I needed a VR wide zoom for shooting architecture on those occasions when I cannot put my 12-24 on a tripod. I have an EM5 with the 7-14 that will do the job decently. But I wanted something FF for my higher resolution D810/D800.
I traded my old 5x4 with a pair of lenses of lenses for a Nikon 16-35. I was a bit reluctant to get this lens because the reviews are not too positive. It was paid for by a piece of old kit that was rotting away in my old darkroom, so I was risking very little.
So I went to Carpi near Modena to try this new lens out. I find if I am careful I can get good results with VR down to about 1/15, similar to my EM5's IBIS. VR has been a big surprise, It works almost as well as the more hyped IBIS.
But the thing that makes this lens a winner for me is the absence of flare blobs that dog my lenses with bulbous front elements like the 12-24 and the M43 7-14. Those mostly purple zones are impossible to repair or hide.
This lens really is a low flare king. It handles point light sources very well too. The resolution is not so disastrous as the reviews would have us believe. I can live with a bit of edge softness if flare does not destroy my images.
I am glad I added this lens to my collection as it really seems to handle those impossible indoor monument lighting situations remarkably.
Duomo Carpi, Modena
Palazzo Pio Carpi. Modena
I made the same shot with the EM5 and the 7-14. The flare was terrible, with a huge purple blob. This one just has a slight fringe around the window.
I traded my old 5x4 with a pair of lenses of lenses for a Nikon 16-35. I was a bit reluctant to get this lens because the reviews are not too positive. It was paid for by a piece of old kit that was rotting away in my old darkroom, so I was risking very little.
So I went to Carpi near Modena to try this new lens out. I find if I am careful I can get good results with VR down to about 1/15, similar to my EM5's IBIS. VR has been a big surprise, It works almost as well as the more hyped IBIS.
But the thing that makes this lens a winner for me is the absence of flare blobs that dog my lenses with bulbous front elements like the 12-24 and the M43 7-14. Those mostly purple zones are impossible to repair or hide.
This lens really is a low flare king. It handles point light sources very well too. The resolution is not so disastrous as the reviews would have us believe. I can live with a bit of edge softness if flare does not destroy my images.
I am glad I added this lens to my collection as it really seems to handle those impossible indoor monument lighting situations remarkably.
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Duomo Carpi, Modena
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Palazzo Pio Carpi. Modena
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I made the same shot with the EM5 and the 7-14. The flare was terrible, with a huge purple blob. This one just has a slight fringe around the window.