There's something about Nikon equipment, you pick it up and you're instantly aware of the seminal images of our lifetime,captured by this wonderful, cherished equipment. Never is this more apparent than when looking at a gorgeous, Pro level piece of kit such as this.
A rare 1990 20mm f2.8 AF Nikkor ultrawide. This incredibly capable design was conceived to pack the ability of Nikon's widest non fisheye lens, the massive 20mm UD, into a lens little bigger than a basic 50mm prime. Today it enjoys a renaissance, due to the fact is performs so well on modern digital bodies and that its compact dimensions make it so much easier to work with than the modern equivalent.
Being Nikkor AF mount, this lens can be used in both Autofocus and Manual modes so it will work on any Nikon SLR or DSLR body made from 1959 to today. I have been trialling it on a borrowed D700, which offers full metering options with this lens, but it will work equally as well on any Nikon SLR or DSLR or with an adapter, any Canon DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, Sony NEX, or the amazing full frame Sony A7 and A9, as well as the current full frame mirrorless offerings from Canon, Panasonic and Nikon.
The capabilities of an ultrawide have to be experienced at least once, they open up a completely different world to our human eye. Even at wide open aperture, depth of field is amazing, everything is in uncanny focus, while straight lines remain throughout the image. A superb performer, quick, compact and maneuverable, all wrapped up in that legendary Nikkor build quality!
This particular example is in excellent condition as you can see, having been carefully looked after. The domed front element is flawless and when the lens is held up to bright daylight, there is just a single tiny mote visible. The lens is completely free of fungus or oil. The barrel finish is excellent, with only the very tiniest signs of use to give away the passage of the past three decades. The focus and aperture rings move as smoothly as you would hope from a Nikon lens and the lens looks nicely incongruous on any camera you attach it to, bearing that timeless Nikkor aesthetic. The optic is coated to NIC specification and shimmers magenta to blue like a jewel.
I love experimenting with ultra wides, they put a world to your eye which you would otherwise never see. I have only had this one a short while, but it is already a firm favourite. In the past, I have used similar lenses for Landscapes, architecture and even a rather interesting form of closeup portraiture, all to great effect, usually with the aperture wide open and the focus static, the depth of field is so deep that unless you are going very close, you almost never need touch the focus ring. I have adored my time with this lens, but it is frankly far too nice for me to keep to myself!
The lens will be supplied as pictured, with Nikon caps, ready for you to get to work immediately!
So there you have it, A rare opportunity to acquire a very desirable, classic, professional level ultrawide lens in excellent condition, but which thanks to Nikon, remains as stunning on digital as it is on film.
Of course, equipment of this vintage and condition is always going to be in demand, so it may well be possible to buy this lens, enjoy it, and part with it in the future for the same or more than you paid for it, making it effectively free!
Hopefully, the description and photos will answer any questions you may have, but please feel free to drop me an email if anything needs clarifying further.
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