Nikon AF DX 10.5mm F2.8 G ED Fisheye Review

General information

This is a prime lens manufactured by Nikon and the lens was released 2003.
The lens belongs to the category wide angle prime lenses, a wide angle lens where you do not have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Worth thinking about is that the lens has a Fisheye-character which give the images an extreme wide but curved 'barrel' look which may require some post processing in your image editing software. Though, the lens offers you as a photographer the widest of wide angle views..

Product description from Nikon

At launch 2003 Nikon wrote this regarding Nikon AF DX 10.5mm F2.8 G ED Fisheye :

"This ultra-wide-angle, frame-filling fisheye, designed exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX-format, delivers incredible images with a 180-degree angle of view.

The first fisheye lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX format. *

Equivalent to 16mm focal length on a 35mm.

Close-Range Correction (CRC) provides high performance for sharper images when taking pictures up close.

Design enables a combination of wider angle of view with optical characteristics that are optimized for Nikon digital SLR camera sensors.

Rounded diaphragm makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural.

Built-in flower-type lens hood.

Ultra-wide picture angle of 180 degrees on DX sensor is achieved by producing a smaller image circle (the size of the image that is projected by the lens onto the sensor) enabling a smaller lens diameter, lighter weight and optimal image quality from center-to-edge-to-corner on the image.

Minimum focus distance of 0.14m (5.5 in.) or 0.03m (1.2 in.) from the lens front, makes extreme close-ups possible.

Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration.

Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes.

G-type DX NIKKOR is designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR models."


Compatibility, autofocus and focal length

This lens is designed and meant for Nikon cameras with a smaller sensor (often referred to as 'APS-C') which means that the lens does not fit all camera models. By clicking on the link below you can make sure that the lens works with your camera model and you should do an additional check with your local dealer as well, before you buy the lens just to be sure.

The possibility to use autofocus (AF) is available for Nikon cameras but only if the camera itself has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. Some cheaper and budget camera models from Nikon lacks a built-in autofocus motor, and we at Lensora appreciate autofocus, so in the list of compatible cameras we have chosen to display only the cameras that you can get autofocus with.

The lens has a focal length of 10 mm. Since the lens is designed to be used on a camera with smaller sensor ('APS-C') the focal length will be equivalent to 15 mm on your Nikon camera.

Lens brightness and image stabilizer

The lens brightness and aperture value is f/2,8.

This aperture value indicates that the lens is very bright.  This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues.

The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds. Since the lens is bright, with good aperture value, the lack of image stabilization might not be that big of a deal, although a image stabilizer is always an advantage to have.

Filter and Lens Hood

This lens does not support the use of filters which is slightly negative. To have the option to use filters, for their optic purpose or as protection, would have been nice but no.

Most lenses have the lens hood as an accessory, something that you mount on the lens seperately, but this lens has a lens hood as a fixed part of the lens.

Images of Nikon AF DX 10.5mm F2.8 G ED Fisheye

In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.

Things to consider before buying

Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.

  • The lens brightness, f/2,8
  • A lens hood is included (solid construction)
  • Light weight (300 gr)
  • No built-in autofocus motor 
  • Works only on cameras with APS-C sensor
  • Might have a limited use
  • Not possible to use filters
  • The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust

Our Review Ratings

Time to grade Nikon AF DX 10.5mm F2.8 G ED Fisheye .

Build Quality     
Image Quality     
Autofocus     
Sharpness     
Versatility     
Value     
Overall rating 3 of 5

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