Want to Buy WTB: Nikon 18mm f/3.5 AI-S

[senderoaburrido]

As the title states.

 

[Leigh B]

Where are you located? That should be in your profile so it shows in every post.

- Leigh

 

[chip j]

That lens has a LOT of linear distortion--I would't touch it. Get a 17mm Tamron SP instead.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have had the first version of the tamron 17mm, I currently have the Sigma 18mm 3.5 that has been fitted with a 72mm filter ring.

I have compared the Sigma directly with the Nikkor 18mm 3.5 one after the other on the same roll of film. The Nikkor is ever so slightly more contrasty than the Sigma and hs slightly better resolving power. As far as the Nikkor 18mm being a distortion freak, I don't buy that.

Essentially none of these lenses work brilliantly wide open, they all need some stopping down.

From around 5.6, the Nikkor is pretty good, from f/8 onwards it is very good and from f8 and a half it is brilliant.

The Sigma is not as good until f/11, but the differences are minimal and with the price being one third of the Nikkor lens, I bought the Sigma about 27 years ago.

Mick.

 

[chip j]

I don't have personal experience w/the 18 nikkor, but that's what Ken Rockwell said. My 17 tamron SP & 18mm sigma AF are distortin-free.

 

[senderoaburrido]

Hm, yeah, I saw that the Tamron 18mm actually has pretty good resolving power in comparison to the Nikon. Have you guys any experience with it?

 

[chip j]

The Tamron 17mm (NOT 18mm) has excellent resolving power.

 

[Leigh B]

I replied to your PM on the other site.

- Leigh

 

[trythis]

I tested my Tamron 17mm 3.5 against my Tokina 17mm RMC 3.5 and was surprised to find the Tokina was better at every aperture despite the feeling that the Tamron would have been a better lens. I was happy in that I could attach a filter to the Tokina and sold off the Tamron. I would love to try the Nikkor though. I am sure there are enough differences in each lens that the reverse would probably happen for someone else.

 

[chip j]

The Tamron takes 82mm filters--they screw into the separate hood.