Tell me a good reason to get a Nikon 14-24 lens

[BruceJ]

I currently have the Nikon 18-35 f.3.5-4.5 AF-S G lens. I bought it because it gets excellent reviews and I am very pleased with the sharpness. I mainly use it as a travel lens; perfect for Europe for interiors and street scenes as well as some scenics. One of the big pluses is its relative light weight. However I keep reading the praises of the Nikon 14-24 and how it's the best wide angle there is. So tempting when I see several on sale in Craigslist for around $1200 Cdn. but then I think of the weight which is almost 3 times what the 18-35 is. I would be using it on a Nikon 780. My question to those folks to own a 14-24 is how much do you use it? What do you use it for? Do you ever leave it at home and chose something lighter?

I use it frequently and also have the 18-35, I find the only thing lacking with the 14-24 is screw in filters you have to use the more expensive Lee or Hadi filters, but the pictures are superb. The picture is a lobster cloud and reflection at a local park.

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[Capelle Ch]

18-35 mm

 

[ccw91011]

As others have said, it comes down to how often you would use it and whether it satisfies a need your current lens does not meet. I have the 14-24 but don't use it enough to justify the cost. And I've never used it at f/2.8. In addition, if you need a polarizing filter to eliminate reflections and an ND filter to allow long exposures, you are looking at another $500 or more. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the 16-35 f/4.

 

[jhallettbc]

Here are 2 more taken with the 18-35. Hard to tell exactly just how sharp they are with a jpeg.

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[tjphxaz]

I currently have the Nikon 18-35 f.3.5-4.5 AF-S G lens. I bought it because it gets excellent reviews and I am very pleased with the sharpness. I mainly use it as a travel lens; perfect for Europe for interiors and street scenes as well as some scenics. One of the big pluses is its relative light weight. However I keep reading the praises of the Nikon 14-24 and how it's the best wide angle there is. So tempting when I see several on sale in Craigslist for around $1200 Cdn. but then I think of the weight which is almost 3 times what the 18-35 is. I would be using it on a Nikon 780. My question to those folks to own a 14-24 is how much do you use it? What do you use it for? Do you ever leave it at home and chose something lighter?

I used to use mine quite a bit for scapes. Mostly for reasons of weight I transitioned to the Nikkor 16-35mm. I do use 14-24 lens for nearly all the night sky/Milky Way and lightning storm photography I do on a tripod. It is a rugged, high image quality lens.

 

[StephenP]

I also own the 18-35mm and I don't feel I'm missing anything. It's a great lens that very few know about! Then again I came to 35mm digital from 6x7cm film cameras which I still use. The widest lens for my 6x7 is the equivalent of 25mm so my eye is conditioned for that, and at times my 18-35mm feels w a y wide to me

Plus with the 12-24mm there's that little problem with the cost of the specialized filter setup.

 

[BruceJ]

I also own the 18-35mm and I don't feel I'm missing anything. It's a great lens that very few know about! Then again I came to 35mm digital from 6x7cm film cameras which I still use. The widest lens for my 6x7 is the equivalent of 25mm so my eye is conditioned for that, and at times my 18-35mm feels w a y wide to me

Plus with the 12-24mm there's that little problem with the cost of the specialized filter setup.

Do you mean the 14-24mm?

 

[StephenP]

Do you mean the 14-24mm?

Yeah, my Bad!

 

[Neil H.]

If you buy the nikon you will feel superior to people who bought the better Samyang 14mm f2.8 and you wont have as much cash to carry in your wallet.

However - if Astro is the game have look at the Samyang f2.4XP. Blew my socks off on my D850!

 

[jhallettbc]

I can't see that there is an XP model for Nikon, only Canon. Where did you get it?

 

[Neil H.]

I can't see that there is an XP model for Nikon, only Canon. Where did you get it?

Hi! I purchased it from Georges Cameras in Sydney Australia. Searches often only turn up the f2.8 which is much older. Here is the link:https://www.georges.com.au/14mm-f2-...NbsXG0VfccNj8_BZyJuqVB-D6JHMhGAoaAgcYEALw_wcB

 

[O]

EDITED VERSION FOR TYPOS AND GRAMMA.....

Hi Bruce,
Ok the short of it

Take 1......... Listen to your self, the 18-35, your happy with it, its sharp, its light, its great to travel with, easy to add filters, and you love it on your D780.
So why are you looking has me puzzled, is there something you don't like about the 18-35 ?
If you like good reviews then get a D850 instead.

Take 2 ........ If you need super fast focusing speeds, ultra durable, heavy duty, tack sharp corner to corner, long lasting, stunning colors, and often constantly spray shoot wildly at 14 frames per second in supper dark or very challenging locations and you really need F2.8 for massive light gathering ability's to achieve minimal ISO needs which also allows for supper fast focusing in the same challenging conditions then the 14-24 PAPARAZI lens is defiantly for you. The 14-24 is a professional lens, it focuses as close a 6 inches.

I can walk amongst a protesting crowd blend in and hold the camera and lens above my head or even on a monopod with the remote cable attached to shoot down on protester's being arrested, I can spray and shoot and get reliable results, I can also walk around streets and crowds shooting from the waist with out people knowing I am taking shots, I can hold the camera and lens at my ankles tilt it up 45 degrees and nail creative media shots. Its a stunning tool. This lens is designed to get in fast, get real close, and get out fast.

This is what the 14-24 is designed and made for, not traveling to Europe as a tourist, its to large and heavy.

The iPhone 12 Pro LOL is a brilliant tourist travel system if you want great results form a system that takes video's and fits in your pocket.

14-24 2.8.....Ok I do Landscapes Seascapes Street scapes creative photography the works, do I want anything else, yes something lighter and smaller that after 4 hours of hiking through a rain forest in the rain or around Cradle mountain in the snow........SOB its heavy, but gee when I get back home or to the office I forget about it all and appreciate taking the 14-24 simply because of the end results in challenging conditions.

You see, taking the shot I assume you have in this forum it would be hard-pressed to really gauge a lot of difference between any lenses really, its when the light falls or the subject is challenging or when those challenging conditions come to play you will throw your 18-35 in the bag, now the filters are another thing. I have no real issues but many people do.

18-35 versus 14-24, Its like buying a nice Toyota Camry sedan versus a V8 Land cruiser both vehicles get you there but when its snowing raining, muddy and ice is on the road the 4WD comes in to play.

Take 3.....If you want better technical results, under challenging conditions then the 14-24 is far far better hands down, if your needs are not challenging stay with your versatile good 18-35, may be sell your D780 and get a D850...that's where you will see more benefits, or keep both one for super high iso needs like the D780. The D850 is excellent to 6400 iso.

14-24 Compared to the 16-35, the 16-35 F4 is sharper in the center by around 20% but softer in the corners, this 16-35 lens is a popular landscape lens and a universal travel lens limited to F4, it vignettes with filters in cases out to 19mm for clearance of filters, the 14-24 is f2.8 not that you need to shoot at F2.8 but the real benefit of F2.8 is the lens gathers an amazing amount of light and the combination of F2.8 light gathering and 14mm really gives you amazing depth in your images like all quality ultra wide's.
I use my 14-24 all the time and have no issues with filters, I only use Schneider glass filters, never resin.
Many of my friends have sold the 16-35 to get the 14-24 for the F2.8 so they can do the Milky Way with landscapes at high iso and fast shutter speeds.

For the ultimate landscape results the 19mm Nikon Tilt Shift or Schneider is as good as any glass gets etc optically.

With the kit you have and the way you express you liking for it I think you will be frustrated with the weight of the 14-24 despite it outperforming by a long way the 18-35 in so many seriously challenging conditions.
I even use the 16mm F2.8 Fish Eye and get great results despite many people laughing, as to why I use that lens, Its one of my most go to lenses, especially for Astro work and scapes city included. Its sharp real sharp, super ;ight and so tiny, this lens was designed decades ago for astro photography as it has a 180 degree angle of view which requires a skill to reap the benefits.

You can get great used D850 cameras, I think you may like or appreciate the extra res and crop ability, mind you the D780 D750 are stunning especially with high ISO performance that may compliment the D850 which I find is perfectly fine to 6400 iso.

Only and opinion

OZ down Under

Only and opinion

 

[jhallettbc]

This is a follow up after several months. I have still been mulling over the 14-24 so decided to rent one for day and really compare it to the 18-35. This time with taking numerous shots comparing the two what I concluded was that the 14-24 at 18 mm was sharper and had better contrast than the 18-35 but at 24mm the 18-35 had a slight edge. However I was super impressed with the 14-24 at anywhere from 14mm to 18 especially how much wider the field is. So I started to look at some of the primes mentioned above, eg. Samyang (Rokinon) 14 mm on Craigslist. There have been very few and they are almost as much as the asking price for a Nikon 14-24. So I've decide to go for a 14-24 for $1100 Cdn. And I'm going to keep the 18-35 for a year and just see how much I use each.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and experiences.

 

[DavidT]

This is a follow up after several months. I have still been mulling over the 14-24 so decided to rent one for day and really compare it to the 18-35. This time with taking numerous shots comparing the two what I concluded was that the 14-24 at 18 mm was sharper and had better contrast than the 18-35 but at 24mm the 18-35 had a slight edge. However I was super impressed with the 14-24 at anywhere from 14mm to 18 especially how much wider the field is. So I started to look at some of the primes mentioned above, eg. Samyang (Rokinon) 14 mm on Craigslist. There have been very few and they are almost as much as the asking price for a Nikon 14-24. So I've decide to go for a 14-24 for $1100 Cdn. And I'm going to keep the 18-35 for a year and just see how much I use each.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and experiences.

Buy a used Nikon 14-24. Should cost you around $900 for a mint copy. I’ll likely sell mine at the end of June as I am moving to Sony.

 

[O]

This is a follow up after several months. I have still been mulling over the 14-24 so decided to rent one for day and really compare it to the 18-35. This time with taking numerous shots comparing the two what I concluded was that the 14-24 at 18 mm was sharper and had better contrast than the 18-35 but at 24mm the 18-35 had a slight edge. However I was super impressed with the 14-24 at anywhere from 14mm to 18 especially how much wider the field is. So I started to look at some of the primes mentioned above, eg. Samyang (Rokinon) 14 mm on Craigslist. There have been very few and they are almost as much as the asking price for a Nikon 14-24. So I've decide to go for a 14-24 for $1100 Cdn. And I'm going to keep the 18-35 for a year and just see how much I use each.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and experiences.

Good move, way to go.
On a separate note all together,

Often I see people trying to buy their way out of a problem or challenge when in actual fact the solution often exists or starts with them.
I try and spend time and grow into a new tool and find what it has to offer, in their I have developed my skill set and become free of collection gear.
Mirrorless is paving the way ahead, but gee whiz there are some stunning tools in FX going cheap, unbelievable. Its worth playing with if you have a low budget and ego.

There is always better gear around the corner so I am told, but sadly in many cases its often perception or incremental upgrades.

I am seeing some new B grade members in our camera club blowing away top shelf A grade photographers and in some serious coemptions, many/most A graders have got state of the art gear and no expense is spared, they feel they need to have it to stay ahead of the competition..........yet the B graders are coming in with a Used D700, D7100 D800 28-300 lenses 80-200 2.8 D......etc etc D750 with kit lenses and just exposed properly above all composed brilliantly and they are blowing away the top shelf gear and A graders in many cases.......and I see this very often even in world comps recently where a Russian entrant had a D300 on a Sigma 150 500......and won Gold in nature wild life subject, why because of the subject, the moment and the composition. Yes other shots taken on expensive African trips with 600 F4 and 1DX mk III where tack sharp but didn't win, remember technical excellence can often be over ruled if the composition and WOW factor is strong.

I guess what I am saying is enjoy what your doing, use the tools to their potential, please your self first second and third. Enjoy what you have got.

Gear and technology has and will always change but the principal combination of making a photo using TIME LIGHT SPEED haven't changed in 100 years.

Only and Opinion
OZ down Under

 

[O]

Here are 2 more taken with the 18-35. Hard to tell exactly just how sharp they are with a jpeg. View attachment 15102View attachment 15103

Hi I don't think in this forum its doing justice to many images being shown.

Oz down Under

 

[jhallettbc]

The 14-24 is a used lens and the best price I've seen on Craigslist. I have no interest in going to mirrorless so am taking advantage of those folks who are following that route and getting some real bargains. I bought a used Nikon 24-70 for $850 Cdn, the best price I have seen.

 

[Steve W]

Like many “wides” the corners don’t sharpen in until you stop down a bit. Like a lot if lenses, they are rarely at their best wide open

 

[O]

The 14-24 is a used lens and the best price I've seen on Craigslist. I have no interest in going to mirrorless so am taking advantage of those folks who are following that route and getting some real bargains. I bought a used Nikon 24-70 for $850 Cdn, the best price I have seen.

Awesome

Not easy to sell the D4s D5 cameras here easily, D6 body's are starting to look at moving on..........top grade lenses are a give away at the moment even Sigma pro long lenses are a give away.........its getting tragic, I always said 12 months ago unload.........if you were thinking of changing brands or going mirrorless.

Sports action photographers are all struggling to get work, media houses have gotten rid of nearly all their photographers as the industry doesn't want the tadeonal photographers unless they video and stream immediately. Young reporters are out with their I Phones.
There is a growing pressure to prevent noisy cameras being used in media interviews unless they are silent.
Sony has taken over the schools now........harpooning the young, my granddaughter 12, only knows how to use Sony she didn't have any interest in the D850 or Nikons.

The world is changing and there is heaps to come.

If its static/still I use my iPhone 12 pro for everything other than really long distance creative shots wildlife shots, other than that the FX gear kit being down to bare bones it is all getting dust sitting on the shelves.
After all we mostly all look at our images on our phones, Instagram, Google. I Pad, Computer, ok if your going to print huge its a different story.
I am waiting for the end of 2022 before doing anything.
I hope Nikon will come good........but history hasn't supported the runs on the board to date ................for a long time.


OZ down under

 

[O]

Like many “wides” the corners don’t sharpen in until you stop down a bit. Like a lot if lenses, they are rarely at their best wide open

Agree F8, F11, F16, is my preferred spot. Wide open F4 F5.6 is sweeet............ i even use F4 for Astro instead of F2.8, but gee the lens just delivers, I must have a good copy.

 

[BruceJ]

Awesome

Not easy to sell the D4s D5 cameras here easily, D6 body's are starting to look at moving on..........top grade lenses are a give away at the moment even Sigma pro long lenses are a give away.........its getting tragic, I always said 12 months ago unload.........if you were thinking of changing brands or going mirrorless.

Sports action photographers are all struggling to get work, media houses have gotten rid of nearly all their photographers as the industry doesn't want the tadeonal photographers unless they video and stream immediately. Young reporters are out with their I Phones.
There is a growing pressure to prevent noisy cameras being used in media interviews unless they are silent.
Sony has taken over the schools now........harpooning the young, my granddaughter 12, only knows how to use Sony she didn't have any interest in the D850 or Nikons.

The world is changing and there is heaps to come.

If its static/still I use my iPhone 12 pro for everything other than really long distance creative shots wildlife shots, other than that the FX gear kit being down to bare bones it is all getting dust sitting on the shelves.
After all we mostly all look at our images on our phones, Instagram, Google. I Pad, Computer, ok if your going to print huge its a different story.
I am waiting for the end of 2022 before doing anything.
I hope Nikon will come good........but history hasn't supported the runs on the board to date ................for a long time.


OZ down under

You have a pretty dismal view of what is happening in the industry. There are still people shooting with film cameras and my view is a lot different. We are on the verge of another revolution as the main camera will be the mirror-less taking over from the DSLR as the DSLR took over from the film camera. Sony pioneered the way, but don't count Canon or Nikon out yet, in fact the Nikon Z cameras have bolstered Nikon's bottom line and if the Z9 measures up to the hype it just might be a contender to Sony. The professional photographic market has changed and those willing to change with the market can survive. Where I once did stills for weddings they want movies, industrial photography has not changed and I have added photographic art and sell those at art shows. Change with the times, if people are interested in media photography give them what they want only better than your competitors.

 

[EricBowles]

This is a follow up after several months. I have still been mulling over the 14-24 so decided to rent one for day and really compare it to the 18-35. This time with taking numerous shots comparing the two what I concluded was that the 14-24 at 18 mm was sharper and had better contrast than the 18-35 but at 24mm the 18-35 had a slight edge. However I was super impressed with the 14-24 at anywhere from 14mm to 18 especially how much wider the field is. So I started to look at some of the primes mentioned above, eg. Samyang (Rokinon) 14 mm on Craigslist. There have been very few and they are almost as much as the asking price for a Nikon 14-24. So I've decide to go for a 14-24 for $1100 Cdn. And I'm going to keep the 18-35 for a year and just see how much I use each.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and experiences.

Good move and thanks for reporting back.

One of the big benefits of the 14-24 is to exaggerate a foreground element. It's a terrific lens - good enough when first released a number of Canon pros were using it with an adapter. Even today it's a good choice.

Your price sounds about right. Enjoy the lens.

 

[O]

You have a pretty dismal view of what is happening in the industry. There are still people shooting with film cameras and my view is a lot different. We are on the verge of another revolution as the main camera will be the mirror-less taking over from the DSLR as the DSLR took over from the film camera. Sony pioneered the way, but don't count Canon or Nikon out yet, in fact the Nikon Z cameras have bolstered Nikon's bottom line and if the Z9 measures up to the hype it just might be a contender to Sony. The professional photographic market has changed and those willing to change with the market can survive. Where I once did stills for weddings they want movies, industrial photography has not changed and I have added photographic art and sell those at art shows. Change with the times, if people are interested in media photography give them what they want only better than your competitors.

I hear you and understand your view, unfortunately its not my opinion as to what's happening in the industry its what is actually happening on the coal face.
Where the industry goes and what happens is going to take care of itself, because of the revolution in technology and things happening so fast I felt for my self late 2022 would see things settle a bit before reinvesting $25 to $30 k in new gear, the value (equity) of the DSLR stuff has gone through the floor.

The news paper industry here has shut 120 regional offices, that's massive for our little population of 25 million, our main news paper publishers processes all images and details in New Zealand, now mostly video, hundreds of news photographers have been made redundant, real-estate viewing is now moving to video, the internet is moving more to video, all these changes are simply real observations, not just a view.

Getting a job as a sports photographer is near impossible, football matches are now covered by moving cameras that can run with the play, clear sharp clean and moving, they are suspended by wires computer controlled and transmitted live to the web and TV stations.
Surfing photographers have now been largely replaced with Drones and video, the demand comes from the organizers.........they don't want stills as the internet doesn't rate them highly.
So yes their is a revaluation, its simply coal face reality as to what is happening, its Change and lots of it and its in jobs as well.
Why are the major camera manufactures all going hybrid with more and more emphasis on video. Canon said for it to survive it needs to capture in video stills and transmit directly to Google or outlook.
Nikon says they are focusing on professional sports action wild life and serious enthesustaist.
I hope Nikon comes good and with their refinement of the Z series, the Z9 is highly promoted and I hope they deliver for once.
I am only aware of what's going on in reality, and from the coal face......

Oz down under

 

[BruceJ]

I hear you and understand your view, unfortunately its not my opinion as to what's happening in the industry its what is actually happening on the coal face.
Where the industry goes and what happens is going to take care of itself, because of the revolution in technology and things happening so fast I felt for my self late 2022 would see things settle a bit before reinvesting $25 to $30 k in new gear, the value (equity) of the DSLR stuff has gone through the floor.

The news paper industry here has shut 120 regional offices, that's massive for our little population of 25 million, our main news paper publishers processes all images and details in New Zealand, now mostly video, hundreds of news photographers have been made redundant, real-estate viewing is now moving to video, the internet is moving more to video, all these changes are simply real observations, not just a view.

Getting a job as a sports photographer is near impossible, football matches are now covered by moving cameras that can run with the play, clear sharp clean and moving, they are suspended by wires computer controlled and transmitted live to the web and TV stations.
Surfing photographers have now been largely replaced with Drones and video, the demand comes from the organizers.........they don't want stills as the internet doesn't rate them highly.
So yes their is a revaluation, its simply coal face reality as to what is happening, its Change and lots of it and its in jobs as well.
Why are the major camera manufactures all going hybrid with more and more emphasis on video. Canon said for it to survive it needs to capture in video stills and transmit directly to Google or outlook.
Nikon says they are focusing on professional sports action wild life and serious enthesustaist.
I hope Nikon comes good and with their refinement of the Z series, the Z9 is highly promoted and I hope they deliver for once.
I am only aware of what's going on in reality, and from the coal face......

Oz down under

I am glad that hasn't hit in the USA as hard. Yes video has been there in the DSLR for years and people are requesting it for weddings more and more, but that is available in DSLRs and mirror-less. There is still opportunity for photographers here though not as lucrative as it once was.

 

[O]

I am glad that hasn't hit in the USA as hard. Yes video has been there in the DSLR for years and people are requesting it for weddings more and more, but that is available in DSLRs and mirror-less. There is still opportunity for photographers here though not as lucrative as it once was.

Its a crazy world at the moment

Its clear Sony has the goods and has had the drop on the industry, they come from a different corner of the paddock, Sony is moving even further into really serious high end Drones that compliments their cinema movie productions. The Small mirrorless cameras also really suit and compliment this direction.

The driving force to all this revaluation in technology is the internet 5G, 5 G II......its driving the way we live and what we do.
The internet has taped into our young 20 plus years ago with the addictive social media, U Tube then Instagram, this generation is today very tech savvy, all our jobs/lives in one way or another include some sort of technology smart phone iPad lap top.....computers.

Our camera stores now stock more accessory items for taking video with Mirrorless cameras, have a look at the expansion of the B and H video web site section compared to 10 years ago.
Currently we are seeing many club members experiencing a lack of enthusiasm for photography generally, why, well the cross roads of Mirrorless from DSLRS is one concern and for many its a big investment to change, also they are seeing so much technology change at the moment they are reluctant to spend just yet if at all, and they are questioning if they can even keep up with the changes.

Also many say they spend a lot of time going out and taking a photo of a sunrise or sunset only to find hundreds and hundreds of the virtually the same thing on the internet.
This is not being negative, this is coming from searching for answers on how too motivate these members to getting back into photography, mind you its not just our club its across the whole sector.

Coved has seen prints in competitions become non existent.

Unbeknown to everyone my last 4 entries that I put into club photographic competition actually were from a smart phone, they competed well and you couldn't tell, entries must not exceed 2 mb or max 1920 by 1200 so why do I need a D850 ? the judging is done on Zoom Meetings..........

I really don't care about the industry or its direction, however keeping a little eye on it doesn't hurt, I care about photography and how to keep members actively involved from a club stand point and its very hard.

Personally I have for other than wild life on say 600mm lenses.........been doing mostly video following the current generation of people LOL, I now can see why especially when I go back to looking at a still image by comparison.

5 G II lets us stream video almost as fast as fast as sending a few still shots by email, I feel all mirrorless cameras will eventually have more effective connectivity similar to smart phones..

Oz down under