This lens will attract any photographer, especially photo journalists and landscape photographers. Aside from the amazing image quality, which is deservingly praised here, what really bothered me was the exposed front element. I like to invest in high quality front clear filters (especially the Nikon NC filter), because sometimes Mother Nature is unforgiving.
I can recall times when I've shot at the beach on a seemingly "perfect" day with a very slight breeze. After each shoot, I realized how microscopic sand can get and I would always find dust specks on my NC filters! So I wouldn't dare think of taking this lens out. I don't know how everyone else here is so secure with it. And photo journalists, oh man.
When I shot Canon, I had the 16-35L with a similar design, except the lens hood was humongous and it accept a screw-on filter, even though it was a ridiculous 82mm (or whatever). It took a pretty good beating from door frames, cars, fences, etc. With the bulbous front element of the 14-24G, that's a scary environment.
So yep, I will end my complaints here. I wish Nikon would update this lens to have a more protective option for the front element. Until then, my 24mm f/1.4G ED is GRAND. Actually, more like two grands.
Needed intro
Chasing news stories requires a robust lens that can deliver the sharpest possible images, even at wide open apertures and that is exactly what this lens is designed for - Nikon made this lens for the photojournalist! Most photographers who need such a non-filterable, ultra- wide and fast lens have probably already purchased it without worrying about the level of its optical performance since most
know they can rely on Nikons excellent reputation. If you are reading this review, chances are you probably don’t need this awkward lens and can probably be better served by the AFS 17-35mm f/2.8 instead. Read on though to find out!
Even
though this lens was designed for the PJ market, the landscaper who
wants a wide focal length can still use this lens for scapes even though
he wont be able to screw on filters.Compared with the AFS 17-35mm
The AFS 17-35mm f/2.8 wide angle zoom is the lens most “other” full frame photographers should have in their camera-bag. It is probably a better design since it doesn't include the "clunk" (look here), it’s more manageable since it’s lighter and much smaller, a little cheaper, easily accepts filters, offers a larger and more usable focal length range and offers the same class of optical excellence. I say same class, even though the AFS 14-24mm is the better performer, since it can extend its excellent center performance all the way out towards the edges of the frame. As you probably have figured out by now, the 14-24mm is not a replacement for the 17-35mm lens - they both serve two different needs. So unless you have a “need” for a very wide focal length I would suggest to most of you to invest in the “easier-to-use” AFS 17-35mm wide angle zoom.
My first contact
I first came across this lens at the D700 presentation. An impressive and very sexy looking lens, but not really suited to the “majority” of photographers as already explained! At the presentation, I used the lens on my D300. I took a number of shots and the first thing I noticed was the sharpness – the results on the LCD screen were impressively sharp! I went through the menu to check whether I had forgotten the sharpening activated in picture controls (since I usually shoot with sharpening set to 0) and amazingly, sharpening was off!
Quick specs
This is the first “ultra” wide angle zoom with a constant fast aperture of f/2.8. The lens offers ED and ASP elements, SIC and Nano crystal coatings, and other technologies such as SWM, IF, D and G - a pretty impressive feature list.
- Focal length: 14-24mm (21-36mm on the DX format)
- Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups (2 ED, 3 ASP, 1 Nano Crystal Coating)
- Picture Angle: 114 - 84° (90 - 61° on the DX-format)
- MFD: 0.28m @ 18-24mm and 0.22m @14mm
- Filter Size: None
- Dimensions: 98 x 131.5 mm
- Weight: 1000g
- Diaphragm: 9 (rounded)
More Detail : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VDCTCI/tipfla-20
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