NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: MEPER on September 05, 2021, 22:14:18
-
I still have many old Nikkors I have never used and the old wide angle Nikkor-UD 20/3.5 was one of them.
So today I used it on Z50. I think it is a good performer. Back then it was probably an expensive lens. Mostly used by pros. I guess?
A few images from the Sunday walk.
-
To evaluate sharpness of the lens here is a 100% crop of the last image.
I think lens is quite sharp.
-
On the soft side wide open, but sharp to very sharp stopped down, indeed. Also a remarkbly good lens for IR if you have the inclination to try.
The 20UD was widely admired for being beautifully made. Plus it came with those magnificent (and highly impractical) 72mm metal screw-in caps.
-
My UD was just sitting on a F2 for display.
I just now realized that the attached 72mm filter is L1A and not a color neutral L37. The L1A is one of the old brass Nikon filters. It has probably followed the lens when I got it.
The 72mm metal screw caps I have a few of for other lenses (white and black color). For storage it protects the lens well but as you mention not practical in the field.
I wonder if the following 20mm Nikkors was made primarily for reducing size of lens or also to improve performance?
I am quite sure the 20 UD has lower geometrical distortion than the newer 20/3.5 which tages 52mm filters.
One more 100% crop attached of the last image of the "glass house".
-
Distortion of the 20/3.5 UD is similar to the 20/2.8 AIS, i.e. wavy (on full frame). However, it is less pronounced. I did not check with the 20/3.5 AI.
-
The distortion of the AI 20/3.5 has a pronounced central bulge which flattens out towards the edges. I got quite a surprise when I took some seascapes using this lens with the horizon near the top of the frame. Apart from that it is a very good little lens.
-
I made a quick test with both UD (1st image) and AIS 52mm filter version (both shot at f/3.5).
UD still has L1A filter on which is why it has a red cast.
Think it is visible that AIS version has a bit more barrel distortion?
But difference is less that I expected. Now it is with cropped sensor so not all is visible.
Could be fun if NX-D or Studio had a library with distortion profiles for old Nikkor primes so geometric distortion could be corrected during RAW conversion like more modern lenses with chip.
-
Still using it for some astrophotography. Here on a Nikon F2.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50731737438_5d537a69f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2khZq5f)
Nikon F2 AS + MD2 + Nikkor UD 20mm f/3.5 (https://flic.kr/p/2khZq5f)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48732752961_c66425b89c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hfm6CD)
_8500656-Modifier.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hfm6CD)
-
Do you use it at full aperture for this purpose?
The advantage of the UD compared to like say a AFS 20/1.8 is that the UD has a fixed infinity setting?
Using the UD with FTZ-adapter it goes past infinity but on a SLR-body infinity should be "spot on".
I wonder if I had the AFS 20/1.8 if this lens would be superior in ever aspect (apart from it is made of plastic)?
-
Do you use it at full aperture for this purpose?
Yes. f/3.5 13s ISO 2500
-
One of the last times I used film (!). Nikon S3 rangefinder with DIY F-RF(S) adapter, Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 UD.
-
's Heerenberg
Df, 20mm f/3.5ud
(https://live.staticflickr.com/2934/33358763920_60e21610c0_o.jpg)
-
two brilliant usages (Birna, Fons) of that undestructible lens.
-
Seems to be a true "Nikkor classic" lens like the 105/2.5 and a few others :-)
-
Concerning flare resistance : this is the biggest cohort of ghosts I could summon up, thanks to the unbearably bright sun this afternoon.
Df, 20/3.5 UD, f/11
-
Looks like a good place to sit in the afternoon sun with a cold beer.
If that is the worst it can get (regarding flare/ghosts) it is not "too bad".
I remember from Rørslett lens page that the 20/3.5 (52mm filter version) should be especially flare/ghost resistant and from my memory it is correct when I tried my own version long time ago.
It also seems that modern sensors handle vintage lenses better than "vintage" sensors.
From memory I think my D2X SLR (now sold) showed more "CA artifacts" using vintage lenses than on my Z50. It could also be in-camera processing / RAW conversion that has improved.
I don't see much CA when using vintage lenses on Z50.
-
In absolute terms, more recent lenses such as Voigtländer 58/1.4 perform much better against sunlight, but considering the age of the coatings and the fact it's a SWA, the 20/3.5 UD is not bad, really.