Nikon Fisheye 16mm Sample Images – Real-World Examples

The images that Nikon’s 16mm f/2.8D fisheye lens produces can be dramatic and punchy. Its ultra-wide-angle viewpoint crams a lot of information inside the frame and adds a lot of the distinctive fisheye distortion.

With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, it’s fast enough to work well in low-light interiors. And it’s a lot smaller and lighter than something like the Nikon 14-24mm — so much so that it can make a real difference in putting together a lightweight travel kit. It’s small enough just to throw in the bag without having to displace something else. And it’s much smaller than the Nikon 8-15mm fisheye, which, although an excellent fisheye lens, is much larger and heavier.

Overall, this 16mm f/2.8D fisheye is a very appealing package, and I’ve been very pleasantly surprised at how useful I’ve found it. It’s a lens I keep pretty much constantly on-hand when I’m traveling.

I have a detailed review of the Nikon 16mm f/2.8D Fisheye Lens here. The photos below go along with that review.

Nikon 16mm f/2.8D fisheye lens sample photos

Here’s a collection of photos I’ve taken with the Nikon 16mm f/2.8D Fisheye lens to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting.

The lens’s shooting data is under each photo, and if you’d like a closer look, click on an image to open a full-size version.

Price & availability

This is an old model now and long discontinued. But they do turn up on the used market. Because there’s not yet any native Z-mount fisheyes, though, it’s still in quite high demand.

NB: In some of the used listings, you might see an AI-S version. That one is manual focus. The “D” version that I’m discussing here is autofocus.

Tech specs

Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D Lens specifications

Identity
Model	Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D
Product code	1910
Mount	Nikon F bayonet (FX/35mm)
Introduced	November 1993
Optics
Focal length	16mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22
Lens construction	8 elements in 5 groups
Diaphragm blades	7
Angle of view (FX/35mm film)	180° diagonal (full-frame fisheye)
Angle of view (DX/APS-C)	107° diagonal
Projection type	Equidistant
Coating	Super Integrated Coating (SIC / Nikon NIC process)
Diaphragm	Fully automatic, full-aperture metering
Focus
Focus type	Autofocus via body screw-drive coupling (no in-lens focus motor); D-type CPU lens
Focus system	Internal Focusing (IF) with Close-Range Correction (CRC / floating element)
Minimum focus distance	0.85 ft (0.25 m)
Maximum reproduction ratio	1:10 (0.10×) at minimum focus
Distance information	Output to camera for 3D Matrix metering / 3D fill-flash
Physical
Weight	Approx. 290 g (10.2 oz) manufacturer spec (also cited 285 g); 292.6 g (10.32 oz) measured with mandatory rear filter, no caps
Dimensions	Approx. 63mm max diameter × 57mm projection from flange; overall length approx. 68mm (2.7 in)
Weather sealing	None (no gasket, exposed front element)
Hood	Built-in petal hood, non-removable (protective only, not effective as a shade)
Filters
Filter type/size	39mm rear-mount bayonet glass filters (L37C, O56, A2, B2) — one must always be fitted
Front filter thread	None (bulbous front element)
Included accessories
Included	Slip-on front cap, rear cap, four bayonet filters (L37C, A2, B2, O56), Filter Case CA-2
Compatible accessory	Flexible Lens Pouch CL-0715
Other notable
Historical note	Per Nikon, the world's first fisheye lens with close-range correction (CRC/floating-element) system
Adapted use on Z-mount (via FTZ/FTZ II)	Manual focus only (no screwdriver motor in FTZ); full metering, EXIF, and IBIS focal-length data still function
Status	Legacy AF-D design, intermittently available new plus Nikon refurbished, plus abundant used market

Key accessories

Filters. Because of the curved front element, this lens doesn’t take traditional screw-on filters, which is a pretty standard limitation of fisheye lenses. Instead, it uses dedicated drop-in filters at the rear bayonet. It comes with four filters included: L37 UV, 056 Orange, A2 Amber, B2 Blue.

Lens Hood. The petal-shaped lens hood is permanently attached to this lens. It helps a little with lens flare from light sources nearly 90 degrees to the lens, but it helps even more with protecting the front glass element from scratches and damage.

Case. It comes with a soft pouch. You can order a replacement part–it’s model number CL-0715 — or use pretty much any small lens pouch or case.

Front Lens Cap. The front lens cap is a slip-on cover rather than a more common snap-on filter. It’s a 61mm slip-on front lens cover.

Rear Lens Cap. It uses a standard Nikon F-mount rear lens cap (model LF-4).