Nikon 12-24mm vs Kit Lens

[0ptics]

Hello all, I ordered the Nikon 12-24mm f/4 (USED) from Amazon and just got it in the mail today. So far I am liking the lens, but I wanted to test out it's sharpness; before I purchased it, I read a lot of reviews saying that this lens is very sharp especially at f/8 - f/11. I decided to test it out with my Nikon 18-55mm lens. I took a few test shots of the same thing with both lenses using the same settings/focal lengths. I noticed that overall, the sharpness was very similar; it wasn't as sharp as everyone has mentioned in the reviews. Other than the focal lengths, constant f/4, and stronger build quality this lens didn't seem to provide clearer images than my kit lens, thus not too sure if it is worth the $600 and considering returning it. I would like your opinion and thoughts of this lens and it would be helpful if you could answer my questions.

1) Do you think my lenses is damaged in anyway or defective, I did buy it used (ALL of the seller's feedback was "5 ut of 5" so I don't think the seller would cheap their customers off). So far everything looks good to me tho; glass elements are clean, autofocus motor works, small scratches (nothing too noticeable), overall everything seems to be fine.
2) I looked up other sample pictures on Flickr taken by the 12-24mm and their photos seems so much clearer when I downloaded the original file. I am currently using the D3100, so maybe that might be the problem? It's a good camera, but doesn't compare to higher end bodies, such as the D7000.

Overall, Do you think I should return the lens? I wanted a ultra wide angle zoom and thought the 12-24mm would be the best compared to Nikon 10-24mm and 3rd party brands; but the image quality looks very similar to my kit lens. Do other ultra wide angle lens provide the same sharpness as the 12-24mm? I attached the sample photos to this thread, it would be awesome if you guys could view them and tell me what you think !

***ALSO I noticed that on Ken Rockwells review of ther 12-24mm, the picture shows that "MADE IN JAPAN" and my clearly does not say that. Maybe I got a defective lens?

The help would me extremely appreciated, I want to love this lens but really don't know it its worth the price...

Thank you!
0ptics

 

[Benco]

What are the results like when you shoot at F8 - F11?

 

[0ptics]

Ok my bad, I was editing my post, but ya I put another f/11 image up. Thanks

 

[Benco]

Don't see much difference in the two F11 shots of the blind, the 12-24 looks a bit sharper than the 18-55 in the F11 shot of the trees though (mind you with shots through glass it's a bit hard to tell), maybe take it to a shop to get someone to check it out.

 

[Dao]

Based on the review from Photozone, it seems like they should be about the same in sharpness. From the links below, you can tell at 24mm, they are extremely close in the MTF charts.

Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR - Review / Test Report - Analysis
Nikkor AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED - Review / Test Report - Analysis

I do not know where you read it from, but from what I read, most of the kit lens nowadays are not bad at all in terms of sharpness. The main advantage of the 12-24mm lens is it allow you to take photos at 12mm with your camera with a 1.5 crop factor.

 

[0ptics]

Don't see much difference in the two F11 shots of the blind, the 12-24 looks a bit sharper than the 18-55 in the F11 shot of the trees though (mind you with shots through glass it's a bit hard to tell), maybe take it to a shop to get someone to check it out.

The glass seems in good condition, and the serial number is legit. I contacted the seller and they states that the "Made In Japan" was rubbed out, but again I checked the serial number on Nikon Lens Serial Nos. And I agree with you, they both look the same.

Based on the review from Photozone, it seems like they should be about the same in sharpness. From the links below, you can tell at 24mm, they are extremely close in the MTF charts.

Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR - Review / Test Report - Analysis
Nikkor AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED - Review / Test Report - Analysis

I do not know where you read it from, but from what I read, most of the kit lens nowadays are not bad at all in terms of sharpness. The main advantage of the 12-24mm lens is it allow you to take photos at 12mm with your camera with a 1.5 crop factor.

Thanks Dao, is this website pretty accurate? Because if so I'm considering to return the Nikon 12-24mm and order the Tokina 12-24mm DX II. The Tokina is about $450 NEW while I spent $605 on the Nikon USED (good condition tho). I checked the sample pictures of both lens on Photozone and their photos seems a lot sharper than the pictures I took with my D3100. But the sample pictures were taken with the D7000, would that be the reason why they are sharper?

Again any help would be awesome, I want to love the Nikon 12-24mm but would like to return it ASAP if the Tokina is better.

 

[Benco]

I checked the sample pictures of both lens on Photozone and their photos seems a lot sharper than the pictures I took with my D3100. But the sample pictures were taken with the D7000, would that be the reason why they are sharper?

Depends what the subject was, if it wasn't something where the superior focusing and ISO performance of the D7000 would give it the edge then there shouldn't be much difference between the 3100 and the 7000.

What do they do with regards to post processing on photozone? maybe they apply a preset that's a bit sharper than what you're using.

 

[KmH]

It takes a few days to get used to using a new lens, regardless the brand, which is why many retail sellers of used gear don't require immediate returns.

 

[Dao]

Thanks Dao, is this website pretty accurate? Because if so I'm considering to return the Nikon 12-24mm and order the Tokina 12-24mm DX II. The Tokina is about $450 NEW while I spent $605 on the Nikon USED (good condition tho). I checked the sample pictures of both lens on Photozone and their photos seems a lot sharper than the pictures I took with my D3100. But the sample pictures were taken with the D7000, would that be the reason why they are sharper?

Again any help would be awesome, I want to love the Nikon 12-24mm but would like to return it ASAP if the Tokina is better.

I think that site is pretty good. You can also check with the following sites as well.

SLRGear (Also a technical reviews site like photozone)
Fredmiranda (A lot of user reviews)
Digital Picture (Reviews and also comparison)


I think you may want to slow down a little bit and find out what you really want. Do more research and take a look at those technical review site as well as what other people say about the lens you are planning to get.

If you are looking for ultra wide angle zoom lens, there are few of them in the market. Nikon, Sigma, Tamron as well as Tokina (Canon of course) are competing in that market. Find out what focal length(s) you like and you should able to narrow down to few candidates. Then go read the reviews and compare them. Find one that meet your need and fit your budget.

Also, you may also learn how to create a sharp image. And that process starts before clicking the shutter button and end with the finishing touch with a post production software.

 

[Garbz]

Erm were those taken at f/11? You do realise with an APS-C camera like the Nikon D3100 you're suffering from diffraction at this aperture. f/8 should be your sharpest point.

Also a quick look on photozone shows your kit lens and the 12-24 are actually identical in sharpness, and one of them performs at it's best at f/5.6. Kit lenses are typically excellent in terms of sharpness. The reason to upgrade from a kit lens is for wider apertures, better build quality and some other subtleties like smoother bokeh due to more aperture blades etc. Unless you're comparing 300mm lenses then sharpness is not a problem for kit lenses (the 70-300mm kit lens is quite a poor performer)

One other thing, are you taking a photo through a closed window? Do you have any idea the extent companies go to purify their glass before it goes into lens production, and you're comparing it through 5mm of the nasty iron contaminated run of the mill window glass? Go outside man

 

[Dao]

I checked the sample pictures of both lens on Photozone and their photos seems a lot sharper than the pictures I took with my D3100. But the sample pictures were taken with the D7000, would that be the reason why they are sharper?

One side note: Your camera is capable of producing sharp images. It is not because of the D7000. It is the person who took the photos knows how. Search/browse around this forum, you maybe able to learn more about how to create sharp images.