Nikon PC NIKKOR 28mm F3.5 Lens Review - Unfit for Purpose?

[@ivo919]

Thanks you very much for that very well made review! I immediately decided to order a copy for my GFX 100S. The prices seem now lower, I got mine for $199.

[@mohammadvarzideh780]

Really perfect and informative review . With this video, all aspects of this lens were reviewed and there will be no need to see any other reviews. I ordered a sample of this lens today and with this review I know all aspects of it.

[@sancakac]

Thank you for this review, this is really helpful understanding the character of this lens. Especially for who looks for some perspective control lenses. Waiting for upcoming another perspective control video. Thank you so much!

[@EuricoDzivane]

Best and a more complete review of this lens so far!

[@da8ar]

Wonderful review, best I've seen on this lens. I have the lens and agree with all your considerations. At f/11 this is an exceptional lens for perspective applications that do not require the straight lines needed for architecture reproduction. You nailed the main application of this lens, at least for me: street photography, and artistic purposes that emphasize its flaws (including the very nice flare).

[@MykeBatez]

Such a great video. Cheers!

[@Rentwithruben]

Lovely review. Thank you.

[@durlacher3524]

Many thanks, greatly appreciate your feedback. More videos coming.

[@jormahevonkoski2613]

This is a great test and gives food for thought. I have been considering getting this 28 PC for landscape photography. I shoot a lot of panoramas with PC 35mm, but it's often too cramped and I'd like a little space at the top and bottom. Distortions are hardly a problem in anything other than a seascape where the horizon becomes wavy. This rippling can also easily occur with 35mm PC when the horizon is moved. This can be corrected with the PTGui panorama program. We don't have any straight trees or high buildings in the north, so distortion shouldn't be a problem. The main thing is that it is f16 sharp from the entire shift area

[@marcdeckard7064]

Quite authoritative and polished.

[@williamcurwen7428]

I have two identical copies of the companion 35mm version made around the same time in the same Nikon factory in Japan. They are superb with a similar specification, including the said barrel distortion. I use them with very deep, very large lens-hoods, and thus able to control flare well enough to not be a problem. For landscape work I find them perfect. Used intelligently, they have an image quality that looks ‘etched’. I use them on an a Fuji X with a focal reducer, a Lightphase back with a Cambo body and Schneider shutter, and a Canon 5D adapted for IR work. These early Nikon shift lenses have great build quality, and for me they are keepers.

[@durlacher3524]

Hi William, Many thanks for your message. I have to concede your usage applications exceeds my skill level! Point noted on the deeper lens hood, I’ll look into this as an option. Also grateful for your confirmation on the distortion - I was somewhat nervous about making statements pertaining to a series of lenses based on tests of just one copy, however confirmed now from many sources that the complex distortion is an inherent design characteristic. As noted, it is a beautifully made lens - albeit with some limitations. However, if you know and work within these it renders beautiful images. From a tactile perspective, it’s one of my favourite lenses. I’ve bought and sold numerous modern lenses over the years, but agree with you on this one - it’s a keeper!

[@mostlyboring]

Which lens hood do you use for the 35 PC lens?

[@williamcurwen7428]

@@mostlyboring I use a homemade lens shade made out of stepping rings, and a 72mm wide angle lens hood off eBay.

[@williamcurwen7428]

@@rainsong9 No need. It’s just a very good, very well made Nikon lens that does what it was made for.

[@HarmFlo]

Great in-depth review. Have you tried the 35mm f2.8 version?

[@durlacher3524]

Many thanks for your message, the 35mm PC is on hand awaiting it’s turn for review. Expectations are low, stay tuned for an update. Of interest I’m currently testing a Nikon AI lens that as adapted provides a 28mm-49mm zoom range with PC functionality. A little bulky but performance is thus far impressive.

[@CojaPawa]

Wow I’m curious about this zoom lens, but cannot find info on this one. Do you mind giving the specs?

[@durlacher3524]

Brilliant, thank you so much for your reply. I was concerned my review may have been inconsistent with other users experience. Although seeing photos online the distortion was apparent in most cases. Grateful for your confirmation. Very much in agreement, 28mm shift is the ultimate street photography lens for my requirements. Very difficult to go back to primes.

[@kilobitti]

Thank you for your review, full of useful information! One note though; sometimes it was hard for me to follow this review, as there was so much information available to me. At times I was trying to make sense of a slide, trying to work out how what it represents, while at the same time there’s a technical verbal explanation which isn’t directly commenting the slide, but actually discussing something remotely related to it. While it is important to provide enough information to maintain the viewers attention, according to research humans’ multitasking skills are notoriously bad. When put into a multitasking position, they’re receiving on only channel, and you can’t choose which one 😂 Keep it up!

[@creepyoldhouseexplorersclub]

Great lens ❤️

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for a great review. Years ago, I purchased the Nikkor 28mm f/4 perspective control lens to use when I did not want to use the rise/fall/shift features of my large format camera. However, I was shocked and disappointed by its poor image quality.

[@EElgar1857]

I've had the 35mm 2.8 P.C. for 50 years (!), and have used it a lot, but I don't think it's a great lens. I used it on a Nikon FTn, an F3, and now adapted to a Sony a7R III. I have the feeling that Nikon didn't try very hard to make these as good as possible, but just wanted to have something in their line-up that few other companies had at the time.