Wide open wide angle lenses for a Nikon D80

[Box801]

Hey everyone,

I'm considering the Nikkor AF 20mm F/2.8. Any thoughts on this lens? I heard thats it's very soft at the edges, although I'm using a crop sensor camera which will allow me to use only the sharp part of the lens. My budget is under $900.

I'm using this lens for photojournalistic purposes (getting shots of people in tight spaces at weddings/nightclubs and photos of large crowds) and landscape photography (cityscapes, architectural, nature).

Any opinions? The wide open aspect of the lens is very important to me since I'm shooting in such low light all the time.

Thanks,
Box801

 

[cnutco]

Have you not concidered the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G? Its cheaper and faster.

If you have a zoom that can do 20mm and 35mm, then you can check out the difference to see if it will work for you.

 

[KmH]

But the 35 mm has CA problems, which is why it's cheaper, and it's not a wide angle lens particularly on a APS-C image sensor (52.5 mm equivelent).

I'm considering the Nikkor AF 20mm F/2.8. Any thoughts on this lens? I heard thats it's very soft at the edges,

Heard where?

And on a APS-C sensor the 28 mm is a 42 mm equivelent, also not a wide angle lens.

Most prime lenses are soft, and/or have other issues, when used wide open. That is because a simple lens is narrower at its edges than in the middle. Other lens elements are then use to correct the various optical aberrations, like spherical aberration, coma, and chromatic aberration, but those issues can only be minimized to one extent or another, not eliminated entirely. However, in general the more expensive the lens, the better the corrections.

I would be looking at the 20 mm f/2.8, but it seems you're looking for cheap rather than good.

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

I have the Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 and think it is a good lens. On a full frame body, there is a vignetting at the corners when set wide open and minor barrel distortion but haven't really noticed on the crop body.

For your perusal......
Nikon 20mm f/2.8 Nikkor review by Thom Hogan
Nikkor AF 20mm f/2.8 D (FX) - Review / Test Report
FM Reviews - Nikon 20mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor

 

[cnutco]

So much for going cheap!

I wonder if you could find a 17 - 55 f2.8 around your budget? Mine is great!

 

[EPPhoto]

So much for going cheap!

I wonder if you could find a 17 - 55 f2.8 around your budget? Mine is great!

You won't find the 17-55 2.8 for less than $1100 even used. I paid 900 for mine but it was from a good friend. That glass goes for over $1500 new

Sent from Erics iPhone www.ericporado.com

 

[cnutco]

So much for going cheap!

I wonder if you could find a 17 - 55 f2.8 around your budget? Mine is great!

You won't find the 17-55 2.8 for less than $1100 even used. I paid 900 for mine but it was from a good friend. That glass goes for over $1500 new

Sent from Erics iPhone Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Eric Porado Photography

That makes me feel real good because I would say that I paid about $900 for mine too.

 

[EPPhoto]

Feels good to get a deal!

Sent from Erics iPhone www.ericporado.com