I've been using this lens for a few months now, mainly on a D810, and I believe it's one of these lenses that deserve extra reviews and attention. So here goes a brief review, of this excellent UWA lens option. Usually people think of this UWA lenses for landscape. While it's outstanding for landscape work, there is something else where it shines: 'storytelling'. Telling a story from the field, about events or activities I'm involved with while traveling, is part of a technique to communicate events or trips to a non-attending public. This is great for feeding organizational reports, events, field trips, vacations, photo-jounalism etc. A wide angle lens, with the right frame, will tell a lot visual information for the observer who is somewhat already expecting to hear the stories of a trip, a project, a community, the she/he was not able to attend or engage with, etc. I usually get feedbacks from people saying things like "seeing these photos was like being there myself". And wide angle lenses are a great and creative way to take portraits as well. Some time ago, I crossed with a Youtube video that tries to explain how to use wide angle lens for the same purpose that I tend to use it. I found it very interesting, and decide to come here and share this video. The video goes a bit beyond that, into a few wide angle photography tips for interiors, parties, landscapes, and street photography use as well. How to use wide angle lenses - DSLR photography tutorial By Sydney Portraits, published on 29-Nov-2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW2lpyd0XhE And for this kind of work, the 'Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED' lens is a king. Many reviews out there refers to this lens as second only to the 'Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED', once it's sharp corner-to-corner, even when wide open at 18mm and f/3.5. The 18-35mm main advantages before the 14-24mm are:
While the 18-35mm main disadvantages before the 14-24mm are:
And the similarities between these two lenses are around:
For some good time I studied the Nikkor 14-24mm as a UWA lens option for myself, and because of its high price and heavy weight, I decided to go with a two lenses combo instead, that I'm very much satisfied with, as per below. Together, they created a perfect solution for me. Light weight for constant travel was very important for me, and both lenses are a winner here. They are both very sharp as well.
 I've learned fast that the higher f/# of the 18-35mm is not such a big deal with UWA lenses, once you can shoot them at low shutter speeds. The 18-35mm is an ideal lens for frequent travelers, always on the move, who need light weight and flexibility in a relaible lens. It's also weather resistant, with a rubber gasket in the metal mount. My practical experience with this lens (and the D810) goes from storytelling, landscapes, and astrophotography, with good results all around. Here my sample shots with the 18-35mm. It works pretty well in my D5200 as well as a 27-52mm FoV equivalent lens. But it doesn't make sense to buy it if you only use a DX camera, specially with the 'Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art' out there, with equivalent price tag. Don't confuse this lesn (released early in 2013) with its old version, the 'Nikkor AF 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED'. While the old version tends to be very soft, the newer version is using all Nikon's tricks from teh 14-24mm, in a light weight package for the photographers on the run. Nikon does great wide angle lenses, nowadays. Beyond the 18-35mm and the 14-24mm, there is also these other options (among others):
Not to mention some good UWA/WA third parties lenses as well, from Tokina, Samyang/Rokinon/Bower, Sigma, and now Tamron as well, with its brand new 'Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD', that came to challenge the kingdom of the 'Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED'. So plenty of good glasses all around. In the middle of all these options, I still believe that 'Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED' is a great bargain UWA lens, delivering high end image quality, in a really light weight package, and with serious glass inside. So I'm here rating it 5 out of 5. |
