So, from that perspective, the fact that my old 14-24mm lens is faster really doesn't make a difference for the type of work I usually do. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time that occurred. I was hesitant about the 14-30mm f/4 at first because I'm so used to having the option of shooting at f/2.8 with my 14-24mm lens.īut here's the thing - as a landscape photographer, I virtually never shoot at f/2.8. Of course, another big difference between these lenses are their maximum apertures. You feel more capable of holding it still as well. That being the case, the 14-30mm lens simply feels better in the hand. That might not seem like a huge difference, but like the weight difference, the length of the lens certainly impacts its handling performance. When collapsed, the 14-30mm is about 3.5 inches long while the 14-24mm is 3.86 inches long. With so much less weight, the 14-30mm is a much easier lens to use, in my opinion.Īlong the same lines, the dimensions of the 14-30mm lens make it an easier lens to handle than the f/2.8. That's a huge difference, particularly when you're a landscape photographer like me and you have to carry your gear far and wide to get the shots you want. Where the 14-24mm f/2.8 weighs a hefty 2.2 pounds, the 14-30mm lens halves that at just 1.1 pounds. I think the most salient difference for me is the weight. Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 DifferencesĪside from the obvious differences - the mount, the maximum aperture, and the focal length, these lenses have other distinct differences in terms of their build and functionality. Having tested both lenses (and owned the f/2.8 for over a decade), I can attest to similar build quality as well.īoth lenses feel great in the hand, though there is a significant weight difference (more on that below). Third, both lenses have the same maximum aperture of f/22 and nearly identical maximum magnification. Secondly, both lenses sport an 11.02 minimum focusing distance for those up-close, detailed shots you wish to take. Though there are plenty of differences between these lenses, there are some notable similarities, as Jared Polin discusses in the video above.įor starters, though their focal lengths are different, they're quite similar and offer virtually the same versatility from a focal length perspective. Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Similarities Now, let's unpack some of these features and see how these lenses stack up to one another. Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Specsįirst, let's have a peek at the primary specs for these lenses. Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Verdict.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Pros & Cons.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Image Quality.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Build Quality & Handling.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Differences.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Similarities.Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 Specs.So, this go-round, I wanted to compare these two lenses to see which one comes out on top. I also mentioned in that article that the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 had long been my go-to landscape lens. Basically, I noted how I think it's the ideal landscape lens for Nikon Z shooters. If you missed it, you can read that article here. Last week, I offered up my initial thoughts on the Nikon camera lens Z 14-30mm f/4 S.