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

Rating
Reviewed by: Brian Ambs
(Professional)

Review Date
June 3, 2007

Overall Rating
2 of 5

Value Rating
2 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
1.56 of 5,
9 votes

Review 1 of 12

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

I do not own this lens but I have used it many times. Tested it against my Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8. I found that the lens is extremely soft.

Weaknesses:

Soft!

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Rating
Reviewed by: Tyeman
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 5, 2007

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 12

Price Paid: $1100.00 from Kurts Camera Corral

Summary:

I love wide angle lens and this lens gives me the room I need when working close to subject and to see the big picture. At F/4 it's has enough light to focus in most low light situations and still keep a nice depth of field. Rarely do I need to use manual focus, and in close the lens is still sharp.

Strengths:

Fast focusing with AF-S, good size and weight.

Weaknesses:

A little pricey for an F/4. Lens hood design seems to be wider than nessesary.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

kcveranth
( Expert)

Review Date
October 10, 2005

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 12

Price Paid: $940.00 from BH ny

Summary:

When it comes to having a wide angle zoom for dx cameras there are not a lot of choices below 18mm. I was not satisfied with the wide end performance of the 24-85mm or the 18-70mm so I tried this. the 12-24mm is a lot better corrected but I dont think it is much sharper than either of those lenses at those focal lengths, which to me isnt saying much for this lens.

Strengths:

distortion is pretty well managed, does not vignet with nikon 77mm polarizer. af-s is very handy. filter ring compatibility with nikon "pro" lenses.

Weaknesses:

maybe it is a quality control issue, but this is not a lens worth 940.00 to me. the DOF is too shallow and the sharpness is worse than most of my cheaper glass. there arent many choices for the 12-18mm range right now, maybe the tokina?

Similar Products Used:

18-70mm. 24-85mm

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by:

1961sg
( Professional)

Review Date
April 6, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.12 of 5,
17 votes

Review 4 of 12

Price Paid: $829.00 from Cameta Cameras

Summary:

I finally broke down and got one of these lenses. I must admit I have a soft spot for extreme wide angles, the more distorted the better.. Viva Dali!! To this end I found the 12-24 somewhat dissappointing as it resists the urge to bend the corners unless you are so close to the subject that it can't help it. Contrast is excellent.. 'nuff said there. I have found that my lens tends to focus 4-5 ft. behind the subject when in a contrasty light. This may be more a function of the camera's poor (CAM900) fosusing ability than a fault of the lens. The one thing can be said about this lens is that it is FUN. If it can't re-kindle that flush you first had looking through the veiwfinder at the world that lives through the lens then give it up and shoot licence pictures for the DMV. The 12-24 all summed up is hoot to use. If you're going to have one lens in your bag get a 18-70 AF-S (not evryone can afford the 17-55 AF-S) If you're going to have two lenses in your bag make sure that the 12-24 is the second one. You won't be dissapointed.

Strengths:

Contrast lack of distortion (to some) fun

Weaknesses:

Focusing faux pas?

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED Tokina 19-35

Customer Service:

Draconian.. If the lens isn't purchased from a Candian certified dealer then no warranty (duh), no service, no parts. God help you if your Nikon breaks in Canada whle on holiday and you didn't buy it in Canada.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

dfronapfel
( Professional)

Review Date
January 28, 2005

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.70 of 5,
2 votes

Review 5 of 12

Price Paid: $1200.00 from Penn Camera

Summary:

This lens is meant to replace the 17-35 on a digital SLR. However, while the 17-35 could be used to photograph people, I do not recommend that be done with the 12-24, as distortion is too great. If you are a landscape photographer, this is the lens for you, but photojournalists or portrait photographers should check out the 17-55 dx first.

Strengths:

Sharp and fast. Ultra-wide solution for digital SLR's.

Weaknesses:

Too much distortion for people shooting. Zoom and focus ring switched. Slightly slow f/4 aperture.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 17-55mm dx af-s Nikon 17-35mm af-d Nikon 20mm af-d

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