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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Full Frame Nikkor wide Lens help?
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01/25/2018 01:49:59 PM · #1
Im looking for a lens to buy that is within a reasonable price range for my new D850 so that when I go to Iceland I have something on the wide side of the spectrum.

Anyone have thoughts on the following?
16-35mm

18-35mm

24-120mm

24-85mm

All around the 1k price... Which is sharpest? Which works best for landscapes mostly? Which is good with nightscapes for possible star trail photography/northern lights (fingers crossed)? Do any of you guys have any of these and like/dislike them?

01/25/2018 05:13:32 PM · #2
Well I'm a very big fan of the 24-120. I bought it when it first came out in 2011. It's been my walk around lens for all my travels (and I've been to a lot of places in that time) and has served me very well. I've always found it to be sharp enough for my needs. Out of the four you have listed the only other I'd be tempted with is the 16-35, but personally I've found the 24 mm on the other zoom wide enough to suit my needs. The advantage of the 24-120 is you don't really need to take any other lenses with you.

ETA: I've taken more than 29,000 photos with the 24-120 :)

Message edited by author 2018-01-25 17:38:08.
01/25/2018 06:50:29 PM · #3
Originally posted by salmiakki:


ETA: I've taken more than 29,000 photos with the 24-120 :)


hehe pretty close to the numbers I've racked up with the 18-200mm ;-)
01/25/2018 07:03:11 PM · #4
Marko in my opinion none of them is a super lens. I always had Nikon, but I have to say that the real good wide-angle is 14-24. To take shots of northern lights you probably need a fast, 2.8 or more, lens. Nikon has now a very good 20 1.8, not so expensive considering how fast and wide it is. And it will perform incredibly well on the D850 monster. Otherwise I'll give you my 14-24. ^_^
01/25/2018 07:55:10 PM · #5
Originally posted by Alexkc:

Otherwise I'll give you my 14-24. ^_^


How much would you sell that for???
01/26/2018 07:34:45 AM · #6
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Otherwise I'll give you my 14-24. ^_^


How much would you sell that for???


I think custom duties would be too high from Italy Marko. We should meet in Iceland ^_^
01/26/2018 08:02:52 AM · #7
Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Otherwise I'll give you my 14-24. ^_^


How much would you sell that for???


I think custom duties would be too high from Italy Marko. We should meet in Iceland ^_^


If you'll be there I'll totally buy it from you! Haha.
01/26/2018 09:33:36 AM · #8
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Otherwise I'll give you my 14-24. ^_^


How much would you sell that for???


I think custom duties would be too high from Italy Marko. We should meet in Iceland ^_^


If you'll be there I'll totally buy it from you! Haha.


When are you going?
01/26/2018 09:42:40 AM · #9
March 9(land on the 10th)-15th.
01/26/2018 10:38:50 AM · #10
I could sell you my 16-35. It’s amazing - just not as good as the 14-24 I bought which is 1500 dollars more expensive. I now only use the 14-24 so have no need to the 16-35

I’d also throw in the 200 dollars b+w neutral density filter so you can take long exposures for free. The 14-24 doesn’t accept filters at all so I don’t use that either.

As for my general opinion, you need an ultra wide angle for full frame. To get those amazing landscapes in all their glory, you need at least 16mm or even less. 24mm won’t cut it.
01/26/2018 03:38:36 PM · #11
Seriously you need to go as low as you can...with as small of a range...10/12mm - 24mm (max) with as low of a f-stop you can afford...

All of the lens you listed have to large of a range.

My comments are based on the fact that you want a WIDE angle lens. Not a “VERSITAL” lens (big range). Major difference.
01/26/2018 03:53:04 PM · #12
I suppose I should clarify my statement then. I would like a wide angle but more-so a versatile lens due to the fact that I don't have anything below a 50mm that is full frame.

Would be nice to have some play room there.

01/26/2018 04:13:47 PM · #13
Remember, for landscapes it's not that hard these days to create a wide-angle (panoramic) view by stitching a few shots. With a little practice and care you can get usable images handheld quite easily.

Set the exposure and focus manually, and avoid using a polarizing filter. I *think* a focal length of about 85-100mm seems to work best ... shoot in portrait orientation to get maximum height, although some software* will stitch in two dimensions so you can make two or three overlapping horizontal passes if you want to make a really huge image.

*I use the free 32-bit demo version of AutoStitch
01/26/2018 04:19:53 PM · #14
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Remember, for landscapes it's not that hard these days to create a wide-angle (panoramic) view by stitching a few shots. With a little practice and care you can get usable images handheld quite easily.

Set the exposure and focus manually, and avoid using a polarizing filter. I *think* a focal length of about 85-100mm seems to work best ... shoot in portrait orientation to get maximum height, although some software* will stitch in two dimensions so you can make two or three overlapping horizontal passes if you want to make a really huge image.

*I use the free 32-bit demo version of AutoStitch


I'd disagree with the philosophy behind this.

An actual wide angle lens gives a certain "look". It stretches out the perspective inside the frame. It lets you get really close to your subject. This is something that you just can't replicate by stitching together shots taken with a narrower focal length.

Contrary to popular belief, great wide angle photography isn't about "getting it all in". It's about showing perspectives that you wouldn't ordinarily see with your eyes.

01/26/2018 04:25:25 PM · #15
I think both are right though. I mean, if I'm going to shoot a mountain skyline, chances are I want to zoom slightly and stitch together some shots. But perspective on foreground subjects for example wide angles do make things much more interesting.

Agree with both sides.
01/26/2018 06:33:40 PM · #16
I completely agree with salmiakki. That 24-120mm f/4 lens is really great, I use it as my standard lens on my D800 and I love it. And in case I need wider, I have the Samyang 14mm f/2.8. Maybe a cheap lens with only manual focus available, but it get great reviews when it’s about shooting Northern Lights. Have a look at the portfolio of that Iceland guy ( otto22).

Also see //www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php?LENS_ID=1974

Message edited by author 2018-01-26 18:34:29.
01/28/2018 12:17:59 PM · #17
WTH??? Double post....

Message edited by author 2018-01-28 12:18:43.
01/28/2018 12:18:01 PM · #18
I like my 16-35...
01/28/2018 07:52:52 PM · #19
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Im looking for a lens to buy that is within a reasonable price range for my new D850 so that when I go to Iceland I have something on the wide side of the spectrum.


The 16-35 is a great landscape lens, it is what I use primarily for sweeping vistas and Panoramas. You can do star trails with an f/4 lens, take test shots to get your exposure right. That being said, a 24 -120 would be great to zoom in for landscapes to isolate parts of the composition.

To complicate matters, look at the Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG. Sigma performance is incredible on a full frame camera.

Message edited by author 2018-01-28 19:55:31.
01/29/2018 02:29:39 AM · #20
Funny, I have a 17-35mm and for the longest time it was my walk-around lens. I love it. Super crisp. 2.8f

However, if you really want to save money, and do a test run with a lens before committing real $$ on it, rent one. Lensrentals is extraordinary. Rented my 200-500m when I went to Africa last year. Two weeks for about $250, including shipping and insurance.
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