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A few months ago I bought the 20mm f2.8 D lens for my D850. I am learning to use it when out walking in the woods. But soon I will drive to the city and take it to the streets. So far I enjoy cropping to 16x9 and square.
I bought this lens blind being a fan of the brands other lenses. Initially I was disappointed but as I used the lens and experimented with it, I have grown to like it for what it is. It has an interesting character and stopped down it is an excellent lens. I carry it most of the time because it is so small and light it takes no real space and is surprisingly useful. It isn’t the best lens but it is absolutely capable of beautiful images and the close focus opens up creative options. It’s good enough optically in the majority of the situations that and it’s physical build quality is satisfying to use.
Yes, I completely agree 👍 - I'm glad to read that your findings are similar to mine. I also appreciate the lens for what it is, as Voigtländer achieved the perfect fusion of ultra compact and usable image quality. Thanks for the comment
Its really best suited to being a small portable travel/landscape lens I would say shot at F/8, for that purpose I think the performance is absolutely fine, not the kind of micro contrast you get from Cosina's Zeiss lenses but a pretty sharp across the frame neutral rendering. I use it and the 40mm Ultron as a two lens setup on my Nikon Df pretty often, easy to keep one in the pocket and the other on the camera without needing to keep delving into a camera bad. Sometimes I'v used both on my D850 as well when doing long distance serious walking were I want to keep the weight down.
Eh, I personally like this lens a lot. I only shoot with such a wide angle from time to time, but as a travel companion this lens is perfect. It is super compact just to cary in a pocket for an ocation. I am personally happy with the image quality and especially with color rendering. Color is rich and skin tones (yes you heard me right) are very clean and pleasant. Edges are "soft" in the image simply due to its tiny optical element at the backside. It is very-very little. I might also say that distortion is quite difficult to correct. I have in general zero complaints about the sharpness, it is fine enough. For an affordable price to have such a nice small lens in the kit is not a brainer. In fact it is so small, that it is very easy to frame a finger while focusing.
Hi, thanks for the video. I think you got a bad copy. It's indeed a good lens and mine does not expose the issues you have. I have used it a lot on crop sensor (D5600, D500) and also full frame (D780). It's definitely one of my favorite lens, and its portability is a huge pro, for someone that just need this focal length occasionnally. See Dustin Abott test, he does not mention your issues. I have tried to share my gallery also with example photos, but TH-cam keeps deleting my post :/
Thank you for your much appreciated comment & sharing of your experiences! Maybe it came across a little bit harsh, as I agree with you, the lens is actually pretty good, also my copy. Below f8, I was just not very impressed - and I was quite surprised, so I checked with lab tests online, e.g. optical limits. They came to the same conclusions more or less: yes it is good, but not outstanding. I still think it is an engineering marvel and also a very good, useful lens - as it is incredibly small, has an interesting optical character and outstanding build quality. Maybe you can send me your example shots via mail, I'm very curious!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Sure, it's not outstanding, I agree with that. It's good enough for occasional use. I would not use it for astrophotography in particular.
Maybe the video sounded a bit harsh - I also think that it is quite sharp at f/3.5 for a 20mm lens. It is just that the Nikkor AF-D 20mm is better (but also bigger and made of plastic mostly). Stopping the Voigt down to f8 gives you high performance results, which is quite impressive given the size of this lens. So I share your positive sentiment towards the lens, it is really good (also the 40, which I like a lot) Thanks for sharing your experiences, Kim!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Please tell me if it works and really hope you can make another review of this lens after the problem is fixed! Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, I cannot try it anymore, as I've sold the lens 😞 I'm thankful anyway, because if I get another copy I will test that immediately. In any case, as I've said in the review, the lens is good, it is just that the AF-D is better, but also bigger - at least mine was. Thanks again for the contribution
Yes, that is true. It is of course "good enough" for most scenarios, especially when shot at f/8. I have not tried the AiS 20mm before, but from what I've researched it seems to be optically identical to the AF Nikkor that I used for comparison. So I assume it should be a little bit better as well. The old Nikkors are surprisingly good lenses, I was also quite surprised when I compared the 28mm AiS with the 28mm Voigt f/2.8. Thanks for the comment, Terry!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Just bought the Voigt 28mm from Japan it is on the way :) I will be able to compare it with my great but heavy Distagon 28mm f2. I hope it becomes my casual compact 28mm to walk around.
I agree, I've had to search for over a year - and it can be quite expensive, especially the Nikon F Version. It is worth it, though - as Jean-Christophe mentioned previously, it is a very special lens!
Ok to sum things up this lens is very bad in every way. My D850 will slaughter it and will ask me if I am mentally ok. Ok now where can I get this lens? I want it😅
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A few months ago I bought the 20mm f2.8 D lens for my D850. I am learning to use it when out walking in the woods. But soon I will drive to the city and take it to the streets. So far I enjoy cropping to 16x9 and square.
Good choice!
I bought this lens blind being a fan of the brands other lenses. Initially I was disappointed but as I used the lens and experimented with it, I have grown to like it for what it is. It has an interesting character and stopped down it is an excellent lens. I carry it most of the time because it is so small and light it takes no real space and is surprisingly useful.
It isn’t the best lens but it is absolutely capable of beautiful images and the close focus opens up creative options. It’s good enough optically in the majority of the situations that and it’s physical build quality is satisfying to use.
Yes, I completely agree 👍 - I'm glad to read that your findings are similar to mine. I also appreciate the lens for what it is, as Voigtländer achieved the perfect fusion of ultra compact and usable image quality.
Thanks for the comment
Thank You for the information. Your videos are very informative.
Great to read!
Its really best suited to being a small portable travel/landscape lens I would say shot at F/8, for that purpose I think the performance is absolutely fine, not the kind of micro contrast you get from Cosina's Zeiss lenses but a pretty sharp across the frame neutral rendering.
I use it and the 40mm Ultron as a two lens setup on my Nikon Df pretty often, easy to keep one in the pocket and the other on the camera without needing to keep delving into a camera bad. Sometimes I'v used both on my D850 as well when doing long distance serious walking were I want to keep the weight down.
Yes, definitely. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Thank you!
Eh, I personally like this lens a lot. I only shoot with such a wide angle from time to time, but as a travel companion this lens is perfect. It is super compact just to cary in a pocket for an ocation. I am personally happy with the image quality and especially with color rendering. Color is rich and skin tones (yes you heard me right) are very clean and pleasant. Edges are "soft" in the image simply due to its tiny optical element at the backside. It is very-very little. I might also say that distortion is quite difficult to correct. I have in general zero complaints about the sharpness, it is fine enough. For an affordable price to have such a nice small lens in the kit is not a brainer. In fact it is so small, that it is very easy to frame a finger while focusing.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
It is not a bad lens, it is just not as good as the Nikkor - but as you've said, it is smaller and that a huge bonus in and of itself!
Hi, thanks for the video. I think you got a bad copy.
It's indeed a good lens and mine does not expose the issues you have.
I have used it a lot on crop sensor (D5600, D500) and also full frame (D780).
It's definitely one of my favorite lens, and its portability is a huge pro, for someone that just need this focal length occasionnally.
See Dustin Abott test, he does not mention your issues. I have tried to share my gallery also with example photos, but TH-cam keeps deleting my post :/
Thank you for your much appreciated comment & sharing of your experiences!
Maybe it came across a little bit harsh, as I agree with you, the lens is actually pretty good, also my copy. Below f8, I was just not very impressed - and I was quite surprised, so I checked with lab tests online, e.g. optical limits. They came to the same conclusions more or less: yes it is good, but not outstanding.
I still think it is an engineering marvel and also a very good, useful lens - as it is incredibly small, has an interesting optical character and outstanding build quality.
Maybe you can send me your example shots via mail, I'm very curious!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Sure, it's not outstanding, I agree with that. It's good enough for occasional use. I would not use it for astrophotography in particular.
Yes, I agree with this assessment. Really, I find it very impressive for the size. Voigtlander makes great lenses, with unique traits.
I am surprised. I have the same lens and I find it quite sharp at f/3.5. Also the 40mm version s very nice - it is about the same size.
Maybe the video sounded a bit harsh - I also think that it is quite sharp at f/3.5 for a 20mm lens. It is just that the Nikkor AF-D 20mm is better (but also bigger and made of plastic mostly). Stopping the Voigt down to f8 gives you high performance results, which is quite impressive given the size of this lens.
So I share your positive sentiment towards the lens, it is really good (also the 40, which I like a lot)
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Kim!
Perhaps the back element of the your copy is loosened a bit. Try turning it back tight and you will find the lens incredibly sharp even wide open.
Many thanks for the tip!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Please tell me if it works and really hope you can make another review of this lens after the problem is fixed! Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, I cannot try it anymore, as I've sold the lens 😞 I'm thankful anyway, because if I get another copy I will test that immediately.
In any case, as I've said in the review, the lens is good, it is just that the AF-D is better, but also bigger - at least mine was.
Thanks again for the contribution
Oh, I see. Anyway, nice review indeed! Wish you have the chance to review it again. Happy vlogging and all the best.
Many thanks!
Seems this 20mm is not able to match the picture quality of its longer 28mm brother. May be a nikon AIS 20mm f2.8 is better choice?
Yes, that is true. It is of course "good enough" for most scenarios, especially when shot at f/8. I have not tried the AiS 20mm before, but from what I've researched it seems to be optically identical to the AF Nikkor that I used for comparison. So I assume it should be a little bit better as well. The old Nikkors are surprisingly good lenses, I was also quite surprised when I compared the 28mm AiS with the 28mm Voigt f/2.8.
Thanks for the comment, Terry!
@@ThomasEisl.Photography Just bought the Voigt 28mm from Japan it is on the way :) I will be able to compare it with my great but heavy Distagon 28mm f2. I hope it becomes my casual compact 28mm to walk around.
Uh, I would be very interested in your findings! I really like the Voit 28mm, and if you don't need f/2, well, then you should be good!
Is this lens still available new? Can not find it anywhere.
No, not produced anymore. You can find some on eBay, if you monitor for it. It’s quite rare indeed.
I agree, I've had to search for over a year - and it can be quite expensive, especially the Nikon F Version. It is worth it, though - as Jean-Christophe mentioned previously, it is a very special lens!
Ok to sum things up this lens is very bad in every way. My D850 will slaughter it and will ask me if I am mentally ok.
Ok now where can I get this lens? I want it😅