The DX Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G lens - designed to operate exclusively with Nikon D-Series digital SLR cameras and their DX Format sensors - was developed as the first lens in a new F-Mount autofocus DX-Nikkor interchangeable lens category. The DX 12-24mm f/4G lens is designed to address the need for wider angle-of-view, high- performance optics for digital SLR photography and is optimized for DX Format sensors used in Nikon digital SLR cameras. Designed for Nikon D-Series digital SLR Design enables a combination of wider angle-of-view with optical characteristics that are optimized for Nikon digital SLR camera sensors 2x Zoom ratio and variable angle-of-view from 99 degrees at 12mm to 61 degrees at 24mm. Comparable to that of an 18-36mm lens on 35mm size sensor format Nikon design that produces a smaller image circle (the size of the image that is projected by the lens on to the sensor) enabling smaller lens diameter, and optimal image quality from center-to-edge-to-corner on the image Exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful super-quiet operation 2 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration 3 Aspherical lens element for low distortion Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother focusing and great body balance M/A mode enables instant switching from autofocus to manual with virtually no time lag even during AF servo operation Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information
1 In the Distance
I do not know about anyone else but I love this lens. I love landscape photography and this lens is one of the best tools to assist you with taking breath-taking shots that are sharp and beautiful with magnificent distance and depth. This is one of the best tools available to get real wide angle and depth if you are using an DSLR camera.
I performed several days of research before purchasing this lens by surfing the net for reviews and reading articles written by professional photographers. 99% of them gave this lens a very high rating... and after using it myself I can see why. The results of my pictures are worth every hard-earned dollar I spent to buy this lens. I purchased the Nikon D-70 camera and set the intent after spending that much for a camera I deserved great lenses to produce pictures that are inspirational and joyful to view. I am not a professional photographer; I am a serious student of photography who appreciates the art form.
Not everyone will have a need for this lens; however, for those of you who want to expand your tools and you want the best and can afford it, "go for it!'
If you want to read some professional reviews visit Nikonlinks.com and kenrockwell.com
Nikonlinks.com has many professional reviews for lenses in all sizes, it is a great site. Kenrockwell.com has great reviews and much "how-to" guidance for both film and digital photography. Both sites are very, very helpful.
Thanks Amazon.com for another great purchase!
2 Pricey But Worth It
If you want to shoot extreme wide angles on your Nikon digital SLR, you can choose this Nikkor lens, or a similar Sigma lens for 2/3rds the price. Spend the extra money.
The Sigma lens costs you a half an f-stop in speed, about double the weight, and a complete inability to use standard filters. Plus, Sigma's optics just aren't up to Nikon standards. All said and done, the Sigma lens isn't worth the money.
Which brings us to the Nikon lens: Is it worth a grand?
Oh my yes.
First, the cons. If you haven't already standardized on 77mm filters, then you'll have to buy all-new ones to fit this lens. That's an extra expense to keep in mind before you buy. The hood that comes with this lens doesn't snap into place as snug as it should. Getting the lens in and out of your bag, you may find the hood jiggling loose. The dinky built-in flash on Nikon's popular D70 body isn't a good fit with this lens. From about 12-18mm, the flash/lens combination will leave a dark shadow at the bottom of the frame. If you plan on shooting indoors with a flash, plan on using the Nikon SB-600 or -800.
Optically, however, this lens is a dream. Typical wide-angle distortion at the extreme 12mm, but less than you might expect. You might find softness around the edges at 12mm wide-open, but otherwise this is one sharp lens. I recently took it to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (shooting on a 6.1mpix D70 body), and was shocked at the detail even on not-so-close objects. This lens delivers.
And that's the whole point: It delivers what you can't get anywhere else for DSLR work. For that, most any price is cheap.
3 Good but not great, and too expensive!
I think the pricing on this lens is just obscene. Nikon has a good reason to charge us this much: given the 1.5x crop factor on digital SLRs which effectively has a 1.5x zoom effect on lens focal length, if you need a true wideangle lens, you just have to buy something like this. This lens' 12-24mm is equivalent to a 35mm film camera's 18-36mm focal length, which covers the usual wideangle range.
The lens has all the bells & whistles of a modern Nikon official lens, save for VR (vibration reduction), which isn't necessary on a wideangle anyway. You get internal focusing via a silent ultrasonic motor, extra-low dispersion (ED), and solid construction and excellent optics.
But, for the high price you pay for this, you don't get a macro mode. Nor do you get a fast lens: the maximum aperture is only f4. I thought they should do at least f2.8.
Also, because this lens is designed for the smaller-than-35mm frame size of a d-SLR, whatever goes through the lens ends up in the image frame (i.e., the sensor). Whereas with regular non-DX lenses you get the extra benefit of keeping *only* the center 67% of the scene as seen by the lens and hence getting a sharp picture from corner to corner, the DX lens does not have maximum sharpness at the edges and you may see chromatic abberations as well.
In short, if you want wideangle on a d-SLR that's subject to the 1.5x crop factor, you don't have a choice. Cough up and get this lens. For those of us who didn't get rich by trading Google shares, we can only dream ... and play with this in a camera store. Life's just unfair. (I'm waiting for Tamron or Sigma to come out with a cheaper version of this super-wideangle.)
