Author Topic: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5  (Read 1930 times)

MEPER

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Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« 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.


MEPER

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2021, 09:58:09 »
To evaluate sharpness of the lens here is a 100% crop of the last image.
I think lens is quite sharp.

Birna Rørslett

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2021, 11:49:14 »
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.

MEPER

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2021, 16:53:50 »
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".

 

Airy

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2021, 17:37:03 »
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.
Airy Magnien

Roland Vink

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2021, 21:56:36 »
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.

MEPER

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2021, 09:28:43 »
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.

MFloyd

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2021, 02:20:13 »
Still using it for some astrophotography. Here on a Nikon F2.


Nikon F2 AS + MD2 + Nikkor UD 20mm f/3.5


_8500656-Modifier.jpg
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MEPER

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2021, 09:03:19 »
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)?

MFloyd

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2021, 10:16:19 »
Do you use it at full aperture for this purpose?



Yes. f/3.5 13s ISO 2500
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #10 on: September 08, 2021, 11:53:13 »
One of the last times I used film (!). Nikon S3 rangefinder with DIY F-RF(S) adapter, Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 UD.

Fons Baerken

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2021, 13:09:06 »
's Heerenberg

Df, 20mm f/3.5ud


Airy

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2021, 13:58:02 »
two brilliant usages (Birna, Fons) of that undestructible lens.
Airy Magnien

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2021, 21:02:32 »
Seems to be a true "Nikkor classic" lens like the 105/2.5 and a few others :-)

Airy

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Re: Nikkor-UD 20/3.5
« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2021, 00:20:02 »
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
Airy Magnien