Wideangle with minimal distortion? (F mount)

[kawasakiguy37]

Im looking for a wide angle prime with minimal distortion to use in F mount on DX. I want it to also be Full frame compatible of course, but my main concern is the lack of distortion. I already have a 28 2.0 so I need something wider than this. I use the 28 as my all purpose video lens (since its close to a 50 on DX) so this extra wide angle would become more of a normal wide angle for me. Also looking to keep things cheap as possible (does not have to be a low light lens). Thanks!

[WolverineX]

nikkor 20mm/4

[ManualFocus-G]

Hmm, you might struggle with older lenses to be honest. I love the Nikkor 24/2.8 to bits, but like all Nikkor primes it suffers the trademark barrel distortion on FX, but of course may be OK on DX.

I understand the Flek 20/2.8 and 20/4 are both great in this respect, but you'd need an optical adapter, so probably not for you. The Tokina / Soligor / Vivitar 17/3.5 distorts a LOT of FX.

Have you considered the Tamron SP 24-48mm zoom?

[Andrew G.]

I haven't managed to find one yet, but I believe the Nikon 20mm f/3.5 (the chunky old 'Nikkor-UD' version) may be worth a look.

[Esox lucius]

Since 28mm or wider was what you requested I have neglected some very high performing Nikkor designs.

On crop frame (DX) you'll see less geometric distortion (and less perspective distortion due to narrower FoV) than on full frame (FX). On FX, the Nikkors go like this. Please note I can't quote exact percentage data due to copyright issues. The facts are from various scientific publications and reliable source conducted optical tests, not long ago I did some research on the same subject myself.

Group of Nikkor wides with noticeable geometric distortion, will show in most compositions
From most to least (moderate margins from "worst" to "best")
14-24/2.8G at 14mm
13/5.6 Ai-S
14/2.8D
20/2.8 Ai-S
20/2.8D
15/3.5 Ai-S
20/4 pre-Ai
24/2 Ai-S
28/2.8 AF

Group of wides with moderate amount of geometric distortion, will show in some compositions
From most to least (very small margins from "worst" to "best")

18/3.5 Ai-S
20/3.5 pre-Ai
28/3.5 PC
28/2.8D
24/2.8 pre-Ai
24/2.8 Ai-S
24/2.8D
18/2.8D
28/2 Ai-S

In this "moderate geometric distortion" group, the 28/2 Ai-S you already have is the least barrel distorted.

Lowest in geometric distortion, will show perhaps only when shooting grids
From most to least (very very small margins from "most" to "least")
24/3.5 PC
28/1.4D
28/3.5 Ai
28/2.8 Ai-S
28/2.8 Ai
14-24/2.8G at 20mm

Since the 24/3.5 PC, 28/1.4D and 14-24/2.8G are expensive lenses your choice will probably settle with the 28/3.5 Ai, 28/2.8 Ai-S or 28/2.8 Ai. If you want something wider than 28mm and less distortion than your current lens has (28/2 Ai-S) you need to buy either the 14-24/2.8G (for 20 to 24mm use) or the 17-35/2.8D for (20-24mm use).

Yes, the Nikkor wide-angle zooms outperform Nikkor primes in the same focal length - not only in lack of geometric distortion but also in other areas. Ask any Nikkor connoisseur and they will verify this.

The zoom wides

The Nikkor 14-24/2.8G when zoomed to 24mm is, mathematically measured, free of geometric distortion. The best wide-angle you can get for F-mount, not only because of being corrected for geometric distortion but other performance as well.

The Nikkor 17-35/2.8D is moderate/high barrel at widest and low/moderate pincushion at narrowest. At 20 to 24mm however it is very low or near free of geometric distortion.

The Nikkor 24-70/2.8G has moderate/high barrel at 24mm, but is low on distortion (barrel or pincushion) in the 28 to 35mm range. At 50mm there's pincushion and 70mm none, but you aren't interested in that narrow end.

[kawasakiguy37]

Actually I do not care if it has the same amount of distortion as my current 28/2, I am fine with the small amounts it produces. I was more looking for some really wide....I may go with the 18 3.5 AI-s. Conveniently uses 72mm filters which I have for most of my other lenses too, and according to your chart it will have moderate distortion but still less than most wide angles.....especially on DX. Perhaps when I go to FX I will upgrade

[Boomer Depp]

The Nikkor 18mm f3.5 is my favorite ultra wide Nikkor.It has a touch of that wonderful moustache distortion which I find quite pleasing,...but overall the 18/3.5 has less distortion then the Nikkor 20mm f2.8 AI-S which I find amazing.The lens has better central sharpness then Zeiss 18/3.5,with the Zeiss being sharper in the extreme corners.

A 17mm and some 18mm lenses compared at the bottom of this page...http://www.adaptall-2.org/lenses/51B.html

[visualopsins]

Thank you Vilhelm for sharing so much informations!

[Boomer Depp]

A few Nikkor 18mm f3.5 AI-S links

http://chrisengholm.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/dayblog-nikkor-18mm-f35-review-and-trial-from-chris-engholmcom/

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/749631/0&year=2009

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/18_35_ais

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18f35ais.htm

[kawasakiguy37]

18 3.5 seems to be ideal, but a bit expensive. Im looking right now at the tokina 17mm 3.5 and the sigma 18mm 3.5, both seem to be decently cheap in MF. Now the question is....which to get. Most people seem to agree the tokina is the better buy?

[Boomer Depp]

Good luck to you!

[kawasakiguy37]

Looking into to it a bit more theres also the 18mm spiratone 3.5 (which is the same as the tokina 17mm 3.5, note that the spiratone 3.2 is by sigma and is garbage). The spiratone takes 72mm filters instead of the tokina 67mm (this seems to the be the only difference) which is a HUGE advantage to me. So I think I will wait for a copy of the spiratone 18mm 3.5 to come up......