Nikon Wide Angle PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Manual Focus Lens

In this review Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at a highly specialised wideangle lens allowing control of perspective and the focal plane via tilt and shift movements.

• +

  Superb sharpness, Excellent controls, Great build quality

• -

  Quality at extremes of the imaging circle at wide apertures, Tensioning controls sometimes hard to access on my D700

Part of Nikon's resurgence during the past year was the announcement in January '08 of three new Perspective Control lenses, a 24mm f/3.5, 45mm and 85mm. The 24mm was the first of the three to ship, (and arguable the most useful for the landscape photographer), and is the subject of this report.

Unfortunately, this is one of those cases where if you think you need this lens, you probably know almost everything about it and the only real consideration is the sticker price.

A highly specialised wideangle lens allowing control of perspective and the focal plane via tilt and shift movements.

• +

  Superb sharpness, Excellent controls, Great build quality

• -

  Quality at extremes of the imaging circle at wide apertures, Tensioning controls sometimes hard to access on my D700

I purchased the 24mm to shoot Real Estate interiors and would only use it for those jobs. One day I started carrying it around in my "walk-about" backpack when cruising downtown Indy and found that the other 10 lbs of prime lenses in my bag were pure dead weight.

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this lens. The love part is great. Very sharp lens, relatively wide range of movements, very solid construction. The CA (chromatic aberrations) are also very well controlled.

Very sharp lens, corner to corner. I am just getting use to PC-E lenses, so there is a learning curve. I have been able to use the lens in both landscape and architecture and the shift function has been very useful. I am also still on a learning curve to remember this is a manual focus lens.

• +

  Strong Construction, Durable, Consistent Output

The 24mm PCE on an FX camera is the next best thing to a view camera without the bulk and inconvenience. It works with both FX & DX formats but really is designed for the D3 and D3x. Image control is not quite as versatile as when using a view camera but for most applications, it does a fine job.

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  Sharp and built well

• -

  Expensive and bulky.

This is a very sharp lens that works well. The only dislike is the small knobs that don't tighten as well as I would like.

No surprises here. Super sharp. The shift lock could be better, but I imagine it's an engineering challenge in such a small space. As it is, I'm afraid of overtightening the tiny knob, and this leaves me hoping the lens doesn't creep down during a vertical shift.

If you are thinking about this lens then you will know what it can do and why you need it. Not for the casual purchaser. The shift function is pretty straight forward and makes architectural shots and panoramas a breeze.

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  Consistent Output, Durable, Rugged, Strong Construction