Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

The AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4 VR has optical image stabilization (known as VR), but while this is often seen as a key selling point for topside use it of less use underwater. Topside, it is not as good a lens as the 14-24mm, with soft corners at wide open apertures and significant barrel distortion at 16mm.

Listed minimum focus distance is 0.28m / 0.9ft.

It has 17 elements in 12 groups with 2 ED glass elements and 3 aspherical elements. It also has 9 rounded diaphragm blades.

For the tests, it was shot at 16mm and 35mm and, similarly to the 14-24 tests, it is possible that there are other focal lengths that provide better results. The testing used 80mm of extension and a Zen 230mm (9”) dome.

Test at 16mm

Full high resolution downloads of the 16mm focal length test files are available. Please use the password “wide-angle15”.

Test at 35mm

Full high resolution downloads of the test files are available. Please use the password “wide-angle15”.

Conclusion

This lens seems to provide acceptable corners at f8/f9 at the 16mm focal length and at f11/f13 at 35mm focal length. As such, I would avoid using it fully zoomed in if image composition means that I need sharp corners.

My feeling is that this is due to the movement of the elements in the lans causing the DOF to vary. I have no solid evidence to back this up, but it may be that cheaper lenses with smaller elements need to move more in order to retains their focus through the lens’s zoom range

The lens used for the review is the reviewer’s own.

1. Introduction.
2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED.
3. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR.
4. Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG.
5. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED.
6. Tokina 17mm f/3.5 AT-X.
7. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 17-35mm f/2.8 AF-S Zoom.