Best 20mm for Nikon F?

[clayne]

All this stuff about distortion-correctioness, mirror lockup, etc. c'mon don't over-think this - it's an ultra-wide. UW lenses demand to be used in a certain way.


Kelenteng Kim Tek Ie (Jin De Yuan) by kediwah, on Flickr


Penjual Ikan by kediwah, on Flickr

All Nikkor 20/2.8, Tri-X.

 

[css9450]

The Nikkor-UD 20/3.5 is the period-correct lens for the camera and a very nice performer.

Its one of my favorites, and can't go wrong being period-correct.

I get nice results from mine but admittedly I don't have anything to compare it with - everything else I have in that focal length is found on a DX zoom...

 

[Noserider]

Yes, but its not over thinking: 20's can be used in many ways and some optical formulas are more 'complimentary' to that style. Its why once you get into 20's you seem to want to see how That 20 looks, and you get a couple. That 20 2.8 is an excellent all-arounder, my 2nd choice for Nikkor 20's. You get 1/2 stop faster (which can be very useful!), very good close up range with the CRC, and solid Mid-to-Long distance performance at F8, and as long as you're aware and careful you can compose with the slight distortion that this has. The 2.8's only challenge is flare, but its really not that bad, I don't use a filter and that giant hood and its OK if I need it that way.
Funny enough just before this thread started I put the 3.5 Ais on an F5 body to shoot a roll of Tri-X.

 

[L. M. Tu]

I had a 20mm F3.5 UD non-AI lens in the 80s, and I don't see why it is highly regarded by some. To me, it cannot compare with the more modern designs. At the moment, I own a 20mm F2.8 AIS and a 20mm F4 AI. I like them both, especially the slower lens, because it is so small and light, and I often end up using it on 35mm rangefinder bodies or Sony NEX cameras.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for the 21/4 'mirror up'.

Cheers,

R.