Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

Until I finally ponied up the $1k for this lens, the widest glass I had was my Nikkor 20mm f/2.8. With the 1.5 focal length multiplier that is a fact of life with Nikon SLRs, that's the equivalent of a 35mm lens.
I'm old enough to remember when 35mm was considered adequate for a wide angle lens, but no more.
The multiplier takes this lens up to 18mm, which is pretty good. Stick it on my F5 and I can practically see behind myself.
I shoot a lot of editorial stuff for newspapers and this is an excellent up-close storytelling lens. It's sharp and delivers spectacular scenic results when matched with a polarizing filter.
In actual use, my only complaint is that f/4 isn't as fast as I'd like. A minor annoyance and certainly not a deal-breaker.
I'm glad I bought it. It's paid for itself many times over.

Yes this lens is expensive!
The good news is that the quality makes this a good value indeed.
I do have some experience with other more cost effective lenses and
the differences make this lens the better buy.
This lens is sharp. Not only in the final processed or printed image but
also when focusing and composing the picture. In particular I noticed that when capturing architectural shots at night time, I was able to see the details of the subject clearly. Nice contrasty colors and sharp detail in the dark areas.
Ok, you might be thinking is it worth the grand in comparison to the
other wide angle zooms that cost less.
I can tell you that I would not even consider the S brand 15-30mm after using it with a 20D. I found that it presented a somewhat diffused
image in the viewfinder and the size was ....was obtrusive in my opinion.
The nikkor 12-24 is built solid. The color rendition, as captured with a D200, is as close to as seen as any equipment I have used. Less lineal distortion than I have seen with other lenses of similiar range as well.
All of this in a surpriseingly compact design.
This is a DX nikkor and therefore a conversion factor of 1.5. changes the actual zoom ratio to an 18-36mm in comparison to a 35mm camera. Mine came with a velvet lens pouch, lense shade, front and rear caps plus a 5 year extended service warranty card.
Nikon service has been first rate as far as I am concerned with a site that is easy to navigate and informative.
Overall my experience with lens is excellent. Like a lot of people, I struggled with that thousand dollor plus purchase price . I mean that just doesn't sound like a purchase that is gonna feel good for the price. Subsequently I looked at it up down and sideways trying to figure out a way to cover these focal lengths. Overall my criteria were performance, quality, price and re-sale value.
Even the day I got it I can't say I felt great spending that kind of money.
It's more like a general feeling of satisfaction comes over you as you use it more and appreciate the size and build quality. Kinda like paying your registration every year, expensive but feels good knowing your good till next year. Besides what choice do you really have?
Now, in retrospect, it was a great buy because the resale value is high and the performance is what you expect from Nikon and the great amount of thought and expertise that went into it's development.
Don't forget that Nikon often builds extra features into products in anticipation of equipment being developed but not yet available for sale! That is a quote from Ken Rockwell who has been a big help in providing information to us all.
Good luck!

With all the reviews available for products these days you could spend countless hours trying to figure out which product is right for you. I do not judge or buy camera gear based upon some contrived lab test or a technician's evaluation.

To rate camera equipment I take it into the field and use it. If I like the results and the pictures look good I keep it, if not I return it. It's that simple.

I buy and rate equipment based on whether it a useful tool to me personally. I like to shoot landscapes and my gear spends most of its life outside in the elements. This lens has a plastic barrel, bravo! I prefer this lenses plastic barrel over a pro, metal barrel as it keeps the weight down and spares precious ounces in my backpack and handles easier. This lens is everything I hoped for and more. If you can afford it, buy it with no regrets and never look back.

This lens reproduces colors accurately and is incredibly sharp given its focal length. Optically, this lens appears to be on par with Nikon's legendary, but heavy, pro 17-35 f 2.8, which I have used with my Nikon film SLRs for years. My Nikon 17-35 will now go live with my F100 and the 12-24 will stay affixed to my Nikon DSLRs. Buy this lens over the equivalent: Tokina, Tamron and Sigma if you can afford it or if optical quality is your top priority. If cost is a significant consideration, then get the Tokina at around $500, pocket the savings and go out and take more pictures.

Enjoy!

I bought this lens after much research and procrastination, it was expensive. I used it with my D80 and took several shots at with it over a weekend. The exposures were perfectly exposed,contrasty and saturated but simply NOT SHARP. Maybe it was the particular copy of the lens I got. I was disappointed and returned it. If you think you want this lens, carefully examine the return policy of the company you purchase it from, if it's not from Amazon. Some of the Amazon retail sellers have a restocking fee of 15%. At approximately $900, the restocking fee will cost you a hefty $135 plus shipping if you change your mind.

I bought this lens for my D70 in 2004. At the time this was the only wide-angle lens for Nikon's DSLR, so I could not evaluate it against the offerings from Tokina, Sigma, or Tamron. However, just because it is more expensive than other brands does not mean it is undeserving of a high rating. The photographic quality is excellent and the build quality is good (even though it's all plastic save the mount). While some feel that F/4 is a bit slow, it's really not an issue with DSLRs at all with high ISO availabilities. Amazingly, this has become my "everyday" lens. You just can't fake wide angle views.

Given that there are other choices of lens in this focal length now, you should definitely compare before deciding. However if focus override (a feature of "AF-s") is critical to you, this is your lens.

It was really difficult to decide if It was really worth the 1 grand tag price for this lens, since there are viable options at half the price.

Well, I couraged up, and made the order.. my only comment is WOW WOW WOW!!!!!

This is an incredible lens!! I own a 18-200VR, a 35mm f.2, and a 18-70 ( All are DX) on a D70 (a D300 on the way, ordered in adorama since amazon isn't accepting more orders at the moment) , and this 12-24, quality wise, just blows out any of my previous lenses!! Color accuracy, saturation, clarity, sharpness and build construction are in the WOW category!!! real masterpiece

I've had the 12-24 for a month now, and it remais glued to my camera!!! The 18-200 has been sitting on a lowepro bag waiting for action, but, quite simply, the 12-24 is such such a piece, that it won't be coming off the D70 for quite a while..

I have not had the chance to try the Tokina, sigma and tamron equivalents, so I can't make a sustained comparison, however, I can tell you this: If you got the money and have ample use for an ultra wide, then go for the Nikon with eyes wide shut!! If not, then I'd go for the Tokina (Check out Ken Rockwell's comparison on this lenses, very helpfull)

Is it worth it???? ABSOLUTELLY!!!

I recently got this super-wide zoom and contrary to some critics, it is quite sharp. There is essentially no distortion from 14mm up. Compared to the best I could do with the Nikon 18-70, there is no comparison, there is no distortion at 18mm and it is should I say it again, "super sharp". This lens is so wide, that you have to pay careful attention to what it includes in the image. It "sees" so much more than the human eye that you have to pan back and forth before framing in the viewfinder. It seems to bend light in the way that it transforms the relationship of objects that appear to be close together as they are simultaneously pulled closer but your vantage point is as if you had taken several steps back. I will need to spend some time getting used to the perspective.

It is hard to compose an image wider than 14mm that does not include something that I would crop out later (I have shot the same scene at 12 and 14 and usually prefer the 14), so I am not sure that I am missing anything compared to the wider Sigma.

Since the folks above have pretty much said it all, I'll add that if you are serious about wide-angle photography, this is your lens. I support the assertion that this is a good replacement for the 20mm 2.0 manual lens (as I still use mine with my F3 sometimes).

I'll offer that if you are averse to spending the money, the other options are there but I have been disappointed every time since my manual SLR days when I have been talked into buying another make of lens for the Nikon and will not ever do it again. The DX lenses are specifically designed to integrate with the Nikon bodies (yes, I know that others say that they integrate as well but they simply don't).

If you can't afford it right now, save up. You won't be sorry.