I am ready to make a wide angle lens purchase. Presently in my bag, I have a 20mm/2.8 prime and a 35mm/1.4 prime. I am shooting with a digital Nikon and prefer to purchase a Nikon lens (unless persuaded otherwise). I have two foreseeable options; I could purchase a 12-24mm/4.0, which then defeats the purpose of owning the 20mm, or I could purchase a 14mm/2.8 prime and just do without a bunch of focal lengths. Help!
I've become a big fan of zooms since picking up digital. Dust seems to multiply on the sensor with every lens change. Then there's convenience and flexibility. With high end modern zooms differences in sharpness vs. primes are rarely an issue anymore, so - the zoom gets my vote here. If cost is an issue, you can sell the prime to help pay for it too, without giving up the focal length.
For us weight and bulk enter the situation. Do you really want to carry all three WA lenses at once, in addition to whatever else is in your bag? We own 20, 24 and 28mm primes, as well as a 20-35 f/2.8, a 17-35 f/2.8 and a couple of 12-24mm f/4s (all Nikkor). Comparing results, the 20-35 is on par with the primes for our needs and the 17-35 is darn close. At the same focal lengths and apertures (where they overlap) the 12-24s are so darn close to the primes too, that you have to be going for enlargements over 20" on one side with a 6mp camera (Fuji S2) and 24" with a 12mp camera (NIkon D2X) to notice even slight differences.
For use on digital cameras the 12-24s have the distinct advantage in focal length range (very nearly like the 20-35mm in film), plus they are lighter than 20-35 f/2.8 by about half.
With all those lenses to choose from on a daily basis guess which ones go with us for studio, travel and location work and which stay locked in the safe? That would be our vote on which is better.
Considering that the Nikon 12-24mm is a constant f4 and rated very highly, this is a no-brainer. Unless you mostly do night photography where the extra stop is important. Like Hank, I too would worry about preventing dust.
Take a look at the Tokina 12-24 as well. It's been getting good reviews. I have one, and so far I like it a lot. Haven't printed anything large from images made with that lens yet, but they look good on screen.
It has a 77mm thread sized for filters, which works out well since my other Nikon lenses also have 77mm.
I'd suggest the new 1Nikon 8-200 VR DX lens. i just love mine. Most of my recent posted shots are taken with it . go see how sharp even the handheld shots are. It repalces numerous other lenses so you are not changing all the time, which requires regular cleanings, and many missed shots. The zoom is very versatile, and teh VR allows handholding in situations where you could never get a tripod up.
Theya re so popular thay are backordered. cost is $749 and well worth every cent.
Sandy r
I'm not very experienced, but I seem to remember one thing: Be careful with the 14 mm/2.8. I think I've heard that the results are crappy on a DSLR compared to a SLR. Maybe this is no longer true for the latest version if there were several, but be careful...
Discussion
8 repliesI've become a big fan of zooms since picking up digital. Dust seems to multiply on the sensor with every lens change. Then there's convenience and flexibility. With high end modern zooms differences in sharpness vs. primes are rarely an issue anymore, so - the zoom gets my vote here. If cost is an issue, you can sell the prime to help pay for it too, without giving up the focal length.
Guy
For use on digital cameras the 12-24s have the distinct advantage in focal length range (very nearly like the 20-35mm in film), plus they are lighter than 20-35 f/2.8 by about half.
With all those lenses to choose from on a daily basis guess which ones go with us for studio, travel and location work and which stay locked in the safe? That would be our vote on which is better.
Kent in SD
It has a 77mm thread sized for filters, which works out well since my other Nikon lenses also have 77mm.
It's also a few hundred less than the Nikon.
Theya re so popular thay are backordered. cost is $749 and well worth every cent.
Sandy r
Basil