18mm f/3.5 Distagon T


  • FX coverage
  • AI-S plus (also ZF.2 chipped version for modern Nikons)
  • Manual focus only
  • 13 elements in 11 groups
  • ?-blade aperture diaphragm
  • smallest aperture is f/22
  • 82mm filter ring
  • 12" (.3m) minimum focus, 1:12 magnification
  • 3.3 x 3.4" (84mm x 87mm) long, diameter
  • 16 ounces (470g) weight
  • included lens hood
  • US$1400

No longer in production

Thom's Mini Review: Good news: centers are sharp wide open, razor sharp two stops down. Corners are very good but never great, and chromatic aberration and distortion are low. Bad news: tons of vignetting. Disappears within a couple of stops, but very visible wide open. Can be difficult to focus precisely. Overall: The 18mm really only beats the 14-24mm only in the corners. On the other hand, the build quality is exceptional and there's very little bad to say about the lens. Old school metal with long focus throws and excellent markings. Big filters (82mm). Recommended (with reservations)

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