Nikon AF NIKKOR 14mm f/2.8D ED Lens

[oldfauser]

I thinking about adding one of these for Milky Way astrophotography.  I wondering about the amount of coma and distortion it has wide open.  I know people recommend the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S NIKKOR G ED N as a better lens for astrophotography, but I'm trying to keep things lighter.  I'll be using it on a DF.

Currently I'm using a 20mm f/2.8 AI-s Nikkor.

others recommend the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 but i rather stay with the Nikkor...

opinions?

thanks in advance

Art

[Birna Rørslett]

Unfortunately, this was not one of Nikon's best attempt of making a super wide-angle lens. The 14-24 in fact is superior.

Rokinon/Samyang or whatever brand name it carries in your area would at least be a cheap alternative to look into.

[oldfauser]

we have a local camera shop that has a 14-24 for rent... I'll give it a go!

thanks


Art

[Akira]

Sigma makes a 14mm f1.8 DG HSM lens for Nikon F mount which is also revered for astro-photography.  It is even heavier than AF-S 14-28/2.8, though.

[oldfauser]

went to my local camera shop today... they had an almost new 14-24 for a good price.. $700 USD; brought it home 

looking at some older star pictures taken with my 20mm f/2.8 AI-s, found major COMA... little birds in the corners!

Art

[oldfauser]

so i used the 14-24 that i got from my local camera shop.. it was not what i thought it should be.  Not very sharp at all wide open or stopped down to f/5.6 - my 180 ed f/2.8 is way sharper..  the lens showed evidence of being dropped!  I returned it.. but i did order another one  as I like the lens overall

Art 

[Erik Lund]

Both the 14mm f/ 2.8 AF-D and the 14-24 AF-S  f/2.8 are very capable performers and should be very sharp across the image plane at f/5.6
I have owned several versions of both before getting the 19mm PC E

[oldfauser]

so my "new to me" 14-24 f/2.8 g arrived... the zoom is smooth through out the entire zoom range, corners seem much better.  And I'm having fun with it..

Art

[Erik Lund]

Nice Congratulations on the new lens! I see you managed to catch the double rainbow signature flare 

[oldfauser]

i hate to admit it, but it's the first Nikkor that i own that has 9 aperture blades... (I have been shooting Nikon for a really long time - my first Nikon was an "F"!)  - so I was having fun making sun stars... 

Art 

[SLR]

Just saw this post now, or I would have recommended the IRIX 11mm f4.0 Blackstone ( which I have ) , Unbelievably sharp and somewhat heavy, ...mebbe a next time .