The Nikkon Nikkor-H.C Auto 28mm is a lens i bought because i wanted to get a set of primes in the Non-AI Nikkor line after i had bought the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4. I lucked out buying this lens from a seller who was only selling this lens and that was it. The gent was not runing an Ebay camera store so i got a good deal on it and paid $45 with shipping and tax. You are typically paying anywhere from $60 -$100 USD plus shipping for this lens at the time of writing this post. When i got this lens and opened up the sealed package i was very impressed by how big and shinny the glass was. This was the first vintage lens that left me impressed with how the front glass looked. It is big and dark for its size. To test this lens I used my Sony A7C II with a Fotasy F Mount to E Mount Adapter.
Technical Specifications:
- Focal Length: 28mm (42mm on APS-C with a 1.5x crop factor)
- Focusing Distance: Ranges from 0.3m to infinity.
- Aperture: F/3.5-f/22
- Lens Construction: Metal
- Weight: 221g
- Filter Thread Size: 52mm
- Year Built: Launch year for this model was in 1959. Unsure of my specific copy as it came with no box just lens caps.
Build Quality:
- This lens features an all metal barrel. Very solid still. Despite being old, this lens is very well made and shoots wonderfully.
Price for the Money:
- I paid $45 for this lens. I got a deal. I didnt know until i opened the box what a deal i got. Took my first shot to confirm this lens is a beauty still in 2024. Shoots very well with Sony full frame.
User Experience:
- This lens is for a Nikon Nikkor Non AI Mount. You will need an adapter for this lens to use with any modern camera. I am using a Sony A7C II for this lens so i had bought a Fotasy adapter for it. The lens handles very well, even by today’s standards. The focus ring is smooth and provides a satisfying tactile experience. When focusing, the lens barrel slightly moves forward by about 2-3mm, but this movement is almost unnoticeable during regular use. The focus ring comes at a hard stop at both minimum focus distance and infinity focus mark. The lens did on ocasion did show chromatic aberrations; these color fringes can be noticeable so you need to be aware when composing your shot. The center of the lens is a beauty and performs well but the edges are a little softer. The adapter I used for this review was light, held my lens in place and had minimal to no interference in the shots i took.
I like this lens quite a bit. The images i got on Sony full frame were wonderful. As I noted, this is an older lens so it does have its issues but at the price I paid i am very happy with it. This is a lens I plan to keep for a very long time or as long as i am given time here to shoot vintage lenses. A beauty, this lens should be on your list if you plan to start using older Non Ai Nikon lenses. I recommend it. Be patient when you look for it and you will get a good deal on it.
