Overview
(From Nikon lens literature) With its 114 degree picture angle and f/2.8 fast aperture, this lens offers a dramatic angle of view in demanding situations. Extra Low Dispersion glass and two Aspheric lens elements ensure superior image quality and compact design. Built-in rear filter holder accepts gelatin filters.
Test Notes
We confess to being a little disappointed in the Nikkor 14mm f/2.8’s performance in our tests, we were expecting more from a $1,400 prime lens. If you need the f/2.8 maximum aperture, this might be a good choice for you, but we found that many ultrawide zooms better it in most areas, apart from maximum aperture and (very slightly) center sharpness. Read the “Tanner Report“ for this lens for all the info, including detailed comparisons with a range of other lenses you might want to consider. (Do note though, that we haven’t tested any other 14mm primes at this point, so it’s possible that there may be another prime out there that’d be a good choice as well.)
Lab Test Results
Our standard lens lab tests, shot on a sub-frame (APS-C) body. Pick a focal length and aperture to see the result.
Sharpness (blur index)
Blur across the frame: lower and flatter is sharper. Change focal length and aperture to see how it improves when stopped down.
Chromatic aberration
Colour fringing in the corners at each focal length.
Vignetting (corner shading)
How much darker the corners are than the centre, by aperture and focal length.
Geometric distortion
Barrel (positive) or pincushion (negative) distortion across the zoom range.
Reader Reviews
- Image quality
- 8.2/10
- Build quality
- 9.8/10
- Recommend it
- 83%
- 10/10Recommendedby Phiggys.com · September 13 2019
Pros: Optical quality,field of view,build,AFD body driven motor required although manual focus is smooth and easy using hyperfocal focus shooting. Works well on Full Frame and crop sensors
Cons: Can be prone to flare with sun in field of view.
After going digital back in 1999 and eventually purchasing a Fujifinepix S Pro 1 camera I purchased this lens as I did not have anything wide for shooting with due to the x1.5 crop.
I was trying to source a Nikon 16mm 2.8 AFD fisheye at the time it couldnt find one anywhere so I took the plunge.
It was amazing on my F5 film camera and more than meet my needs on my digital body.
I love the field of view but sadlyI have to resort to shooting it on a tripod these days.
Old age and bad nerves.
Around two weeks later I found a used fisheye at my favourite camera store in Wales and due to the compact size it went back into its box.
- 8/10Recommendedby a.rehman96 · June 5 2018
Nikon 14mm is very amzing lens Prime wide-angle perspective and fast f/1.8 aperture delivers great low-light performance.Quiet focusing with built-in Silent Wave Motor (SWM).
gps monitoring systemRear Focus (RF) provides smooth and fast autofocus while eliminating front barrel rotation and lens length changes.it will give Very good result.
- 10/10Recommendedby 123click · December 3 2011 · paid $1400
Pros: Central to foreground sharpness and zero window glare problems.
Cons: can't protect it with a filter and some moustache distortion.
This lens may be a soft out on the corners at full aperture for sharpness but it more than makes up for it with central and foreground sharpness which astounds me no end, and it is only when pixilation become an issue with my D700 camera sensor image quality becomes an issue.
I usually avoid having round objects like clocks on a wall or cups on a coffee table in the corners of the image for such ultrawide lenses because they become strangely elongulated so I rarely have anything much worthwhile in the corners anyway and place the more important elements of the image closer to the centre of the image which is where the sharpness of this lens is untouchable. When shooting with this lens I usually have it set for f8 to f11 and never below f5.6 because I only use such lenses to maximize the depth of field.
No perceptable window glare is another strong point in this lens which is a big issue with my 20mm. I can shoot interior shots with this lens and there is none of that nasty halo around the windows at all and fine detail such as with leadlight window's leading was completely untroubled by the strong background light.
- 9/10Recommendedby mrcontinental · June 14 2011 · paid $900
Pros: A professional caliber prime lens
Cons: Only takes gel filters
This len when found under $1000 is still a fine performer and value. Gives sharp contrasty images as long as you watch where you point it avoiding light sources on the front element. Can still be used on your manual focus bodies from yesterday with it's aperture ring intact.
Has been superseded by the excellent 14-24 f2.8 which is quite sharp out to the corners so if price is not an issue go for it.
- 4/10Not recommendedby ddt332 · October 23 2008 · paid $1450
Pros: Build quality is OK
Cons: pricy, IQ
This lens doesn't have any reason to exist anymore. The same priced Nikon 14-24 beat it hands down. Go for the 14-24 zoom!
- 8/10Recommendedby ddk · August 22 2007
Pros: ultra wide angle with low distortion and high image quality
Cons: expensive
Contrary to some of the reviews that I've seen I'm fairly satisfied with this lens. It has very good color and contrast, sharpness is acceptable and f2.8 but gets much sharper as you stop down.
It has a substantial build which I like with good, smooth manual focusing. I haven't noticed any CA with my cameras but its prone to flaring, so don't point it towrds sun
Reader reviews were submitted by Imaging Resource readers and are shown as written.