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Author Topic: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D  (Read 3874 times)

iaent

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Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« on: April 22, 2014, 11:29:30 am »

Friends,
I bought a used Nikon 20mm f2.8D. Is  it good, What u guys think about it?
Thx.

langier

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2014, 12:35:40 pm »

How others use it and what they think may not jive with your results. Your results will always vary compared to everyone else.

Why not do some shooting with it, put it through its paces with the type of photography you do and then see what you think?
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Larry Angier
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Chairman Bill

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2014, 02:02:40 pm »

I found mine to be horribly soft around the edges, to the point of being unusable. I got rid of it PDQ. I replaced it with a 18-35mm, which is very nice & better than the 20mm in every respect

LKaven

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2014, 02:59:22 pm »

It's an old-school ultrawide, with vignetting and soft corners.  Best when stopped-down to f/5.6.  The old school look is still aesthetically pleasing as it suits some subjects.  But the 14-24 at 20mm is quite a lot better optically overall.

iaent

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2014, 03:08:01 pm »

@Larry, mine is still in transit.
So u guys are not very satisfied with it? looks like its not a fruitful purchase. I should have posted in advance.

Telecaster

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2014, 03:50:23 pm »

@Larry, mine is still in transit.
So u guys are not very satisfied with it? looks like its not a fruitful purchase. I should have posted in advance.

I'd recommend trying it before passing judgement. Presumably you'll be able to return it if it doesn't pass muster.

-Dave-
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2014, 12:16:01 am »

Sometimes it make sense to ask before buying? ;)

But yes, the lens does show its age.

Cheers,
Bernard

Theodoros

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2014, 05:30:50 pm »

To who it matters, I would prefer 10 times the use of the zoom 17-35mm at 21mm  than using the 20mm prime at any aperture... A prime worst than a zoom, I guess that says it all...

Another thing... the DX 12-24mm f4, if used at 20mm on an FX camera beats the 20mm prime even at f4... and the bagger is the world's most flare resistant lens!
« Last Edit: April 23, 2014, 05:36:18 pm by Theodoros »
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iaent

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2014, 02:24:05 am »

I received my lens today, its very bad upto f4, looking good at f5.6, but I am shooting indoors, I shall go out today and shoot at f8-f11, it would be good at those settings I guess.
Guys, if landscapes are shot at around f11 then what is the use of shooting these wide angles at f 2.8? what type of photography is shot at f2.8? Low light landscapes? or what?

LKaven

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2014, 04:52:22 am »

[...] what is the use of shooting these wide angles at f 2.8? what type of photography is shot at f2.8? Low light landscapes? or what?

Jeanloup Sieff, 21mm Super-Angulon (and be there).

Ken Bennett

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2014, 11:34:22 am »


Guys, if landscapes are shot at around f11 then what is the use of shooting these wide angles at f 2.8? what type of photography is shot at f2.8? Low light landscapes? or what?

Landscapes are usually shot on a tripod, so there is no reason to choose f/2.8 to get a faster shutter speed even at night.

The 20mm lens has uses in other fields such as journalism, where the fast maximum aperture is very useful, and few people worry about the soft corners. :)
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iaent

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iaent

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2014, 01:13:44 am »

I tested the lens at f2.8 with close subject the focus is spot on, it lacks contrast, which I think make it feel like softer.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2014, 06:10:29 am by iaent »
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Telecaster

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2014, 03:31:32 pm »

I tested the lens at f2.8 with close subject the focus is spot on, it lacks contrast, which I think make it feel like softer.

Contrast you can deal with in post as long as the lens is capturing enough detail for the software to work with. Which in this case it likely is. Unless you really need sharp corners at wide apertures I'd suggest sticking with this lens and seeing what you can do with it. I've used my Pentax 20/2.8 on a Sony A7r, mostly at f/11, with very good results. It's no Zeiss Distagon but it doesn't come with the weight & bulk of that lens either.

-Dave-
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iaent

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2014, 02:52:54 am »

Guys,loving this lens because I stopped pixel peeping and started using it. Check out the HDRs I have taken with this lens
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.488898117905031.1073741887.309209772540534&type=3

Morris Taub

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2014, 04:08:18 am »

Friends,
I bought a used Nikon 20mm f2.8D. Is  it good, What u guys think about it?
Thx.
I use this lens on a 12mp D700 and think it's great.

HSakols

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2014, 10:03:39 pm »

I brought it along last summer while backpacking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne in Yosemite.  I thought it performed fined  - I used at least f11. 
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joneil

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2014, 08:30:20 am »

I use this lens on a 12mp D700 and think it's great.


   You see, there is - at least to me, the whole big issue here?  What is your need, your purpose, your workflow.   I use the 24mm F2.8 on my D700, and love it.  I don't like it on my D800.

     However, I use those two cameras for very different purposes.  For a photograph that appears in a newspaper, where your max resolution is 300 dpi on average, the D700 is all you need.   Big a big print hanging on the wall, out comes the D800.

  When it comes to talk about these lenses, you almost need to say ahead of time what your purpose and need is for it, because I think that makes all the difference in the world.
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scrane

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Re: Just bought Nikon 20mm f2.8D
« Reply #18 on: May 07, 2014, 10:43:33 am »

Friends,
I bought a used Nikon 20mm f2.8D. Is  it good, What u guys think about it?
Thx.

It's got its problems, but it is very wide and very small and pretty inexpensive. Just an OK lens.
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