Nikon finally fills some gaps with a 24mm f/1.4 prime and 16-35mm f/4 VR
Well, Nikon just took a major stab at making its users happy with the 24mm f/1.4 and the 16-35mm f/4 VR, both lenses made to fit full-frame cameras (but will of course work on DX models).
How big is this? These aren't merely updates with new technology: The last time Nikon made a 24mm f/1.4 was … never. There has never before been an autofocus Nikon lens faster than f/2.8 and wider then 28mm.
And the last consumer-aimed constant f/4 Nikon zoom (not counting the exotic 200-400)? I'm going to go with the 70-210mm, released in 1986.
Of course, the question that remains to be seen is "Are these any good?" and "Are these a sign of future Nikon lenses that more people have been asking for, like a 35mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/4 or 300mm f/4 VR?" The short answer is "Who knows?" But we can take a good guess until I test both models. They both feature nano crystal coating, and while you could put that coating on a poorly designed lens, all such Nikon lenses released so far have been exceptionally sharp and contrasty. The 24mm prime focuses down to 25 centimeters, which isn't bad for such a fast lens. The real trick will be to see how accurately it autofocuses, particularly at distance -- this can sometimes be a trick for wide, fast lenses because you're mixing limited depth of field with big frames of view, getting lots of different junk in front of AF sensors.
Another question is how useful VR will be in a lens that goes as wide as 16mm, and thus doesn't need very fast shutter speeds to begin with. Of course you can turn it off, but that will keep the street price from being too low. Of course, this sample Nikon photo, taken without a tripod at a 1.5 second exposure, shows that there may be some value.
I will test both of these as soon as they are available. I have been using the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 — a very good lens as long as you have a camera with focus micro-adjust to fix Sigma's poor quality-control — and it will be interesting to see how they stack up.
Of course, you pay for all this, and it ain't cheap. The 24mm f/1.4 clocks in at $2199, and the 16-35mm f/4 VR is $1259.
Pete Su on February 08, 2010 at 09:04 PM
The only problem I see is that this "smaller, cheaper" F4 zoom is not much smaller, lighter, or cheaper than the existing wide zooms. Why would you not just go out an get a 17-35 if you wanted that range?
Chavvon Smith on February 08, 2010 at 09:04 PM
That $2k+ price hurts. Let's hope a 35mm 1.4 is released at a lower price point!
Ryan Brenizer on February 08, 2010 at 09:06 PM
I'm guessing because of the VR, and because at most apertures it might likely be better than the 17-35. But yes, the price will probably send me to buy a used 17-35 instead of a new 16-35.
micro m2 cards on February 08, 2010 at 10:21 PM
This lenses is really look so nice and cool I am very excited to see this one It is very nice and cool information for me.This lenses has very powerful Zooming which will give us such nice picture.
Oliver Collinge on February 09, 2010 at 02:44 AM
Great news - finally a fast wide prime. It was always going to be expensive, so no surprise there, but if it has the optical quality of the 85mm f1.4 it will be worth every penny. Finally Nikon shooters have something to rival Canon's wide primes.
MadEye on February 09, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Actually, I owned a magnificent 28mm F2.0 nikkor manual focus lens I bought in the late 80's and which was (sadly) stolen from me in Peru in the 90's. It was wonderful, so you can't say there has never been a nikon prime faster than 2.8 ever.
luke on February 09, 2010 at 06:35 AM
Nikon also made a 28mm 1.4 in the 90's that is absolutely spectacular. The price on that lens has done nothing but go up since it was released - even used it routinely fetches double the original list.
Steve on February 09, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Ryan, I am interested in your comment
"I have been using the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 — a very good lens as long as you have a camera with focus micro-adjust"
Do you use this as a people shooting lens? Or do you use it to get product/building/object shots?
Can you point to some of your shots on Flickr or your blogs that you took with the Sigma 24mm?
Thanks
Tripp on February 09, 2010 at 06:53 PM
Nikon also has a 12-24 f/4 zoom, although it's not FX. One of the big reasons to carry an f/4 zoom vs. a f/2.8 zoom is they're supposed to be lighter, yet the 16-35 is just 2.3 oz lighter than the 17-35! Granted it's cheaper than a new 17-35, but it better be have no distortion/vignetting/chromatic aberration...
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