ShutterMan's reviews

  • Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Contrast, Build
    Price

    Best Uses : Street, Event, Low light

    I have read people complain in forums that this lens is inferior to the 24mm AF/S. The perspective between the 24 & 35 are vastly different. It's not a matter of which is sharper, more important is which perspective is needed/preferred.

    Many are quick to judge this lens because Nikon did not use ED glass ala 24mm and only uses one aspherical element. These are special glass elements reserved for overcoming difficult obstacles in extreme lens designs. Which a fast 35mm is not that extreme, these elements do not automatically make a good lens great, if it were that easy then every lens manufacture would just pop one or two ED elements and walla!


    Pros:
    1.) This lens is Sharp! I do not know if the first batches had difficulties or if these people did not micro adjust AF on camera body, but my copy is razor sharp. Compared it to 17-35mm, 24mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4 ais, 24-70mm 2.8, 50mm AFS 1.4. At F/1.4 the 24mm AFS appears a tad sharper (center only). Stopping it down 1/3 stop (1.6), yes just 1/3 makes it sharper from that point forward than all of the lenses tested.

    2.) Vignetting is well controlled, better than 24mm & 50mm 1.4's at same F/Stop

    3.) Excellent flare resistance, if not that I do not intend to use a protection filter, I would probably not use the hood.

    4.) No AF adjustment needed on D700 (YMMV)

    5.) Sharpness in corners from 1.4-2.0 is very good, 2.8 and above is excellent

    Cons:
    1.) Price

    2.) 67mm filter thread

    3.) Barrel distortion a little high (No Adobe LR3 or ACR Lens Profile)

    Neutral:
    1.) AF speed is not blazing fast, but still good

    Bottom Line:
    If you are a hobbyist and want a fast lens to capture your rugrats, get the 50mm 1.4 and save a bundle. If you are a Pro and need help deciding between this and a 24mm, then maybe you are not as Pro as you might think. You should know which you need and not go to forums asking people for their advice. You will either need the 24mm, 35mm, or both, but only you can answer that.

    reviewed January 24th, 2011 (purchased for $1,799)

  • Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S Nikkor

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    It does most everything well to very well, just nothing spectacular.
    Price,Distortion at 24mm, CAs in borders 24mm-60mm

    Pros:
    Good overall image quality. (35mm 1.5 AF/S and 70-200mm VR II kill this in overlapping focal lengths.)
    Flare resistance
    Vignetting is well controlled F/4 and smaller
    High quality materials (build)
    AF speed is fast!

    Cons:
    Price
    Distortion at 24mm
    Large (Scares people)

    Neutral:
    CAs in borders 24mm-60mm (middle of road performer)

    Bottom Line:
    Not my favorite lens, but the performance is good and a must for event photographers. F/2.8 is already a little slow and anything slower will not do. It does most everything well to very well, just nothing spectacular.

    reviewed January 28th, 2011 (purchased for $1,699)