Nikon28Ti
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The story
The Nikon 28Ti is a product of a period when Contax, Nikon and Minolta were trading punches over who could put the best fixed lens in the smallest body — a premium compact paired with a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8. Some backstory: has four tiny analog needles on the top plate — pure watchmaker poetry.
Specifications
- Format
- 35mm
- Year
- 1994
- Lens
- Nikkor 28mm f/2.8
- Min. focus
- 0.4 m
- Flash
- Built-in
- Battery
- 1× CR123A
Notable features
- Titanium body
- Analog dial dashboard
- Aperture priority
Shooting it today
The Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 is the everyday-light specialist — not a low-light hero, but contrasty, sharp and honest at every aperture. Film supply is a non-issue: any 35mm cassette from any lab works. A single CR123A lithium cell powers everything including the motor; still cheap and stocked at most camera shops. The built-in flash will fire whenever the meter decides it should, so learn the override before your first night out. Minimum focus is 0.4 m — unusually close for a compact of this era and a genuine advantage over rivals that stop at 0.7 m or 1 m. You can fill the frame with a coffee cup, a flower, or a face without stepping back. Something that catches new owners off guard: Nikon's answer to the Contax T2; the 28mm cousin to the rarer 35Ti. Best for street, travel and group shots — 28mm is the reportage classic, close enough to feel in the scene without distortion.
Who it's for · Verdict
The Nikon 28Ti has its fans for a reason, but it's no longer a secret — set a strict budget, hold out for a clean copy, and don't overpay for a famous name. File away for later: made in limited numbers; finding a clean one is a small miracle.
Fun facts
- §1Has four tiny analog needles on the top plate — pure watchmaker poetry.
- §2Nikon's answer to the Contax T2; the 28mm cousin to the rarer 35Ti.
- §3Made in limited numbers; finding a clean one is a small miracle.
Field note
The night train sat delayed four hours, so the 28Ti and I catalogued an empty platform at two in the morning. At 28mm the 28Ti insists on context, so every frame came back with the whole scene attached. The 28Ti focuses to 0.4 m, which turned a pastry on a saucer into a portrait. Every frame on that first roll came out; the seller got a thank-you note and a print of his own stall taken with the 28Ti.
Creative field note — inspired by this camera's character, not based on real events.
Find one
Most copies turn up second-hand on eBay. We've linked a saved search so you can see current listings.
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