Overview of the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S
The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S lens has garnered significant attention since its release, praised for its versatility and performance. This blog post delves into its features, handling, autofocus capabilities, image quality, and overall value, making it an essential read for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Launched in November 2020, the Nikon Z 14-24mm F2.8 S is a bright wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon's Z-mount mirrorless cameras. With a focal range of 14-24mm on full-frame bodies (equivalent to 21-36mm on APS-C), it serves as an excellent option for landscape, cityscape, and astrophotography. The lens is priced at $2399.95 and has received a Silver Award with an overall score of 90% from reviewers.
Key Specifications
Focal Length: 14-24mm (21-36mm with APS-C)
Aperture Range: F2.8 - F22
Weight: 650g (1.43 lb)
Close Focus: 0.28m (11.0")
Optical Construction: 16 elements in 11 groups (including 3 aspherical and 4 ED elements)
Handling and Build Quality
The Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S is compact for a wide-angle lens, measuring approximately 124.5mm in length and 88.5mm in diameter. Despite its sturdy build, it is significantly lighter than its DSLR predecessor, the AF-S 14-24mm F2.8G ED, which weighed in at 1000g. This lens features a weather-sealed design, ensuring durability in various shooting conditions.The lens includes six controls: a focus ring, a zoom ring, a customizable control ring, an OLED information display, and two buttons for additional functionalities. The customizable control ring can be set to adjust aperture, ISO sensitivity, or exposure compensation, enhancing the user experience.
Autofocus Performance
Equipped with a stepper motor, the autofocus system of the Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S is impressively quick and quiet, achieving full-rack autofocus in about half a second. The lens also minimizes focus breathing, making it a suitable choice for videographers. However, the current Z-mount bodies do not allow for switching between speed-sensitive and linear focus responses, which may affect precision in manual focus pulls.
Image Quality
In terms of image quality, the Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S excels, providing sharp images across its zoom range. While center sharpness is excellent at F2.8, edge sharpness may suffer slightly, improving significantly when stopped down to F5.6. The lens produces pleasing bokeh, although some users may notice a busy appearance due to a brighter outline around out-of-focus highlights.
Flare and Chromatic Aberration
The lens handles bright light sources well, exhibiting minimal flare and ghosting. It also produces nice sunstars thanks to its nine-bladed iris. Lateral chromatic aberration is present but easily correctable in post-processing, while longitudinal chromatic aberration is well-controlled.
Conclusion
The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S lens stands out as a lightweight, compact, and versatile option for photographers and videographers. Its comprehensive weather-sealing, sharpness, and fast autofocus make it a valuable addition to any camera bag. While it comes with a higher price tag, the performance and build quality justify the investment for serious users. Whether capturing sweeping landscapes or intricate details, this lens is sure to impress.