Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S lens review

The Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S is one of Nikon’s high-end S-line triumvirate of high-speed zooms (at the time of writing) and in effect replaces the renowned F-mount lens of the same focal length and ratio that redefined the ultra-wide-angle zoom in the SLR era. Kevin Carter takes a closer look. As a ‘made for mirrorless’ lens, it’s much smaller and lighter than its esteemed forerunner (650g vs 970g), thanks largely to a far less wildly convex front element. Indeed, the two highly convex elements at the front of the F-mount lens have been replaced by a single double-sided aspheric front element in the new S-line. While the change in the front group greatly reduces the profile the Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S has a modified but not unrelated optical layout and neatly demonstrates all of Nikon’s prowess in lens design. The lens adopts 16 elements in 12 groups and includes four ED elements (up from two in the original F-mount lens) to reduce colour bleeding or fringing. The second an