The Nikon 20mm is an old Nikkor lens that was made in the mid 90s. And it is the worst Nikon prime lens ever made. You can get this lens from Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
Now, you know that you will be helping me when you get anything from those store. In this review though, I will suggest you AVOID buying this lens.
Maybe I should stop bashing and get right on to why I don’t think this is a good lens.
Put it simply, the optical performance of this lens is very poor at any aperture.
While sharpness is great, the distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration are all an issue here. All of them are very visible and it will be very hard to correct in post processing.
And also, Nikon is offering many better lenses out there, so just skip this one.
If you are still curious about the test result, you can read my full Nikon 20mm review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Nikon 20mm Specs
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Official Name:
Nikon AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D
Focal Length Markings:
20mm
Features:
AF – Autofocus only compatible with non-entry level Nikon DSLR camera. It is not compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
FX – Compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor, film and full frame DSLR camera.
D – Distance information will be transferred to the camera body for metering purpose.
Full Technical Specs (from Nikon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 12 |
| Angle of View | 70 (DX) – 94 (FX) |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.85ft. (0.25m) |
| Filter Thread | 62mm |
| Weight | 9.5oz. (270g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 2.7 x 1.7in. (69 x 42.5mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.12X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Nikon 20mm Sharpness
Sharpness is excellent at any aperture, both on the center and on the borders.
The maximum point of sharpness is at f/4 which is just one stop from the widest aperture!
See my sharpness test result below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Nikon AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 20mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Nikon AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 20mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Distortion is very poorly controlled on this lens. Although this is a wide angle lens, Nikon should be able to do a much better job here.
The barrel distortion is very visible. You can see it below.
Nikon 20mm Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is also poorly controlled on this lens. As a side note, I tested this lens on a cropped sensor DSLR and it is visible at almost any aperture.
Imagine what will happen if you test it on a full frame sensor!
See the ugly result below.
Nikon 20mm Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Again, just like distortion and vignetting, chromatic aberration control is very poor as well.
It is very high at any aperture! Surely a big disappointment for a prime lens.
I am not sure what the issue here with Nikon, but the optical control department should be in big trouble…
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Nikon AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 20mm | High | High | Very High | Very High |
Build Quality
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Materials
Great quality polycarbonate with metal mounts.
Focusing
Focus ring is a bit small, but it operates well.
Autofocus speed is very fast and accurate. The filter thread does not rotate so you can use polarizing filter easily with this lens.
This lens will only autofocus with non-entry level Nikon DSLR camera. Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100 will not autofocus with this lens.
Due to the absence of AF-S motor, the focusing will be a bit noisy because it will rely on the screw motor on the camera body.
Image Stabilization
There is no VR or Vibration Reduction on this lens.
Compatibility
Being an FX lens, it is compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor DSLR and full frame DSLR camera. Also compatible with Nikon film camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images that I took with this Nikon 20mm lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Alright, time to conclude this Nikon 20mm lens review.
If you have paid close attention to the optical test, you know what grade I will give to this lens: D!
In terms of sharpness, it is OK. However, it has major optical issue at all aspects. Distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration are simply out of control here.
I have never seen a Nikon prime lens perform so bad in the optical test.
In terms of build quality, this lens is very good. It is small, but solidly built.
However, what is the use of this if it cannot give pleasing picture?
Drawbacks
- Very poor distortion control – barrel distortion is very apparent
- Vignetting is visible at any aperture
- Very High chromatic aberration at any aperture
- Expensive for the below par performance
Positives
- Good sharpness overall on the center and borders at any aperture
- Good build quality
Good For
- Really cannot think of one here… Maybe anyone who prefers distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting to a high degree?
Not So Good For
- Anyone looking for a sharp prime lens that delivers superb performance
What Others Are Saying…
by “J. Bert”
The Nikon AF20mm f2.8 was designed as a “pro” wideangle lens back in the days when 20mm in autofocus was as wide as you could get. Originally introduced in 1989 it was the AF equivalent of…
Click here to see the full review
by “Hazim Sabanovic”
This is a fine Nikon lens made in Japan, very quality built, a trust-worthy kind of lens that will last for a life time. It is very sharp and fast, colors are warm and fine, and the frame is just…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Nikon 20mm lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
See the following related wide angle prime lens reviews to see more options.
Thanks for reading this Nikon 20mm review and I will catch you in the next one!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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