I was excited to see this lens. Several Nikon pals had raved about its sharpness and here it is. The Nikon AF-S 14-24 mm F2.8G ED
The lens came with a very nice pouch/case, although it’s too bulky to fit in my camera bag that way so I’ll just leave the case at home.
There is a cool lens cap that fits over the end of the body. Since the glass is so big and round, there’s no way to use a conventional filter or lens hood on this baby.
The lens handles really smoothly – and the lens is sharp. (Note: Some reviewers have stated this is one of the sharpest lenses they’ve ever used. I can’t say that but I can say it’s sharp for a super-wide zoom.) It’s clear that it focuses VERY quickly and accurately and it doesn’t suffer from the usual barrel distortion you see in this focal range.
There are 14 elements in eleven groups, two are ED glass, three aspherical. Nikon is also using its “Nano Crystal Coat” is designed to cut down internal reflection. But like any super-wide lens, there is some flare when shooting toward your light source. (see the picture of the walkway.)
It looks like it is going to be a real winner. These sample images were made just walking around, hand-holding the lens on the D3 and shooting anything that might show off the lens’ capability.
All the images are straight out of the camera with no processing other than some cropping here or there and some minor exposure adjustments. No sharpening or color correction has been applied. The picture of the Giants ticket gate is available full-size. Note that because I pointed the camera up, there is some distortion in this image.
This post sponsored by Lensbabies.
If I had the money my dream combo is that lens and a D700, then send me to the southwest and I’d be in heaven.
im using a 10-20mm 3.5-4.5 Sigma, and love the range on my D200, but the speed is really limiting (not to mention im not going over 640 ISO on this camera). i will be upgrading to this when i go FF
Wow, I’m jealous, I’ve been awing at this lens for some time now :D it really does seem to meet what people have said about it! Very nice!
Andrew
Wow! I’m so jealous! i’ve been awing at this lens for some time now, it seems like it really does hold up to what people have been saying about it! Nice!
Andrew
I just received a call from Pro Photo Supply that my D700 and SB-900 are in. Maybe I’ll pick up this lens as well. Beatiful shots.
@Dennis Cadorniga – Don’t rub it in or anything ;)
@Jason Hatfield – not. Just excited. Going to sell my D100 and D200 kits now and keep my D300 as the backup body. Any takers?
I think it is a truly awesome lens, but have been irritated by the inability to use it with a circular polarizing filter. I know there are kludges out there, but why couldn’t Nikon have added a rear filter slot like the 200/2? If it is technically feasible, I bet they could have recouped the engineering and production costs with the revenue from the polarizing filter.
Otherwise, I love this lens.
Scott – In your purchasing did you consider the Nikon 17-35 2.8 ED AF-S? If so what were some of your reasons for going to the 14-24mm? Was it anything other than it’s a wider lens? I am asking because I am considering both and they are priced so closely that it’s really just a quality/functionality question for me and would like to hear your reasons.
@Brodie I did consider the 17-35 and almost pulled the trigger but I did want to go wider and everyone I talked to said the 14-24 was the latest and greatest in the Nikon line. If you don’t need the extra wide approach, I assume the 17-35 will be close. I do wish the 14-25 allowed a filter but nothing is perfect.
I just posted my unboxing of the D700 and SB900 and mounted the 17-35mm f/2.8 ED IF SWM AF-S lens and boy what a difference a full frame sensor makes. Now this lens can be used as it was intended to.
I love unboxing stuff. Nice pictures.
Does anyone know how well the lens operates with the FF sensor? I’ve been drooling over the lens but I’m going to have to get a few more jobs to afford it.
@Kelly I thought I made it clear I tested it on a D3 and all the images you see here are on the FF sensor of the D3. It is made for a full frame sensor. . . a match made in Heaven.
I bought this lens for my D300 and often times it is the only lens I carry with me. I love it! Very sharp and I love f/2.8 lenses. I bought this lens knowing that in a year or so I would have a D3 or D700 and I didn’t want to be stuck with a DX wide angle lens.
The only downside is it won’t use a polarizer, however, I do have several other lenses that can use a polarizer in a pinch.
I bought the 14-24mm f/2.8 and no regrets. This is one fine lens. It is truly sharp in all corners.
That lens is at the top of my list for glass. I’ve always heard great things about it, and after this I’m sold. I’ve been shooting with a Sigma 10-20 on my D200 and, even though it has so much width to it (even on a non-FF camera), it’s really not sharp at all. If it weren’t for the $1,500 price tag on this Nikon lens, it would be in my camera bag right now. ;)