On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 17:49:26 -0500, "Bob Fowler" wrote:

>"Kevin Neilson" wrote in message
>news:yarK9.139246$pN3.9631@sccrnsc03...
>> The 28 f2.8 AIS is sweet. Definitely don't get the f3.5.
>> -Kevin
>>
>
>I'm jumping in a little late here, but...
>
>The 28mm f/2.8 AIS is THE Nikkor 28 to have - if you're only having one.
>
>Having said that... The older 28mm f/3.5 Nikkor H C (pre-ai) is a good lens,
>but has one fatal flaw, you must use a thin ring type polarizer or you'll
>lose the corners to the lens hood. This lens is VERY good when used
>reversed on a bellows or extension tubes which is about the only reason I
>still have one, though it doesn't spend much time in my "working" bag.
>
>The 28mm f/2.8 AI is a good design, but doesn't have the CRC of the AIS. To
>be honest, I really don't see much difference in day to day shooting between
>the AI and the AIS lenses, but I'm seldom shooting things where the slight
>barrel distortion that almost all Nikkor wide angle lenses have is an issue.
>The AIS does focus closer than the AI and is an 8 element design vs a 7
>element design.

I assume, from the above, that you do not print, or
do not care about good edge/corner sharpness...;-)
The original-design 28mm f3.5, the 28mm AI, the 28mm
f2.8 E all generally have poor edge/corner sharpness
unless well stopped down (and even then, it could be
marginal); the 28mm f2.8 AIS, 28mm f3.5 later-design,
and the two PC 28mms are all good at least across
the frame and almost to the corners wide-open (the "D"
and the 28mm f2 and f1.4 are "inbetweeners", good
stopped down some [with the f2 being exceptionally good
by f5.6...]). See: www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/slemn.html,
with several samples of most checked...