "Pop", well this can say about. Have D800 and myself am perplexed about retaining the Nikkor 28mm F/1.8 G lens. To look at the results is to behold stunning perfection. Sharp, snappy, brilliant, rich color, no flaws, etc. Yet something is missing. Wanted an autofocus 28 but may give up on that idea. Your thoughts out there?<br>
<br /> Have multiple copies of the 28mm F/2.0 AIS & the 28mm F/2.8 AIS ( 3 each, cherry picked out of dozens over the years ). And one 28mm F/1.4 AF-D. A strange lens this one is, one which at middle apetures matches the other two 28mms in sharpness, but has unique look I love. But low color saturation, always soft corners and flares like nobody's business rules this out for high end pro use.<br>
<br /> As for the other two 28s, the F/2.0 was my first, but don't use it much anymore. Tremendous resolution at F/8, just barely, but if fact does surpass the F/2.8, which at makes them the sharpest Wide Angle Nikkors I've used. At F/5.6 the F/2.0 equals the F/2.8 in resolution. At F/11 the F/2.0 goes flat and dull in contrast and loses resolution compared to the F/2.8, or most Nikkors there. AT the other F/stops, the F/2.8 has much higher resolution and contrast at all distances. But use the 28mm F/2.8mm AIS for other reasons. The F/2.0 has chalky, desatured colors in the highights. And while rich, not really the word, lush color at F5.6-F8, it lacks the electric contrast and tremendous depth of color of the F2.8 AIS. The Nikkor F/2.8 AIS is so snappy, with color depth easily matching Leica's finest, I'm in heaven when use this. It has deep, rich color with stunning contrast. Under low light, it is even better.<br>
<br /> Now whom out there can recommend a similar autofocus wide angle?<br>
<br /> PS: The 24m F/1.4 G is no match for my ancient, horribly reviewed Nikkor 24mm F/2.8 AIS, which is slightly sharper at every F Stop, but more importantly, with more contrast. Much more. Just jumps. Still not realistic and a bit low in exterior contrast, but that was it's look, made up for with pure color of tremendous finesse. And way more natural. And without the uncorrectable anomorphic distortion inherent in every G Lens Nikkor I have seen, which makes it difficult to use professionally, driving my very high end, high paying clients nuts. <br>
Still, the 24mm F/1.4 AF-S G is probably the second best modern ( G ) lens Nikkor ever made and very good, just not great. I keep it for keepsake and autofocus, as I do the other great Nikkor ( a tele ).<br>
<br /> PPS: By the way, None of the 24mms are even remotely as good as my LATE SERIAL #'d 24mm F/2.8 AF-D Nikkors. If you get a good one ( I cherry picked two ). Sample variation is so bad from Nikon now, it's less than hit or miss getting a good one.<br /> All the best</p>
<p>As</p>