As old as it is, the Nikon 15mm f/5.6 lens works extremely well with today’s newest Nikon D3. It has far less distortion than the more expensive 14-24mm zoom lens introduced in 2007. The optics are as good as all of Nikon’s other fixed ultra-ultra wide lenses: the 13mm f/5.6, the 15mm f/3.5 and the 14mm f/2.8 AF.

In order to use the lens on a digital camera be sure to get an AI version, or an older version, which has been updated to AI. On the D3, D300, D200, D2 and F6, use the “Non-CPU Lens Data” menu option to set 15mm and f/5.6 to get full matrix metering, EXIF data and finder read-out of set aperture. The lens works great in aperture-preferred and manual modes on these cameras. The meters of cheaper digital (D80 and below) and cheaper film cameras (N80 and below) will not work with this lens; you’ll be on your own guessing exposure using the rear LCD or an external meter.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Actual Focal Length:	15.3mm. If you’re silly enough to use it on a DX camera, it gives angles of view similar to what a 23mm lens would give on an FX or 35mm film camera. Angles of View (FX and film) Diagonal: 110 degrees; Horizontal: 100 degrees; Vertical: 77 degrees.
Optics:	14 elements in 12 groups. Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC). Floating-element close-range correction (CRC).
Diaphragm:	7 blades, stopping down to f/22.
Focus Ring:	The whole middle of the lens rotates: the rubber-covered focus ring and the distance scale rotate. The front stays put, although it extends a fraction of a millimeter as you focus more closely.
Hard Infinity Focus Stop?	Yes
Close Focus:	1 foot (0.3m)
Maximum Reproduction Ration:	1:13.7
Focus Distance Scale?	Yes
Depth-of Field Scale?	Yes
Infra-Red Focus Index?	Yes, red dot below the depth-of-field mark for f/5.6.
Filters:	Four internal filters and rear gels.
Size:	3.000” extension from flange (focused at infinity) x 3.618” diameter (76.2 x 91.90 mm), measured. The widest thing is the filter selector ring. The hood-like protuberance measures an exact 90.00mm in diameter. Nikon specifies 76mm extension from flange and 92mm diameter.
Weight:	22.920 oz. (649.8g), measured, no caps. The aluminum front cap adds and additional 2.480 oz (70.3g). Nikon specifies 22.8 ox. (645g).

PERFORMANCE:
The performance is excellent. It has no weak points, it’s sharp and almost distortion-free; it renders bold, sharp colors. Unlike almost every other Nikon wide-angle and fast normal lens, the Nikon 15mm f/5.6 has almost no distortion except some barrel distortion at the closest distances. Distortion is apparent when used on a Nikon DX Format digital SLR camera, but it’s silly to do so since the 12-24mm DX is so much better for DX cameras. Unlike the $1,800 14-24mm f/2.8, which can’t use any filters at all, this 15mm f/5.6 has built-in filters and accepts rear gel filters.

There are four internal filters that can be selected by pressing the unlock lever and rotating the ring above the focus ring. As shipped, the four internal filters are N (clear, not really a filter), Y48 yellow, O56 orange and R60 red. The four internal filters are selected by pressing the unlock lever just under the word “NIKKOR” and rotating the knurled ring just in front of the focus ring. The built-in Y48, O56 and R60 filters were popular for black-and-white film, but not necessary with digital. Since polarizers make no sense for ultra-wide lenses and putting a grad inside the lens won’t work, there is no reason to use any filters other then the clear for digital. Manual focus is extremely precise—meaning it’s slow and great for setting with a laser interfoerometer, but slower then the newer 15mm f/3.5 if you’re trying to shoot news or move fast.

The only downfall to the lens is that the color balance gets cooler at the periphery. Lens coatings become less effective at longer (redder) wavelengths as the light's angle of incidence increases. I've seen this effect on film with my ultra-wide lenses on my 4x5 and other film cameras for years, and I see it with my digital cameras and these older ultra-ultra wide lenses. It's rarely a problem, but if you put a big wall in your image, you'll see it.

This lens is difficult to find, but if you do, it’s great. It will cost about $1,000, however, it works great on the D3—so if you’re considering one, go for it!

To see examples of how this lens captures images go to www.kenrockwell.com

This review was excerpted from KenRockwell.com, a personal website dedicated to photography including a thorough section on equipment reviews as well as a section on useful tips and advice.

Ken Rockwell, the editor-in chief of his website, has been taking pictures since he was five years old and quickly progressed to shooting in medium format and aerial photography by the age of ten. Being the son of an electronic engineer, Rockwell began studying digital imaging in the 1970s and got his formal engineering degree in 1983. Rockwell worked at TRW LSI Products Inc., where he helped design digital imaging systems used in motion picture special effects, television broadcasts, spacecraft and even scanners.

Rockwell’s photography has won numerous awards and is featured in both public and private collections worldwide. He teaches at several workshops throughout the year including the Route 66 workshop, a workshop for the Yosemite Association as well as a workshop for the Polytechnic University in Turin, Italy.

To get more tips on photography and to read additional reviews by Rockwell visit his site at www.KenRockwell.com