NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S: A pro-grade ultra-wide-angle zoom for landscapes and astro

Nikon engineers managed to pack 16 lens elements into the ultra-compact and lightweight body. With a diameter of just 88.5mm and a length of just 124.5mm, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S launched as the world’s shortest ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame cameras with a maximum aperture of f/2.8*, and weighs just 650g. This makes it an ideal travel companion, when space is at a premium.

If you’re braving the elements, the lens barrel’s moving parts have been extensively sealed to help protect against dust and moisture. And Nikon’s proven fluorine coating acts as a barrier against water, dust and dirt, while making the front element easier to clean in the process.

If you’re capturing a backlit landscape subject or simply working in challenging lighting conditions, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is equipped with four Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements and three aspherical elements. But the premium imaging technology doesn’t stop there. Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat are both present.

The two coatings primarily reduce ghosting and flare caused by stray light in back-lit situations, while the entire optical construction of 16 lens elements in 11 groups ensures exceptionally detailed contrast and visibly reduced light fall-off at the edges of the image.

The lens is particularly well suited to astrophotography and architectural photography, with spot-light sources such as stars and street lamps faithfully reproduced, and illuminated portions of the image reproduced in fine detail.

The fast fixed aperture enables handheld shooting, even when ambient light begins to fade, and can produce shallow depths of field when shooting close-up subjects. This is aided by a minimum focal distance of just 28cm.

In addition to the zoom and focusing ring, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is equipped with a control ring that can be assigned, via the Z-camera menu, to aperture, exposure compensation or ISO. Similarly, the function button (L-Fn) can be configured too, boasting a wealth of options such as AF lock.

If you’re using the ultra-wide-angle zoom for low-light situations such as astrophotography, you can make use of the illuminated OLED screen. This displays information such as the available apertures, the focal length and focus distance.

Landscape photographers also have the option of pairing the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S with 112mm, screw-on filters that cleverly attach to the lens hood, while coloured gels can be housed via a filter slot at the rear of the lens.

The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is not only suitable for fantastic wide-angle photos. It also possesses attractive features for filmmaking. For example, the autofocus works smoothly and quietly with very minimal focus breathing. This means that the angle of view remains almost unchanged while focusing.

If you’re a serious professional or enthusiast looking to capture captivating ultra-wide-angle compositions, with a premium zoom lens that’s ideal for landscapes and astrophotography alike, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is a great choice that represents the very best Nikon’s S-line has to offer.

* Among interchangeable zoom lenses for full-frame (Nikon FX-format) digital cameras with interchangeable lenses with a focal range beginning at 14mm or lower, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, available as of September 2020. Statement based on Nikon research.