Nikon 28mm f/2.8 R-UW AF NIKKOR Underwater Lens for Nikonos RS-Mount Review

The Nikon 28mm f/2.8 R-UW AF NIKKOR is a specialized underwater lens designed exclusively for the Nikonos RS amphibious camera system, which Nikon discontinued decades ago. This lens uses the proprietary Nikonos RS mount and cannot be adapted to modern Nikon F-mount or Z-mount cameras. It was engineered for underwater photography with optical corrections tailored to water rather than air, making it unsuitable for surface shooting even if you could mount it.

At 28mm and f/2.8, it offered a moderately wide angle of view underwater with reasonable speed for available light. As a used legacy item, availability is limited to the secondhand market, and condition varies. This particular listing comes from KEH in like-new-minus condition with caps. Unless you already own a Nikonos RS body and are committed to film-based underwater work, this lens serves no practical purpose in a modern workflow. It's a collectible or a specialty tool for a vanishingly small pool of underwater film shooters.