The 28mm f1.4D AF Nikkor lens has become a favorite lens of many photojournalists. It's not difficult to see why. Judging from the reports of and images taken with this lens, it may be the best fast wide angle 35mm lens available now in the market. True, it may be Nikon's most expensive autofocus wide angle lens, but you get what you pay for with regards to lens construction and performance. Its performance is truly stellar, with excellent contrast and resolution from f1.4 onwards. It would be difficult for me to say that the 28mm f2 ASPH Summicron lens made by Leica for its Leica M series rangefinder cameras is as fine a performer as the 28mm f1.4D Nikkor. Would the average amateur user of a Nikon autofocus 35mm SLR system need this lens? Probably not. But without a doubt, it is quite handy in low light situations. If I owned a Nikon autofocus 35mm SLR, I wouldn't hesitate adding the 28mm f1.4D AF Nikkor to my kit.

People are taken aback at the price of this lens (I got a 99% new one used for about 60% of list) but it's performance is utterly amazing. Usually "fast" lenses are touted as F2.8, but this is two whole stops faster. You can't beat a wider angle lens that lets you shoot in low light conditions or when a flash is inappropriate or doesn't allow you to achieve the effects you want. Indoor photos in a house, under daylight diffused through windows, are very possible. Four stars out of five (it IS expensive!).

This lens is constantly talked about online as being the best wide-angle lens, etc. etc. The only reason is due to it's rarity by Nikon standards and the fact they haven't bothered to release a decent moderately wide prime in years, nor do I believe they will. The days of primes are over for Nikon, it's fairly obvious (with the exception of some telephotos). If you don't believe me, try using your 20mm f2.8d or 24mm f2.8d on your digital Nikon and see how crappy they perform....very high CAs and massive light falloff on the 20mm. This is not the sharpest lens nor the cheapest, by a long shot, and while being able to shoot at f1.4 is kind of attractive for people who are bokeh fetishists (read: photography noobs fascinated by the idea they can make those little round circles of light so easily). In fact, if you attempt to buy it you will be lucky to find a price of less than $3500. It IS NOT worth that price. Especially with the Nikon D3's low light ability, where seemingly "slow" lenses become night shot masterpieces. You would be better off using a D3 and a slightly slower (possibly sharper in the corners) lens. I hate to say it, but a quick look through Canon's lenses and they offer both a 24mm F1.4 and 35mm f1.4 for quite a bit less money, and brand new, not a used lens.