My nikkor 20mm f/2.8 D, A worrysome Issue.

Recently, while taking my new camera out for a spin, I attached my 20mm lens and started snapping away. When reviewing the photos on my, much bigger than my previous cameras, LCD display I noticed some blurring in certain areas of the image.





This lens was handed down from my father and it did sit inside his camera bag without a lens cap for a while which caused some noticeable scuff marks when you stick your face right up to the thing. Unfortunately most of the prominent scuff marks are situated right near the center (coincidentally the blurring appears in the center of the image) of the lens, It's not so bad that I could take a picture of it. The rear lens element is gorgeously clean though.

I did try giving it a gentle clean but it still won't let up the blurry lameness. <---Real word

So it does not show up when using any other lens? If not then this lens is toast.

Yeah it only shows up on this lens so that is sad news. I'm guessing the repair cost would be pretty high?

You will need to send it to Nikon for a cost. You might could call them and see what they say it would cost to replace the front element.

Does it still show when using other apertures?

No actually the two photos above are shot at f22 only because that's when the blurred sections are most noticeable. They show up less and eventually disappear the farther away from f22 you get.

Sorry to hear about that. The Nikon 20mm f2.8D is a nice lens especially for landscape but it doesn't do you any good since the images looked like you applied some vaseline around the center.

PachalT said:

No actually the two photos above are shot at f22 only because that's when the blurred sections are most noticeable. They show up less and eventually disappear the farther away from f22 you get.

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Most likely that's because it's a function of Depth of Field.

Try this: If your camera has live view, turn it on when the lens is set for f/22. Then unlock the lens and turn it as you would to remove it, but only turn it. Watch the monitor on the back. If the blurring turns with the lens, then it's the lens.

There are two possibilities
1. Scruff marks that are the centre of the lense may me some material that has transferred itself from the lens/camera case. Try cleaning the lense with wet cleaners. If the scruff marks go you are in luck. If the scruff marks are scratches then you are out of luck.

2. Fungus in the lens. In this case you can do nothing.

Any way get an estimate from the Nikon before taking any other action.

PachalT, as Don said, it is at least worth a call to get a ballpark figure if the front element needs to be replaced. Just last week I sent my 20mm lens to Nikon for what I believe are stuck aperture blades. They said it might be between $44-$199 but they wouldn't know for sure until they have the lens in hand. So I asked if there was a cost for an estimate--no, I pay the shipping to get it to them, and they pay the return shipping whether or not I decide to have it repaired. I questioned that comment because I thought for sure I'd be paying shipping both ways (unless she presumed the lens was under warranty which it isn't). Since you aren't here in the US, you should check to see how your Nikon service works.

A good used replacement 20mm lens in the US runs @ $399 (new runs even more). You might want to check out the average used price for a decent used replacement and compare it to what it might cost to get the lens repaired. Since the lens belonged to your father and has meaning for you that any other lens may not have, I hope you would at least check with Nikon on this.

Have you made sure that there are no finger marks or anything on the inner lens thats closest to the body?