Wide angle and telephoto zoom lenses for D750

protik

Hi guys,

I recently analyzed around 6000 shots taken over 10 weeks at South America with the DX lenses I previously had (10-24, 35 and 55-200). The 35mm equivalent focal length usage as follows:


15mm: 33% (almost 2000 shots!)
40mm: 13% (36mm rounded to 40)
50mm: 13%
80mm: 10%
300mm: 9% (majority of these taken at Galapagos Islands)

As an amateur I shoot mainly landscape, travel, candid portraits, astro and street. No birds, no sport (as mentioned in a previous post). I have so far obtained D750 along with 35mm, 50mm, 85mm f1.8 primes which seems to support my usage behavior however I'm yet to decide on the following:

> 20mm f1.8: hopefully this prime will fit in nicely although not as wide as 15mm.
> 14-24mm f2.8 vs 16-35mm f/4: which wide zoom do you think I will benefit the most from? I have been shooting at the edges (15mm & 36mm) mostly based on usage data. 16-35mm would have shareable 77mm filters with 20mm (Hoya: CPL, ND 3-stop and ND 9-stop). However, if I have 20mm and 35mm primes already I am not sure if 14-24mm would be a better option for me?
> 70-200mm f4 + 1.4TC III vs 300m f4 PF: I didn't have to use 300mm too much except at Galapagos Islands. I'm however going to Africa next year and wondering how 70-200mm f4 at 280mm (with TC) compares to the 300mm f4 PF? I guess 70-200mm f4 might be better all around lens still.

Thanks so much!

spraynpray

The 14-24 is sharper than the 16-35, but more prone to flare. the 300 prime is going to be better focussing than the 70-200 + 1.4 but less flexible. Maybe review your 300mm shots and decide how important the 300mm FL is to you. I can do without it (replaced 70-300 with 70-200 f4).

Pistnbroke

The samyang 14mm F2.8 is excellent on FX ..the manual focus is not a problem as the green light shows its in focus and the quality is fantastic rating 21 MP on the D750 ( DXO figures ).....oh you wanted a zoom just crop even 100% crops are saleable

PB_PM

The 14-24 is sharper than the 16-35, but more prone to flare.

The 14-24mm also weighs significantly more than the latter if that matters. The 16-35mm VR is a somewhat underrated IMO, not stellar, but if 16mm is good enough it's a good buy.

spraynpray

From what I have seen, I rate the 16-35 f4 VR like the 24-120 f4 VR for performance - just 'OK', but as you say, not stellar. If I didn't need the 24-120 for weddings, I would go for the 24-70 f2.8 which is on the same level as the 14-24 f2.8 of course.

kanuck

One thing I do not like about the 14mm Samyang lens is the infinity lock is lacking. The lens gives focus confirmation in the form of the circular green dot far too easily when shooting close to infinity. A lot of soft images result, but I work around this by making sure the lens is firmly set to infinity while still achieving the focus confirmation for objects way off in the distance. Otherwise the lens is fabulous especially with the D800 line. If money is no issue go with the 14-24 as its golden as I am sure you probably already know. The 16-35mm like the 17-35 before it suffers from sample variation. I have never heard of a 14-24 disappointing any owner. Just 100% pure awesomeness

PB_PM

From what I have seen, I rate the 16-35 f4 VR like the 24-120 f4 VR for performance - just 'OK', but as you say, not stellar. If I didn't need the 24-120 for weddings, I would go for the 24-70 f2.8 which is on the same level as the 14-24 f2.8 of course.

Indeed. Most reports say that the AF-S 18-35mm F3.5-4.5G is also sharper than the 16-35mm, but the former lens isn't super wide, so that's a factor. I think my copy of the 16-35mm is good, so I might have a somewhat higher opinion of it than it deserves. Where it really shines is in the 20-24mm range, which is perfect for 90% of wide landscape shots.

The F4 line if Nikkors is just that okay, at best. Frankly I don't rate them as being any better than the consumer 3.5-5.6 type zooms for sharpness. What they do offer is a fixed aperture and better flare resistance. Are they really worth significantly more than the variable aperture zooms? Hard to say, my experience says no for the most part.

Yes I'm sure the 14-24mm is wonderful and sharp. I didn't opt for it for the same reason I finally sold the 24-70mm F2.8. Too big and bulky. Of course the 16-35mm isn't smaller either, but it is much lighter.

spraynpray

All agreed except for the 70-200 f4 - that is sharp sharp.

BVS

> 70-200mm f4 + 1.4TC III vs 300m f4 PF: I didn't have to use 300mm too much except at Galapagos Islands. I'm however going to Africa next year and wondering how 70-200mm f4 at 280mm (with TC) compares to the 300mm f4 PF? I guess 70-200mm f4 might be better all around lens still.

Other people can probably answer better than me, but if you're talking about Africa as in 'safari' I wonder if either will be long enough? Maybe 80-400, or 300 f4 + 1.4TC III, or the new 200-500 would be better?

Also, depending on how long your trip is, renting might be a better/cheaper option, especially if it's a lens you'll rarely use.

kanuck

All agreed except for the 70-200 f4 - that is sharp sharp.

+1 this is the sharpest Nikon zoom on the market for the D800 series right now. The only way I would upgrade my 24-70 N for the newer VR version is if it is the same in terms of optical performance to the 70-200 F4 VR lens. I bet the 16-35mm VR II F4 will be a shocker once it is refreshed as well

PB_PM I am glad to hear I am not the only one who hates the weight. It is the main reason I pack my 14mm Samyang instead of the 14-24 now and more primes as opposed to the 24-70. Or sometimes give up all together and just use my Leica....

protik

The 16-35mm like the 17-35 before it suffers from sample variation.

I think my copy of the 16-35mm is good, so I might have a somewhat higher opinion of it than it deserves.

What would be the best way to find out whether you have a good copy of a particular lens (16-35mm in this instance)?

I bet the 16-35mm VR II F4 will be a shocker once it is refreshed as well

That would be great.. 14-24 and 16-35 has been around 8 and 5 years respectively. I wonder when Nikon might refresh these wide angles (or 16-35 f2.8 perhaps?) - hopefully along with D5 or by mid next year!

but if you're talking about Africa as in 'safari' I wonder if either will be long enough? Maybe 80-400, or 300 f4 + 1.4TC III, or the new 200-500 would be better? Also, depending on how long your trip is, renting might be a better/cheaper option, especially if it's a lens you'll rarely use.

We will be in Africa for 7 weeks overland next July with a few safari tours; I should research on 300 f4 + 1.4TC III vs 200-500 at least for wildlife photography on this tour I guess (although I don't use tele too often).

esquilo

One thing I do not like about the 14mm Samyang lens is the infinity lock is lacking. The lens gives focus confirmation in the form of the circular green dot far too easily when shooting close to infinity. A lot of soft images result, but I work around this by making sure the lens is firmly set to infinity while still achieving the focus confirmation for objects way off in the distance. Otherwise the lens is fabulous especially with the D800 line. If money is no issue go with the 14-24 as its golden as I am sure you probably already know. The 16-35mm like the 17-35 before it suffers from sample variation. I have never heard of a 14-24 disappointing any owner. Just 100% pure awesomeness

With 14 mm and f/2.8 you have hyperfocal from something like 10-12 feet. I would not worry too much about focusing issues with wide angles at long distance. If your photos are unsharp I would look for something else to blame.

Ironheart

Yeahbut, if you go past infinity, nothing is in focus. (I've got a joke that ends in "to infinity and beyond" in there somewhere)

kanuck

protik, I am a bit spoiled in that I live 20 minutes from one of the largest photography markets in the world in Seoul. Think Adorama or B&H in New York or Hong Kong. So I have at my disposal numerous options to try out lenses new, used, refurbished, defective but minor, and even opened box gear. So for example, if I wanted to pick up a notoriously famous lens with sample variation, I can test out like five 16-35mm lenses and look for the best one. I usually go with the fastest AF speed, I do the flashlight element test to make sure the elements are okay and I check the histogram for dynamic range capturing ability. Sometimes, the colors and details just pop out right away when comparing lenses.

With my job I get special treatment from some of the shops as well and even get loner lenses free for certain events. For example, I will be covering the Chusok Korean Thanksgiving festival next week and I get to try out the new 24-70mm VR, which came to Korea on the 15th! Looking forward to that. The 200mm-500mm is here already as well, but can't try it out as it sealed, and no promos on the lens are available yet. You can buy it outright though if you want.

I bet the 2009 16-35mm F4 will be refreshed in 2016 because 7 years seems to be the magic number for Nikkor pro lenses to be updated. I suspect 2016 will be a big year for pro zoom glass to get updated.

heartyfisher

protik, I am a bit spoiled in that I live 20 minutes from one of the largest photography markets in the world in Seoul. Think Adorama or B&H in New York or Hong Kong. So I have at my disposal numerous options to try out lenses new, used, refurbished, defective but minor, and even opened box gear. So for example, if I wanted to pick up a notoriously famous lens with sample variation, I can test out like five 16-35mm lenses and look for the best one. I usually go with the fastest AF speed, I do the flashlight element test to make sure the elements are okay and I check the histogram for dynamic range capturing ability. Sometimes, the colors and details just pop out right away when comparing lenses.

With my job I get special treatment from some of the shops as well and even get loner lenses free for certain events. For example, I will be covering the Chusok Korean Thanksgiving festival next week and I get to try out the new 24-70mm VR, which came to Korea on the 15th! Looking forward to that. The 200mm-500mm is here already as well, but can't try it out as it sealed, and no promos on the lens are available yet. You can buy it outright though if you want.

I bet the 2009 16-35mm F4 will be refreshed in 2016 because 7 years seems to be the magic number for Nikkor pro lenses to be updated. I suspect 2016 will be a big year for pro zoom glass to get updated.

Sounds like korea may be a place for an NR Forum meet up !