Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G and Nikkor 135mm f/2D Review

Since I started using my Nikon D700 last November, I hadn’t really changed my line-up of lenses. Β My Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D and Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D felt right at home with the new full frame sensor, and the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G satisfied my everyday walk around lens requirement, but none of these lenses really offered anything new to me. Β On top of that, my first generation Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR was proven to have some issues with the new FX format sensor, thus Nikon released a new version that fixed these issues. Β However, the new version turned out to have some focus breathing problems, which left me a little hesitant to just jump right in to the new version despite its other advantages (such as improved vibration reduction). Β With a dilemma as to what to do next, I figured the best thing I could do is rent a couple lenses from BorrowLenses.com that I’ve had my eye on and see what will fit best for the type of shooting I do. Β DISCLAIMER: I am by no means a technical expert at lens technology, glass coatings, distortion percentage, or any of the more numbers-based aspects of lens reviewing. Β The following reviews are all from a practical use perspective, and you’re more than welcome to disagree with my opinions if you have a different experience than I do with these lenses.

Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G

Since I first heard that Nikon was going to release full frame cameras, I was wishing and hoping for a wide angle, fast prime lens to give me plenty of background blur, thus I’ve been drooling over the Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G since it was first announced. Β Based on my practical use for this lens, I’m happy to say that it’s everything I hoped it would be. Β Focusing is very fast, the bokeh is super smooth, and it’s constructed like as well as any Nikon pro-level lens I’ve used. Β It feels very balanced on my D700 with grip and it’s very easy to handle. Β It does have a tendency to vignette quite a bit when shooting at wide apertures, but that’s a bit to be expected and easily correctable in post-processing. Β However, in practical use for photographing people and cars, which often involves a little added vignetting in post-processing, this lens’ “natural” vignetting wasn’t bothersome at all. Β There’s also quite a bit of distortion, but again that can be corrected if necessary. Β Here are some shots of the lens on my camera:

I really can’t speak any more highly of this lens. It’s everything I thought it was going to be, and even when I knew a photo would turn out well, it would still make me say “wow” out loud. Β The sharpness even wide open at f/1.4 is quite amazing, and it gets even better as you stop down. Β The Nano lens coating really did the job well against lens flare (I don’t usually shoot toward light sources though) and the blade design made it so that I didn’t notice any obvious chromatic aberration. Β The 24mm focal length is definitely wide, and while it’ll definitely make for some great wedding and automotive shots, the wideness does make it a bit more of a specialized lens for my needs. Β I can see myself really making use of this lens during a wedding ceremony and when covering a wedding reception, or when doing wedding couple portraits, but the wideness wouldn’t be practical for formal group shots. Β To really take the most advantage from this lens’ capabilities, you really do have to get pretty close to your subject, and for weddings that’s often not a possibility. Β For example, in the feature photo above of my WRX, the edge of the lens was easily only 6-12 inches from the front bumper of the car. Β The distortion also prevents this lens from being good for architecture or landscapes, even if you can correct it in post-processing. Β Nevertheless, I really do want my own copy of this lens, because the results you get from it are just that good. Β Judge for yourself from these other examples:

Nikkor 135mm f/2D

Deciding which one of these lenses I liked better was not easy, because despite the different uses for each of these lenses, the 135mm f/2D proved to be just as good as the 24mm f/1.4G for many of the same reasons. Β I was definitely interested in the capabilities of this lens as a replacement for my 70-200mm, so in many ways I was a bit more critical. Β Although it’s an older lens, the old school Nikon crinkle texture and hefty metal construction is really quite timeless. Β From this feel alone, this made the lens feel really solid and definitely at pro-level. Β Compared to the plastic construction of my 50mm and 85mm, this lens definitely felt like it meant serious business. Β Unlike most lenses, which have a bit of a bezel around the actual glass on the front element, this lens barely had any, which really made it seem like the glass was bold and in your face. Β The lens uses a rather irregular 72mm filter size and has a built-in hood that slides outward. Β On the camera, it definitely feels on the heavy side and while I don’t have the exact numbers, it feels heavier than my 24-70mm. Β This weight could be a problem in some usage, but more on that later. Β Here are photos of this lens on my D700:

It really isn’t that tall for a telephoto (especially compared to the 70-200mm), but the weight, range, and lack of VR actually proved to be a bit problematic for me in practical use. Β To get a nice, in-focus, hand-held photo indoors or in relatively low light (such as right after the sun goes down), I often had to raise the ISO up pretty high (ISO 800+) to get a fast enough shutter speed. Β While I’m quite happy with how my D700 handles noise, I typically shoot with my D300 for telephoto during weddings and motorsports events, so having to really crank up the ISO on it is usually something I try to avoid (that isn’t to say that the D300 is bad at noise handling, just isn’t anywhere as good as the D700). Β However, when there’s plenty of light, this lens truly shines. Β The special Defocus Control of the lens was fun to play around with, but unfortunately I didn’t get to do much experimenting with it. Β Even without adjusting the Defocus Control, this lens produce silky smooth bokeh and some of the sharpest portrait shots I’ve ever taken. Β It’s so sharp in fact that I honestly don’t believe my venerable 85mm f/1.8 could produce the same sharpness, and I even once said that my 85mm would have to be pried from my dying hands! Β This lens is really that sharp. Β See for yourself in these examples:

After all this testing, is the 135mm a viable replacement for my 70-200mm? In terms of sharpness and bokeh, I’d say the 135mm wins, for certain. Β However, the lack of VR is probably going to make low-light and indoor shoots troublesome, especially if I want to use longer shutter speeds and lower ISO settings. Β I also noticed in testing that the 135mm creates a lot of chromatic aberration at wide apertures, and while this is again quite fixable in post-processing, it’s still something that I’d rather not have to deal with. Β Finally, regardless of the new 70-200mm VR-II’s focus breathing issues, I did find that the 135mm was still a bit too short to shoot with full frame, although it probably would be fine on my D300’s crop sensor. Β Given these criticisms, I believe that the 135mm might be a better replacement for my 85mm rather than my 70-200mm. Β I very well may just end up with the new version of the 70-200 to suit my specific needs, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to have the 135mm in my arsenal as well. Β If you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Β Special thanks again to BorrowLenses.com for the rental and their excellent service!

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