Lens Reviews / Nikon Lenses i Not yet tested

14-24mm	$2,330 average price

Updates:
12/09/2020: Field Test & Gallery Images added

 

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Nikkor Field Test

A fantastic modern take on a Nikon classic

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 12/09/2020

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 19.5mm, f/8, 13s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens is the second ultra wide-angle zoom lens in the Z system, following up on the very good Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens. With an additional stop of light gathering capability in exchange for less overall zoom, the 14-24mm f/2.8 S is quite a different lens in terms of form factor, overall performance and price.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 19.5mm, f/7.1, 2s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

During my time with the 14-24mm f/2.8 S, the lens consistently impressed. The zoom includes Nikon's latest optical innovations and technologies and boasts a pro-grade build quality. Unlike the earlier 14-24mm f/2.8 G lens for Nikon F-mount, the 14-24mm f/2.8 S easily accepts filters, and this is a game changer for certain types of photography.

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Key Features & Specs

• Full-frame Z mount lens
• 14-24mm focal length offers 114° to 84° field of view
• f/2.8-f/22 aperture range
• 16 elements in 11 groups
• 4 ED and 3 aspherical lens elements
• ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings
• 9-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
• Built-in OLED information panel
• Includes L-Fn button and programmable control ring
• Stepping focus motor
• Minimum focus distance of 11 in. (28cm)
• 0.13x maximum magnification
• 112mm filter thread via lens hood, gel filter slot in the rear
• Includes two lens hoods
• (L x D) dimensions: 4.9 x 3.5 in. (124.5 x 88.5mm)
• Weighs 1.4 lb. (650 g)
• $2,400 USD MSRP

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 14mm, f/6.3, 1/15s, ISO 180. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens design & handling: A refined design with excellent build quality

The Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens is a departure in overall form factor when compared to its F-mount predecessor, the excellent AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens. The new Z lens has a less flared shape, and the built-in lens hood is minimal whereas the 14-24mm f/2.8G's built-in lens hood dominated the overall design.

There are numerous consequences of the new design elements. The Nikkor Z lens can use a screw-on front filter. This is a major departure from the old F mount 14-24mm zoom. To utilize 112mm filters – more on this later – you must attach the larger HB-97 lens hood, which is included with the lens. Also included is the smaller HB-96 lens hood, which is much more compact and sleeker. When using the HB-96, the 14-24mm f/2.8 lens is reasonably compact.

In total, the 14-24mm lens is 4.9 in. (124.5mm) long and has a maximum diameter of 3.5 in. (88.5mm). It weighs 1.4 pounds (650g), compared to the 14-24mm f/2.8G lens that weighs 2.2 pounds (1,000g). To cut the weight by nearly a full pound is remarkable -- granted, some of that is the weight of the built-in lens hood on the 14-24mm f/2.8G. The older 14-24mm lens is also very slightly longer and has a larger maximum diameter. I've had the AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G lens in my kit since shortly after it was released in 2007, it's a phenomenal lens, but it's a heavy optic.

Getting back to the Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens, it feels excellent in the hands. It has the same general style and materials quality as other Nikon S lenses for the Z system, which is to say that it has a genuine 'pro' feel. The built-in OLED information display works great, and the customizable L-Fn button is a useful addition.

The zoom ring has markings at 14, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 24mm focal lengths, and rotating from 14mm to 24mm takes less than a 90° rotation. The zoom ring has an excellent feel to it as you rotate it; it's robust yet smooth. The focus ring works well too, although as a focus-by-wire lens, it lacks a built-in a focus scale, which is a slight inconvenience at times. The lens also includes a electronic, customizable control ring, which you can use to adjust different settings such as aperture, ISO and more.

Along with the two included lens hoods, the lens also comes with a pair of matching lens caps. It's a necessary aspect of the lens, given the way the lens has been designed with respect to accepting a screw-in filter, but it does add more pieces to keep track of.

Speaking of included accessories, the 14-24mm f/2.8 S comes with a lens pouch, which is adequate. However, it's a stark contrast to the excellent padded carrying case that came with the 14-24mm f/2.8G lens, and the case that comes with Nikon's recent Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S lens.

Overall, the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens has an excellent and thoughtful design. The ability to use a screw-in filter is a fantastic improvement over the original Nikon 14-24mm lens for F mount. The 14-24mm f/2.8 S is built to exacting professional standards, has a sleek modern design and works very well.

Image quality and performance

Sharpness

Behind the 14-24mm f/2.8 S's excellent image quality is an advanced optical design. In total, the lens contains 16 elements, which are organized across 11 groups. This is two more elements than the F mount 14-24mm f/2.8 lens uses. The 14-24mm f/2.8 S includes three aspherical lens elements, which are used to reduce spherical aberrations and distortion. It also includes four extra-low dispersion elements to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations.

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 20.5mm, f/11, 1.6s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens includes ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coatings. The Nano Crystal Coating controls incidental light from a diagonal direction, whereas the ARNEO Coating controls incidental light from a vertical direction. Combined, they work to prevent ghosting, reflections and flare. There is also Super Integrated Coating on multiple elements for color accuracy and improved rendering.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 17mm, f/6.3, 4s, ISO 1600. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each focal length/aperture combination I tested (14mm, 18mm and 24mm) in the Gallery.

14mm

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, full scene at 14mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 14mm, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens delivers strong center sharpness even when shooting wide open. At f/2.8, extreme corner performance is good with respect to sharpness and detail, although there is some visible vignette, which is unsurprising but easily corrected.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% top left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Like other Nikkor Z S-line lenses I've used, performance is remarkably consistent across the faster apertures. At f/2.8, f/4 and f/5.6, there is very little to separate the aperture values with respect to sharpness across much of the frame. You can see a slight increase in detail and microcontrast when going from f/2.8 to f/4, but it's hard to see without zooming way in.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/4, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What is more evident is the evenness of brightness across the entire frame as you stop down. There's also a bit of improvement in extreme corner performance with respect to sharpness.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% top left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Diffraction becomes minimally evident at f/8, and the overall image starts to appear visibly soft at f/11 and beyond. With that said, there are plenty of instances when the increased depth of field is worth the tradeoff in sharpness, and I didn't hesitate to capture certain scenes at f/11 or f/13. Beyond f/13, however, the image becomes distractingly soft, in my opinion.

Overall, the performance at the widest angle of 14mm is excellent. Even at f/2.8, the image is very detailed and displays good contrast and color. Corner performance improves a bit as you stop down, but the lens exhibits nearly optimal maximum sharpness even at its fastest aperture.

18mm

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, full scene at 18mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 18mm, the rough midpoint of the focal length range (19mm is not marked, so I opted for 18mm for the test images), performance is very good at f/2.8. Stopping down to f/4 improves performance slightly. Take particular note of the 'Bangor Savings Bank' text on the building. You can see just a bit more clarity here when comparing f/2.8 to f/4, otherwise the images exhibit few differences.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/4, 1/200s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At f/5.6, performance remains very good across the board. At f/8, you can see a slight decrease in detail and contrast, evident again when looking at the signage and when looking at the tree branches near the top left corner of the crops below. It's worth hammering home that differences are nearly imperceptible when not zoomed in to 100%. Performance is very consistent.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/8, 1/50s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Diffraction is somewhat noticeable at f/11 and very evident at f/16. There's a balancing act here between achieving the desired depth of field and maintaining high levels of visible sharpness and detail.

In terms of corner performance, there's less vignette at 18mm than at 14mm, as I expect. Sharpness in the corners is pretty good at 18mm as well.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% top left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/4, 1/200s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% top left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, performance at 18mm is excellent. I expect mid-focal lengths in zoom lenses to deliver optimal performance, and I think that's true with the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens as well. With that said, it's very impressive how good the extreme wide-angle focal length really is, as you can see by how similar overall performance is between 14mm and 18mm.

24mm

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, full scene at 24mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

When shooting at 24mm, sharpness at f/2.8 is excellent. It improves very slightly at f/4, but the difference is nearly imperceptible when considering the center of the frame. Color and contrast are both excellent, as well.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/4, 1/200s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Corner performance at f/2.8 is pretty good. There's a bit of vignette, but it's minor. Contrast and colors are rendered well at the extreme edges of the image area.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

To change gears a bit, one of the major advantages of the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S versus the F mount version is that the new lens for the Nikon Z system can use a screw-in filter. I wanted to test the Nikon circular polarizing filter, which Nikon was willing to lend me for the purposes of this review, to see how it impacted sharpness.

At 24mm and f/4, I put the filter on, and as you can see below, comparing to the f/4 crop above, the filter is excellent and has no perceptible impact on sharpness.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/4, 1/50s, ISO 64. Sharpness test image, 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

This is great news because in nearly every landscape photography situation, I use a polarizing filter. Granted, the filter is a whopping 112mm in diameter and costs $680 USD directly from Nikon USA. However, there's no suitable software substitute for the impact of a polarizing filter, and I think it's basically a necessary purchase for landscape photographers.

Without an additional layer of glass, overall image quality performance at 24mm is also very good.

Overall image quality

I'm feeling like a broken record, but this lens is consistently impressive across the board. At any focal length and even when shooting wide open, the 14-24mm f/2.8 S delivers sharp, detailed images with good color, contrast and control of aberrations. It's a great, well-engineered lens.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/8, 1/5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Autofocus and close focus performance

Autofocus performance is fast and quiet overall. The lens incorporates an autofocus stepper motor and is an internally focusing lens. On both the Z7 and Z6 II cameras I used, autofocus was very accurate, with no notable errors.

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 20mm, f/13, 5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The minimum autofocus distance is 11 in. (28cm), resulting in a maximum magnification of 0.13x. This is similar to the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G lens, which delivers a 0.15x max magnification. The close focus distance is sufficient for most typical wide-angle lens situations.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 20mm, f/13, 5s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the Field with the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Nikkor Lens

Using the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens in the field is a great experience. This begins with its excellent build quality and very manageable size and weight. Being able to use a screw-in filter is also fantastic. The lens hood that accepts a filter works well too, as it offers ample space to rotate a filter such as a CPL filter.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/7.1, 5s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 14mm, f/7.1, 15s, ISO 400. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Admittedly, it's a bit disappointing that the lens requires a 112mm-sized filter, but the large filter results in superb performance with no noticeable degradation in image quality nor any additional vignette, which was a problem when using makeshift filter solutions on the older 14-24mm f/2.8G. Being able to use a filter, especially a polarizing filter, is hugely important for landscape photography.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 19.5mm, f/11, 5s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The 14-24mm f/2.8 S is a great lens for landscape photography in general. Beyond the useful focal length range, the lens has excellent performance across almost the entire image area. In addition to impressive sharpness, the lens exhibits strong control of aberrations. Anecdotally, aberration control is much better than it is with the 14-24mm f/2.8G lens. Of course, some of this is due to the fantastic Z mount design and the optical engineering advantages it presents, but also due to excellent software in the Z cameras.

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 21.5mm, f/14, 2.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 18.5mm, f/7.1, 15s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 21.5mm, f/9, 0.4s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 18mm, f/10, 8s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Another area where the 14-24mm f/2.8 S performs well is with respect to night sky photography. While the lens can be a little tricky to manually focus, due to its focus by wire design, once focus is dialed in, performance is great. The lens is sharp wide open, and it also does a good job controlling for comatic aberration. Stars are pin-sharp across much of the frame, with only slight coma being evident in the corners.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 22mm, f/2.8, 13s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 15.5mm, f/2.8, 13s, ISO 4000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 15.5mm, f/2.8, 13s, ISO 4000. 100% crop of the above image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

If I had to negatively mark the 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens in terms of performance, it would be with respect to bokeh. The bokeh is fine, although not buttery smooth, as I've come to expect from Nikkor S-line lenses. It's a bit of a nitpick, but there's just a certain something about the 14-24mm f/2.8G's bokeh I prefer over this newer mirrorless lens. That's probably the only aspect of the older Nikon 14-24mm lens I prefer, however, as the 14-24mm f/2.8S is an otherwise spectacular lens.

Shot on a Nikon Z7. 24mm, f/4, 0.4s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Field Test Summary

An excellent, albeit expensive, wide-angle zoom lens

What I like most:

• Great build quality
• Can use filters
• Excellent sharpness
• Great control of aberrations

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 24mm, f/6.3, 13s, ISO 2500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Expensive
• Multiple lens hoods and caps are necessary, but a bit tedious
• Lens hood requires large, expensive 112mm filters
• Bokeh isn't quite as smooth as I would like

The Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens has great build quality, including weather resistance, and delivers excellent image quality. There's very little to dislike about the lens, save for its price. For those willing to part with the $2,400 (and possibly an additional $700 for a 112mm circular polarizing filter), they will be treated to a fantastic lens and one of Nikon's best native lenses for the Z system.

Shot on a Nikon Z6 II. 24mm, f/10, 4s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

• • •

 

(From Nikon lens literature)

Broaden Your Horizons with the Essential Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens

The much anticipated NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is the shortest and lightest full-frame zoom lens of its kind, offering unique user benefits and incredible rendering capabilities across the wide zoom range. Joining the previously announced NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lenses, this lens completes the trinity of coveted fast aperture Z series zooms. The 14-24mm is a versatile lens that proves the optical superiority of the Nikon Z mount, producing excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal distortion and exceptional photo and video capabilities for creators. The new optical design allows for a significantly shorter lens that is nearly 35 percent lighter than its predecessor, the popular AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8, making this lightweight lens ideal for a trek into the field. Meanwhile, its wide-angle zoom range offers video content creators a new option for capturing tack-sharp establishing shots, interiors or POV angles.

The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens is engineered to deliver unrivaled optical excellence and maximum usability. This thoroughly modernized lens design features a nearly flat front lens element, which allows the attachment of a threaded filter to the included additional lens hood (HB-97). This design provides users the ability to attach a Neutral density (ND) filter, as well as the new Neutral Color NC Filter 112mm or Circular Polarizing Filter II 112mm3, while a rear filter holder also accepts a trimmable filter gel. With the option to easily use multiple filter types, users can capture epic landscapes with greater versatility and flexibility in more lighting conditions than ever before. An excellent choice for photographing stunning night-time views, the 14-24mm lens delivers amazing low-light performance with a constant f/2.8 aperture and stellar point light reproduction capabilities that suppress sagittal coma and flare for tack-sharp stars and city lights.

The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm combines a robust design and reliable performance with custom controls, including a customizable one-touch shortcut button, EL Display panel and custom control ring, making controls and settings convenient and accessible. The optical formula includes four ED lens elements, helping to control chromatic aberrations, and capture fine details, including colors and lines, with consistent accuracy – a true benefit to those shooting interiors and architecture. Additionally, flare, ghosting and coma are suppressed, even with harsh backlight, thanks to the lens’ Nano Crystal Coat (N) and anti-reflective ARNEO Coat, while its robust fluorine coating and extensive weather sealing allow Nikon Z series users to shoot confidently in rugged and unpredictable environments. As an added benefit to videographers, the lens also features an electro-magnetic diaphragm, to help maintain smooth exposures as light changes.

Price and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens will be available in November 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,399.95*

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.