Introduction
The Nikon 20mm 1.8G is a wide-angle prime lens designed for Nikon F-mount DSLRs that I have been using the past 4-5 years. With a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens is ideal for low-light photography and shallow depth of field as well as the size/weight benefit that comes with Nikon’s G prime lenses.
In this article, we will discuss the features and performance of the Nikon 20mm 1.8G, and explore its suitability for different types of photography.
Features and Design
The Nikon 20mm 1.8G is a relatively compact lens, measuring 82.5mm in length and weighing 355g. It has a metal mount and a robust, weather-sealed construction, making it suitable for outdoor use in various weather conditions.
One of the standout features of this lens is its fast maximum aperture of f/1.8. This allows for faster shutter speeds in low-light conditions, which is especially useful for indoor and nighttime photography. The aperture range also allows for shallow depth of field effects, which can be used creatively in portrait and product photography.
The lens has a 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm, which produces smooth bokeh (out-of-focus areas) in the background of images. The minimum focusing distance is 0.2m, which enables close-up shots with a wide field of view.
The Nikon 20mm 1.8G also has Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which provides fast and accurate autofocus. This is especially useful when capturing moving subjects or in situations where manual focus is difficult, such as in low light.
Performance
The Nikon 20mm 1.8G produces sharp and detailed images, even at its widest aperture of f/1.8. There is some distortion and vignetting (darkening at the corners of the image) at the widest aperture, but this can be corrected in post-processing software or by using the lens correction function in-camera.
The lens produces excellent contrast and color reproduction, with vibrant colors and accurate skin tones. The bokeh produced by the lens is also smooth and pleasing to the eye.
The fast autofocus system is accurate and reliable, making it easy to capture sharp images of moving subjects. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, which makes manual focusing a pleasure.
The lens performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its fast maximum aperture. It is also suitable for landscape and architectural photography, due to its wide field of view.
Suitability for Different Types of Photography
The Nikon 20mm 1.8G is a versatile lens that can be used for various types of photography. Here are some examples:
Landscape Photography – The wide-angle field of view of the lens makes it ideal for capturing sweeping vistas and dramatic landscapes. The fast aperture also allows for faster shutter speeds, which is useful for freezing motion in moving water or clouds.
Nighttime Photography – The fast aperture of f/1.8 makes this lens ideal for capturing nighttime scenes, such as cityscapes or astrophotography. The wide field of view also enables you to capture more of the night sky or cityscape in a single shot.
Street Photography – The wide field of view and fast autofocus make this lens suitable for street photography. You can capture candid shots of people and their surroundings, while also keeping the background in focus.
Environmental Portraits – The wide field of view and fast aperture can be used creatively in environmental portraits, where you want to capture the subject in their surroundings. The shallow depth of field effect can also be used to blur the background and draw attention to the subject.
Product Photography – The fast aperture and shallow depth of field effect can be used creatively in product photography, to isolate the subject and create a clean and professional look.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Nikon 20mm 1.8G is a high-quality wide-angle prime lens that is versatile and suitable for various types of photography. Its fast aperture, reliable autofocus system, and excellent image quality make it a great addition to any photographer's gear bag.