I don’t understand why sometimes people complain about some missing features on a compact camera. It’s 2019 and digital is yet to give us a small full frame point and shoot the size of a wallet. Those 90s compacts are in today’s digital-world terms, full frame, fixed lens compact cameras; I don’t see any digital full frame compacts that would fit in my pocket. All I want from my compact is to be well built, quiet and have a sharp lens. The Nikon 28ti and 35ti are a great option.
The Search
So I was on the hunt for a premium compact camera, and the first options I saw were….? You guessed it. The over priced Contax T2 and T3. $1.8k for a point and shoot. No thanks. There were other options as well, like Fuji Klasse and Minolta TC1. But I was hesitant to put that much money on a point and shoot full of electric components that could die at any moment.
A couple of days later I came across the Nikon 28ti and 35ti. The 35ti is a 1993 titanium body compact for $350! I decided to go for it and after shooting about 5 rolls with it, I liked it so much that I went out and brought it’s twin, the beautiful Nikon 28ti.
Usability
In the hand, both the Nikon 28ti and 35ti feel very solid and have many nice features. Auto focus, auto exposure, aperture priority and that top plate of analog dials that shows aperture, focus scale, compensation dial, and a film counter.
The 28ti and 35ti will allow you to change aperture, focus distance and exposure compensation. Shutter speed, however, isn’t an option. And you can only shoot a roll at box speed. To get around that you can hack the DX code on your film canister to push a film.
Using the Nikon 28ti and 35ti is a joy for me. I mainly use them in full auto mode. But I sometimes find my self switching aperture priority and sometimes pre focusing for zone focus. For a camera thit size, being able to hyper focus so easily is impressive. Of course, you have to know your numbers.
For example: if you are at f11, set you focus on 3.7m and the lens will be in focus from 1.9m to infinity on the 35ti. I find my self doing this a lot when I’m pushing a roll of HP5+. In comparison, the 28ti with its wide 28mm lens would cover more at f11. Set it at 2.4m and the in focus area is from 1.2m to infinity.
Setup & Customizations
Both the Nikon 28ti and 35ti offer some customizations, such printing the date on each exposure or on the first exposure only. The choice to use spot meter or Nikons famous matrix meter. Switching flash on or off. And choosing frame lines. These customizations can be set through a tiny LCD screen next to the viewfinder. Which is difficult to use without the help of a manual.
Pros:
Sharp lens
Analog display
Aperture priority
Titanium body
The option of matrix or spot meter
Cons:
No shutter priority
No DX code override
Vignetting (28ti only)
Analog display sometime goes out of alignment and need to be reset in the menus.
Conclusion:
These Nikon cameras are beautiful to look at and marvelous to use. Keep them in full auto and you’ll never miss a shot. Or take control of aperture and focus and you will be rewarded. However I still find my self wishing that they would have DX Override.
Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Film photography enthusiast
Thank you for reaching this far and don’t stop shooting.
Check out my work at my main instagram account: instagram.com/shorouqi
And my Darkroom account: www.instagram.com/shorouqi_darkroom
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Comments
Pierre Alix Favillier on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
the number one feature about this camera which I love is the fact you can genuinely put it in your coat pocket and you have a premium point and shoot package will you all the time. Its the rollei 35 of the point and shoot, with a better lens!
I don't have the same reservations about the DX coding though, the 2/-2 exposure compensation dial is enough for me when it comes to pushing and pulling!
Some very nice and pleasing pictures, love the pushing and funnily enough the Ilford looks better than the TX even though I've struggled personally to get Ilford to give me the results I've wanted
will keep trying ;)
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Jens on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Khürt Williams on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
There are no digital full frame compacts that would fit in your pocket because of PHYSICS. But I think you already know that.
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Brett Soul on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Kodachromeguy on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
I remember admiring these little Nikons years ago when they were current. But even then, my eyesight was such that I would have needed reading glasses to see the dials and controls. Sigh... (but I need reading glasses to use my Rolleiflex, so that is my lot in life with tiny numbers and letters). Do you have a way to use filters or a hood?
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
R_kt on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Comment posted: 10/03/2019
Cory on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 11/03/2019
eric on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 11/03/2019
I pair it with a M3, Contax T, Minolta Hi-Matic 7 Sii, FM3a.
The 28 TI is a marvelous camera.
The lense is crazy sharp and for me work better in BW ... The matrix meter is unbelievable, if you use Velvia (your last stocks ...) you will get same results than with a F5 with Nikkor Ais 28/2'8 (without close focus, and vigneting 0%).
It is a beautiful camera.
I love it. Contax T and my Minolta seems to give me a more interesting rendering with colors ! = subjective !
Your image : very very great ! An artistic sensitive eye on the nice places you have immortalised!
Comment posted: 11/03/2019
Daniel Morris on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Ilya on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Ilya on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Below are some examples of what I thought were quite grainy scans, but when I view them on my phone they looks much better.
https://flickr.com/photos/129531175@N02/sets/72157661708988039
Comment posted: 12/03/2019
Barry Reid on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 14/03/2019
Gabriel F Bacca on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 15/03/2019
Gabriel F Bacca on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 15/03/2019
Mags on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 02/04/2019
Comment posted: 02/04/2019
Karla on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 18/04/2019
Comment posted: 18/04/2019
Comment posted: 18/04/2019
Comment posted: 18/04/2019
tiffyjoan on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 18/04/2019
Full Spectrum Pure CBD Oil on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 06/05/2019
A good blog with interesting content, that is what I need.
Thanks for keeping this web site, I'll be visiting it. Do you do
newsletters? Can't find it.
Yoram on Nikon 28ti and 35ti – Mini-Review – By Ahmed Al Shorouqi
Comment posted: 04/03/2020
It’s a jewel. But not for me.