Posted by Joe Rogers on February 24, 2012 at 11:07 AM
I have a trusted source offering a Nikon 14-24 lens in mint condition for $1400..should I jump on it or look around? I know I havent seen many of these for sale.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Stephen Weaver on February 24, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Joe
Great price for an incredible lens! Wicked sharp and it is my go to wide-angle on my D700.
Steve
Posted by John Mumaw on February 24, 2012 at 2:57 PM
That's a lot of money for a camera lens, Joe. Which wide angle lens (and camera) are you currently using? Has it proved unsatisfactory to you? A similar price for this lens was posted here recently.
The question is whether you're using for full frame or DX. For wide DX, I'd buy a used 12-24 or new 10-24. But, Mr. Weaver sure knows his glass!
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 24, 2012 at 6:45 PM
Who is this Nikon you speak of?
Posted by Joe Rogers on February 24, 2012 at 7:59 PM
My Nikon is a D700, which, of course, is full frame. I am a professional portrait photographer so this lens has little or no use in that regard. It would be for landscape work, more of a hobby for me....Widest Nikon I have is a 20mm, so the 14-24 would fill a real gap in my lineup, but, not sure I want to spring for this much when it has no practical business use. Im really torn because it does seem like a good price for a mint lens that even Canon shooters are buying and converting. Can anyone recommend a good sharp subistitue, Nikon or otherwise, fixed or zoom? I really trust opinions on such matters within this group of landscape shooters. And thanks, John, that gives me a ballpark.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Bert Fukuda on February 24, 2012 at 8:06 PM
Just be aware that you can't screw on a filter holder and the lens hood is permanent.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on February 24, 2012 at 8:19 PM
While that is a lot of money, it isn't a lot of money for a premium lens. If you are planning an upgrade path to the new D800 cameras, you will want premium lenses. The top Nikon zooms are running $1500- 2500. Top-end Zeiss prime lenses are mostly running $1200 - $1900.
For me, that is a LOT of weight to carry around. I'm used to carrying the Pentax K-5 with primes which is only slightly larger than a leica kit.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 24, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Joe, I've owned the lens twice; once while I shot the D700, a second time after I moved to Canon. I sold my second razor sharp copy because I like the 24mm tilt shift lens that Canon offers. If I want wider than 24, I just shift and stitch. I've been stitching images for years so it doesn't bother me at all. I also needed the money from my 14-24 for a 45mm Canon tilt shift lens.
Otherwise, that lens is a game breaker. Both copies I owned were ridiculous sharp from corner to corner. It's the only lens I know that controls diffraction at F11-F19 incredibly well. I just shot that thing at f16-19 without even thinking about diffraction for years.
I kept my $280.00 Nikon to Canon adapter in case I want to revisit the 14-24mm glory days.
It just amazes me when people buy Canon's 14mm prime for the same price as the Nikon 14-24. The Nikon blows that lens away at 14mm, and is so much more versatile. Case and point; it's easily as sharp as my reputable Canon 24mm tse, at 24mm...let alone blowing away any wide zoom Canon offers. My copies were literally “prime” sharp.
It’s a beast of a lens and I don’t miss lugging it around on hikes or climbs. Short hikes no problem, but nothing longer that 8 miles RT. The argument about not having the ability to use filters is just lame, considering today’s post processing techniques.
Lastly, I sold my 14-24 for 1,400.00 too. It pains me to this day that I didn’t get at least 1,600.00 for it. Just needed the money.
As noted, the 14-24 is one heck of a lens. My 24-70 is great, but it still isn't the 14-24. It's crazy sharp. I can't wait to see what it does on the D800 I have ordered. If you are in the market for a extremely high quality wide angle, there's none better IMO. If you can justify the cost, go for it.
Posted by Grant Collier on February 25, 2012 at 5:10 PM
The 14-24 is the best lens I own. It's amazingly sharp for a zoom lens.
A lower priced, fixed lens that I don't have experience with but that CAZ raves about is the Rokinon 14mm f2.8, which you can get for under $400. He says it actually outperforms the Nikon 14-24 at 14mm, something that would be pretty remarkable if true.
Posted by Dan Gerth on February 27, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Joe:
I'd jump on it; they're hard to find used. Absolutely incredible lens. I don't own one, but I have rented one. I'm saving for one of my own right now.
Discussion
11 repliesJoe Rogers
Great price for an incredible lens! Wicked sharp and it is my go to wide-angle on my D700.
Steve
Joe Rogers
For me, that is a LOT of weight to carry around. I'm used to carrying the Pentax K-5 with primes which is only slightly larger than a leica kit.
Otherwise, that lens is a game breaker. Both copies I owned were ridiculous sharp from corner to corner. It's the only lens I know that controls diffraction at F11-F19 incredibly well. I just shot that thing at f16-19 without even thinking about diffraction for years.
I kept my $280.00 Nikon to Canon adapter in case I want to revisit the 14-24mm glory days.
It just amazes me when people buy Canon's 14mm prime for the same price as the Nikon 14-24. The Nikon blows that lens away at 14mm, and is so much more versatile. Case and point; it's easily as sharp as my reputable Canon 24mm tse, at 24mm...let alone blowing away any wide zoom Canon offers. My copies were literally “prime” sharp.
It’s a beast of a lens and I don’t miss lugging it around on hikes or climbs. Short hikes no problem, but nothing longer that 8 miles RT. The argument about not having the ability to use filters is just lame, considering today’s post processing techniques.
Lastly, I sold my 14-24 for 1,400.00 too. It pains me to this day that I didn’t get at least 1,600.00 for it. Just needed the money.
A lower priced, fixed lens that I don't have experience with but that CAZ raves about is the Rokinon 14mm f2.8, which you can get for under $400. He says it actually outperforms the Nikon 14-24 at 14mm, something that would be pretty remarkable if true.
I'd jump on it; they're hard to find used. Absolutely incredible lens. I don't own one, but I have rented one. I'm saving for one of my own right now.