Nikon Nikkor AI-S 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
The Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro is a 28–85mm f/3.5 lens designed for Nikon F mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor AI-S 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
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Lens Overview — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
Key Features — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
28-85mm Zoom Range: Covers wide-angle to short-telephoto in a single lens, useful for travel, portraiture, and general photography without swapping lenses.
Macro Capability: Built-in macro function allows closer-than-typical focusing distances, enabling detailed close-up photography within the zoom range.
AI-S Nikon F Mount: AI-S coupling provides full aperture indexing compatibility with Nikon F-mount bodies that support the AI-S interface, including many film and digital SLRs.
f/3.5–4.5 Variable Aperture: Opens to f/3.5 at the wide end and f/4.5 at the telephoto end, providing reasonable light gathering for a zoom lens of this era and focal range.
Full-Frame Coverage: Projects an image circle large enough for full-frame sensors and film bodies, while also mounting on crop-sensor Nikon F-mount cameras.
Manual Focus Only: Entirely manual focus operation with no autofocus mechanism, suited to deliberate, considered shooting styles and manual-focus workflows.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Travel |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 28–85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 62mm |
Description — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
The Nikon Nikkor AI-S 28-85mm zoom lens covers the standard focal length range on a full-frame sensor, offering a versatile spread from wide-angle to short telephoto in a single manual focus package. Built around the Nikon F mount, it slots into the AI-S lens family, making it compatible with Nikon F-mount cameras that support this interface. The maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the wide end transitions to f/4.5 at 85mm, providing a variable aperture characteristic typical of zoom lenses in this class.
Focus is manual only — there is no autofocus — so this lens rewards photographers who are comfortable with precise manual focus control. The front element accepts 62mm filters, a common thread size that integrates well with many existing filter systems. At 600g, the lens has a substantial build.
Image stabilization is not present, so a steady hand or support system is advisable when working at longer focal lengths or in lower light conditions.
Pros — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
- ✓Wide focal length range of 28mm to 85mm covers standard zoom territory on a full-frame sensor
- ✓Full-frame coverage means it works across the breadth of Nikon F-mount bodies
- ✓f/3.5 maximum aperture at the wide end offers reasonable light-gathering at 28mm
Cons — Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
- ✗Fully manual focus only — no autofocus support for any body
- ✗Variable maximum aperture stops down to f/4.5 at 85mm, limiting light at the telephoto end
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring careful handholding technique especially at longer focal lengths