Review by Markus Stamm, published November 2010

Introduction

At PMA 2010 Nikon surprised with another pro grade ultra wide-angle lens, the new AF-S 16-35/4 VR. One stop slower than its sister lens it features optical stabilization instead and a larger focal range. Given the superb sharpness of the 14-24 the expectations are on a very high level for this lens, too. We have reviewed the lens on our FX camera already, so let's see how it performs on our 10 megapixel DX test camera (D200), where it behaves like a moderate wide-angle to normal lens.

The lens is primarily targeting the professional market and thus the build quality is accordingly high. The outer barrel is made of a magnesium alloy and there are seals for dust and moisture protection. Both the zoom and focus ring work smoothly and are well damped, but at least on our review unit the focus ring showed a little play: not in the focus ring itself, but in the coupling with the actual focus unit. When changing the focus direction, it takes a few millimeters of movement until the focus unit actually follows the focus ring. This can be annoying when trying to nail critical focus, for example in Live View.

Unlike the 14-24, the lens features an almost flat front lens and a 77mm filter thread. Thanks to an internal focusing system (IF) the inner tube remains static during focus operations and the front element and filter thread do not rotate.

The physical length of the lens remains constant but the inner lens tube moves according to the focal length within a rather solid outer tube (see above). At 24 mm the inner tube moves almost 1 cm inwards and returns only half way outwards again until 35 mm.

A petal shaped lens hood (HB-23, already known from other Nikon FX and DX ultra-wide lenses) is supplied with the lens.

Given its moderate specifications, the lens is surprisingly long and looks rather familiar to those who know the AF-S 24-70. It's thinner, but not shorter than the 14-24, while on the other hand it's larger than the older AF-S 17-35/2.8.

The Nikkor 16-35 VR is a G-type lens so it does not offer an aperture ring anymore. Thanks to an AF-S drive (Silent Wave Motor) the lens is compatible with any current Nikon DSLR, including the entry level cameras. AF operations are reasonably fast and basically silent. In direct comparison, the auto focus of the AF-S 14-24 feels a little snappier, though.

The lens features optical stabilization (VR II) which Nikon claims allows for up to 4 stops slower shutter speeds. Actual results will vary depending on the photographer, of course. In our field tests up to three stops longer shutter times were easily possible at the long end and up to two stops at the short end of the focal range (given a steady subject).