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Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published July 2006
Joint lens test with Volker Mühlhaus
Introduction
The Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX is the current native ultra-wide zoom lens
option for APS-C Nikon DSLRs.
On the D200 (used for testing) its field-of-view is equivalent to 18-36mm
on classic camera and as such it is obviously a highly interesting option for
landscape photography or other applications with the need for an extra kick in perspective.
The build quality of the lens is very decent. However, the outer parts are still
just made of (good quality) plastic - slightly disappointing for a lens in this price class
but positively speaking it is a very light-weight lens as a result.
The broad, rubberized zoom and focus rings operate very smooth.
The physical length of the lens remains constant despite a moving inner lens tube.
Thanks to Internal Focusing (IF) the front element does not rotate so
using a polarizer remains easily possible - even with the supplied petal shaped
hood. Like most recently released Nikkors it is a G-type design without a dedicated
aperture ring. The Nikkor has an internal, silent-wave (ultrasonic) AF motor which
operates both fast as well as near-silent.
Obviously Nikon didn't really see the need for an aggressive
pricing - at around 1000€/US$ the Nikkor comes at more than the double
costs of the third-party alternatives so let's see whether it is worth it ...
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 18-36 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/6 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 7 groups inc. 3 aspherical elements and 2 ED elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 (rounded) |
| min. focus distance | 0.30 m (max. magnification ratio ~1:8.3) |
| Dimensions | 83 x 90 mm |
| Weight | 465 g |
| Filter size | 77 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | Nikon HB-23, supplied, petal-shaped |
| Other features | - |
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