What are the options for an ultra-wide angle rectilinear lens adapted for Sony Full Frame?

Question

I shoot with the Sony Alpha line predominately and currently have a 24mm Quantary Aspherical that I use on it but want to get something wider, ultra-wide. I'm not sure what to get though.

I have adapters for Nikon F and Pentax K but could always buy another adapter if really need to.

I'm trying to find a good lens wider than 24, still rectilinear lines, and with an aperture ring. Maybe there's a lens from Nikon film days I haven't been able to find yet? Any recommendations would be really helpful.

Answer 1

Ultra-wide lenses typically didn't exist in film days. Anything below 24mm is very hard to find. You might be able to grab an 18mm (like, say, the Olympus OM 18/3.5), but understand these were super-exotic at the time, and are liable to go for high prices. You'd probably be better off saving up for the 16-35, getting the 28/2 with the 21mm wide converter, or maybe looking at the Samyang 14mm f/2.8.

See also: Can I use lens brand X on interchangeable lens camera brand Y?

Answer 2

Nikkor Ultra-Wide Lenses

Nikon used to make, and still makes, several non-distorting manual-focus prime ultra-wide lenses. Some are discontinued whilst others are still available for sale new to date. Their focal lengths are: 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, and 20mm. Personally I'd buy a 13mm just because it looks and feels awesome.

The 13mm f5.6

Pictured below in its AI-S version, this lens is scarcely available for purchase used online. Expect it to be expensive.

^{Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 Ultra/Super Wideangle lens, Fair Use, MIR}

The 15mm f5.6

Pictured below in its AI-S version, this lens is scarcely available for purchase used online. Expect it to be expensive.

^{15mm f5.6 1978, Fair Use, MIR}

The 15mm f3.5

Pictured below in its AI-S version, this lens is sometimes available for purchase used online. Expect it to be expensive.

^{15mmAISf35b.JPG, Fair Use, MIR}

The 18mm f3.5

Pictured below in its AI-S version, this lens is sometimes available for purchase used online.

^{Manual Focus Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 wideangle lens, Fair Use, MIR}

The 20mm f2.8

Pictured below in its AI-S version, Nikon still makes and sells new 20mm f2.8 AI-S. B&H sells them for USD619.00 as of February 2016.

^{Nikon NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8 Lens, Fair Use, B&H}

The 20mm f3.5

Pictured below in both its AI and AI-S version, this lens is sometimes available for purchase used online.

^{Nikon NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8 Lens, Fair Use, MIR}

Answer 3

I have a Sigma 12-24 f3.5-5.6 EX DG HSM for my Nikon D610. It is a full-frame rectilinear lens. There is also a "II" version of this lens. It used to be the widest rectilinear lens for full-frame (until that Canon 11mm zoom). 12mm rectilinear on full-frame is extremely wide.

I can use it, with an adapter that can control the aperture manually, with my Sony APSC e-mount too. I suppose it can be used with a Sony full-frame ALPHA too, with the appropriate adapter.

Answer 4

Older Nikon lens do exist, such as the 14-24/2.8, 20-35/2.8, 16-35/4 or related but wide lens aren't that common back in the day.

If you want to get a new one you might consider the Tamron 15-30/2.8. It's a new, cheaper alternative to modern ultrawide zooms. I believe they might also have a A-mount so you would be set there.

I presume when you say "Sony Alpha" you mean A-mount and not the E-mount.

Answer 5

There's also the fairly recent Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L. It is an incredible lens. It is also about $3K USD.

Answer 6

Also: The (in)famous plastic fantastic. Cosina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5, often sold as a Vivitar Series 1 but also by other brands (Tokina and Tamron lenses with same spec exist, not sure if they are the same optical design). Not perfect, also far from useless, and can often be found for very reasonable prices at camera shows etc. Made in a variety of mounts. Inspect carefully for fungus - it is practically impossible to disassemble and clean the rear group.

Also: Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8 AT-X pro.

Also: Not technically film era lenses, the various Rokinon/Samyang/... 12mm and 14mm full frames and their rebrands and derivatives that are common in various SLR mounts. Watch for decentering issues!

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Something to be aware of when adapting ultrawides, even more with ultrawide zooms: Even small flange focal distance errors in the adapters can cause utter havoc w/rt field curvature. Having an universal adapter with adjustable length and some known good digital calipers handy, probably also some shimming stock (eg thin sheet metal as used in old flatscreen monitors for shielding, kapton tape, circuit board stock), probably also tinsnips, drills, a calculator, is recommendable when experimenting with adapting ultrawides.