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Author Topic: Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform  (Read 4250 times)

Riverman

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« on: October 26, 2006, 02:55:05 pm »

I’m a landscape photographer who mainly uses 6x6 and 6x9 film.  For macro and people I like to use my Nikon film camera.  I scan my film using a dedicated film scanner and make prints using a Epson 4800. Unlike many photographers who shoot thousands of frames a year, I’m lucky to use 30 rolls of medium format film a year.  It isn’t because I’m not out in the field with my camera, but instead, I just don’t bother making images if the light isn’t good and I tend to work slowly.

I find that miss the versatility of a 35 mm camera for landscape images especially when the light is rapidly changing or when I have very little time to set-up.  Thus, I am considering a Nikon D200 to use with my existing Nikon lenses.  The lenses I own now that I would consider using with a D200 include a 20mm, 70-210 4.5-5.6,;  85.1.8 ; 105 micro:, 200 AIS micro: and a 300 AFD f4.   My problem is that my only wide lens in the 20mm and I hear mixed reports about how it performs on digital.  Of course I would very much like to have the 17-35 or 17-55, but I really can’t afford it at the moment.  

Now for my questions:
   What is your opinion of using a Nikon 20mm AFD on a D200?
   Would I need to replace my Nikon SB28 for macro work?
Will a 10 megapixel camera show significantly more detail than a d70 when printed to 16x20 ( I photograph lots of little sticks and stuff)  
Will I get any better color using a d80 or d200 over the d70?

I plan to mainly shoot raw


OR should I scrap my Nikon system altogether and look at the new 10 megapixil 400d?  I could buy a 17-40 lens for a fraction of the cost of the 17-35.
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jdemott

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2006, 06:27:01 pm »

Hello Riverman,

I've been using Nikon for a number of years, first film and then D100 and for the last year and a half, the D2X.  I can't answer some of your questions about bodies but I'll try to give you my thoughts on the points I have experience with.

20mm AFD--I have had this lens for many years and continue to use it successfully on both digital cameras, although there are several things to keep in mind.  On the plus side, the digital sensor on all Nikon cameras is less than full frame so it does not use the extreme edges and corners of the lens, the areas where any optical weaknesses are most likely.  On the negative side, because of the smaller digital sensor the lens gives only the field of view of a 30mm on a film camera.  For this reason, my most used wide angle lens now is the 12-24mm f/4 Nikon lens made for digital.  If you like wide angle landscape photography, I think you should consider that lens as part of your plans (it is a really fine lens).  (There is also a Tokina version of that lens that has had decent reviews and costs less, but I haven't used it.)

One other note about wide angle lenses on digital sensors (not unique to the 20mm or Nikon).  Chromatic aberration is likely to be more easily noticed on a digital sensor than film and at least small amounts of CA are likely to be seen on any wide angle lens in the corner when viewed at high magnifications.  The good news is that it is easily fixed in digital processing which improves overall image quality.

While I don't have either the D200 or D70, I feel comfortable in saying that there are measurable improvements in color quality from the D70 generation of cameras to the D200 generation.

If your goal is to print at sizes as large as 16 by 20, you will see a very definite improvement in image detail from the 6 mega-pixels of the D70 to 10MP on a D200.

The SB-28 works on my digital cameras (and I assume it would on the bodies that you mention, but I haven't verified that) but only in manual and auto modes, not TTL.  To do TTL, you need the latest generation Speedlight such as SB-800.  So, whether the SB-28 will do the job for you depends in part on how you use flash--if you work manually, there is no problem.  If you want to rely on TTL, you'll need a new unit.

Hope this helps.
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John DeMott

Stephen Best

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2006, 07:09:57 pm »

Quote
Now for my questions:
   What is your opinion of using a Nikon 20mm AFD on a D200?
   Would I need to replace my Nikon SB28 for macro work?
Will a 10 megapixel camera show significantly more detail than a d70 when printed to 16x20 ( I photograph lots of little sticks and stuff)
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Some lens review sites:

[a href=\"http://www.slrgear.com/]http://www.slrgear.com/[/url]
http://www.bythom.com/
http://www.photozone.de/
http://www.naturfotograf.com/
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

Personally, I think 10mp is pushing it for 16x20 landscapes (with fine details) ... but lots do.

By all reports, the 400D will give you much the same output quality as the D80/D200 but the Nikons are better cameras. I'm going with the D80 and don't even have any Nikon glass anymore.
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indianavince

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2006, 10:25:40 pm »

Mega pixels, film speed or size mean nothing.  It's the optical system stupid!  <<< nobody personal just in general.

For most folks a 3 MP camera or a 35mm camera will do anything you want.  Look at what Ernest Haas accomplished with a 35mm Leica... Eisenstadt etc.

In photography 97% of most people's work needs to be focused and sharp... there are exceptions, and examples in my portfolio and many others of great photographs that are not sharp, be it the situation, subject, or the aesthetic.

Simply put you can't get something from nothing.

I have big problems with the quality of (short) Nikon glass of the last 15 years most of it is sub-par.  

I can't afford Leica, so I make due and am aware of the limitations of the short zooms.  Nikon excells in flash control and the AF-S Nikor 70-200 2.8 of which 70% of my work is produced by.  The short lenses are hit and miss and this is a dang shame.  If the electronics were not such an issue I would buy a circa 1980 set of Nikor short prime lenses.

I have thought about a switch back to Canon ( I used to have the excellent FD system).  The Nikon's 250 sec. flash sync and "black magic" TTL flash control when I used to shoot "chomes" held me.  I really did not want to switch systems agian.... I have dusted off my Hasselblad and am using a Leaf Aptus 17... now were talkin... check out my comments on the MF boards.

All the best.... I have tried them all and those Nikors short lenses sure arn't very nice for long..

Let's all go get a Pentax k1000 with 50mm f1.8 ... one of the best consistantly good pieces of equipement!
« Last Edit: October 26, 2006, 10:27:43 pm by indianavince »
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elkhornsun

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2006, 08:06:40 pm »

Check out this site. Great for information on just about every Nikon lens ever made and the image quality when used with Nikon DSLRs.

Also an outstanding nature photographer.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
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Graham Welland

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Nikon with 20mm AFD - how does it perform
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2006, 01:41:25 am »

Quote
Check out this site. Great for information on just about every Nikon lens ever made and the image quality when used with Nikon DSLRs.

Also an outstanding nature photographer.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87968\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I would agree with the recommendation to go with a 12-24 DX vs 20mm since this lens isn't one of Nikons' strongest lenses. The zoom is excellent in both the Sigma and Nikon variants - some people prefer the Sigma because the zoom/focus rings are the same way round as the rest of Nikon's lenses.

If you don't mind the post processing, you can basically turn the 20mm into an outstanding optic through the use of DXO Optic Pro v3/v4. They now support the 20mm AF lens.
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Graham
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