Nikkor Wide Angle Lens Refreshes

kanuck

I wonder if Nikon has any plans to refresh the 2007 14-24mm and 2009 16-35mm wide angle lenses any time in the near future? Or are the spending all their R&D on the 14-30mm Z mount and other Z lineup lenses now? It would be great to have a brand new wide angle F mount to keep up with the resolution that the recent Nikon bodies produce in the last 3 years. I know it is getting dated a bit now, but has anybody been shooting the 16-35mm F4 on a D810 or D850?

mhedges

I bet all future wide angles will be Z mount. It gives advantages due to short flange and wide throat.

I’m not usually one to recommend 3p lenses, but the Sigma ART 14-24 is supposed to be very good. I got one cheap when B&H had a one day sale last week. Haven’t used it yet.

spraynpray

Nah mate, it is rubbish. Send it over here....

mhedges

spraynpray said:

Nah mate, it is rubbish. Send it over here....

Which one?

kanuck

mhedges you are probably right the next wide will likely be the highly anticipated 14-30 Z and a lot of secret R&D sauce will go into it. Their dslr market isn’t dead yet so fingers crossed for something there as well hopefully. The Sigma doesn't take filters easily like the Nikon 14-24 right? I have grown tired using the Lee SW-150 system on it. I really wish you could use filters easier on 14mm lenses...

mhedges

No it doesn't take filters.

Just curious - what filters do you typically use on an ultrawide?

WestEndFoto

mhedges said:

No it doesn't take filters.

Just curious - what filters do you typically use on an ultrawide?

ND Filters.

kanuck

WestEndFoto said:

mhedges said:

No it doesn't take filters.

Just curious - what filters do you typically use on an ultrawide?

ND Filters.

Absolutely! Graduated, reverse and big stoppers like 90% of the time I use the lens. Basically anytime the 14-24 is used outside. I find the SW-150 cumbersome and clumsy to use and its been at least 8 years as part of my kit now. I have even used a 150x150 polarizer on the 14-24, but quickly sold it because the colors and banding were unacceptable for obvious wide angle reasons. I could live with a 14mm not taking filters if we could simply hand hold a filter in front of the element that would be great, but alas the gigantic bulb prevents this from ever happening I would think. I hope design innovations abound with the Z 14-30mm lens. One can always dream!

spraynpray

mhedges said:

spraynpray said:

Nah mate, it is rubbish. Send it over here....

Which one?

The 14-24 please...

kanuck

spraynpray said:

mhedges said:

spraynpray said:

Nah mate, it is rubbish. Send it over here....

Which one?

The 14-24 please...

2020 the 2.8 14-24 is on the way. Emphasis on the F4 glass for the Z system seems to be the priority right now through 2019. No problem the adaptor works well apparently:)

kanuck

I wonder how heavy the 2.8 Z glass will be? One thing I love is how the 24-70 F4 and 35 lenses are exactly the same size in the hand and nearly the same weight. When I mounted the 24-70 VR onto the Z7 it still feels pretty good for weight as well. I can't weight to see some Z wide angle lenses start to ship. 2019 and 2020 will be exciting times!

mhedges

Well I have been using the Sigma ART 14-24 for just a bit, and my view on it is it's a good performing and very well made lens that I can't wait to replace with the F4 Z lens as soon as I can. Its just so big and heavy, and I don't really have much need for F2.8 in an ultrawide. Honestly it makes me a little nervous to use it in my tripod because it makes the combo on Z6 very front heavy, even with the tripod on the FTZ.

Symphotic

mhedges said:

I bet all future wide angles will be Z mount. It gives advantages due to short flange and wide throat. ....

Compact, full frame, wide angle lenses? Absolutely! I really wish they would bulk up the roadmap with a fisheye as well.

I'm using the FTZ with my 14-24 and with my Fisheye zoom, but I would really prefer the native Z mount. Nikon makes a lot of excellent wide angle lenses, but they can do even better with the Z mount.

kanuck

I think the Z 2.8 zoom glass will only be slightly lighter but smaller in size compared to the current F mount glass. The F4 14-30 should be sharp and light and many of us should be shooting with it frequently by this time next year if not in the first quarter of 2019. Exciting times

PB_PM

Smaller, doubt it, Sony’s F2.8 glass is as big or bigger than F-mount F2.8 Nikkors. Then take the price of the F-mount and double it. If you the F-mount version just use the adaptor and save your money.

Jetranger

Can't imagine getting better quality than my amazingly sharp 14-24...

mhedges

I believe in general the Sigma ART 14-24 is sharper than the Nikon. The nikon is starting to show its age, IMO.

moreorless

My guess is that if we see a new F-mount UWA for Nikon it might actually be a 16-35mm F/2.8 lens(maybe with VR as well). I mean you mention the ages of the other lenses but the 17-35mm F/2.8 is from last millennium, granted its a good performer for its age but arguably in more need of an update given how strong Canon's similar lens is.

mhedges

Ha I didn’t even realize Nikon made a 17-35 2.8. I’m not sure how much of a market a new version would have - I think a lot of folks who want 2.8 also want 14mm on the wide end

moreorless

mhedges said:

Ha I didn’t even realize Nikon made a 17-35 2.8. I’m not sure how much of a market a new version would have - I think a lot of folks who want 2.8 also want 14mm on the wide end

That does push towards a multiple lens setup though were as 16-35mm can be more of a one lens option or mixed with say a 50mm prime or indeed a lens for someone who wanst significant overlap.

I mean Canon have released three 16-35mm F/2.8 lenses since Nikon released the 17-35mm F/3.8 so their must be some market in it?

Again Nikon did have the advantage that their old 17-35mm F/2.8 was a very good performer, arguably better than the first two Canon 16-35mm F/2.8's lenses but the latest one clearly has them beaten so I wouldn't be surprised to see a response.