The
Nikkor AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D ED IF
by J. Ramón Palacios
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ON
AN FX CAMERA More
than a decade has passed since this
lens was released. Yes, there are many advancements in
glass manufacturing
and
computerized optical design. However, despite such great
improvements this little
lens remains a usable working lens, even when compared
with modern offerings in the Nikkor lenses lineup. Furthermore,
although it has retain its value in the used market, it
still remains a bargain.
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With the
28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF Zoom Nikkor on macro mode,
at 48mm, f/5.6,
1/125 sec on a Nikon D700
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images shown in this page were made on a
Camera:
Nikon D700,
Metering: Matrix
Color space:
sRGB
Picture Control: Standard.
They
are full frame resizings and have
no post processing. I could have "pumped-up" the ISO
for handholding but I used "reasonable" shutter speeds
even if
not ideal, on purpose,
to simulate
average performance in the hands of the average
amateur. Shooting from a good tripod always create further
improvements in sharpness.
No
contrast or color enhancement, and no sharpening was
applied either; no nothing, except resizing.
Clicking
on each image you may see enlargements.
This
image at right is of a wind chime in our backyard,
moving under the breeze. Shot @ 105mm, f/5, 1/100 sec, ISO 200
On
all corners you may notice a slight light fall-off.
Such
light fall-off disappears at f/8.
The
sharpness is nevertheless remarkable |
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| I
tried to make all images in the shade, so no additional
contrast was introduced with strong sunlight.
This
stone statue was made @ 28mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 100
I
cannot see any light fall-off and the sharpness is darn good.
Obviously
you cannot expect the same IQ than
on a modern fast zoom, which costs 7 to 8 times more. But
the
differences are nothing that cannot be matched with a good
sharpening plug-in like FocusMagic if you are not doing huge
enlargements.
This
lens will not autofocus on the consumer DX camera bodies
that have no integrated AF engine in the body. Although
that
is why I recuperated this lens from my daughter, it is
unfortunate even if understandable given the affordability
of such cameras. |
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| One
characteristic of this lens -which I missed to emphasize
on the first review (previous pages)- is how splendid
it is at its macro setting (from 50 to 105mm) in terms of detail
rendition.
The
close-up of the 10 1/2" hand painted plate at right
was made with the camera's built-in flash up; the lens
@ f/5.6,
1/60
sec,
ISO 1600
(only because
at
first
I
was not planning to use the flash).
In
the enlargement you can see the brush strokes in the
protective mate lacqer top layer. |
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When
shooting with the lens stopped down the results are
much more remarkable and pleasantly surprising for a
lens that
can be bought for $200 or less. When it was new I
paid $325 for it, brand new, almost 10 years ago.
This
image was made under macro setting @ 48mm, f/14, 1/800
sec and left the ISO at 1600 to compensate for the lack
of tripod.
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In
summary, this lens remains a recommended
purchase by many Nikonians around the globe, including me.
I am glad we still have ours at home.
Today
it is a workable solution for an all-around DX and
FX lens, just as it was for 35mm film, from macro close-ups
to
landscapes
to portraits, and a most welcome one when
under
a tight budget.
Have
a great time  |
