Nikon AF DX Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8 G ED Fisheye Autofocus APS-C Lens for F-Mount, Black {Rear Gel}

Nikon's DX fisheye delivers 180° diagonal view at f/2.8

At 10.5mm on an APS-C body, this lens produces a full 180° diagonal angle of view with the barrel distortion and spatial compression that fisheye shooters depend on. The f/2.8 maximum aperture is meaningfully faster than most competing fisheye options, giving you workable shutter speeds in low-contrast or low-light environments where fisheye perspectives pay off most. Ten elements in seven groups, including an ED glass element, keep chromatic aberration in check across that extreme field of view.

The Silent Wave Motor drives autofocus without the noise or hunting you'd expect from a specialty lens, and internal focus means the front element stays fixed during operation. Closest focusing distance of 0.14m opens up extreme close-quarters work, where the distortion effect becomes most dramatic. A rear gel filter holder solves the problem that an exposed, bulging front element creates, no standard filter thread, but full control over color and polarization still available through gels cut to fit the slot.

This is an established design that Nikon got right and never needed to rethink. DX shooters who want a native-mount fisheye with autofocus and fast glass don't have many options at this focal length, which is exactly why this lens has stayed relevant for two decades.

Who It's For

Skateboarding and action sports photographers working tight to their subjects will find the 0.14m minimum focus distance and f/2.8 aperture genuinely useful when shooting fast-moving subjects in confined spaces. Architectural and interior photographers on DX bodies who want the full 180° diagonal view for immersive environmental shots benefit from the ED glass keeping fringe color clean across the frame. Documentary and photojournalists after a native-F-mount fisheye with reliable Silent Wave Motor autofocus get a lens that tracks without fuss. Creative portrait and fine art shooters drawn to pronounced spatial distortion have a fast, autofocusing tool that doesn't require manual focus discipline to use.

Key Features

• 180° diagonal angle of view on APS-C bodies
• f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light situations
• ED glass element controls chromatic aberration across extreme field
• Silent Wave Motor autofocus with internal focus mechanism
• Closest focus distance of 0.14m for extreme close-quarters work
• Rear gel filter holder for color control without front obstruction

FAQ

Does this lens work on full-frame Nikon bodies?

No. It's a DX-format lens designed for APS-C bodies only. Mounting it on full-frame will result in severe vignetting and won't produce the intended 180° diagonal field of view.

What's the practical advantage of f/2.8 on a fisheye?

At 10.5mm, you're shooting in environments where fisheye distortion actually matters - tight interiors, underwater housings, close-quarters action. The f/2.8 aperture keeps shutter speeds manageable in dim venues without pushing ISO. Competing fisheyes max out at f/4 or slower.

How close can you focus?

0.14m (4.6 inches). That's extreme close-focus capability that amplifies the distortion effect, useful for macro-level fisheye work where the warping becomes part of the composition.

Why a rear gel filter holder instead of a standard filter thread?

The front element bulges outward to achieve that 180° view, so there's nowhere to attach traditional screw-in filters. The rear gel slot lets you use color correction, ND, and polarizing gels without obstruction. You cut them to size.

Is autofocus silent and reliable on this lens?

Silent Wave Motor is quiet during operation and won't hunt or hunt noticeably on subjects in reasonable light. Internal focus means the barrel stays fixed, which matters when you're working close or in difficult angles.

What's the minimum aperture?

f/22. Stopping down to that range nets you extensive depth of field, though you'll be pushing shutter speed or ISO even in daylight given the lens's narrow transmittance at f/22.

Does this lens have image stabilization?

No stabilization. At 10.5mm, you're working with an extremely wide field, so camera shake is less visible in the frame than it would be on a telephoto. Hand-hold at 1/30 or faster and you'll be fine in most conditions.