Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

If you are looking for a fixed aperture for your Nikon DX camera, this is the one. Yes, there is the newer 10-24 that goes 2mm wider, but it also comes at the price of (mostly correctable) unnatural distortion on the wide end. Just released by Nikon is the new 10-24 with VR, but do you really need VR for an ultra wide lens? The 12mm is surprisingly wide with very little distortion. Unlike other lens that only zoom to 16 or 20, 24mm gives you flexibility so that there is no need to swap lenses so often. In the end, I want fixed aperture. Nikon has seemed to move away from fixed f/ for their DX lineup. Fortunately, even though this and the few other fixed f/ lenses are 10+ years old, they still sell them. There must be a reason. I imagine the thought is only the more ... MoreIf you are looking for a fixed aperture for your Nikon DX camera, this is the one. Yes, there is the newer 10-24 that goes 2mm wider, but it also comes at the price of (mostly correctable) unnatural distortion on the wide end. Just released by Nikon is the new 10-24 with VR, but do you really need VR for an ultra wide lens? The 12mm is surprisingly wide with very little distortion. Unlike other lens that only zoom to 16 or 20, 24mm gives you flexibility so that there is no need to swap lenses so often. In the end, I want fixed aperture. Nikon has seemed to move away from fixed f/ for their DX lineup. Fortunately, even though this and the few other fixed f/ lenses are 10+ years old, they still sell them. There must be a reason. I imagine the thought is only the more demanding users will want fixed aperture and those users are (mostly) FX users. If you're still reading this review, you're probably the few like me who prefer pro level lenses on your DX body. This lens pairs nicely with the 17-55 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 lenses. I just wish Nikon made this lens in a 2.8 version for DX. Happy trails.

The DX Ultra-Wide lens market is competitive. All the major third-party manufacturers have more than one entry, and by-and-large they all review quite well. So: what about the Nikon 12-24 f/4 sets it apart? Why spend $400 - 500 more for it? Why not get the competing Nikon 10-24? I got it for two reasons: (1) I didn't like that the Nikon 10-24 isn't a fixed-length design; it's a plastic pumper zoom, and that gave me durability concerns. (2) I've had focus compatibility issues with Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina lenses in the past. This made the 12-24 a natural choice, but I can't say I'm entirely impressed. The build quality is so-so. Yes, the design is fixed-length, but it's plasticky. The inner barrel pumps in and out and twists as you zoom, and it's not a smooth or ... MoreThe DX Ultra-Wide lens market is competitive. All the major third-party manufacturers have more than one entry, and by-and-large they all review quite well. So: what about the Nikon 12-24 f/4 sets it apart? Why spend $400 - 500 more for it? Why not get the competing Nikon 10-24? I got it for two reasons: (1) I didn't like that the Nikon 10-24 isn't a fixed-length design; it's a plastic pumper zoom, and that gave me durability concerns. (2) I've had focus compatibility issues with Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina lenses in the past. This made the 12-24 a natural choice, but I can't say I'm entirely impressed. The build quality is so-so. Yes, the design is fixed-length, but it's plasticky. The inner barrel pumps in and out and twists as you zoom, and it's not a smooth or lubricated motion--just tight plastic-on-plastic stiction. Sometimes the lens actually makes a dull, protesting squeak sound as you zoom. (I wish I were joking.) It's definitely the worst gold-ring Nikkor I've owned by a wide margin--nothing like the 14-24, the 70-200, the 24-70, etc. IQ is *exceptional* above f/8. Sharp, sharp, sharp. Wide open, I think it's meh. It's sharp in the center, but there's fall-off and quite a bit of lost detail around the edges. It's nothing like the 14-24 f/2.8G, which I know isn't an entirely fair comparison--except that it is: the 12-24 f/4 is the expensive gold-ring wide angle for DX. My copy (which I use on a D7000) required some AF fine tune correction to hit optimal focus, and it isn't consistent throughout the zoom range. -2 at the wide end, -14 at the long. I plug in -8 or so and it works well enough (especially given wide angle DOF), but the fact that focus alignment moves as you zoom is annoying. This might not be as detectable on bodies with lower resolution. Alternatively, you can shoot with live view and it's not an issue at all. Had I spent $500 for it, the lens would be *awesome*. But four figures, for a plastic-fantastic with meh quality wide-open and questionable zoom alignment? I'd look for a used copy if you have your heart set on it, or try Tokina.

Fantastic lens was just what I needed to help me take better pictures of listings (I'm a real estate broker). The first listing I used it on sold for full price within in 24 hours of going live on our MLS. I'm not saying it was all because of the lens, but it didn't hurt that the pictures were really good and garnered a lot of interest! And thrilled I was able to buy it for so much less than full price, which would have discouraged me from buying it.