Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF DX Lens

If you need to use a Nikon DSLR to capture extreme wide angle images, you can select this Nikkor 12-24mm lens, or a comparable Sigma 12-24mm lens for only $50 less the Nikon cost. Spend the extra bucks and get the Nikon.

With the Sigma lens, you lose half of an f-stop, it weighs around twice as much, and has zero ability to use normal filters (it tales a rear gelatin filter). Additionally, Sigma's lens optics just aren't as high as Nikon levels. All in all, and the Sigma lens just doesn't compare for the money.

Is the Nikon lens worth $900? Oh my you better believe it.
Unless you've already obtained a standardized supply 77mm filters, then you may need a set of new ones to go on this lens. Another expense to consider before you purchase the 12-24. Also the hood supplied this lens doe not fit as tight as it should. Moving the lens to and from of your gear bag, you might find the hood coming loose. The itty bitty built-in flash fitted on the Nikon D90 body is not a good match with the 12-24. From around 12-18mm, the lens and flash combined will leave a gloomy silhouette at the bottom side of your image If you plan is to shoot indoors employing a flash, get yourself a Nikon SB400, SB-600 or SB800.

This lens is an optical dream., however, there's an expected distortion from 12mm wide-angle end, although somewhat less than you would possibly expect. There could be some softness along the edges of the frame wide-open at the 12mm end, but otherwise it's one sharp, crisp lens, and you'll be amazed at the detail on far away subjects. This lens really delivers. which is the whole purpose: It delivers what's impossible get elsewhere for DSLR shooting and. for that, almost any price is a bargain.

Feb 8, 2011

• AF-S Autofocus lens featuring a Silent wave, coreless, integrated, focus motor (unwrapped in 1996). Basically an updated AF-I Autofocus-Silent sporting a "Silent Wave Motor" (ultrasonic) to focus near silently and fast.

• Three  AS - Aspherical lens elements Nikon unveiled the first lens in 1968 featuring aspherical camera lens elements. What makes them different? Aspherical lenses all but eliminates the issues of coma and related kinds of lens aberrations even when employed at the maximum aperture.

• D- Distance. Denoted after the  f-number. It signifies the lens has the capacity to use Nikon's 3D Matrix Metering on camera bodies where it is supported.

• DX - NIKKOR - Compact and lightweight Nikon DX lenses feature a lesser image circle and are specifically created and optimized for the Nikon D-series, digital SLR camera bodies. An ideal option for photographers and enthusiasts who require shooting of expansive landscapes with Nikon DX DSLR

• ED- (Extra-low Dispersion)
a necessary element of the Nikon telephoto lens Nikon engineered Extra-low Dispersion optical glass to facilitate the manufacture of lenses that provide superior color correction and sharpness by diminishing chromatic aberrations

• G - labeled after the f-number.
A G-lens contains no aperture ring, therefore aperture may only be electronically controlled by the camera and only autofocus camera bodies featuring function dials have the capacity to control G lenses

• IF- Internal Focusing
The ability to have a lens focus while it's size remains unchanged. Nikon’s IF engineering allows that to happen. All internal optical travel is contained within the inside of the non-extension lens container.

• M/A mode
AF-S Nikon lenses include the exclusive Nikon M/A focus function, that permits switching from auto to manual focus virtually without time lag - even while the AF servo is in operation regardless of the AF mode in play.

• SWM- Silent Wave Motor
Nikon AF-S engineering is yet one more rationale why professional photographers like Nikon telephoto optical lenses.

HB-23 Hood, 77mm lens cap, rear cap