Nikon 18-35mm G

[kgavin]

<p>My copy is still in transit, but I just got back from a camera store that has the new 18-35 lens. Initial thoughts...this new lens is very good given the price (it's actually cheaper than both DX UWA lenses). Very sharp, a little distortion (but nothing too terrible), and EXTREMELY lightweight. I'm actually kind of happy I gave my 24-120 f/4 the boot in favor of the 18-35/24-85/70-300 combo. This package makes for a great travel kit.</p>

[ShunCheung]

I played around with one at a camera store last Friday. It felt small compared to the 17-35mm/f2.8 AF-S and 16-35mm/f4

AF-S VR. I didn't capture any images with it. Hopefully I can borrow a review sample from Nikon soon, but we also have

the D7100 and 80-400 AF-S in the pipeline.

[Rene11664880918]

<p>Shun.... You are falling behind... We are also waiting for your review of the V2 and the new 1 lens and now D7100, 18-35 and 80-400.....<br /> And let's not forget the D400....... ahhhhh! SORRY! I forgot you can not talk about that!!! :-)</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>I understand that <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=7428567">Cara St Hilaire</a> is working on getting some camera loans from Nikon so that Lex can test some of the new cameras. I am interesting in buying some of the new lenses myself, but if I can borrow one to test first, I'll wait a bit for the loan.</p>

<p>And Rene, it is true that in Japan, you haven't been able to buy a D300S for over a year now? It doesn't look like Nikon is in any hurry to fill that D200/D300 line. I wonder what it'll take before some people realize that there won't be a D400? But if you want to discuss vaporware and drive up your expectations, that is all up to you.</p>

[openshadows]

 

 

 

<p>Just got my lens. Took it out in the back and shot the fence at most apertures and focal lengths.<br>

Physical - Incredibly light and reasonably compact. Very similar to the 24-85 but slightly lighter. 77mm filter size which is nice.<br>

Optically:<br>

Sharpness: Excellent at all focal lengths from f/3.5 (f/4.5 at 35) to f/11 with f/5.6 seeming to be the best on my sample.<br>

Distortion: Very little noticed but haven't really checked this out yet. Definitely the least barrel distortion of any super-wide I have ever owned. No correction for distortion or CA on these samples.<br>

CA: slight at edge of frame but easily corrected.<br>

Below is a link to 4 full size jpegs with just normal sharpening and curves adjustment out of LR. Shot with D600. I only provided 18mm and 35mm at wide open and f/5.6 as everything else upt f/11 is pretty much the same. F/16 and smaller is good but starts to fall off a bit due to refraction.<br>

Best Nikkor I have shot with. All shots with D600 at iso 100 on tripod. This is the lens that will stay on the camera.<br>

http://www.openshadowsphotography.com/Other/Nikon-18-35G/28514510_h2qvGd#!i=2416561209&k=ttVXpfX&lb=1&s=A</p>

 

 

 

[andylynn]

<p>Well those definitely look better than my old 18-35 D. Now the obvious comparison - Nikon 18-35 G or Tokina 16-28 for the same money?</p>

[openshadows]

<p>Andy,<br>

For me, size, weight, filters won out. The 18-35 is about 1/3 the weight of the 16-28. The fact that it goes to 35mm was also a factor making it a very useful walk around focal length. I have a Tokina 100 macro that I am very pleased with and was seriously considering the 16-28 when this was announced.<br>

Mike</p>

[zafar1]

<p>Michael</p>

<p>Thanks for uploading images. I checked them out. For my taste, the right and left edges (vertical center) are softer as are corners. Would it be possible for you to upload 18mm@f/8 ?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

[openshadows]

<p>Zameen,</p>

<p>Its there.</p>

<p>Mike</p>

[zafar1]

<p>Thanks Michael.</p>

[edwardchen]

<p>I had the older 18-35 D lens. Solid performer. My only complain is the barrel distortion. It was bad. So i upgraded to 17-35/2.8D. I expect this new G lens has less barrel distortion.</p>