Nikon 16-35mm F4 VR II - First Ultra wideangle Image Stabilized lens

Dpreview has just posted a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm 1:4G ED VR lens review. Nikon has intruduced some amazing new lenses the previous year. As you know, Nikon is known for its high quality ultra-wideangle lenses. This is the first ulta-wideangle lens that Incorporates Nikon's optical image stabilization, also known as VR.. Nikon and Canon are both competing against each other in the Wideangle lenses segment. Canon has the 17-40mm F/4L lens and many reviews will probably be comparing those two lenses once against each other.

Nikkor 16-35mm VR II Wideangle Lens (image credit: Nikon)

Some Canon photographer are waiting for Canon to update its current 17-40mm F/4L USM non IS model, to a IS one. So the question is whether Nikon has the edge with the Nikkor 16-35mm F/4 ED VR lens? - Let's find out.
Nikon professional photographers will probably favorite Nikkor 17-35mm F2.8D or the Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G wide angle lenses, because of their larger aperture. But remember that those two amazing lenses are also cost more. Enthusiast photographers will probably find the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR a more affordable one, and the VR feature will probably appeal to them. If you want to achieve better blurred background (Bokeh), you will probably opted for a larger aperture, but ultra-wide angle lenses are usually used for landscape, architecture photography and therefore, having a larger aperture for getting blurred background in closeup shots, is not that important.

Here are some video reviews:

Because Nikon has chosen to to add a VR image stabilization feature, that means that the lens is larger and heavier than the Canon counter part. I should also mention that the VR used in the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm 1:4G ED VR lens, is the VR II, that claimed to allow 4 stops of optical image stabilization.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR lens gives a 24-53mm focal range on DX DSLRs. It is not the ultra wide angle that you probably have wished, but again, if you want the widest angle shooting capabilities, get yourself a FF camera.  The lens has 9 rounded diaphragm blades, minimum focus distance of 0.28m or 0.9ft. It has an internal focus system, so the lens does not extend. Using 77mm filter thread and the lens barrel does not rotate, so you can use an appropriate polarizing filter with it with no problem. Furthermore, the 16-35mm lens weights 685g and has weather sealing and Nano (N) crystal coating to reduce flare and ghosting when light enters the lens from different angles, highly important and vital for wideangle lenses.

This wideangle lens fits both FX (full frame) and DX (cropped) Nikon DSLRs. In many review we can see a
difference in performance, when the lens is attached either to a DX format camera or a FX one. Dpreview has given much attention to the barrel distortion and let's see what it found.

Dpreview  compared the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4 G ED VR lens to other lenses like the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm F2.8 D, 14-24mm F2.8G (the best wide angle lens in my opinion, but weights 972g and doesn't take filters because of the prominent rounded structure of the lens. Again, non of the other Nikkor lenses has an image stabilization feature, compared to the VR II of the new (announced Feb, 2010) 16-35mm lens. This wide angle lens can also be compared to Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8 SSM, which weights 900g, has no image stabilization, but has a larger aperture (F2.8). Some photographers will probably compare this lens directly with the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L II USM, even though that its has a larger aperture, its optical image quality is something to be admired in the Canon side, so optically wise, they will probably be compared against each other too. On dpreview you can see that the lens is larger in length (125mm) then the Canon 16-35mm (112mm) and the Carl-Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8 lens (114mm) because of the image stabilization feature (VR II).

Nikon used its ultrasonic AF-S motor for ultra fast and quiet focus system, and it works amazingly well, like other Nikkor lenses. Furthermore, photographers with an entry level DSLRs (like the D40) can enjoy auto focus with this lens, because if its inner focusing motor. Some entry level Nikon DSLR cameras can auto focus with older Nikkor lenses, so having an internal focus system is always good news for photographers who've bought the D40, D3000 or other entry level DSLRs without auto focus system inside them.

Dpreview has reported very high image quality, but also mentioned a high barrel distortion at 16mm on FX cameras.

You can read some excellent reviews here on mansurovs.com, kenrockwell (Worl'd sharpest ultrawide zoom), photozone (Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm review, look at the MTF resolution chart), how the 16-35mm compared to the 14-24mm lens at floggingkevin.

Overall, a great new edition to Nikon's Ultrawide angle lenses series. This lens performs amazingly well, produce high contrast, sharp and beautiful images. Take in to consideration the VR II feature, it is probably the lens that will be more affordable for enthusiast wideangle shooters. Also don't forget the huge barrel distortion at 16mm and the length and weight of this lens before purchasing it. Thanks.