Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S

When it comes to professional photography and excellent image quality, a good high-end or flagship DSLR camera like a Nikon-branded one is the best way to go. Entry-level photographers may have no trouble getting up and running with their new camera because it includes a lens that matches well with the camera. However, most of the more expensive models do not come with a lens and therefore a lens must be purchased separately in order to use the camera to the fullest. Among the choices is the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED which was made exclusively for the Nikon D3 back in 2007 and the first ever ultra wide-angle lens introduced.

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S | Lens Details

Classification

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED belongs to the wide-angle zoom lens category which means that the focal length is shorter than that of a normal lens. This is a must have for any landscape photographers if the entire scene needs to be captured in the frame or for very close subject shots.

Design & Construction

The quality of the Nikon 14-24mm is superb because of the expensive ED glass used. Like the other Nikon lenses, it is finished with a special texturized metal for extra support and the lens and zoom rings made with plastic for enhanced grip. Although it is really meant for the D3, the materials used matches really well with the smaller Nikon units since the center of gravity focuses on the zoom ring so natural holding isn’t really sacrificed. The lens is also weather-sealed and the mount is made of metal as well. The overall rugged design is both moisture and dust resistance making this just as tough as the full-frame Nikon bodies. It is the ED Glass and Nano Crystal Coat profile that makes this lens valuable in terms of build quality.

Actual user review:
“I got it about month and a half ago. I used Tokina 12-24 before and was not very happy with the edge performance. 14-24 is the only wide lens that lets me get the resolution that I expect from medium range and telephoto zoom lenses. Color and contrast are amazing. Much more even than my 17-55 Nikon. Very good built and handling. Over all, very happy! That being said you should also remember: It is not as wide as 10-12 APS-C ones. Cannot use it with filter; both for safety and visual effect. Flare appears more often than with 12-24.” – E.Fratkin

Features & Specifications

Sharpness is one of the key areas that the 14-24mm ED focuses on and it manages to do that with great performance and fast aperture. Whether a Nikon FX-format image sensor is used or a DX, the edge-to-edge sharpness quality is achieved. This sharpness is attained because of the enhanced optical formulas that are housed in the lens to add some enhancements to the color and contrast levels as well as the overall integrity of the image.

It does a fantastic job eliminating ghosts and flare because of the Nano Crystal Coat technology which was considered revolutionary during its debut. It is a special coating that eliminates the instance where there is a reflection within the lens barrel leading to a light entering the lens in a diagonal fashion.

The ED Glass specification is also a major feature of the lens that helps enhance sharpness and contrast more when the widest aperture settings are used. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled because of the two Extra-low Dispersion elements. This makes it far superior over the older 12-24mm f/2.8 DX lens in terms of chromatic aberration resistance.

It also implements Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor granting the camera to autofocus in incredibly high speeds while maintaining great accuracy and power as well as keeping the operational noise to an absolute minimum. The autofocus capability is combined well with the Internal Focus which allows quick autofocusing without the need of changing the focal length of the lens. Photographers with this lens can maintain a comfortable position with the 14-24mm range. When the 24mm setting is being used, the focus can close in to 10.8 inches.

Some of the extra features include an M/A focus mode which acts as a switch to toggle between manual and auto focus operations at an instant because of its high responsiveness.

Bottom Line

Remember that this is an ultra-wide-angle zooms lens and not a dedicated macro lens so it is best not to get too close to the subject which can in turn damage the lens. It doesn’t have the ability to attach filters either, but as a wide-angle pro lens, it is an excellent choice that is strong on sharpness and fantastic optics.

Average User Rating:

• “I have been fortunate to use Leica SLR cameras and lenses for many years. Thus, my yardstick for any other lens is very high. I also own and shoot a Nikon D-200 and D-300. In particular, lens resolution, light fall off at the edges, and color saturation are very important to me. This lens is superlative in all these important respects. It is heavy, bulbous and expensive. However, I believe that the pro-sumer market is moving towards full 35mm size sensors so this lens is an investment in the future although it works extremely well on DX sensor bodies > D-40. One negative, it cannot accomodate filters, in particular, the all important circular polarizer. In my opinion, software can do remarkable things for color etc. but glare is best removed with a polarizer. If you can live with this deficiency, as I must, the lens is highly recommended.” – R.S. Stockton (NY,USA)
• “It is quite shocking to hold this 2.8 ultrawide lens. This lens is a standard-setter. It is SO SHARP wide open that you will be amazed. I read one review that said that it eliminates a bag of primes. Yes, it is large. Yes, it is heavy. Yes, the front element is exposed and potentially vulnerable (use the lens cap!). Yes, it is not as wide as the DX lenses on DX bodies: Sigma 10-20, Tokina/Nikon 12-24. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is not as wide as some on DX cameras. BUT this is a keeper and – somehow – when you mount the lens, and hold it, all those problems disappear. If you own a DX camera currently (all but D3 owners), you can invest in your FX future. BUT, it works phenomenally well on DX sensors like my D300. Helps me take great images. A great piece of kit, as my British friends would say.” – R.Lanthier (VA, USA)

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