Nikon AF-D 20-35mm f2.8

[JJChan]

I was intrigued by there being only 3 hand ground aspherical lenses - the Noct, the AF-D 28mm f1.4 and the 20-35mm zoom - perhaps they all share similar pictorial attributes that seem to be currently in vogue - namely ability to have the heightened isolation of central object, perhaps enhanced with field curvature, vignetting and the bokeh character (as seen elegantly in Marianne Oelands posts on dpreview)

I managed to find a reasonably priced sample of the 20-35mm. AFAIK there are no reasonably priced samples of the Noct or the 28mm f1.4!

Here are some shots - not so good as the weather was terrible and it was in between family time - again time is always the enemy. No chance for bokeh balls.

In summary - it is small, sharp, has nice colours, low distortion, significant colour fringing wide open but also perhaps that elusive pictorial quality. I'm liking it and it will probably replace my Ai 25-50mm as travel lens (ie also has AF, meters properly on my Df)

JJ

at 20mm f11, 20mm f2.8 and nice IR too 2 mm f8

[pluton]

I find the 25-50/4 very slow to use, due to the long focus stroke and vagueness of focusing at f/4.  I'm sure you are enjoying the ability to focus faster at f/2.8.
I have a copy of the next evolution of your lens, the 17-35/2.8.
I would like to see a new, modern design version that brings the even, all stops and all apertures sharpness performance of the 14-24/2.8 to this focal length niche.

[Jakov Minić]

I like the IR fluffy clouds.

[Bill De Jager]

This lens was my first ultra-wide-angle zoom back when I was using film. I found it very useful for interior photos, but wide open my copy showed massive aberrations towards the periphery.  These not only destroyed sharpness but also were distracting.  Stopped down it was much better.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

I had this lens and used it a lot in the film days. However, for landscapes I preferred the 25-50 as this lens produced a much cleaner drawing with less colour aberrations. The 20-35 also had a propensity for a very nasty flare spot in some situations.

[Erik Lund]

The lens also has very little distortion.

Super sharp for IR here on the D200

_EGL6235_1 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Again on the D200

_EGL6255 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Roland Vink]

I was intrigued by there being only 3 hand ground aspherical lenses - the Noct, the AF-D 28mm f1.4 and the 20-35mm zoom

Just a slight correction: You forgot the 10mm OP fisheye, which according to Nikon has the first aspherical SLR lens (see http://www.nikkor.com/story/0006/). Made between 1968 - 1976 the aspheric lens is most likely hand-ground like the Noct.

The AF-D 28/1.4 and 28-35/2.8 have CNC ground aspheric lenses, not sure if any finishing was done by hand...

AFAIK there are no reasonably priced samples of the Noct or the 28mm f1.4!

The 28/1.4 has total production of less than 7500, and the Noct maybe 2500 AI and 9000 AIS lenses, so rarity will ensure prices always stay high.

[JJChan]

Thanks for correction Roland - invaluable mine of information!

JJ

[tommiejeep]

Eric those are two excellent images.  You and JJ make me want to think about IR more seriously.  I sort of regret selling my last D200.

[JJChan]

Tom
More IR for you D200 @f8

JJ