Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D review

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Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D

In short

The Nikon 20 / 2.8D is an old comradely comrade for wide angle reach. For 35mm cameras, 20mm focal length is the borderline between ultra-wide and wide-angle optics. Overall, the lens is good. It is compact, not heavy, with good / good image quality. The lens is well suited for landscape and architecture photography, as well as for creative perspective play, and any situation where a wide angle of view is required. Unfortunately, for our time Nikon 20 / 2.8D is a bit outdated (already Nikon 20 / 1.8 и Sigma 20 / 1.4stepping far forward).

On the wonderful YouTube channel NHCC (Nikon Help Hotline Center), which is currently unavailable, the Nikon 20mm f / 2.8D AF was called 'One of the Mighty Wide Angle Lenses' - 'One of the Mighty Wide Angle Lenses'. IMHO, NHHC - were among the most sensible quality reviewers on YouTube.

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D on a film SLR camera

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D on a film SLR camera

History

The first 'twenty' was shown back in 1967 and was called Nippon Kogaku Japan NIKKOR-UD Auto 1: 3.5 f = 20mm. October 1984 is published Nikon Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8 AI-Swhich in February 1989 turns into autofocus Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8.

Please note that there are two versions of the Nikon AF 20 / 2.8 lens:

  • Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8 (MKI) Feb 1989 - Apr 1994
  • Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D (MKII), April 1994 - present. The version is shown in this overview.

There are not so many ultra-wide-angle autofocus lenses Nikon FX:

Nikkor F for SLR cameras:

  1. Nikon 14 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  2. Nikon 16 mm 1: 2.8D Fisheye AF
  3. Nikon 18 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  4. Nikon 20 mm 1:2.8 AF
  5. Nikon 20 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  6. Nikon 20 mm 1: 1.8G N AF S
  7. Nikon 8-15 mm 1: 3.5-4.5E Fisheye AF S
  8. Nikon 14-24 mm 1: 2.8G N AF S
  9. Nikon 16-35 mm 1: 4G VR N AF S
  10. Nikon 17-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF S
  11. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5D AF
  12. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G AF S
  13. Nikon 20-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF

Nikkor Z for mirrorless cameras:

  1. Nikon 20 mm 1:1.8 S
  2. Nikon 14-24 1:2.8 S
  3. Nikon 14-30 mm 1:4 S
  4. Nikon 17-28 mm 1:2.8
Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D on a film SLR camera

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D on a film SLR camera

Main technical characteristics of Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D:

Review Instance Name Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D 206700
Basic properties
  • FX (for Nikon FX) - lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • AF (Auto Focus) - support for autofocus via the camera motor
  • D (Distance) - transfer of focusing distance to the camera
  • Non-g (Non gelded) - the presence of the aperture control ring
  • DIH (Super Integrated Coating) - special integrated enlightenment of optics
  • CRC (Close Range Correction) - image correction at short focusing distances
  • Professional lensis in the list NPS
  • Compact size, light weight
Front Filter Diameter 62 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 20 mm, EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 30 mm
Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens without the ability to change the focal length)
Designed by for film cameras Nikon FX. With updated enlightenment (circa 2001), it is also great for digital cameras.
Number of aperture blades 7 straight petals (wonderful star effect)
Tags window with focusing distance in meters and feet, depth of field scale for F / 5.6 and F / 11. Label (white dot) for infrared operation. Aperture scale for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. Black screw on the bayonet side for quick lens installation.
Diaphragm from f / 2.8 to f / 22. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type)
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.25 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 8.3
The weight 270 g
Optical design 12 elements in 9 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements.

Optical design Nikon 20mm F / 2.8

The optical design is the same as for lenses:

Lens hood bayonet type, Nikon HB-4
Period from March 1994 to the present day, in September 2014 supplemented by a version Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 20mm 1: 1.8G ED.
Manufacturer country Made in Japan (made in Japan)
3D view See
Instructions See
Price

I want to note that optical design in 20 mm lenses has not changed for 30 years. Since version Nikon Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S) and before the Nikon AF version, the Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) uses the same optical design introduced in 1984. Only in 2014 the lens comes out Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 20mm 1: 1.8G ED which finally fundamentally changed the optical design.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Assembly

The lens is compact and pleasant to the touch. Nikon 20 / 2.8D - the lightest Nikkor autofocus super-wide ever. The outer part of the case is made of strong plastic (most likely it is polycarbonate) with a metal bayonet mount. It is well assembled, I did not notice any negative features in the build quality. It’s only a pity that the hood is not included in the package and must be purchased separately.

The Nikon 20 / 2.8D has the same design as many older Nikon Nikkor 'screwdriver' lenses.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D is included in the list of professional Nikon NPS equipment, while it is neither dust nor waterproof.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Focusing

Nikon 20 / 2.8D focuses very fast. While working on cameras Nikon D90, D70, Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro I had no complaints about the accuracy, tenacity and speed of auto focus. There are no problems in the Live View mode.

During focusing, the front lens moves back and forth, but does not rotate. During focusing, the frame of the body (the trunk of the lens, together with the front lens) extends about half a centimeter. The rear lens, while focusing, also moves back and forth.

The focus ring rotates 135 degrees. Manual focus is very smooth, pleasant, without any friction or backlash.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D has focus distance window in meters and feet. There are also depth of field scale for F / 11 and F / 5.6. Near the focus distance window, you can also find a small white dot, which is responsible for accurate focusing during photography in the infrared spectrum.

The minimum focusing distance is 0.25 meters, and the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 8.3 (weak). The lens uses an exclusive system Nikon CRC (Close Range Correction - image correction at small focusing distances), which allows you to maintain good image quality at any focusing distance. Nikon CRC It works on the principle of floating elements - during focusing, not only the entire lens unit moves, but individual optical elements move relative to each other ..

Feature 1: Nikon 20 / 2.8D does not have a focus mode switch. To translate the lens into manual focus on cameras with motor For focusing, use the focus mode switching lever located near the camera mount. For cameras without motor Only manual focus mode will always be available for focusing.

Feature 2: there is the effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing)

Feature 3: during focusing, the lens and camera are quite noisy

Feature 4: During focusing, the focus ring rotates and must not be touched

Feature 5: the lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to F / 22 and fix it with a special switch, which is located to the right of the marks aperture. The F / 22 value and the latch mark are highlighted in orange to align them. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 (full stops) are plotted on it; set an intermediate value between pairs of numbers using the ring aperture impossible. Intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu.

Feature 6: Nikon 20 / 2.8D has hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external conditions.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Image quality and sample photos

In the center of the frame, the lens is sharp at f / 2.8. At F / 4-F / 11, the center of the frame is very sharp. Unfortunately, on full-frame cameras, the corners and edges of the image at F / 2.8 are much worse. Even on a DX camera, the edges of the frame sag noticeably. Covering the aperture noticeably improves sharpness around the edges and corners.

The lens tolerates backlight work well. The amount of glare and flare is minimal. The lens has a nice contrast. From bright sources of light, you can get the effect of a 14-ray star, which is most pronounced at F / 5.6

At F / 2.8 on full-format cameras, the lens suffers from strong vignetting. Vignetting is greatly increased when using filters. The vignette completely disappears only at F / 8. On Nikon DX cameras, vignetting disappears at F / 4. Also tangible chromatic aberration, especially closer to the edge of the image.

Distortion is not very strong, but has a complex character (more barrel-shaped). A fixed lens should have a much lower level of distortion.

NHHC note a slight staining of the image in green and a slight shift in cold tones. During real shooting, such a deviation is difficult to notice, the settings of a digital camera sometimes introduce more color distortions than the lens itself.

In general, the image quality is excellent for 1989, but rather weak for 2016.

Better image quality is achieved at F / 5.6-F / 8.0 apertures (valid for FX and DX cameras). Photos in the gallery are shown without processing. Source photos can download from this link.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

My experience

This is a really good lens. Many people use it on Nikon DX cameras, on which it gives a fairly wide angle of view (EGF equals 30 mm). Unfortunately, for Nikon DX cameras there are no fast fixes that would give an ultra-wide viewing angle. To receive EGF 20 mm on Nikon DX cameras, you need to use lenses with a 13 mm focal length (13 * 1,5 \u20d XNUMX). Owners of Nikon DX cameras have to use zoom lenses to achieve a wide angle Nikon 12-24mm f / 4GNikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 10-20mm 1: 4.5-5.6G or Nikon 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5G. But, unfortunately, only third-party lenses can allow the use of F / 2.8 (we are talking about Tokina 116DX, Tokina 116DXII и AT-X 11-20 F2.8 PRO DX).

Nikon 20 / 2.8D, in comparison with full-format super wide-angle lenses, very much wins in size, weight and price.

I really liked the Nikon 20 / 2.8D. He is better than Nikon AF NIKKOR 20-35mm 1: 2.8D 20 mm, but worse Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D.

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Nikon 20 / 2.8D

Prices

Real prices for Nikon 20 / 2.8D lens can see here, or in the price block below:

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Original alternatives

There are not so many super-wide ones, they include:

Nikkor F for SLR cameras:

  1. Nikon 14 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  2. Nikon 16 mm 1: 2.8D Fisheye AF
  3. Nikon 18 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  4. Nikon 20 mm 1:2.8 AF
  5. Nikon 20 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  6. Nikon 20 mm 1: 1.8G N AF S
  7. Nikon 8-15 mm 1: 3.5-4.5E Fisheye AF S
  8. Nikon 14-24 mm 1: 2.8G N AF S
  9. Nikon 16-35 mm 1: 4G VR N AF S
  10. Nikon 17-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF S
  11. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5D AF
  12. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G AF S
  13. Nikon 20-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF

Nikkor Z for mirrorless cameras:

  1. Nikon 20 mm 1:1.8 S
  2. Nikon 14-24 1:2.8 S
  3. Nikon 14-30 mm 1:4 S
  4. Nikon 17-28 mm 1:2.8

In fact, only the Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8 (MKI, NON-D) can be a little cheaper than the Nikon 20 / 2.8D.

Results

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D is a sturdy baby. A relatively inexpensive option for full-frame ultra-wide. Excellent sharpness in the center of the frame, good resistance to highlights, but strong vignetting and chromatic aberration. There is nothing lighter and more compact from the native super-wide.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 55, on the topic: Review Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D

  • Sergei

    Thank you, very informative, I have arsat 20 2,8 using it on nikon d100, focal just for street photography ...

  • Michael

    Thanks, good review.
    Small error in the text: "Nikon 20 / 2.8D is included in the professional lists"

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Fixed

  • Oleg

    All these beautiful 20-24mm fixes have one small drawback - price. Usually 400-500 dollars

    • KalekseyG

      from Japan 24 / 2.8 for $ 60 you can grab, if you search, follow.

  • Pokekmon

    The wide-angle one can also recall from the zoom lenses - Tamron 15-30 / 2.8.
    I saw pictures from him taken on the D600. In my opinion, not bad. It is heavy, sharp and expensive (about a kilobax stands in Moscow).

  • Rodion

    If he is already limping, then World-20 is completely trash.
    Judging by the photo, this nikkor has both a low coma and a low one. Great lens.

  • anonym

    Good shirik. The quality is higher than that of zooms. Compact, lightweight. On my Nikon D90 there are problems with focusing at a distance close to infinity (near - everything is ok) - the focus flies to infinity. I guess this is a problem with the camera focusing module. Manual focusing is difficult - very fine details in the viewfinder. A little Live View helps.

    I rarely shoot with it. When it's very crowded. And so I try to get by with fifty dollars for group portraits. For he has a higher quality.

    Recently I have been using Nikkor 85 / 1.8G most often. Although he has a boring picture without processing. Better than Helios 85 / 1.5! Such is the trend towards long-focus optics ...

  • Sergei

    At this focal length, autofocus is not so important, you can use the non-autofocus version.?

  • Ivan IO

    Oh, good, despite the minor flaws, it's nice to have one. But recently, nuts have started to annoy me and here they can also be seen. Yes, it’s not so difficult for the manufacturer to improve the diaphragm or for this we need a revolution in lens construction.

    • Oleg

      Old already

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The Sony SEL G Series has begun making lenses with 11 aperture blades.

      • Ivan IO

        It's good. And in Jupiter-37A anyway more, because they could.

    • ValdTorjan

      Victory of a small number of peels with diaphragms is tied to the victorian mechanism of the mechanism of curling in the case of a zyomtsi. For the smallest number of segments, it is simpler to preserve the need for mechanics, which is a great success. On the old manual objects, the diaphragm was shown only to the manual wraps of the wheel, and, quite often, infrequently. That is where you can get up to 9000 segments.

  • Denis

    How have I been waiting for a review on this lens for a long time) Many thanks Arkady)

  • Denis

    So I’m staring at him and Sigma 1.4. Does Arkady greatly win the sigma? For width 1.4. not so often used)

    • anonym

      On closed apertures, in landscape photography, the difference will be minimal, I think so, but in astrophoto - sigma should be much better.

      • Oleg

        if there is no vignette

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Theoretically 4 times brighter. If you know why you need more light, then 1.4, if you do not know, then 2.8. I did not use Sigma, I can only speak in general.

  • Oleg

    Kenon has a double brother: Kenon 20 / 2.8. But the same six aperture blades, the loss of sharpness at the edges, regardless of the aperture, frightened him away. If sigma or samyang had something like that, I would have thought. But there they went along the path of aperture 1.4, and for it you have to pay a couple of three extra hundred bucks although I'm not sure that it is needed wide

    • Oleg

      Canon's edges are normal, but the corners are sad. A small crop of the frame saves and it turns out that the EGF (if I may say so) is about 24 mm. But practically without distortion.

      • Oleg

        And thus, the company subtly hints: why do you need 20 / 2.8 with soapy corners and 6 aperture blades for 350 cu here you have 24 / 2.8 is for 500 cu

  • Jury

    Shot on a Nikon D80 with this lens

    • Jury

      Others

      • Jury

        And more

    • Denis

      Sevastopol) Been there) And who has photos taken on Nikon's FF system with this lens

  • Serg

    Anonymous wrote:
    10.10.2016 in 06: 08
    “Good shirik. The quality is higher than that of zooms. Compact, lightweight. On my Nikon D90 there are problems with focusing at a distance close to infinity (near - everything is ok) - the focus flies to infinity. "
    But what about hard stop? Or autofocus disables hard stop?

    • anonym

      When you focus not at infinity, but a little closer, autofocus flies to infinity. As a result, the background is sharp and the subject is out of focus. When you shoot up close, everything works as it should. This was the case on the D90. Now I'm shooting with D610 - it seems much better. Although it works a little uncertainly. Probably because of the small scale of objects, with such a focal point.

      • Serg

        Thanks, I got it. What are your impressions of the lens on the D610? Got permission?

        • Oleg

          Enough even on the D800)))

  • Alexey

    Compared to modern expensive landscapes, the picture of this lens is vivid (like an artist's drawing), there is no high contrast and excessive sharpness. For shooting landscapes, a good lens and the price is acceptable.

  • cad @

    And how do the first and second versions of this lens differ?

    • Michael

      The review is written. By lettering d in marking)

  • Spiridon

    Tell me, will the D5100 with it select the shutter speed in mode A for example?

    • Oleg

      Yes, of course it will.

  • Igor

    Great shirik, photo from the DX camera

    • Jury

      Igor, could you tell us what exactly you liked him in comparison with other lenses, in the range of which there is the same focal length?

  • Jury

    “Unfortunately for Nikon DX cameras there are no fast fixes that give an ultra-wide angle of view.”
    Today this statement is outdated - there is already a fast Samyang 10mm f / 2.8.

    • B. R. P.

      Is it autofocus?

      • Jury

        In this proposal, we are talking about "high-aperture fixes that would give an ultra-wide viewing angle." There are no restrictions like “native” or “autofocus”, I suggest Arkady to add them to make the wording more precise.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There are no relatives and never will be.

      • Jury

        Then it makes sense to clarify: “Unfortunately, for Nikon DX cameras there are no RELATED high-aperture fixes that would give an ultra-wide angle of view.”

  • George

    offer it for 10 tr. ... I have 610
    worth taking ??

  • George

    I rent landscapes and architecture

  • Jury

    hi
    I am a beginner amateur, the question is:
    What is a hard stop on this lens and HOW to use it ??
    Thanks in advance !

    • Arkady Shapoval

      This is a way to quickly and accurately focus on infinity, i.e. to the most distant plan. Often the focus rings have an infinity “overshoot” for specific reasons. The hard stop does not have this flight, and when the ring is adjusted to the stop (to the stop, to the stop), we get the correct aiming at infinity. This is a small thing, especially for those who use autofocus.

  • Jury

    Thank you Arkady for a quick reply!
    Good luck to you !!

  • Marina

    Arkady, good afternoon! And tell me, please, in comparison with 24 mm 2,8 D which is better?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      in corners 24 is better, but in general 20 mm is more interesting

  • Alexander

    I choose a wide-angle lens for a full frame (Nikon D800). I shoot different shots, mostly landscapes, including sunsets, now I practice in the evening and shoot in the room by candlelight, as I want to master the technique of shooting in low light. In the end, I choose between the lens from this review and Sigma (sigma 20mm 1.8 ex dg nikon), tell me which is better?

  • Dmitriy

    On Nikon D750, would you advise taking this lens as a budget ultra-wide-angle option? Or have there been budget options since then?

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