I've been trying for several months to get a Nikkor 28-105 3.5-4.5D IF zoom. Neither B&H or Cameraworld have had any USA warranted ones for a long time. B&H finally got some gray market lenses and I tried one with poor results. It was a bad sample which I returned. Guess I have learned my lesson with gray market and won't do that again.

In the meantime neither dealer has any USA lenses and the worst part is they don't seem to know or won't say when there might be some available. Evidently Nikon keeps its dealers completely in the dark about product availability.

I am beginning to wonder if there is a quality problem with this lens that Nikon doesn't want to talk about. Does anyone know the story on this lens?

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-- Arnold Theisen (macjet@eoni.com), February 04, 2000

Answers

I do not know any bad stories about this lens. People seem to be generally happy with it, as far as I can tell from postings on the web and from people I know personnally. The only thing that comes to my mind is a question about slight vignetting at 28mm when using a filter, although it is not clear whether the filters were to blame for it (too thick rim).

-- Tomas Roztocil (rozto@itsa.ucsf.edu), February 04, 2000.

I own this lens. It is excellent and definitely worth the wait! I used to own the Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 AF-D, but I did not like the narrow zooming range. When I bought the 28-105, I compared pictures taken with it versus the 35-70. I was pleasantly surprised to find that pictures taken with the 28-105 appeared to be just as sharp, colorful and contrasty as those taken with the 35-70. The only problem I have with the 28-105 is that the viewfinder gets rather dark at the 105 focal length.

I don't know of any problems with this lens. Nikon does include a warning that says:

"At a telephoto setting, slight vignetting may occur when shooting subjects with the macro switch set to MACRO (at a reproduction ratio of approx. 1:2), particularly when using a filter." (C) Nikon Corporation

I think the reason for the shortage is that the lens is in very high demand. Every review of this lens that I have read has been very positive. Good luck in your search.

-- Miles Smith (miles.t.smith@erols.com), February 04, 2000.

Bought one, tested it, very satisfied. For a "consumer zoom" the shots I've taken with it have been fairly sharp. The 1:2 macro ability is very handy. Unlike the 35-70 F/2.8 I use, the 28-105 will easily auto focus in the macro range. This is a very handy lens for PJ work, travel and "event" photography. It is a plastic bodied lens with the same build quality as the other Nikkor zooms of similar construction.

-- Paul Staton (pstaton@houston.rr.com), February 04, 2000.

I had the same problem, but found one at Samy's around October. Cannot say if they are still in stock, but I have often found Samy's to have Nikon gear when B&H and Cameraworld are out. Prices on most bodies and lenses are about the same as Cameraworld (i.e., a bit higher than B&H), but I have found Samy's to be much more reliable than Cameraworld on product availability, customer service, and overall customer satisfaction. Their webiste is www.samys.com

-- Rick R (rwreev@concentric.net), February 05, 2000.

Hi Arnold,

It's a very nice lens. Great for hiking, travelling. There is severe vignetting at maximum magnification (1:2) if you use a filter, just don't use a filter. I own one myself and never had a problem with. Shortly, I'd say it's good at everything but the best at nothing (Of course, a few prime and a true macro would be better). As for availability, there are plenty of them in Canada.

-- Erick Lamontagne (meteo.ygp@globetrotter.net), February 05, 2000.

Use of (thinner) Nikon filters solves the vignetting problem. However, vignetting at macro settings remains a problem. This lens is a great performer given its zooming range. Excellent price versus quality. Close to the ideal travel zoom.

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be), February 07, 2000.

Thanks everyone for the helpful input. Looks like the lens is OK, so I'll just have to wait until it's available. Did some research on Samy's at Rick's suggestion and discovered they are highly recommended by many people, so I called them this morning. They have 80 of the 28-105's on backorder now. Evidently Canada is enjoying favorable nation status for this lens if there are plenty up there as Erick says. Unfortunately I would have to go grey market to get one of them and I've discovered that Nikon won't touch grey market products in the U.S. even if you are willing to pay the cost of repair. Guess I'll just get really familiar with my Nikkor 60 2.8 AF D Micro in the meantime. Anyway, the pros recommend spending some time with a normal lens before branching out into more exotic stuff. I've spent 15 years with my old Canon 50 1.4 FD so I can understand the wisdom of that. Probably took 80% of my photos with that marvelous old lens even though I have a stable full of other Canons.

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-- Arnold Theisen (macjet@eoni.com), February 07, 2000.

Arnold: I was at my local camera shop this past week and they had several Nikon 28-105's in stock. Contact the owner (Allen) and tell him I recommended his shop. ALLEN'S CAMERA AND VIDEO 4401 NEW FALLS ROAD LEVITTOWN,PA 19056

PHONE: 215-547-2841

P.S. He's a good guy to deal with and good prices.

Regards, Mike Bortulin

-- Michael J. Bortulin (k3boy@worldlynx.net), February 07, 2000.