A test and overview of Nikon’s 10.5mm F/2.8 DX Fisheye Lens
Pictures taken with Nikon’s Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye F/2.8 Lens.
The first Fisheye Lens for DX (digital format) in the market. Great lens and great optics, ED glass but no AFS. There isn’t much to focus on for a fisheye lens. This lens is a specialty lens and lends itself to creativity. This lens suffers from Color Aberration (purple fringe). For those JPEG Fine shooters, dial-up to RAW when using this lens. CA is easily removable using Nikon Capture software during PP.
When this lens is used in your camera set to RAW, a ”defishing” feature is possible when the file is opened with Nikon Capture 4.4 or Nikon Capture NX. I have received questions from fellows intending to use this lens as an Ultra Wide Angle lens by ‘defishing’ the. In my personal opinion, the Nikon 10.5 fisheye is a specialty lens. When ‘defished,’ the picture will have a 150° field of view, however corners on your images will degrade unacceptably. This boils down to personal taste/choice.
The Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED DX Fisheye Lens is a unique and exciting addition to any photographer’s toolkit, especially for those using Nikon DX-format cameras. This lens is known for its ultra-wide-angle perspective and distinctive fisheye effect, making it a favorite for creative and experimental photography.
Focal Length and Aperture
The lens offers a fixed focal length of 10.5mm, which provides a 180-degree angle of view on DX-format cameras. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to create striking images with a shallow depth of field.
Optical Design
The lens construction includes 10 elements in 7 groups, featuring one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element to minimize chromatic aberrations and deliver sharp, high-contrast images. The Close-Range Correction (CRC) system ensures superior performance at close focusing distances.
Fisheye Effect
This lens produces a full-frame fisheye effect, filling the entire image frame with a curvy, distorted view that is both dramatic and immersive. This effect is particularly useful for capturing expansive landscapes, architectural interiors, and creative portraits.
Build Quality
The Nikon 10.5mm F/2.8G ED DX Fisheye lens is built to Nikon’s high standards, featuring a robust construction that can withstand regular use. It also includes a built-in lens hood to protect the front element and reduce flare.
Close Focusing Distance
One of the standout features of this lens is its ability to focus as close as 0.14 meters (approximately 5.5 inches), allowing photographers to get up close and personal with their subjects while still capturing a wide field of view.
Performance in the Field
In practical use, the Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye lens excels in delivering unique and eye-catching images. Its wide aperture and close focusing capabilities make it versatile for various shooting conditions, from low-light environments to detailed close-ups. The fisheye effect can add a creative twist to everyday scenes, making them appear more dynamic and engaging.
Photographers often use this lens for action sports, underwater photography, and artistic projects where a standard lens might not capture the desired effect. The sharpness and clarity of the images produced by this lens are consistently praised, even at the widest aperture settings.
See our size reference comparison picture between our old Sigma Full Frame version 15mm F/2.8 below.
Sample Pictures taken with the Nikon 10.5mm AF Fisheye Lens
If you need an Ultra Wide Angle Lens, consider Nikon’s 12-24 F/4, Tokina’s 12-24 F/4 (great bang for the buck), a Tamron 11-18, or even Sigma’s 10-20. To achieve a 150° field of view, it is better in my personal opinion to stitch via software 2 or 3 images rather than a defished one from the 10.5 fisheye lens.
If you are in the market for a 10.5 F/2.8 DX fisheye and would like to play a bit with some NEFs, bookmark this page. I will soon be uploading NEFs so you ‘defish’ and see for yourself, and or check how easily Nikon Capture gets rid of color aberration from this lens.
Check my overview of the Nikon 17-55 AF-S F/2.8 ‘DX’ Lens.
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