Nikon 10-24

Nikon announces the AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm F3.5-4.5G ED lens, provides an ultra-wide-angle zoom perspective designed exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX format DSLRs. This mid-range optic offers a minimum focus distance of 0.24m through the entire zoom range, and includes a built-in AF-S motor that enables autofocus on entry-level Nikon bodies including the Nikon D5000. The optical formula consists of 14 elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and 2 ED glass elements to combat aberrations.

Comparing the Nikon 10-24mm with the Sigma 10-20mm, there is no way the image quality of the Nikon is twice as good as the Sigma in order to justify double the price. It's better, but not twice-as-good better. Also, I actually feel like the Nikon doesn't really have a better build than the Sigma, and the Nikon hisses a little when zoomed out to 24mm (may be my sample copy). For what its worth, the Nikon is made in China, and the Sigma in Japan.

DX NIKKOR lenses are specially designed for use with Nikon digital-SLR (Nikon DX-format) cameras, such as the D300 and D90. When mounted on Nikon DX format cameras, the lens picture angle is equivalent to approximately 1.5× the focal length in 35mm format. Before using this lens, please read these instructions and refer to your camera’s User’s Manual.

■ Major features

• This lens employs a Silent Wave Motor to drive the focusing mechanism, making autofocusing smooth, silent and almost instantaneous. The focus mode switch d is provided for simple selection of autofocus (A) or manual focus (M) operation.

• More accurate exposure control is possible when this is mounted on a Nikon camera with 3D color matrix metering capability, because subject distance information is transferred from the lens to the camera.

• Superior optical performance and rendering characteristics are maximized with the use of three aspherical lens elements and two extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements, which ensure correction of chromatic aberration. In addition, the rounded aperture produces soft and pleasing blur characteristics in portions of pictures that are out-offocus.

■ Focusing, zooming, and depth of field

Before focusing, rotate the zoom ring 5 to adjust the focal length until the desired composition is framed. If your camera has a depth-of-field preview (stopdown) button or lever, depth of field can be previewed through the camera viewfinder.

• This lens is equipped with the Internal Focusing (IF) system. As the shooting distance decreases, the focal length also decreases.

• The distance scale does not indicate the precise distance between the subject and the camera. Values are approximate and should be used only as a general guide. When shooting distant landscapes, depth of field may influence operation so that the camera may focus at a position that is closer than infinity.

■ Setting the aperture

Use the camera to adjust the aperture setting.

■ Variable maximum apertures

Zooming the lens from 10mm to 24mm decreases the maximum aperture by 2/3 stop. However, there is no need to adjust the aperture setting to achieve correct exposures because the camera automatically compensates for this variable.

• Compact, 2.4x ultra wide-angle zoom Lens
  Ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, architecture and more
• Optical design optimized for use with Nikon DX-format digital cameras
  Renders a picture angle of 109° through 61°, equivalent to focal lengths of 15-36mm (in FX or 35mm formats)
• Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor
  SWM enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus operation
• Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements
  For superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration
• Three aspherical lens elements
  Aspherical lens elements virtually eliminate coma and other types of lens aberration, even when used at the widest aperture
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)
  Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduces flare
• Close focusing to 0.8 feet
  For creative perspectives and shooting versatility
• • M/A mode
  AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s exclusive M/A mode, that allows switching from autofocus to manual operation with virtually no time lag — even during AF servo operation and regardless of AF mode in use. M/A (Manual/Automatic) mode - Even while in autofocus you may simply grab the focus ring to make manual focus adjustments. Next time you tap the shutter it returns to AF mode, and next time you grab the ring you're instantly in manual mode. I wish everything on earth worked this well. 
• Internal Focus (IF)
  Design allows faster, smoother autofocusing and eliminates changes in lens barrel length for consistent handling
• Rounded 7-blade diaphragm
  Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements
• AF-S — Autofocus lens with a Silent wave, integrated, coreless focus motor (1996). Basically an update to AF-I.Autofocus-Silent. Uses a "Silent Wave Motor" (ultrasonic motor) to focus quietly and quickly.  Some older bodies can't autofocus with them (N60, N8008). Some newer Nikon bodies (D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000) can only autofocus with them.
• DX - NIKKOR
  Compact and lightweight DX NIKKOR lenses featuring a smaller image circle are specially designed and optimized for Nikon D2-series, D1-series, D100 and D70s/D70 digital SLR cameras. These are ideal options for landscape photographers and others who need to shoot expansive scenes with Nikon DX-Format digital SLRs. Note: We do not recommend use of DX NIKKOR with 35mm (135) or IX240 format cameras. DX - Only works on digital cameras. The corners will be black at many focal lengths on a film camera.
• ED - (Extra-low Dispersion) — an essential element of NIKKOR telephoto lenses
  Nikon developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing chromatic aberration. Put simply, chromatic aberration is a type of image and color dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. In the past, correcting this problem for telephoto lenses required special optical elements that offer anomalous dispersion characteristics — specifically calcium fluoride crystals. However, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens’ refractive index. So Nikon designers and engineers put their heads together and came up with ED glass, which offers all the benefits, yet none of the drawbacks of calcium fluorite-based glass. With this innovation, Nikon developed several types of ED glass suitable for various lenses. They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their largest apertures. In this way, NIKKOR’s ED-series lenses exemplify Nikon’s preeminence in lens innovation and performance. ED -  Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration.

Works on all Nikon DX Cameras with F-Bayonet Mount

• 77mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77
• Rear Lens Cap LF-1
• Bayonet Hood HB-23
• Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1118

Good WA range, nice weight, sharp, June 18, 2009

By Paula N., Deal "school librarian" (Cleveland, Ohio)

My husband purchased this lens from Amazon because of good service I received in the past. It is available from other online sources for slightly less. He reports that the lens arrived a day earlier than expected (thank you) and has been used for interior and exterior shots. On a d90, the built-in flash works from about 19 to 24 mm without lens shading. It focuses fast, balances well with the d90, and the pictures are sharp and have good contrast. At the 10 mm end, it gives great angle of view, with expected barrel distortion. Got sharper stopped down to f8. Distortion fades up to 15 mm and from there to 24 mm, it is a sharp lens for family and outdoor shots. This will be his main d90 lens. He was considering the Nikkor 12-24, but wanted the extra WA, considered the Tokina 11-16, but again wanted the extra WA and had concerns about availability and QC issues. Wishes there was more technical test data, but he needed a good WA lens now for upcoming vacations and is happy with this choice. Says Nikon has never failed him and Amazon was solid.

By Groovy Geek (Portland, OR)

I have owned and shot with the Nikon 12-24, Tokina 12-24, and three copies of the Sigma 10-20. With the exception of one recent bad copy of the Sigma they were all notably better than the 10-24 in the corners. My copy of the 10-24 is nice in the center, but all four corners were uniformly degraded. Every other WA lens I have owned cleans up very fast in the corners at 10-12mm and by f/5.6 was nearly as good as f/11. Not so with 10-24, which is mushy in the corners at f/3.5 and improves only gradually as it is stopped down, with peak sharpness at a bit over f/11. At f/11 it mostly catches up with the third-party lenses mentioned above and Nikon's own 12-24. I have posted sample images on DPR, photo.net, nikongear.com, and photographyreview.com, look them up to see what I am talking about.

The 10-24 range is ideal for my needs so it is a shame that the performance is not as good as the 12-24, even at 12-14mm. The MTF numbers would have suggested that it would be better. My copy is not. Since all four corners are nearly uniformly degraded I don't think that I have a lemon, it may be just inherent in the lens design. I am tempted to call it curvature of field, but with the extreme DOF at 10mm even at f/5.6 I am not sure this would be a reasonable explanation.

While not as terrible as the sample images I have seen from the Tamron 10-24mm, my copy of this lens would not seem to be as good with flat-field subjects (aka brick walls :-) as the other WA lenses I have owned. However, in real-life images with variable depth the corner softness is very difficult to see. Not sure if this is because of the possible field curvature mentioned above, or because it is very rare that I shoot something that has good detail all the way to the corners.

Overall I am a bit disappointed. Given the price it should have been unambiguously better than the competition. Not 2x better as other reviewers have suggested, I am prepared to pay a decent premium to Nikon just for the consistency of color rendition I would get between this and my other most used lens (70-200). However, my expectation was to be able to say "about the same as the Sigma 10-20 in most respects, better at X and Y". Right now I am not sure what X and Y would be, at least in comparison to the excellent copy of the Sigma 10-20 I used to have.

I will probably end up keeping the lens. The 10-24mm range is just too convenient for me, and there is no way I would consider replacing this with the Tamron 10-24, which is absolutely terrible in the corners at 10mm according to numerous reviews.