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Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 Lens

The Nikon 20mm f/3.5 is a 20mm f/3.5 lens designed for Nikon F mount cameras. Used copies start from $199 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 Lens

Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 Lens

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NIkon nikkor ud 20mm f3.5

Condition: Fair

Product Highlights

  • Vintage wide-angle lens
  • Compatible with Nikon F-mount cameras
  • Manual focus operation
  • Compact and lightweight design

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$199.00

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Used Nikon 20mm f/3.5 Listings on GearFocus

NIkon nikkor ud 20mm f3.5
NIkon nikkor ud 20mm f3.5

Fair

$199.00

Lens Overview — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

The Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 is a vintage prime wide-angle lens built for the Nikon F mount, covering a full-frame image circle. As a manual focus lens with no autofocus system, it asks its operator to slow down and engage directly with the image-making process — a quality many photographers find rewarding, particularly in landscape, architectural, and street work where deliberate composition matters. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5, offering a reasonable amount of light gathering at the wide end.

It weighs just 270g, making it a lightweight option that won't fatigue shooters during long outings. The 52mm filter thread is a common size, meaning compatible filters are widely available and affordable. Being a full-frame lens on the Nikon F mount, it is physically compatible with a broad range of Nikon F-mount camera bodies across different eras.

The manual-only focus operation means no autofocus motor noise or battery dependency for focus, which can be a practical advantage in certain shooting scenarios. Overall, this is a compact, lightweight prime that suits photographers who appreciate hands-on, manual operation.

Key Features — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

20mm Prime Focal Length: Fixed wide-angle perspective well suited to landscape, architectural, and street photography.

Nikon F Mount: Compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount film and digital SLR bodies spanning multiple decades.

Full-Frame Coverage: Projects an image circle that covers a 35mm full-frame sensor or film plane without vignetting.

f/3.5 Maximum Aperture: Provides usable light gathering at the wide end for available-light shooting conditions.

Manual Focus Only: Smooth manual focus ring with no autofocus motor, suited to deliberate, precise focus control.

AI Coupling: Nikon AI indexing ridge allows full metering compatibility with AI and later Nikon film and digital bodies.

Lens Specifications — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

Nikon 20mm f/3.5 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesLandscape, Architecture, Creative Effects
Lens TypePrime
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length20mm
Maximum Aperturef/3.5
Camera SystemDSLR
Lens MountNikon F
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread52mm

Description — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

The Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 is a prime wide-angle lens designed for the Nikon F mount, with full-frame coverage and a fixed 20mm focal length. It features a maximum aperture of f/3.5 and operates entirely via manual focus, with no autofocus system present. The lens accepts 52mm filters, a popular and accessible size.

At just 270g, it is a genuinely lightweight option for photographers working in wide-angle focal lengths on full-frame Nikon F-mount DSLR bodies. The absence of image stabilization and autofocus are characteristics of this classic AI-type design, suiting photographers who prefer direct, manual control over their shooting process. The Nikon F mount compatibility makes it usable across a wide range of Nikon F-mount camera bodies.

Pros — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

  • ✓Lightweight at just 270g, making it easy to carry for extended shoots
  • ✓Full-frame coverage on the Nikon F mount with a 20mm focal length
  • ✓52mm filter thread is a widely available, affordable filter size

Cons — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

  • ✗No autofocus — manual focus only, which may not suit all shooting styles or fast-moving subjects
  • ✗Maximum aperture of f/3.5 is relatively modest for a wide-angle prime, limiting performance in low light
  • ✗No image stabilization, which is expected but worth noting for handheld use in dim conditions

Videos — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

Angry Photographer: ALL 20mm Nikkor Supreme Roundup! Most important WIDE PRIME — Theoria Apophasis

Resources & Downloads — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Nikon 20mm f/3.5

What camera mount does this lens use?+
The Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 uses the Nikon F mount. It is designed for Nikon F-mount DSLR camera bodies.
Does this lens work on full-frame cameras?+
Yes, the lens is specified as a full-frame format lens, meaning it is designed to cover a full-frame image circle on compatible Nikon F-mount bodies.
Does this lens have autofocus?+
No. This is a manual focus only lens. There is no autofocus functionality, so the photographer must focus manually using the focus ring.
What filter size does the Nikon Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5 use?+
The lens has a 52mm filter thread, which is a common and widely available size across filter brands.
How much does this lens weigh?+
The lens weighs 270g, making it a compact and lightweight option within the wide-angle prime category.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, this lens has no image stabilization. Photographers should account for this when shooting in lower light or at slower shutter speeds.

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