AF-S NIKKOR 20mm 1:1.8G ED - white balance problems?

[stk]

As I was waiting for the new Z-mount 20mm, I came over a really good price on the AF-S version...and bought it.

It's used, but I can't see any sign of wear so I assume there's nothing wrong with the lens. But I do experience some white balance problems.

I usually shoot everything in raw with auto white balance, and adjust the shots that needs it. Most of the time I'm happy with the auto white balance, and do nothing. With this lens, it seems like the auto misses more than with other lenses. I have only tanken indoor shots in bad indoor lighting, so not the best test, but I still feel that my other lenses (24 - 70 S, 50 S, AF-S 70 - 300 VR) performs way better. The 20 mm is usually too warm and too green.

It's not a big deal, but it triggers my curiosity.

Is this lens known for this? Is it the combination of camera, adapter and lens? Do I have a bad copy?

 

[Derrel]

That sounds kind of weird to me but I would suspect the adapter, but it could be the lens itself.

 

[stk]

Thanks for your reply.

I think I have to investigate this further. My hope is that this is just bad luck or bad testing conditions, but either way it's an easy fix in post production.

I did however find a different quirk with this lens, and that is that Lightroom overdoes it when it comes to correction of vignetting. This lens has some serious vignetting, but after Lightroom has done it's job correcting that, it looks even worse. Not many images looks good with the corners being the brightest part...

 

[Braineack]

I have serious variations in color/wb between a few of my lenses.

I noticed it a lot between the 35m 1.4 and 58mm 1.4

 

[JBPhotog]

In order to actually quantify the difference in WB you must use a known target.

- For example, if you have a grey card or a WB card(insert many options here) set it up so the camera doesn't cast a shadow on the card and do a Custom WB.
- Then swap out lenses and repeat shooting but do not redo the Custom WB, use the previous one you set.
- There is no need to actually focus and in fact leave all the lenses at infinity so you don't affect exposure as you rack the lens out trying to focus on the card. Leave the exposure set the same for each shot so any EV change does not affect your RGB values.
- Then bring them into your best editing software and observe the RGB values, if you set your Custom WB and test the image you used as your control, it should read equal RGB values, for example R:128, G:128, B:128.
- Check each lenses RGB values and see how much and in which direction they shift.

That should give you some idea of how each lens renders a controlled value and illuminate you on any differences.

 

[BillM]

Are you using Develop Settings and with Lens Profile Correction enabled on import ? Could it be a preset it doesn't care for with that lens. Maybe try the profile for a different lens like the 24-70 and see what it looks like.

 

[Photo Lady]

I do not know much about this....still learning .... but i could swear i have the same problem at times with tamron lens.. and my camera.. still think they are not totally compatible.. at all times.. i will know more when i get another new lens.. soon i hope

 

[DaveAllen]

I've not noticed that with mine, though I am using it on 800/810/850 bodies. As someone else pointed out, could have something to do with being adapted or maybe the import settings in LR or similar...