My favorite focal length for portraits is 400mm 2.8. Nothing looks the same, nothing not even the 200mm f2 especially for full body shots. It's magic, but you may sometime needs a walkie talkie for your model lol!
28mm isn't odd. It's Leica's "preferred" street focal length. The 28mm 1.4E is sharp wide open. The 35mm/24mm 1.4G just aren't. Personally I think the 28mm 1.4E is better than the $7,500 Leica Summilux 28mm 1.4 ASPH. Way better.
i have the 24 and 28 f1.4, they are equally sharp at 1.4. Tthe contrast may be a fraction better on the 28 wide open, but there is no difference in sharpness. I dont have the 35 so can't comment about that. I prefer 28mm focal length to 35 anyway. But overall i prefer the 24 to each of the 20 (I have the f1.8), 28, and 35 focal lengths. Therefor in my opinion the best is the 24 mm, but each to their own. There's also the Zeiss Distagon 1.4 at 35mm if you dont mind trying to manual focus a paper thin depth of field. Best optics of all the wide fast primes But its too inconsistent for fast shooting without focus peaking for my taste.
@@dude157 If you shoot over 12mp, there's a huge difference in sharpness. Not stating what camera you're using is disingenuous. On the D850, it's not only glaringly obvious, but it demonstrates that Nikon never intended these lenses to be used much above the D700 level. They should've been updated a long time ago.
I can't wait for the day to have the 28 and new 105. These two focal lengths are underrated and versatile. I find 35 a little boring and 24 too wide. I find the 135 compresses too much and 85 doesn't compress enough. I have a lot of vintage Nikkor lenses both AF and MF. Now I want to upgrade from my D700 to a D850 and want to make the most of the sensor. Having said that the 135DC has been my favorite portrait lense but it's suffered from fungus from living in Asia :(
I do birds portraits so I have the big guns, but love human portraits since forever and for that I have a 200 f/2 and a 24-120 f/4.So I was looking at this 28mm for casual shooting, motorcycles, trails, uncle Bob weddings, etc.Now go and get a load of Cuban Music,
Thanks for the review Ben, very helpful. As a matter of interest did you consider a Sigma 24mm 1.4 and if you think this might accomplish a similar result for half the price?
+Garry Murphy - it certainly was something I was looking at! I was deciding between that lens, the nikkor 24 1.4, and of course the 28mm 1.4. I’ve heard the sigma is incredibly sharp (if it’s anything like my 50 1.4 art I wouldn’t be surprised). If you need a little bang for your buck, go with the sigma 24mm. A friend of mine has it and loves it. Also, I believe sigma is working on their own 28mm 1.4 so if you’re wanting that focal length, maybe wait and check that lens out!
Please help: I am looking to do some street portraiture mostly (on an FX body that is), I use my 50 and 85 but would like to try some wider shots... Would I be better off with the 28 1.8g, the 35 1.8g FX (which I've heard is bad for the price but that is a better focal length than 28 I would think?) Or even the 35mm 1.8 dx (and just correct the vignette and crop in a bit) Thank you to anyone that can help me!
I would highly recommend renting them both and giving them a try! I have to say, I really enjoy 28mm over 35mm (I’ve owned both). To me, oddly, it seems a little more natural than the 35mm.
KRNG Moab i always thought the 28mm was the closest to that of human eye angle of view. If you believe it’s a 50mm then you must have advanced glaucoma with failing field of view ( peripheral).
The easiest way to figure this out is to buy two cheap vintage Nikon lenses in both focal lengths and see which one you use the most. The worst that can happen is that you have two good lenses as cheap backups. The Af-d lenses are all really good if you have an focus motor in-body camera. I honestly prefer using Af-d lenses because I also use manual Nikons. The lenses are stupid cheap.
Hi Francesco, unless you need the versatility of the 24-70, I would highly recommended getting this lens. More light, crazy sharp, relatively light, and amazing micro contrast and color rendition.
@@Belingle I have decided to get the 24-70 VR (first), because of its versatility. I love Primes and until now I have only worked with primes, too. I have the 20mm and 135mm, but after I have graduated in Photography and my business is becoming more professional and the deadlines of the clients, really close to eacht other, the 24-70 is perfect for everything in between my 20mm/135mm combo and balancing out my workflow, since I am also doing wedding and reportage work it is coming handy to get the versatility of the Zoomrange and VR. But I hope that I will be able to add the 28mm 1.4 and 105mm 1.4 with their incredible performance to my lens lineup! Thanks for your opinion nevertheless!
Hi! What you think about lanscape photography with this lens? I have 20 mm 1.8g, but it too much wide for me. First i think about 24-70 2.8 like universal lens, but now after riviews my be 28 mm will be better? Thanks!
This lens would be great for landscapes, but for many landscape photographers they may want wider. I would rent the lenses you’re thinking about and play around with them for a few weeks to see what you prefer!
New Nikon e lenses have a lot of vignetting I’ve noticed. Very bad on my 70-200 f/2.8 e fl vr . 28 mm is a favorite focal lenght of mine for storytelling portraits.
I don't understand this "issue" the camera's have an in camera fix with Low, Normal, High, etc. Also software easily removes this. I personally like vignetting on my telephoto's but still have my Vignetting Control set to low.
What's your favorite focal length for portraits? Btw, I messed up on my graphic and the livestream does indeed start at 8:30PM CST and not 8PM CST.
My favorite focal length for portraits is 400mm 2.8. Nothing looks the same, nothing not even the 200mm f2 especially for full body shots. It's magic, but you may sometime needs a walkie talkie for your model lol!
Wow! The detail of the cats eyes at 1:1! That's near macro level of detail.
28mm isn't odd. It's Leica's "preferred" street focal length.
The 28mm 1.4E is sharp wide open. The 35mm/24mm 1.4G just aren't.
Personally I think the 28mm 1.4E is better than the $7,500 Leica Summilux 28mm 1.4 ASPH. Way better.
Leica stopped being the 35mm photographer standard as early as the 60's for a reason.
i have the 24 and 28 f1.4, they are equally sharp at 1.4. Tthe contrast may be a fraction better on the 28 wide open, but there is no difference in sharpness. I dont have the 35 so can't comment about that. I prefer 28mm focal length to 35 anyway. But overall i prefer the 24 to each of the 20 (I have the f1.8), 28, and 35 focal lengths. Therefor in my opinion the best is the 24 mm, but each to their own. There's also the Zeiss Distagon 1.4 at 35mm if you dont mind trying to manual focus a paper thin depth of field. Best optics of all the wide fast primes But its too inconsistent for fast shooting without focus peaking for my taste.
@@dude157 If you shoot over 12mp, there's a huge difference in sharpness. Not stating what camera you're using is disingenuous. On the D850, it's not only glaringly obvious, but it demonstrates that Nikon never intended these lenses to be used much above the D700 level. They should've been updated a long time ago.
@@Tap-a-roocan you clarify? Are you saying this lens- the 28mm 1.4- is actually not going to perform well on the d850?
@@jm31828 The 28mm 1.4E is fine. It’s the 24mm/35mm 1.4G that suffers horribly above 36MP
I can't wait for the day to have the 28 and new 105. These two focal lengths are underrated and versatile. I find 35 a little boring and 24 too wide. I find the 135 compresses too much and 85 doesn't compress enough. I have a lot of vintage Nikkor lenses both AF and MF. Now I want to upgrade from my D700 to a D850 and want to make the most of the sensor. Having said that the 135DC has been my favorite portrait lense but it's suffered from fungus from living in Asia :(
Nice review! How does this lens perform on the Z6 with adapter?
Thanks Steve! It works flawlessly! I was surprised by its performance with the adaptor!
i have the 105mm using FTZ adapter and i love it
@Lloyd Rivera no, it turns into toaster
I like my 28mm. It is the Nikon ais f2.8. Sharp. Manual. Twenty eight isn't for every day, but on the days that I carry it I enjoy it.
I do birds portraits so I have the big guns, but love human portraits since forever and for that I have a 200 f/2 and a 24-120 f/4.So I was looking at this 28mm for casual shooting, motorcycles, trails, uncle Bob weddings, etc.Now go and get a load of Cuban Music,
Just bought this lens, thanks to your video. Very informative! One criticism would be to have more sample images in your video, otherwise great work!
Wow! That’s great Jay. Hope you like the lens! Also, thanks for your input! I’ll definitely try to fit more sample images in the future! ;)
Thanks for the review Ben, very helpful. As a matter of interest did you consider a Sigma 24mm 1.4 and if you think this might accomplish a similar result for half the price?
+Garry Murphy - it certainly was something I was looking at! I was deciding between that lens, the nikkor 24 1.4, and of course the 28mm 1.4. I’ve heard the sigma is incredibly sharp (if it’s anything like my 50 1.4 art I wouldn’t be surprised). If you need a little bang for your buck, go with the sigma 24mm. A friend of mine has it and loves it. Also, I believe sigma is working on their own 28mm 1.4 so if you’re wanting that focal length, maybe wait and check that lens out!
Thanks Ben, I’m glad to hear that. I’m. Really enjoying your videos and look forward to seeing your z6 review. Keep up the good work 👍👍
Thanks for your support!!
Please help: I am looking to do some street portraiture mostly (on an FX body that is), I use my 50 and 85 but would like to try some wider shots... Would I be better off with the 28 1.8g, the 35 1.8g FX (which I've heard is bad for the price but that is a better focal length than 28 I would think?) Or even the 35mm 1.8 dx (and just correct the vignette and crop in a bit)
Thank you to anyone that can help me!
I would highly recommend renting them both and giving them a try! I have to say, I really enjoy 28mm over 35mm (I’ve owned both). To me, oddly, it seems a little more natural than the 35mm.
KRNG Moab i always thought the 28mm was the closest to that of human eye angle of view. If you believe it’s a 50mm then you must have advanced glaucoma with failing field of view ( peripheral).
The easiest way to figure this out is to buy two cheap vintage Nikon lenses in both focal lengths and see which one you use the most. The worst that can happen is that you have two good lenses as cheap backups. The Af-d lenses are all really good if you have an focus motor in-body camera. I honestly prefer using Af-d lenses because I also use manual Nikons. The lenses are stupid cheap.
Hey dude is it better than the 85 1.4 for portrait/street photography and landscapes ?
85 is so much used focal length i have it and love it specially for street photography.
@@PunjabiGymBeats what is the sharpest 1.4 prime ?
@@maurenhanachi4902 sigma 50 1.4 art is very very sharp, nikon 105 1.4 is also very sharp,
@@PunjabiGymBeats thanks bro 💪💪
85mm is one of the best portrait lenses on the planet. I like the uniqueness of 28mm for portraits tho.
I am considering to buy this or the 24-70mm VR, how would you compare the two? I am a professional photographer.
Hi Francesco, unless you need the versatility of the 24-70, I would highly recommended getting this lens. More light, crazy sharp, relatively light, and amazing micro contrast and color rendition.
@@Belingle I have decided to get the 24-70 VR (first), because of its versatility. I love Primes and until now I have only worked with primes, too. I have the 20mm and 135mm, but after I have graduated in Photography and my business is becoming more professional and the deadlines of the clients, really close to eacht other, the 24-70 is perfect for everything in between my 20mm/135mm combo and balancing out my workflow, since I am also doing wedding and reportage work it is coming handy to get the versatility of the Zoomrange and VR. But I hope that I will be able to add the 28mm 1.4 and 105mm 1.4 with their incredible performance to my lens lineup!
Thanks for your opinion nevertheless!
Great! I have both the 24-70 (Z 2.8) and the 28! They’re both great and totally different beasts! I would love to add the 105 to my kit as well.
great review, thanks
Good video dude
I have it it really good, but at f2 it really shines!😉
28 is best street and contextual environment lens.
People talking about contrast too much and apply crappy low contrast filter in postprocess...
I’ve been loving the Tamron 45 1.8
I’ve heard that’s a great lens! I’ve been wanting to try it out!
Hi! What you think about lanscape photography with this lens? I have 20 mm 1.8g, but it too much wide for me. First i think about 24-70 2.8 like universal lens, but now after riviews my be 28 mm will be better? Thanks!
This lens would be great for landscapes, but for many landscape photographers they may want wider. I would rent the lenses you’re thinking about and play around with them for a few weeks to see what you prefer!
New Nikon e lenses have a lot of vignetting I’ve noticed. Very bad on my 70-200 f/2.8 e fl vr .
28 mm is a favorite focal lenght of mine for storytelling portraits.
I don't understand this "issue" the camera's have an in camera fix with Low, Normal, High, etc. Also software easily removes this. I personally like vignetting on my telephoto's but still have my Vignetting Control set to low.
You said you like that punch straight out of the camera but you processed example pictures show the opposite. Before and afters.😊