Rethinking the 14-24
- Thread starter Drew Wat
- Start date
Yes, I got to try it on my D800, and well, it surprised me too, I was expecting it to be too bulky, but on the D800, the camera balanced perfect, and the setup just felt right. I totally have this on my list, and am wishing I had enough gear to sell off... Time to make an inventory list, and see what I have left to sell. I definitiely consider this a MUST HAVE lens eventually, Although, I would
like to try the 16-35 F4.
So,, I am going to rent. three days should be enough.
I did have a look at the 16-35 while I was there too as comparison and I liked the 14-24 better. It just gives a little more and I noticed a little less distortion around the edges with the 14-24. The 2mm does make a difference in the lens. Of course I can't use a filter with it but then I am doing more with touching up on the computer and I am not fumbling around getting filters off and on in the field. I have the battery grip on the D600 and it balanced the lenses out perfectly with how they feel.
I have moved away from zooms, except the 14mm - 24mm. Unbelievable sharp lens that does not distort much. On landscapes and architecture it is incredible. I never had anything remotely before it, completely changed photography for me. The depth of field can be what feels like 2 ft to infinity. The trick in using it is, put a subject close up and at the bottom and amazing things happen. JD
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Ordered the lens today. Looking forward to adding this gem to the bag. Now I just have to get the time and weather to get out with them. 
Going to be a big change having some actual " good " lenses to work with now and the new camera is turning out to just amaze me. I will figure out how to post and then will be able to share and take advice on what I am doing right or wrong. Always looking for feedback as this is how we all learn. Just hope I don't become the example of what not to be doing. LOL
Going to be a big change having some actual " good " lenses to work with now and the new camera is turning out to just amaze me. I will figure out how to post and then will be able to share and take advice on what I am doing right or wrong. Always looking for feedback as this is how we all learn. Just hope I don't become the example of what not to be doing. LOL
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You'll most likely love it. I use the 14 - 24mm, 35mm, 85mm, and 105mm most. I have a lot of stuff above 135mm but do not do sports, and find the reduced depth of field and obscurity caused by the air dilutes color and sharpness so photos are not good. Also I don't like hauling around all the weight. You certainly might be a trinity kind of guy... I'm just recommending thinking a lot about if that is the right thing for you. I have a 24 - 300mm for special travel when I'm not sure what I will need (for the D700 and D800), but otherwise I choose what I will need carefully so I have the right lens and don't feel like a pack mule ( I have gathered this last concern comes with age). JD
I now will have the 14-24, 24-70, 80-200 ( so called holy trinity) and the 105 f2.8 macro ( holy quartet?). I also have the 50 1.8, 1.4x converter, a 28-300 f3.5-6.3 and an old 500 f8 mirror reflex. Also the old SB 800 flash. I have been careful in my selection of lenses doing lots of research. I have had second and third party lenses in the past but I am still slightly old school and Nikon always had the best glass in cameras. Yes I know what you mean in regards to a pack mule. On the last vacation I took the 24-70 and the 28-300 and the 50. Left the rest at home. wished that I had the 14-24 though as I had lots of shots where that would have been the lens to make a great picture.
That's great, Drew. You'll love the lens. As a person who bought the 14-24mm but had no experience with such a wide angle lens let me warn you that it took me about 8 months to really understand how to use it. My first few attempts just didn't thrill me, the images were just not what I was expecting or what I wanted to see. As a result, this lens spent a good amount of time sitting at home. After about half a year I deciding to push myself and either figure out how to make images that I liked or to sell the lens and move on. It took a few sessions to work out the bugs but once I did, I feel head over heels in love with it. What I found is you need at least 2 elements in the image. You need something extremely close to you (but won't look that close in the lens) and you need a second element off in the distance. Once I had that combination the resulting images were great (or at least I thought they were great). Now your experience my be entirely different but for me, it wasn't an instant love affair.
Thanks for the advice Dave. I am really looking forward to learning this lens. I know that I have a lot to learn about all these lenses as I have been taking pictures for years Starting out with the Pentax ME super and then the Canon eos630 then the D80 now the D600. I have always had a variety of lenses and filters and such but nothing that comes close to this quartet and most before the digital age too so this is a whole new experience in working with photos. I feel like I have just re-opened up a door to a whole new fantastic world. I have had no formal training or courses just trial and error and reading lots of books, so any tips and pointers on this lens ( or any other) will not go unappreciated.