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Nikon launches the ultra-wide AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (12.09.2014)
Nikon today announces an exciting new lens for creative photographers: the AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED.
With a dynamic ultra-wide-angle perspective and fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, this FX-format prime lens is ideal when you want to exaggerate perspectives, expand space, and capture immersive images. The bright aperture delivers shallow depth of field, plus smooth bokeh, and ensures this lens excels in low-light settings. High-performance optics deliver edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal distortion, and the compact, lightweight design ensures easy portability.
Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager, Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe, says: “Curiously enough, 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D, which was a popular lens with many creative photography enthusiasts. Now Nikon are bringing this lens into 21st century, improving on practically every important aspect. The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED boasts a brighter aperture, snappier autofocus, and improved optical performance, as well as Nikon’s renowned Nano Crystal Coat, and enhanced ergonomics and construction. Besides having such impressive technical specifications, this new lens offers huge creative value, allowing photographers to explore the visual opportunities afforded by an all-encompassing view. Lenses like this excite the photographer within us, and we are extremely happy to welcome the new NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8 into the refreshed family of fast NIKKOR primes.”
Immersive perspective
The new NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8 delivers superb performance in a broad range of situations. Compact and versatile, this lens is well suited to interiors, street reportage, broad landscapes, and even underwater photography, and it’s a great choice when filming immersive movie scenes. Photographers who want to draw the viewer in, or who want the flexibility to shoot in confined spaces, can take full advantage of the 20 mm focal length and the ultra-wide-angle of view to create arresting images. The fast f/1.8 maximum aperture and superb light gathering capability of this lens enable distinctive subject/background separation and beautifully smooth bokeh. Photographers get the flexibility to shoot with faster shutter speeds and attain clear shots in low light, in addition to benefitting from a brighter viewfinder image. Autofocus is smooth, quiet, and swift, thanks to Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM), and the minimum focus distance is 0.2 m, making it easy to get in close and have subjects fill the frame.
High-resolution images
Engineered to accommodate the high-resolution demands of modern sensors, the new NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8 enables stunning photos and HD videos. The modern optical design features 13 elements in 11 groups, including two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and two aspherical lens elements (AS). Nikon’s ED glass ensures sharpness and contrast even at larger apertures, and the AS elements ensure distortion is exceptionally well controlled for such a wide focal length. Nano Crystal Coat minimises ghosting and flare.
Stress-free portability
Lightweight, compact, and fast, this lens is ideal for photographers ready to get close and capture dynamic images from a variety of locations. Weighing in at just 355g, it’s incredibly portable and extremely comfortable to use handheld. Optimised for FX-format sensors, the AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED offers a wide 30 mm angle of view when used with a DX-format D-SLR.
The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED comes with the CL-1015 Flexible Lens Pouch and the HB-72 Lens Hood.
