Adam Trahan: Nikon Series E 28mm f2.8 AI-S

Nikon Series E

28mm f2.8 AI-S
s/n: 2059305

I bought my copy because I’ve read (in the links below) that the Nikon Series E 28mm f2.8 is a bad lens.

Why would I use a bad lens?

Because there are a lot of photographers taking great pictures with it.

Besides that, I want a utility 28mm lens.

The Series E is the lens I choose for my second EDC (every day camera.) I have a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 mounted to my other FG. I have two of the same camera body so I have uniformity in choices. One FG is shiny and the other is black, 28mm on the shiny, 50mm on the black. B&W film loaded in one, color reversal in the other. A camera for a friend on an outing or a second camera with a chosen lens on the other. Yin and yang, brother and sister or choices. Both camera and lenses make up my everyday cameras. Not to mention winders or a motor drive.

There is a lot more to the choices for my kit…

But this isn’t about my choices, this is about the lens.

My copy of the Series E 28mm f2.8 arrived today. Upon close inspection, the lens does not have the usual overall quality of the Nikkor 28mm f2.8 AI, it has a plastic feel in comparison. There is a slot that exposes the inner barrel to show the focal distances, as seen below, definitely not optimal. But I like the idea of this particular line of lens, it looks nice and I’m excited to take pictures with it.

I am sure it’s going to hold up to where I set it down every day and the ergonomics of how I’ll use it.

Using a camera like the FG with a Series E just makes sense to me, searching around online, it makes sense to others as well. My F3 and my other camera, the FE2 are my favorites and they are in great shape. I’ve taken great care in finding each one, cleaning them meticulously, taking them to Nikon certified technicians to have them looked at and placed back into spec. I enjoy shooting these two cameras during my travels and on purposeful photography targets. I choose to use the F3 and FE2 with premium film and lenses.

The FG’s and Series E go with me everywhere. I choose them for their utility. The Series E are easy to maintain and contain all the quality in a lens, the optical spec that I need. If I drop one? Bummer, but these lenses are replaceable. The are relatively inexpensive and built to take abuse. I would go so far that I would say expendable however, I carry this configuration without fear of losing it due to theft or damage while the camera and optics are at a minimum, every day quality.