Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S) · From 1981
Nikon didn't sell a 28mm f/2.8 until 1974, and when it planned the AI-S line it hit a problem. Its own budget Series E 28mm f/2.8 performed about as well as the Nikkor. So designer Daijiro Fujie gave the 1981 AI-S version a new 8-element formula and a close-range correction system that changes the gap between two elements as you focus. It focuses to 0.2 m with a 1:3.9 reproduction ratio, which Nikon calls one of the shortest among wide-angles. Nikon's own write-up finds it sharp with good contrast over most of the frame wide open, with slightly veiled, darker corners that clean up by f/5.6. On a mirrorless body it's a small, light wide that goes from landscapes to close-ups of flowers. It mounts on Nikon's FTZ adapter like any AI-S lens, with stop-down metering. Just make sure you're getting the AI-S and not the older 0.3 m AI or a Series E.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a Nikon F (AI / AI-S) lens, and its mount sits 46.5 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Versions
Nikon's first 28mm f/2.8 was the 1974 Nikkor Auto, and the 1977 AI version kept its 7-element optics, which focus to 0.3 m. The 1981 AI-S is a new 8-element design with close-range correction that focuses to 0.2 m, so it's a different lens from the AI despite the same name. The Series E 28mm f/2.8 is a separate 5-element budget lens, engraved Nikon Lens Series E rather than Nikkor, with no metering prong on the aperture ring.
It's an all-metal lens, so most problems come from age and storage: haze, fungus, oily aperture blades and focus grease that has gone stiff or thin. Check the front element closely for scratches and cleaning marks.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy the AI-S graded Exc+5 at $370 delivered from a 100% Japan dealer, $60 under the band, or pay $440 for the Near Mint copy that ships from US stock. There are at least 92 for sale and most ask $430–600 delivered, almost all from Japan dealers, and titles marked SIC with a serial range ask up to $835 for one unused in its box. Check the photos for an orange f/22 on both aperture scales and a distance scale ending at 0.2 m, since the older 7-element AI only focuses to 0.3 m, and ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8. Skip the $1,029 copy at about 2.1 times the median. It needs a Nikon F adapter, and Nikon's FTZ works with it on a Z body; the model page lists the adapters by camera.
![Video*[Exc+3] Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Lens From JAPAN 1 #1 day ship](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9B8AAeSwBJRqeTuL/s-l500.jpg)
$207.48est. delivered
The lowest delivered lens here at $207 with Best Offer, well under half the median, from a 99.4% Japan dealer whose title offers a video. Exc+3 sits low on the dealer's scale, so read the description for marks and look for the orange f/22 that means AI-S.
Video*[Exc+3] Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Lens From JAPAN 1 #1 day ship
![[Exc+5] SIC S/N 835xxx Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NfUAAeSwZsZqrPjr/s-l500.jpg)
$369.99est. delivered
Graded Exc+5 and titled SIC with an 835xxx serial, at $370 delivered from a 100% dealer, $60 under the band. Ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8.
[Exc+5] SIC S/N 835xxx Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Lens From JAPAN
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$207.48est. delivered
$177.49 + $29.99 shipping
Buy It Now$177.49
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Exc+3 by the dealer's grade, video offered in the title. Caps in the photo.
Seller: japan_cameras_store
99.4% positive
Used$369.99est. delivered
$319.99 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$319.99
Good buy
Exc+5 by the dealer's grade, titled SIC with an 835xxx serial.
Seller: noma6724
100% positive
Used$298.99delivered
$298.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$298.99
Our take
Titled only basic operation confirmed. Seller feedback is 98.8%.
Seller: multilateral_trading
98.8% positive
![[Good] Nikon Nikkor Ai-s 28mm F2.8 Lens T217 From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DlUAAeSwNsFqpPXb/s-l500.jpg)
Used$338.99delivered
$338.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$338.99
Our take
Good is the dealer's grade, a low one. Free shipping from Japan.
Seller: tokyocameramarket
100% positive
Used$439.99delivered
$439.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$439.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Ships from US stock. Near Mint by the dealer's grade.
Seller: japan-meister
100% positive
![[TOP MINT w/ Hood] Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Angle Lens F Mount JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7VYAAeSwnd5qzrAC/s-l500.jpg)
Used$499.99est. delivered
$419.99 + $80.00 shipping
Buy It Now$419.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
TOP MINT by the dealer's grade. Hood and pouch in the photo.
Seller: hiriz_97
100% positive
![[Almost Unused] Nikon Ai-s Ais Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 MF Wide Angle Camera Lens JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YPUAAeSwXudqfPpv/s-l500.jpg)
Used$509.99est. delivered
$449.99 + $60.00 shipping
Buy It Now$449.99
Our take
Almost Unused is the dealer's grade. Caps in the photo.
Seller: yt_camera.japan
100% positive
![SIC 900xxx [Top MINT] Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Wide Angle Ais Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FJwAAeSwYhNqyf3p/s-l500.jpg)
Used$1,028.84delivered
$1,028.84 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,028.84
Priced high
Titled SIC with a 900xxx serial, Top MINT. About 2.1 times the median.
Seller: nekonote_camera
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 14, 2026.
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