Just about the only thing I liked about this lens, was that it telescoped outward at 28mm, so people on the edges of the frame typically thought it was a telephoto. That made it a fairly handy "stealth" lens, despite its large size.

The AF-N version was sharper than the AIS version it replaced. The AF made it marginally useful, since the focusing screen got pretty dark at 85/4.5.

Robust contruction.

Center sharpness was good at all apertures and focal lengths.

Useful focal length range.

Not much smaller or lighter than the much more-useful and sharper 24-120.

Unusual "macro" mode at 28mm. Take the hood off, or you'll cast a shadow on your subject. More useful for steep perspective effects than for typical macro shooting.

Extremely prone to flare, and the hood doesn't help much. Backlight will wash a flood of veiling flare over the entire frame. Keep this one pointed away from the sun.

Light fall-off at 28mm never really went away.

Vignettes with just about any filter at 28mm at close to middle distances.

Just enough distortion at both extremes to make it not very useful as a travel lens, because buildings (cathedrals, bridges, clock towers, etc.) will look rather bulged or sagged. Suggestion: shoot them at about 50mm, or don't shoot them straight on.

Underdamped focusing ring. Compared to the optical qualities, though, this is a minor niggle.

Seemed like a useful focal length range with decent speed, but I was never happy with the results. The "N" version has a rubberized focusing ring for better handling than the previous AF version. The AF made it easier to handle than the manual-focus version. The hood is a bayonet style which stayed on better than the manual-focus version's slip-on hood. The Nikkor 24-120 absolutely blows it out of the water, and the new 24-85 looks like a better choice too. If you're on a budget, there still are better choices in this focal length, including inexpensive (but slower) 28-80s from third-parties. CAVEAT: Maybe I had a bad sample (remember, these reviews are each based on a sample size on one); however, this is the only lens I've used that I would rate this low. Sorry, but I just can't recommend it.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

28-85/3.5-4.5 AIS Nikkor (even worse)
24-120/3.5-5.6 AF-D (much better)

And a host of Nikkor primes within the range.

Very sharp. Useful range of focal lengths.

None

This lens is a sleeper in the Nikon line (or at least it was, when it was made). Much sharper than the "consumer" 28-80's that came later. Good construction. Very sharp. Negligible light faloff on corners, for this type of lens. I've had mine for 10 years, and have no intention to let it go. During that time, I've used many other Nikon midrange zooms, none of which has equalled this performance.

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Have used most Nikon lenses made.

Very sharp. Low distortion. Solid build.

Slightly heavy, but that should be no surprise since it contains a lot of glass.

A very good mid range zoom. I only shoot transparencies and even when examined under a magnifying glass I can see very little difference in resolution between this lens and my 50 mm 1.4. This is my favorite lens which I have used for many years.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

AF Nikkor 50 mm, f1.4D
AF Nikkor 180 mm, f2.8 ED,IF
Tokina ATX 80-400 f4.5-5.6D
Sigma AF 28- 105 f4-5.6D
AF Nikor 35- 70, f 3.5
Nikkor 50mm f1.8
Tokina 35-70

A well-built, solid performer. Has survived a decade of travel abuse.

Seems tame now compared to new super zooms like the 24-120. Now discontinued.

A fine, dependable travel lens. My vacation chromes always look great. (Discontinued now, but you can buy it used on eBay.) I use Nikkor primes for my professional work.

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor primes in the same range.

solid, well balanced
good feel on zoom ring
quick autofocus
28mm macro mode interesting

serious vignetting at 28-30mm
distortion at 85mm
pretty slow aperture range
underdampened focus ring

better than most consumer zooms built in the early 90s. some dramatic images possible in the 35-70 range. the vignetting has always been a big problem as is dark focus image at 85. I'm looking for updated replacement for it such as tamron 28-200 XR, tokina 24-200, or nikon 24-85. decent lens but not great.

Customer Service

good on the two cameras I've sent in and on repair parts.

Similar Products Used:

sigma 28-105 /2.8-4

Versatile zoom

Slow
lacks sharpness

This lens always disappoints me. It really lacks sharpness no matter what I do. It might be a bad sample. When I compared results with the Nikkor 70-300 ED, I was blown away by the sharpness and colors of the latter. I'm still looking for an alternative.

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None