Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor Non-AI Lens
The Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI is a lens from Nikon. Used copies start from $249.99 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor Non-AI Lens
Used Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
Key Features — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
28mm Perspective Control: Shift mechanism allows photographers to correct converging verticals and manage spatial distortion without moving the camera, a capability previously limited to large format view cameras.
Nikon F Mount: Physically compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount film and digital bodies, though metering functionality depends on the specific camera used.
Non-AI Designation: Pre-AI coupling means this lens predates Nikon's 1977 metering update, requiring stop-down metering or use with cameras and adapters that accommodate Non-AI optics.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation gives the photographer precise, deliberate control — particularly useful for architecture and still subjects where shift work is common.
1960s Vintage Construction: Manufactured during a foundational era of SLR lens design, this lens carries historical significance and is considered collectible among Nikon enthusiasts.
Wide-Angle 35mm Coverage: Covers the full 35mm film format at 28mm, providing a moderately wide field of view well suited to architectural and interior photography.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Architecture, Landscape, Product, Creative Effects |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Description — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
The Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor Non-AI is a vintage Nikon F mount lens manufactured between 1960 and 1969, designed for 35mm film format SLR cameras. As a manual focus lens, it requires the photographer to focus by hand, offering deliberate, tactile control over every shot. Weighing 600g, it carries the solid heft associated with professional Nikon construction of its era.
The Non-AI designation places this lens in Nikon's pre-AI coupling history, which is an important consideration when pairing it with any camera body. For collectors and working photographers alike, this lens represents a distinct chapter in the development of the Nikon F-mount system. Its compatibility falls under Wide-Angle and Manual Focus lens categories per the specifications.
Whether acquired for use on a film SLR or as a collectible piece of photographic history, this PC-Nikkor offers a tangible link to Nikon's 1960s optical engineering.
Pros — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
- ✓Nikon F mount provides broad physical compatibility with Nikon F-mount camera bodies
- ✓Designed for 35mm film format SLR use, confirmed by vintageType and filmFormat specs
- ✓Manual focus operation gives the photographer complete control over focus placement
Cons — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
- ✗Non-AI designation means no electronic or mechanical metering coupling with most modern Nikon bodies
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability whatsoever
- ✗Age of manufacture (1960–1969) means lens condition varies significantly between individual copies
Videos — Nikon 28mm f/3.5 Non-AI
Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 — Brian's Photo Show