Posts tagged: #Vintage Nikon Lenses

I was almost today-years-old when I even learned this lens existed.

The Nikon 25-50mm f/4 AI-S is one of those forgotten classics that photographers stumble across and wonder, “Wait, how did I not know about this?” Released in 1981 as Nikon’s first professional wide-angle zoom, this lens was a big deal at the time—costing the equivalent of around $2,700 in today’s money. But somewhere between the march of autofocus and the proliferation of 24-70mm zooms, it quietly faded from collective memory.

The Nikon 28-50mm f/3.5 AI-S is one of those lenses that flies completely under the radar. It’s not the lens that gets talked about in vintage Nikon forums, it doesn’t command high prices on the used market, and most photographers have never even heard of it. And that’s exactly what makes it such a gem.

A Quirky Little Zoom

Let’s be honest - this lens is quirky. It’s a compact zoom from an era when “compact zoom” often meant compromises. The f/3.5 maximum aperture isn’t going to wow anyone, and there’s definitely some pincushion distortion at the wide end. But here’s the thing: once you get past the spec sheet, this lens really delivers.