Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

I haven't had a lot of experience with wide angle lenses in the past and have only just begun a program of upgrading my photographic equipment. As part of my up grade process I started with this lens, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G and boy am I glad I did! What an eye opener to a whole new perspective. If your interests include architectural and landscape photography, as mine do, then this lens is a must have in your bag. For the first two months that I owned this lens I used it on my Nikon D200 with amazing results. Crisp crystal clear images from corner to corner. It was such a thrill to use and the results so amazing that I thought for a moment about holding off on upgrading my camera body. Thank the stars I didn't stop there, because when I popped this bad boy on my brand new D700 last week - WOW!! Now that's a wide angle experience!! I'm just sorry that my "photo tech jargon" is not what it should be so I could better explain the fantastic results that I am achieving. It may seem like "big bucks" but you definitely don't get a "whammy" with this lens, especially when you team it up with the D700. My recommendation is buy it you wont be disappointed.

Is this lens pricey? Yes! But, without a doubt this is Nikon's BEST, newest and fastest ultra-wide zoom lens. I will even go so far as to say it's the best lens on the market, bar none! This lense will give you a 114 degree field of view at 14mm and 84 degrees at 24mm. If you are interested in creating some dynamic, compelling shots, this is the lens to have! It's razor sharp at the corners and at all aperatures and great in low light situations. I am using this on my Nikon D700 and the pics are phenomenal. It's a little big and bulky, but that comes with the territory when you are talking about ultra-wide glass. If you have the cash, you won't go wrong with this lens!!

I'm by no means a professional photographer but out of 4 wide angle lenses and a dozen or so mid-range to telephoto lenses I've used the Nikkor 14-24mm has impeccable image quality.

I don't think anyone can argue that the lens performance is easily 6 out of 5 stars and although I gave it 5 stars there are some reasons this lens may be a 4 or even 3 star lens for you.

1. Unprotected - This lens makes you paranoid because if you bump the round bulbous glass on the front you won't be replacing a $50 filter but spending $$$ on a repair or even new lens from Nikon. If you like to bang your equipment around like a wrecking ball, you're in danger.

2. BULKY - If you love the fact you have a small and light DSLR or are upgrading body & lens from a point-and-shoot this lens weighs as much as 10 small point-and-shoot cameras.

3. NOT for DX - If you shoot with a DX body and don't plan on upgrading any time soon, there are far better wide angle options, specifically the Tokina 11-16mm which gets about the same range as this Nikkor not to mention a very comparable sharpness.

4. Attention Grabber - Like it or not, the huge and impressive lens attracts attention. People will bug you asking for you to take a picture for them in tourist spots.. In seedy areas this lens will likely get the scumbags plotting.

5. Wide Angle - If you are not an experienced wide angle shooter make sure you test this before you buy. You like taking pictures of people, animals or birds in tree, you will have to get a couple feet away for this lens to get a decent shot.

Overall this is my personal favorite lens and definitely worth every penny but for people with different interests and sizes it may not be the right choice.

I finally broke down and bought one of these to go with my 80-200 2.8 which I do not plan to get rid of. It is in new condition having just returned from Nikon repair / cleaning.
Amazon shipped my new 14-24 next day for only $3.95.... !! I received it the following day and after an hour I see it was worth the money. This thing focuses so close that there is a real danger of poking that huge front bulbous element through whatever you are shooting if you don't watch out... someday somebody will come up with a front element cover or method of holding a filter...
I can't believe the colors and sharpness I get with this lens.
see samples here... [...]

I do not own this lens and let's face it, it would be waisted on a crop format camera like the D300s I own, but I recently had the opportunity to use this outstanding piece of glass with a D700 and let me tell you, I was blown away, swept up in a hurricane of digital delight. For a month I haunted L.A. and Orange County, during all hours of the day and night, shooting, shooting, shooting. I was in photo Heaven.

Do you want sharp shots throughout the whole range of a lens? You get them with this lens. Do you want fast and true focus in every kind of situation? You get it with this lens. Do you want wide angle shots to die for? You get them with this lens.

But holy moly, the lens is expensive and at a bit over two pounds, it's heavy, and you need a very expensive D700 at least to appreciate it. Those are three big deal breakers. But I never cried about the weight when I was carrying it, because I was too overjoyed just possessing it, even if only temporarily, and I have to admit I have considered mortgaging my soul to get this lens, but sadly, I am too heavily invested in the DX format. Still, I sometimes wonder if the bank would give me a loan. A new camera and a new lens. How much is a soul worth? What would the payments be?