Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G

The fast, wide-angle to medium telephoto AF-S zoom lens from Nikon is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both the Nikon FX (23.9 x 36mm) and DX-format image sensors, with focus as close as 10.8 inches at the 24 mm. setting.

It is quite shocking to hold this 2.8 standard-setting ultra-wide lens. It is SO SHARP wide open that you will be amazed and it can eliminates a whole 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. Will you want to take it hiking? Nah, put the Sigma 10-20 on for the wide mucky stuff...

If you own a DX camera currently (all but D3 and D3x owners), you can invest in your FX future. BUT, it works phenomenally well on DX sensors like the D300.

Enhanced optical formulas, engineered to produce exceptional sharpness, contrast and color, render outstanding image integrity, while two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and PGM aspherical lenses further control chromatic aberrations at even the widest aperture settings It has an exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare for even greater image clarity.

The Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation, while the Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet auto focusing without changing the length of the lens and M/A Focus Mode switch enables quick response to changing situations between Auto and Manual focus operation.

With all these features, as well as an incredible resilience to dust, water and general wear and tear, the Nikon 14-24mmf/2.8G ED Lens is a welcome way to meet your telephotography needs.

Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and PGM aspherical lenses control aberrations and enhance the image even at the widest aperture settings Exclusive Nano Crystal Coat further reduces ghosting and flare.

• 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 bodies (D40, , D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000) can only autofocus with them.

• 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.

• G — Indicated after the f-number.
G lenses do not have an aperture ring, and the aperture can only be controlled electronically by the camera body. Only autofocus bodies with command dials are capable of controlling G lenses. Older autofocus bodies will work with G lenses in shutter priority and program modes. Some recent G lenses feature a gasket around the mounting flange. G lenses otherwise have the same characteristics as D lenses. G - No aperture ring - G-type DX NIKKOR is designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR models.

• IF — Internal Focusing
Imagine being able to focus a lens without it changing in size. Nikon’s IF technology enables just that. All internal optical movement is limited to the interior of the non-extending lens barrel. Internal focusing allows for a more compact, lightweight construction as well as a closer focusing distance. In addition, a smaller and lighter focusing lens group is employed to ensure faster focusing. The IF system is featured in most NIKKOR telephoto and selected NIKKOR zoom lenses. The lens focuses with only the slight motion of a few internal elements instead of having to crank the entire lens in and out. This means the front no longer rotates as you focus, making polarizing and graduated filter use easy.

• 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.

• SWM - Silent Wave Motor
Nikon’s AF-S technology is yet another reason professional photographers like NIKKOR telephoto lenses. AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s SWM which converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that’s extremely accurate and super quiet. SWM - Silent Wave Motor, which is an ultrasonic piezo device similar to Canon's USM. It moves things without making noise. The lens focuses silently, handy for snoop photography and for sensitive pets and wildlife photography.

CL-M3 semi-soft case, lens cover and rear cap

Sharp, fast, with minimal perspective distortion, July 20, 2009 By R. L. Whalen (Cambridge, MA)

I have been using this lens on a D700, and one of its best characteristics is how well it functions at wide angles with minimal distortion. There is little evidence of perspective, pincushion, or barrel distortion. Vertical lines stay that way, and this lens is great for interior pictures. It is big, heavy, and not designed to be used with filters, whether for effect or protection of the front element. It's clearly the best wide angle zoom lens I have tried.

Others have written extensively about the wonderful optics behind the 14-24 zoom, and I would agree. The sharpness is beyond amazing, even wide open, and it's really hard to find an optical flaw in this lens, period. It is that good.

On the other hand, there are a few challenges to this sort of lens. First, it is rather large and heavy, and can feel a bit unbalanced on some of Nikon's smaller DSLRs. A D300 with battery grip feels about right, as would the D700/D3/D3x or similar. And really, to fully appreciate the performance this type of lens can deliver, you want an FX sensor camera: D700, D3 or D3x. On DX, ultra-wide sort of becomes wide, but not wide enough.

Others have mentioned the other gotchas: the protruding (and very expensive looking) front element, and the inability to use any type of filter to protect said element. I tend to protect my lenses anyway, but it does make me a bit paranoid knowing that I might be one bump away from doing my expensive lens serious damage.

The bulk impacts me in another way. Wanting the same high performance out of the rest of my lenses, I find myself carrying the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 and two camera bodies. Add a macro lens, a flash or two...well, it's like 20 pounds of gear. Makes you understand how much suffering you'll do for your art.

Of course, this is a bit of a special purpose product, so if you're buying one, make sure you know what you're getting and why you want it. If you do, you'll love every obese ounce of glass and metal, and be rewarded with incredible images.