Review on Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Fixed Zoom Fisheye Lens - Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras by Todd Winter

As a longtime fisheye enthusiast, I realized this was a must when I made the transition from film to digital. First, it's a full-frame fisheye. A normal fisheye does not yet exist in the Nikon "G" series. The difference is that a full fisheye has an all-round view of 180 degrees (or even >180 in some cases) in the circle that fits in the frame (leaving a significant full black vignette around the image circle). These full-frame fisheye lenses are primarily used in meteorology and surveillance. The full-frame fisheye lens is an adaptation with a long focal length and a 180-degree field of view that covers the picture frame. Therefore, a 180-degree view is performed only along the diagonals of the frame. It also offers some lens protection with a minimal sunshade blocking the view outside the image rectangle. These full-frame lenses have a few other advantages. Longer focal lengths (e.g. 16mm versus 6 or 8 in a 35mm frame) do not require mirror blocking. And the full picture is more detailed and flexible for artistic effects. Finally, the center can be cropped to get a fairly undistorted image. This Nikon G full-frame fisheye lens delivers sharp images with solid build quality. Also, the 10.5mm focal length gives me the perspective I'm used to from 16-18mm lenses on the old film format. It does what Fisheye does best.1. Images with limited space. In a small room or something like a Lunar Command Module, a view that wide is a must despite the distortion.2. landscapes. It can take decent panoramic shots with some cropping. Also, the lack of straight lines outdoors often obscures the fact that the picture is generally a fisheye picture.3. fisheye effect. It has a sensual way of twisting lines to give it its own beauty. You can "look around” and catch a glimpse of the "top of the world” among other things. 4. Subdued light. The short focal length allows you to hold the lens in your hands with a shutter speed of 1/4 s and even longer. At f/2.8, this exposure is equivalent to holding the lens at f/1 for 1/30th of a second (near the limit of standard photography). So this is the best lens for shooting in low light. Aside from those standard fisheye features, the Nikon G does have one downside. That's really more of a feature of digital autofocus than a Nikon downside. Unlike standard and longer focal lengths, ultra wide-angle and fisheye lenses don't really need autofocus, at least not fine focus. Even with an open aperture of f/2.8, the depth of field is enormous. Such a lens focuses best "hyperfocally”, i.e. infinity is at the limit of the depth of field. Then at f/4 you'll have focus from 6ft to infinity and be free to shoot. Unfortunately, this is not possible with a G-Type lens, as the depth-of-field markings that we are used to from older lenses are simply missing. Perhaps some sort of pre-focusing could make up for that deficiency, but it wouldn't be easy. I suspect many longtime Nikon users make up for this with a mixed collection of old and new lenses. This allows them to focus accurately with old lenses and focus quickly with new ones. Since I switched from another manufacturer, I cannot use hyperfocal lenses. With a fisheye, hyperfocality is far more valuable than with any other lens. So I want Nikon to adapt to that. Otherwise, the lens is a pleasure to use. And the default depth of field is fine for most things.