18mm f/2.8D

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18mm f/2.8D

niXer
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p.1 #1 · 18mm f/2.8D

Is this lens any good?

I love my 17-35mm, especially after getting it fixed up but I seem to always be either at 17mm or 35mm so I'm thinking about going with the 18mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2 and maybe picking up a 24-85 VR since people are giving them away for if I ever need a wide angle zoom.

Jan 23, 2013 at 07:27 AM

thedruid
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p.1 #2 · 18mm f/2.8D

Unfortunately not as good as your 17-35mm.

Jan 23, 2013 at 12:28 PM

Waki
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p.1 #3 · 18mm f/2.8D

The lens gets a bad rap I think. Maybe its not "that good" to all the experts but unless a lens is grossly out of whack IQ wise, I prefer to use it and either like or not like the results. I like the 18mm a lot. So do customers. Not one has said its not sharp enough. I take it with over the wide zooms (14-24mm) when weight matters and I know I'm shooting wide since its much lighter and can take a filter if needed.

I got mine used for a decent price and its a keeper.

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:29 PM

Danner
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p.1 #4 · 18mm f/2.8D

I recently got the 18/2.8D. I did an A-B comparison with my 20/2.8D and I could not decide which was better, so call them even (I'm selling the 20 now). The 18 is a bit wider and more solidly built. The hood offers better coverage too.

The sharpness and CA may be a little worse than the zooms like the 16-35, 17-35, and 14-24, but it isn't like the 18 sucks. The pictures look good and sharp to me at reasonable viewing sizes. The distortion on the 18 is not bad at all. I think some of the criticism that the 18 and 20 get is based on test sites and pixel peepers. And I think the "Internet amplification" factor comes into play as well. Nikon only ever made about 7000 of the 18mm lenses, so a lot of people commenting on it have never held one in their hand. But, with day to day use of the 18mm lens, I find it quite pleasing and I will keep it permanently. BTW, I am shooting it with a D800.

- Danner

Jan 23, 2013 at 03:34 PM

thedruid
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p.1 #5 · 18mm f/2.8D

I used it for a while and I liked it, it's lighter obviously so easier to carry but it was not as good as my 17-35mm simple as that, no bad mouthing on my part. I edit my work for editors who view at 100% so I peep.

Jan 23, 2013 at 05:17 PM

niXer
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p.1 #6 · 18mm f/2.8D

My only reason against getting the 14-24 is I'd spend too much time worrying about scratching it then actually using it.

I would have gone for a 14mm f/2.8D but it still has that bulbous front element.

Now reading up on things more I might look into just picking up a 20mm f/2.8D for when I don't want to lug the 17-35 around.

Jan 23, 2013 at 08:32 PM

Frank_Maiello
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p.1 #7 · 18mm f/2.8D

niXer wrote:
My only reason against getting the 14-24 is I'd spend too much time worrying about scratching it then actually using it.

Some people make a fuss over the 14-24's potential for damage, but in my experience it's not a big deal. If you can keep any other lens scratch free, you can keep the 14-24 in the same condition. Don't let worry get in your way!

Jan 23, 2013 at 10:20 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #8 · 18mm f/2.8D

I have owned 2 or 3 copies of the 18/2.8D. My favorite lens of all time. I'd consider going back to Nikon just for that lens.
Compact, VERY well-built, great images, and you can occasionally find them for great prices. I never paid more than $300 for one.
On the D700 it was perfect.

Take a quick look on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=18%2F2.8D&ss=2&s=int

A lot of those are my buddy Nate's (he hasn't been active on here for some time), some are mine (Chris.jpg).
Here are mine on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&ss=2&w=75696104%40N00&q=18%2F2.8&m=text

I shot tons with it in Japan and Iraq. It was great.

Jan 24, 2013 at 01:10 AM

avyoung
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p.1 #9 · 18mm f/2.8D

I find the AFD 18/2.8 size and build really nice. Sharp in centre, but not great at corners. Prone to ugly red flare/ghosting. Since I don't often use ultra wide angles, it seems to be a good choice for me. I can put it in the bag and not really notice dragging it around with me. It really depends if you are going to enlarge to poster sizes or not. I rented a AFS14-24 and it had better IQ but still had weak corners at 14-15mm and still prone to ugly ghosting (a more nano green colour). Nothing is perfect out there. I would definitely like Nikon to consider a modern ultrawide prime. A 15 or 17mm/F2.8 would be nice...and keep it small and light!

Jan 27, 2013 at 06:11 AM

kinconorb
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p.1 #10 · 18mm f/2.8D

ISO1600 wrote:
I have owned 2 or 3 copies of the 18/2.8D. My favorite lens of all time. I'd consider going back to Nikon just for that lens.......never paid more than $300 for one.

I'd love to find one for $300

Seems they all sell for around $800 now. Any issues I should lookout for if I do come across a cheap copy?

Feb 16, 2013 at 02:31 AM

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