Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 vs Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 for mountain landscapes?

[Jedi]

Hello, can you help me, please? I need an ultra-wideangle lens for my Nikon D810, for mountain landscape shoots, at f/8 and f/11. I don't know which one I could choose. My doubt is only between two lenses: Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 and Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8. I know very well the rendering of Nikon 24/1.4G, 35/1.4G, 24-70/1.4G and I love them. AF isn't a priority. The versatility isn't a priority. Budget is not a problem for 14-24mm or Zeiss 21/2.8. My problem; is the Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 really more sharper than Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8? Is the corner sharpness better in the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8? I don't know Zeiss lenses, only their fame.... I have seen photozone.de values  and there Zeiss 21mm's  corner sharpness isn't better than the Nikon 14-24mm: are you agree? Are Zeiss's contrast and saturation better than Nikon 14-24mm? For me a Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 and a Zeiss Distagon 18mm f/3.5 are sufficient as focals: I don't need 14mm......, but if Nikon is better, i would choose 14-24mm.
Thank you!!

[Erik Lund]

The New Zeiss 18mm 2.8 ZM Milvus is by far better than the previous ZM UWA versions, it is a completely new optical design.

The zoom is nice but only to be selected if you don't mind coloured flare issues,,,

[atpaula]

I don't know the differences between them regarding the aspects you talk about, but I suspect they are minimal.
I have both and they are terrific lenses.
The zoom has disadvantages if you need to use filters (there is an adaptor, but it is not practical) and if you have to carry it in a trek, for instance ( it is a pig).

[Frank Fremerey]

The 14-24 is a hell of an indoor lens in my book. In adverse weather conditions I would always prefer a lens with a filter / front lens protection option and get larger angles of view with stitching: mountains do not run away.

Plus I would consider the 1.8/20mm AF-S-Nikkor and the Sigma 20mm F1,4 DG HSM

Indoor panorama with 14-24.
17 picture series @70 Megapixels per picture, one row at 14mm.
Terrific detail rendering:

[Jedi]

I love pigs, in fact I'm a trekker who walks a lot in mountain with a full big backpack 45-60 litreswith 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII,  24-70mm f/2.8E VRII and others fixes lenses.

[Jedi]

Milvus is too expensive....., only Distagon 21/2.8, if it id really more more more sharp than Nikon 14-24, also in the corners....

[Erik Lund]

The 21mm ZF has more vignetting in the corners, sharpness is on par. see Photozone.de

[Jedi]

The 14-24 is a hell of an indoor lens in my book. In adverse weather conditions I would always prefer a lens with a filter / front lens protection option and get larger angles of view with stitching: mountains do not run away.

Plus I would consider the 1.8/20mm AF-S-Nikkor and the Sigma 20mm F1,4 DG HSM

Indoor panorama with 14-24.
17 picture series @70 Megapixels per picture, one row at 14mm.
Terrific detail rendering:

Do you prefer 20/1.8G or Sigma to Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8 for sharpness??? I didn't think this kind of choice!! Isn't Zeiss much more sharp than Sigma and Nikon 20/1.8G?

[Erik Lund]

I think actually the Nikkor 20mm AFS 1.8 is just as sharp as the Zeiss 21mm at f/2.8,,, also you will be shooting at f/8 or 11 so really it comes down to all the other things than sharpness wide open,,, It is much more important not to have flare for instance!

[Jedi]

I think actually the Nikkor 20mm AFS 1.8 is just as sharp as the Zeiss 21mm at f/2.8,,, also you will be shooting at f/8 or 11 so really it comes down to all the other things than sharpness wide open,,, It is much more important not to have flare for instance!

For the flare what's the nest?

[Erik Lund]

Nest? what do you mean?

[Jedi]

"The best", excuse me!!

[chambeshi]

I have settled on Zeiss ultrawides (15 f2.8 Distagon) and wides (21 f2.8 and 25 f2 Distagon) over Nikkors. The ability to use filters for protection and a PL are big plus factors. Although the 20 f4 AI and 20 f3.5 AI are very useful for a lightweight outfit. And these 20mm Nikkors do not flare

I have not carried out enough tests yet but the www consensus is nearly all Zeiss lenses are in a unique realm of optical performance and build quality. Here's a recent shot with 21 f2.8 on D500. And couple of links fyi

https://blog.mingthein.com/2012/09/12/zeiss-21-distagon/

http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/446-zeisszf2128ff?start=2

https://diglloyd.com/prem/s/ZF/publish/21Distagon.html?dglyPT=true

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Zeiss-21mm-f-2.8-ZE-Distagon-Lens-Review.aspx

[chambeshi]

Correction, sorry!. The previous photo is with my 15mm f2.8 Zeiss (a superb optic in its own right); here is the same scene taken with 21mm f2.8 alos on Nikon D500. Note flare, although the filter normally attached for protection was removed

[Erik Lund]

I would never use a filter in front of these lenses unless in a very hostile environment,,, BTW the Zeiss 15mm 2.8 ZF Milvus now comes with a removable lens hood.

One of the old slow aperture MF Nikkors are probably the least flaring, I agree,,,