NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: philipus on June 16, 2018, 08:36:52
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Hello all
I'm looking for a MF wide-angle lens with no/very low distortion for my FM3A. Currently I have a 24/2.8 AI which I find has too much barrel distortion for architecture, interiors etc. Thanks a lot for any suggestions.
Philip
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I often use the Zeiss 25/2; it exhibits little distortion at infinite, but much more at close range (most lenses do that).
The Sigma 24/1.4 A is an excellent lens, and has even less distortion it seems. Since it is relatively bulky, it is not my favourite when paired with the Df, but it is certainly worth considering. MF is easy, but I doubt the FM3a would be able to control the aperture (there is no ring).
Pricewise, a used 25/2 is about the same as a new 24/1.4, but it is difficult to call a Zeiss lens "used", given their build quality.
If you are picky about distortion at a certain range, I can do a quick test (brickwall-style).
I did not mention the 24/3.5 PC, which has a different use case. It is not distortion-free either, but pretty good. Probably not compatible with your camera (the E version has an electronic shutter), but you may find the non-E version used and that one is fully manual.
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The Sigma 24/1.4 is a G lens, so not suitable for the FM3a. Among Nikon manual focus wide lenses, the AI 28/2.8 and AIS 28/2.8 have the lowest distortion. They are different lenses, both are fine at infinity, the AIS does better at close range as it has CRC.
The late pre-AI K 35/2.8 and AI 35/2.8 serial no 851001 - 870xxx also has low distortion but it's probably not wide enough.
The AI 15/3.5 also has low distortion, but it's a much bigger and wider lens, more expensive too.
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Maybe not your preferred solution, but DxO optics corrects distortion for specific lenses on specific bodies. PS also does not do a bad job unless your lens has mustache distortion.
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But applying distortion correction in PP is difficult with film cameras ;)
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The AI 15/3.5 also has low distortion, but it's a much bigger and wider lens, more expensive too.
AI or later AI-s, the 15mm f/3.5 rectilinear was a dream lens for architects (how to make that small entrance look like a palace :-) )! Too bad it had a heavy price and wasn't easy to find (sigh).
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Hello all
I'm looking for a MF wide-angle lens with no/very low distortion for my FM3A. Currently I have a 24/2.8 AI which I find has too much barrel distortion for architecture, interiors etc. Thanks a lot for any suggestions.
Philip
the 1.4/24G is very very well corrected geometrically
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but it is a G lens, unsuitable for an F3
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but it is a G lens, unsuitable for an F3
I noticed that too late. The Zeiss is a good Alternative
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Philip, have you tried the Ai-converted Nikkor-N C Auto 24/2.8?
I used to use one on my Nikon FE loaded with Kodachrome 25 and wasn't bothered by the distortion. But, when my friend showed me some slides shot with his Ais 24/2.8 on Nikon F, I was surprised to see the clearly noticeable distortion.
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The Nikon zoom AF-S 17-35/2.8D, when used at 22mm-24mm has surprisingly little distortion. A wide angle lens with SLR back focal distance that has zero distortion is a very tall order.
Off topic: The lowest distortion I've ever seen on 35mm film was shot on Leica M film cameras using Leica, Zeiss, and Voigtlander M-mount lenses.
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LAOWA (Venus Optics) offers "Zero-D" super wideangle 12mm/f2.8:
https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-12mm-f2-8-zero-d/
I haven't tried it, so this is just info, but apparently the F mount model can be able to use with the film SLRs.
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Thom Hogan likes the Irix 15mm for low distortion. http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/nikon-lens-reviews/third-party-lens-reviews/two-15mm-manual-focus-choic.html
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The Sigma 20/1.4 has limited distortion.
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again, not F3 compatible ;)
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/133023063@N04/albums/72157674498763620
Have you considered this?
The 12mm has cutout grooves that engage mechanically with the camera to pass on aperture values; allowing all metering modes.
The distortion is near 0 at infinity. There is some at close focus, which this lens really is capable in doing:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5682/29979132094_8e8f936c83_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MF9TvQ)Dominating Thistle (https://flic.kr/p/MF9TvQ)
Pros:
Really good build quality
Small compared to other UWAs
Takes 100mm filters rather than ipad minis
Focus throw is long enough at macro distances for precise focusing
Easy to focus, dial to infinity and back a bit for landscape, done
Fast, f/2.8
Insane sharpness and resolution, even wide open
Cons:
Jerky junk hood and cap, Laowa sells an optional one for $15 or so. Get that. That also allows 95mm filters.
Horrible flare at specific angles, encountered twice when shooting normally. Easily avoidable
In general, flare control isn't that great.
Coma = bad. Doesn't improve at f/4. Really this is the only downside. Doesn't matter if one doesn't do astro. I choose to shoot 3 vertical shots and stitch the best regions
It might be too wide. Some cases, I simply find it to be too wide. Great results when used correctly, crooked if not. Lines need to be controlled... wish I own a geared tripod head.
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My Friend has a Laowa 15mm f4 macro with built-in shift capability. Because of the shift it throws a big image circle so coma isn't an issue. Fully manual, but zero D.
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My Friend has a Laowa 15mm f4 macro with built-in shift capability. Because of the shift it throws a big image circle so coma isn't an issue. Fully manual, but zero D.
Really? The 15mm/4 has the same distortion profile as the older samyang 14/2.8, mustache-like. It's quite horrible in terms of distortion, but it's really intended for macro where distortion doesn't really matter since we're shooting close.
FYI, the shift doesn't cover full frame. Coma is pretty good, but f/4 is what we're talking about.