Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Conclusions

Pros

Robustly constructed lens with good controls
Included filter hood allows for the use of front mounted filters without the need for a specialty holder
Quick and accurate autofocus
Outstanding sharpness from corner to corner, even at wide apertures
Excellent color and contrast
Virtually no chromatic aberration
Fantastic flare control
Very low coma

Cons

Expensive, though I think you get what you pay for
112mm filter thread requires expensive filters
Some barrel distortion at the wide end

Well, reviewing lenses like the 14-24mm f/2.8 S can be difficult, because there’s really not much to complain about. Like most wide zooms, there’s a bit of barrel distortion at the 14mm setting, and the lens is certainly not cheap at $2,500 (though it often goes on sale for a couple hundred less).

However, the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 is overall the finest ultra-wide zoom I’ve ever used. Only the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN comes close, but there you lose the ability to mount front filters without a large and unwieldy filter adapter, and the Sigma is a bit bigger and heavier as well. For Nikon Z shooters, the 14-24mm is a significantly better lens overall when compared to the already very good 14-30mm f/4. The 14-24mm is sharper, has far less distortion, is a stop faster and does just about everything just a little better. It’s a phenomenal lens, and one that I can highly recommend if you can afford it.