Nikon/Nikkor
Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses
(All Lenses are Not Listed)

Nikkor 8mm f/2.8 AI, AIS: Nikon made wider fisheye lenses, 6mm and 7.5mm, and like this 8mm are very rare. The 8mm f/2.8 has a construction of ten elements in 8 groups and weighs 2 pounds, 3.3 ounces. It was made in both an AI and AIS version after the AI system was introduced. It has an angle of view of 180 degrees and focuses down to one foot.

Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 AI, AIS: Production began in March 1976 for the non-AI version, with the AI coming out a year later, followed by the AIS in Ocyober 1981. Lens construction is 16 elements in 12 groups. Weight is 2 pounds, 10.3 ounces. Angle of view is 118 degrees and the aperture scale goes from 5.6 to 22. Serial numbers for the AIS version begin with 175901.

Nikkor 14mm f/2.8 AF: The 14mm f/2.8 is an autofocus lens. There was not a manual version. It is constructed of 14 elements in 12 groups. It has an angle of view of 114 degrees (90 degrees with the digital D1 SLR), and it weighs 23.6 ounces. Minimum focus is 8 inches.

Nikkor 15mm f/3.5 AI, AIS: Production began in 1979, with the AIS being introduced in 1982. Lens construction is 14 elements in 11 groups. Far more compact than the 15mm f/5.6, nonetheless it weighs more at 24.2 ounces. It has amazing sharpness and straight line rendition, and is a much sought after lens. Angle of view is 110 degrees.

Nikkor 16mm f/2.8 AI, AIS, AF: The 16mm f/2.8 began its life as an AI lens in 1978/79, replacing the 16mm f/3.5. Construction is 8 elements in 5 groups, with a weight of only 10.9 ounces. The AIS version came in 1981 and the AF in 1993. Angle of view is an amazing 180 degrees

Nikkor 18mm f/2.8 AF: Filter size on this lens is 77mm. The lens has a construction of 13 elements in 10 groups and weighs 13.6 ounces. Close focus is 10 inches. Production on the lens began in 1993. angle of view is 100 degrees.

Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 AIS: This AIS lens began being producied in Febraury 1982. It has a lens construction of 11 elements in 10 groups. Close focus is 10 inches. Filter thread diameter is 72mm. The lens has a weight of 12.3 ounces. Serial numbers begin with 180051.

Nikkor 18mm f/4 AI: The AI version came out in 1977 and was produced until March 1982. It has a filter diameter of 86mm and its lenshood also serves as a holder for Series 9 filters. Construction is 13 elements in 9 groups. Weight is 11.1 ounces and it has a close focus of 12 inches.

Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 AIS, AF: The 20mm f/2.8 began production in December 1984. Minimum focus is 10 inches with great difinition. Filter size is 62mm. Constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups, the lens weighs 9.2 ounces. Older versions of the 20mm were an f/3.5 and the short-lived f/4. An AF D version came out in 1994 with the same construction that added .4 ounces to its weight. The f/2.8 is regarded as the best of Nikon's 20mm lenses.

Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AI,AIS: The 3.5 was introduced in 1979, with the AIS version coming out in 1981. Constructed of 11 elements in 9 groups. Filter size 52mm. Weight 8.3 ounces. The f/3.5 replaced the older f/4 model that did have an AI version which weighd only 7.4 ounces. Serial numbers of the AI begin with 176121, while AIS serial numbers begin with 210001. A good lens but not quite as sharp as the f/2.8.

Nikkor 24mm f/2 AI,AIS: For most people 24mm is as wide a lens as you would ever need. I seldom use anything wider than 28mm. However, this low-light beauty is an exceptional lens and its high used price reflects that opinion, although as of this writing this lens is still in production and can be purchased new. Introduced in 1977 as an AI, the AIS came out in 1981. It has 11 elements in 10 groups and weighs in at 10.8 ounces. Filter size is 52mm.

Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AI, AIS, AF: AI conversion came in 1977, the AIS in 1981 and several Af versions later on, beginning in 1988. Constructed with 9 elements in 9 groups and a weight of 10.2 ounces for the AI and 8.8 ounces for the AIS and AF models. The lens takes a 52mm filter and its aperture range is 2.8 to 22 (older models only go to f/16). If you want to go wider than 28mm, this is probably the best choice for most needs.