Looking for a compact, characterful wide-angle lens with solid build and vintage rendering? The Nikon NIKKOR‑H Auto 28mm F3.5 delivers just that. In this review, we dive into its features, handling, optical performance, and share sample photos to help you decide if it’s right for your kit.
🔍 Quick Overview & Specifications
- Lens: Nikon NIKKOR‑H Auto 28mm f/3.5 (pre‑AI)
- Mount: Nikon F; compatible with AI and mirrorless via adapter
- Optical Design: 6 elements in 6 groups; 5‑blade diaphragm
- Minimum Focus Distance: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
- Filter Size: 52 mm
- Weight: ~215 g (all-metal barrel)
- Production Years: 1959–1975; one of Nikon’s early retrofocus designs
🛠️ Build Quality & Handling
The all-metal construction provides a sturdy yet compact feel. Focus travel is smooth and precise, with approximately 150° of rotation for easy manual focus accuracy. On mirrorless cameras, the lens remains well-balanced and feels comfortable in hand.
📷 Optical Performance & Image Characteristics
Center sharpness is impressive from wide open, and peaks around f/5.6. As with many vintage lenses, corners remain soft unless stopped down to f/11. Vignetting is noticeable at f/3.5 (≈2 stops), but improves by f/5.6. Barrel distortion is mild (~0.2%), easily corrected in post.
Chromatic aberration is minimal and flare is well-controlled—resulting in crisp images with a classic rendering style. The retrofocus design gives images a warm, slightly vintage signature.
📸 Sample Photos
Captured with the lens on a Sony α7 via F-to-E adapter:
👍 Pros & ⚠️ Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact, lightweight all-metal build | Corner softness until f/11 |
| Well-controlled distortion and flare | Slow f/3.5—less ideal for low-light |
| Strong center sharpness | Manual focus only |
| Budget-friendly vintage option | 5‑blade diaphragm gives busy bokeh |
🎯 Who Should Buy?
Ideal for photographers who:
- Prefer compact vintage wide-angle primes
- Shoot travel, street, or IR photography
- Use manual focus on mirrorless systems
- Want an affordable entry into Nikon legacy glass
🔧 Usage Tips & Compatibility
- Use an F-to-E adapter or early Nikon DSLR with no AI conversion needed
- Stop down to f/8–11 for corner sharpness and full-frame use
- Apply lens hood or shading to enhance contrast in bright scenes
- Infrared shooters will avoid “hot spots”—a common issue with later designs
🔚 Final Thoughts
The NIKKOR‑H 28mm f/3.5 is a sturdy, character-filled vintage lens that remains compact and appealing. While corners soften unless stopped down, the lens’s charm lies in its simplicity, build, and rendering. For travel, street, and classic photography on a budget, this lens is a solid pick.
