24 replies to this topic

[g4aaw pete]

I'm giving consideration to a Nikon AF 20mm f2.8 D that appeared for sale today from a dealer.

 

Any opinions out there as to its performance?

Will be used on my D800E.

[Merco_61]

Some field curvature when used up close.
Not as sharp as the AiS, but higher contrast.
Vignettes slightly wide open, gone by f/4.
It draws the transition from sharp to unsharp very similar to the AF 24/2.8 D.
Overall a nice lens, even if the 20/3.5 UD or the AF-S 20/1.8 renders more interesting.

[g4aaw pete]

Many thanks for your input on this Peter.

My hand is hovering on the 'buy' button.

I shall probably weaken & purchase.

 

I've found that if I give myself a few days to consider buying anything, I'll know whether I really need it or not!

[Ron]

I would be sure to check the focusing ring for excessive looseness. Some 'D' lenses seemed to suffer from this malady.

 

--Ron

[g4aaw pete]

Thanks Ron - I'll ask about that before making a purchase.

[La Bikina]

I own one Nikon AF 20 mm f2.8, and it's great I bought it for 199Euro second hand and no regrets, I like that uses 62 mm filters that I have a lot of them, and it's light and small and the AF it's quite fast but noisy like the old school AF.

 

 

I own one Cosina ai-s 20mm f.3.8 mc macro for Nikon too it was my first 20mm lens, and it's a cheap lens for jumble sale, but it's very

solid and quite underestimated and very interesting for macro, a lot better than you expected for this cheaply lens. Now start to be appreciated.

Cosina MC 20mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

 

Now I am looking for one 20mm MF like Peter S. favorite's 20mm f3.5 UD, but I need one adapted to AI ... not all are adapted, so I need to wait for the correct one, next Monday I will visit one old physical store in Barcelona that often obtain this kind of stuff, If I found a nice one for about 300 Euro surely I will buy it.

 

Peter S is right, I agree that it's the best 20 mm MF and a piece of art.

Wish me luck

[g4aaw pete]

I own one Nikon AF 20 mm f2.8, and it's great I bought it for 199Euro second hand and no regrets, I like that uses 62 mm filters that I have a lot of them, and it's light and small and the AF it's quite fast but noisy like the old school AF.

 

 

I own one Cosina ai-s 20mm f.3.8 mc macro for Nikon too it was my first 20mm lens, and it's a cheap lens for jumble sale, but it's very

solid and quite underestimated and very interesting for macro, a lot better than you expected for this cheaply lens. Now start to be appreciated.

Cosina MC 20mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

 

Now I am looking for one 20mm MF like Peter S. favorite's 20mm f3.5 UD, but I need one adapted to AI ... not all are adapted, so I need to wait for the correct one, next Monday I will visit one old physical store in Barcelona that often obtain this kind of stuff, If I found a nice one for about 300 Euro surely I will buy it.

 

Peter S is right, I agree that it's the best 20 mm MF and a piece of art.

Wish me luck

 

Many thanks for your useful comments.

 

I did see 

 

Nikon 20mm f/3.5 AiS   £179.99

 

But is from a UK dealer, so not much help to you.

[Merco_61]

Many thanks for your useful comments.

 

I did see 

 

Nikon 20mm f/3.5 AiS   £179.99

 

But is from a UK dealer, so not much help to you.

It wouldn't be much help, even if it was from a Spanish dealer as it is the 8-group version, not the old 9-group 11-element UD version Lupe is looking for.

[La Bikina]

Yup, Peter S. is totally right. I am looking for the old UD version originally Pre-AI, not 20mm f/3.5 AI-s

Not too easy quest because I need one adapted to AI with the original Nikon old kit or adapted by a handyman technician lowering the metal correctly for AI use. I will use in Nikon D4 and D3x, so I need the mod.

 

https://www.kenrockw...20mm-f35-ud.htm

 

The 20 mm f/3.5 AIS is now actually cheaper than the older UD version, easy you can find one 20 mm f/3.5 AIS about $200 or a bit less with more patience.

 

I think that about $300-350 is more or less the correct price for the UD version, no price differences between adapted ones, so need to wait or ask the shop if any technician adapts it for free or just be lucky and found the adapted one.

 

I will explain my experience in detail if finally I found one.

[tonyzoc]

Not exactly on topic but how does the 20-35/2.8D compare to the 20/2.8 at 20mm? I've got the 20-35 but it is bigger and heavier than the 20. I also have the 20/3.5 AI-s. I can't yet confirm my own testing as I bought these lenses in the past year and I've only shot film with them and haven't developed the rolls yet.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

[Merco_61]

The 20-35 is a very good PJ lens. A bit soft in the corners when used at wider settings than 24 mm or so. Like most IF designs, it shows quite a bit of fringing in out of focus areas. 
 

On a pro-caliber body, the AF is very fast and precise, much faster than the 20/2.8 AF, but coma, CA and field curvature makes it a worse landscape lens. 

[g4aaw pete]

I weakened, and the 20mm f2.8D arrived this afternoon.

 

Expect to see far too many snaps displayed on the forum using it!

[Dogbytes]

A friend of mine loaned me one for about six months, when I had my D850, it was dire! It was probably my least favourite lens ever. I’ve had two 24mm 2.8Ds and I loved those. 

I weakened, and the 20mm f2.8D arrived this afternoon.

 

Expect to see far too many snaps displayed on the forum using it!

Good luck! 

[Ron]

Ya know, it's funny about lenses...

 

When I shot film on my Minoltas, my favorite lens was the Minolta Celtic 28mm f/2.8. The Celtic brand was Minolta's low price lens line, but the 28mm that I had was excellent, and I shot a lot of film through it. Later, when I decided I wanted something wider, I decided to get the Minolta Rokkor X 24mm f/2.8. Through an error which fell in my favor I ended up with Minolta's very expensive VFC (Variable Field Curvature) version for almost the price of a standard 24mm Rokkor. I was, like wow... I won the jackpot.

 

Barely used the lens... the coverage just wasn't right. I still reached for my old cheap Celtic 28mm most of the time.

 

The same thing happened more recently when I decided I wanted a wide... but not UWA  "F" mount lens for my Nikons. I purchased the really nice... and fairly expensive, Nikkor 20mm f/1.8.  Beautiful lens, well constructed, etc.

 

It gets very little use.

 

However, the slightly wider 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G gets much more use. And, I mostly use it racked out to 18mm. The framing is just better for me.

 

Unfortunately, until you actually work with a lens for a length of time, you can't know if it will fit the way you see it working. Experience helps, but even that is no guarantee that you won't end up buying something you won't use. 

 

--Ron

 

PS: this isn't directed at you, Pete or indeed, anyone.... I'm just musing.

[g4aaw pete]

A friend of mine loaned me one for about six months, when I had my D850, it was dire! It was probably my least favourite lens ever. I’ve had two 24mm 2.8Ds and I loved those. 

Good luck! 

 

I thank you for your comments.

So far, I've used it for a couple of sessions & it seems to perform ok.

 

I made a point of asking about the status of the focus ring, and the response was that it didn't exhibit excessive 'play'.

My example is fine in that respect.

 

The dealer I tend to use is The London camera exchange, and they have several branches across the UK.

They also give 6 months warranty on their 'used' lenses, which is a reason have had four lenses from them so far.

 

Time & experience will determine if I like this lens, but it's 'so far so good'.

[La Bikina]

Finally, I decided and bought Nikon 20mm f/3.5 UD  in my opinion the best Nikon  20mm MF, I just bought from eBay Japan $209, suppose with taxes at all would be close around $300.

It comes with all extras AI adapted with original Nikon's Kit, Front Cap aluminum 72n, Rear Cap, Hood 72 mm, Soft Lens Case Nikon. And the lens are OK without fungus, haze, balsam or scratches. And FedEx sending for free.

 

I will report my buying experience when it finishes, including how much I pay for taxes.

 

I will compare it with my other Nikon 20 mm, the same that bought g4aaw Pete

Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF So my report would be interesting at last.    

 

 

[Merco_61]

I thank you for your comments.

So far, I've used it for a couple of sessions & it seems to perform ok.

 

I made a point of asking about the status of the focus ring, and the response was that it didn't exhibit excessive 'play'.

My example is fine in that respect.

 

The dealer I tend to use is The London camera exchange, and they have several branches across the UK.

They also give 6 months warranty on their 'used' lenses, which is a reason have had four lenses from them so far.

 

Time & experience will determine if I like this lens, but it's 'so far so good'.

It is a good lens, but not the best 20 Nikon have made...

 

As long as you don't try to compare it to the old one Lupe has just found or the current 20 mm lenses, you will be happy with it. I think it suits your style well.

[La Bikina]

It arrived today from Japan and no complaints at all, clean well-packed and same condition as advertised, perfect seller.

Taxes as expected 60 Euro with few cents, total cost 257 Euro, includes taxes and sending.

I think that still nice piece with the taxes too.

 

In this week I will test it and of course I remember my mission ..........

I will compare it with my other Nikon 20 mm, the same that bought g4aaw Pete

Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF

 

I Will report in this same topic with few demo photos in my Flickr site, If the topic is closed I will create a new one.

[La Bikina]

20mmAF28a by Guadalupe Cruz, on Flickr

20 mm AF 2.8 photo

 

•  

  Nikon D4

   
• ƒ/2.8
• 20.0 mm
• 1/1250
• 100

20mm3.5UD by Guadalupe Cruz, on Flickr

 

 

20mm 3.5 UD

•  

  Nikon D4

   
• ƒ/3.5
• 20.0 mm
• 1/640
• 100

I focus infinity both photos the AF one and the MF one different lenses same camera same config unit difference speed

 

and I use 2.8 for AF and 3.5 for UD

[La Bikina]

Any favorite,g4aaw Pete ?

 

More comfortable to use the 20mm 3.5 UD, Is the only I can say that I enjoy the MF lens. But You can see the 2.8 AF is small and compact, and fast focusing.

 

Buildings seems like west side story but industrial area