Will Nikon Lenses For 35mm Camera Work On A Digtital

Introduction

Full general Overview

The Nikon D800 effectively functions as Nikon'southward flagship camera. While the Nikon D4 is technically the "top" photographic camera in the Nikon range (DxOMark side by side comparison), the D800 has the highest megapixel count and is widely regarded as being the best all-circular model in the range.

Given its price-point, the natural competitor is the Canon EOS 5D Marking III, but this "merely" sports 22.3megapixels in comparison to the Nikon D800's 36megapixels. Once the Nikon D800 was tested in the labs, information technology became clear that with a whole range of lenses, the Nikon D800 was out-performing every other camera tested (5D Mark III lens results are not yet available)

The best lenses scores, in terms of their P-Mpix scores, tested in the DxOMark labs have all been mounted on the Nikon D800

Information technology'due south not just in terms of P-Mpix scores that lenses mounted on the Nikon D800 come out on tiptop. This graph shows the overall DxOMark lens scores, with those lenses tested on the D800 coming out clearly at the acme end of the DxOMark score scale.

Lens efficiency

With the increase in megapixel counts on photographic camera sensors, there is ever more than stress placed on the optical arrangement that begins with the lens. If the sensor is able to resolve more than detail, so any imperfections in the lens are more obvious. Plumbing equipment a poor quality lens to a high quality camera sensor is therefore actually a fake economy considering you do not maximize the capability of the camera sensor.

To give you an idea of which lenses are all-time on a given camera, yous can wait at the lens-camera efficiency. That is the ratio betwixt the pixel count of the photographic camera and P-Mpix score. This ratio depends on three factors - the sensor performance, the quality of the anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor and the quality of the lens. By looking at the efficiency of a serial of lenses on the aforementioned sensor, it is possible to compare the relative quality of each lens in terms of how it performs compared to its peers.

Taking this comparison a phase further, it is as well possible to compare the efficiency score between unlike cameras using the same lens. With the megapixel race still on-going between the unlike camera manufacturers, providing an efficient lens, in other words one that offers the all-time quality for a given pixel count is ever more of a challenge for the lens manufacturers.

As an end user, these results benefit you too – while photographic camera manufacturers merits that each new model gives you better image quality, if you already take a big collection of lenses, you tin can see what you proceeds, in terms of final prototype quality, by switching photographic camera. Information technology could be that changing to a higher resolution model actually shows up the flaws in your lens and and then your net gain is minimal in changing photographic camera models.

The P-Mpix scores of lenses mounted to the Nikon D800 vs P-Mpix Score mounted on D3x.

Efficiency of best lenses for a choice of zoom factor mounted to the Nikon D3X and D800

To illustrate this point almost lens-camera efficiency, the graphs to a higher place prove lenses tested on the Nikon D800 and D3X and the efficiency of those lenses mounted on those same cameras. What is very interesting, and indeed illustrative, is that while the P-Mpix scores for lenses mounted on the D800 are higher than when they are mounted on the D3X, the efficiency scores on the D800 are insufficiently much lower.

The conclusions from this are elementary – the Nikon D800 is definitely the leader in terms of P-Mpix score and DxOMark ranking, still the overall sharpness and performance of lenses on that sensor is not as good equally it could be. It could be that the Anti-Aliasing filter is a little scrap besides strong adversely affecting the sharpness results. Perhaps with a slightly less restrictive AA filter, the efficiency results would have been improved.

So is switching from the 24megapixels of a D3X to the 36 megapixels of a D800 really worth it? Well, in overall terms, the boilerplate improvement in P-Mpix score of a lens on a D800 compared to a D3X, is around 10%. This is not a negligible improvement and should therefore not be ignored. However, carry in mind that this is an boilerplate performance increase, and then some lenses such as the high-finish prime models will show a greater improvement, while lower end zoom and super zoom models will not do good anywhere near equally much.

The higher the zoom factor, the lower the percentage proceeds in P-Mpix when moving from a D3X to a D800.

Beyond the sharpness scores, the other benefit of the Nikon D800 sensor is the comeback in low low-cal, which must also be considered when looking at lens performance – while the P-Mpix score finer measures sharpness, looking at the overall DxOMark score takes account of the improved sensor noise operation of the Nikon D800. If nosotros look at the percent improvement of DxOMark score in moving from the D3X to the D800, we see the gain jumping up to 15%.

Percent difference of DxO Mark score achieved by best lenses for each zoom factor mounted on a Nikon D800 compared to the D3X.

Decision

Upgrading to D800 will indeed requite you the sharpest result from all full frame gears published by DxOMark. Definitely worth it if y'all are already using the sharpest lenses bachelor on Nikon mounts. However, don't expect sharpness comeback proportional to pixel count.

Stay tuned for the adjacent part of this review where we'll look at the standard focal length lenses, zooms and primes too equally the macro lenses tested in the labs.

In this second office of the Nikon D800 and lenses review, nosotros're looking at the standard focal lengths. Within this group, there is a very broad range available. When searching for a standard lens, yous take the option of both prime number and zoom, depending on what suits your needs all-time. To assist make information technology easy to select the correct lens, we'll look at the 50mm primes, 85mm primes, macro lenses and finally the standard focal range zooms.

illustre

In total, the DxOMark labs have tested 28 lenses inside this focal range, 22 of which are prime lenses from 50mm to 105mm, and half-dozen autumn within the standard zoom category with focal lengths around the 24-70mm type focal range.

An interesting factor found through the labs is that the 50mm and 85mm focal lengths tend to outperform all other prime number lenses tested, with the 85mm and 105mm lenses scoring specially highly. In fact, the highest scoring lenses tested by the DxOMark labs take all been 85mm primes – certainly something to consider if you're looking for the 'best' lenses on any camera.

graph1

If you're looking for the best lenses e'er tested by DxOMark labs, accept a look at the 85mm primes – they meridian the tables.

In addition to this, the ofttimes repeated line that prime lenses are better than zoom lenses is one time again borne out hither, with prime lenses outperforming zoom lenses by between 20 and thirty% – a quite significant departure that you may feel more than than justifies the lack of versatility provided by prime number lens models.

Primes vs Zooms ? Primes win by between 20 and 30% in DxOMark tests.

50mm

If you're looking for a truthful standard lens, then 50mm is the focal length you should exist choosing. Within the 50mm options, DxOMark have tested 7 different models. There are three models that come out on pinnacle, simply the superlative five are all very close.

Lens	Price ($)	DxOMark Score
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Nikon	499	32
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/ane.iv D	329	32
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/ane.4 G	448	32
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZF2 Nikon	1280	31
Nikon AF-Due south Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G	219	31
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D	134	29
Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4 ZF2 Nikon	725	26

The three top scorers are from Nikon and Sigma – the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/ane.4G and Sigma 50mm f/i.four EX DG HSM. All three managed 32 on the DxOMark scores putting them at the top of the listing for 50mm lenses on the D800. Strangely the Sigma 50mm lens is the most expensive of the trio, but given that the toll difference is not much more than $100 between the three, unless budget is a real concern, this and the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G are the two top choices. That said, the performance of the Nikon 50mm f/one.8G makes information technology a very worthy consideration if budget is a concern.

85mm to 105mm

In this focal range, DxOMark take tested xiv unlike lenses, so your choice for a portrait lens is huge.

Lens	Price ($)	DxOMark Score
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G	2199	40
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/ane.8G	690	twoscore
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 ZF2 Nikon	1840	36
Samyang 85mm f/1.iv Aspherical IF Nikon	328	36
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Nikon	969	35
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/ane.iv D IF	1230	33
Nikon AF-Due south VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/two.8G	890	32
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/i.8D	460	32
Carl Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZF2 Nikon	1280	29
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.eight Di MACRO Nikon	460	29
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Nikon	640	28
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon	969	28

Within this range, the story is much the aforementioned as with the 50mm lenses, with two Nikon lenses taking tiptop honors and surprisingly a Samyang model rounding out the top three. In this case, it's the Nikon AF-Southward Nikkor 85mm f/one.8G, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/ane.4G and the Samyang 85mm f/1.four Aspherical IF. The two Nikon lenses both scored the same on the DxOMark overall metrics, managing 40, while the Samyang model is fractionally behind on 36. In terms of choice, if you want the wider discontinuity of the f/i.4 it will price you, with that lens coming in at nigh $2200, just it will provide the highest overall sharpness at 22P-Mpix. However the slightly slower, but optically only as good, 85mm f/1.8G looks to be a fantastic bargain at just $690 and offers less vignetting, chromatic aberration and distortion than its more than expensive stable-mate, while losing out but slightly in overall sharpness. In terms of selecting one of these models, it is very hard to choose against the cheaper pick because the more than expensive model does not practise plenty to justify the college cost tag.

If the Nikon 85mm f/one.8G doesn't fit your budget, then take a long look at the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF. It lacks any autofocus ability, but a score of 36 is remarkably skilful for such a low priced lens. If you can live with the manual limitations, it is worth serious consideration.

50mm to 105mm macro lenses

If a macro role is of import to yous, then the best macro lens around this focal range is the Carl Zeiss Makro-Plana T 100mm f/two ZF2 Nikon, which scored 36. However, the cost is high at around $1840 and the lack of autofocus ability ways information technology is one for the purist who is willing to put up with the fully manual nature of the lens. The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/ii.8G IF-ED however is a slightly more budget conscious option at $890. It scored nigh as well at 32 and has the added do good of full AF and a vibration reduction system to assistance avert camera shake – something that is even more obvious in macro photography.

If you lot adopt working closer in to your subjects, then it is also worth because the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/ii ZF2 Nikon. This is a 50mm macro lens, that scored 31 in the overall DxOMark scores and managed the joint highest sharpness score for all the macro lenses tested, at 17P-Mpix. At $1280USD it follows the familiar Zeiss trend of existence at the top of the cost subclass, but the quality is unquestionable and if you are looking for a macro lens around this focal length, then the lack of autofocus should non necessarily put you off.

Standard Zoom lenses

Within those tested, it is clear that the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/two.8 Di VC USD and Nikon AF-Due south Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED are the best choices for image quality. For zoom lenses to score 29 and 28 is pretty impressive, specially given the high resolution of the camera, where flaws caused by compromises in optical design are much more obvious. At $1,800, however, the Nikon 24-70mm f/two.8 is pricey. The new Tamron, sporting a pricetag of $i,299, is definitely a viable choice, given the circumstances.


Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Nikon	1299	29
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/ii.8G ED	1800	28
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF	700	23
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.viii XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Nikon	499	23
Sigma 24-70mm F2.eight IF EX DG HSM Nikon	899	23
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR	599	22
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED	1300	22
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/iii.5-4.5G IF-ED	299	21
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED	600	18

Within those tested, information technology is clear that the Nikon AF-South Nikkor 24-70mm f/two.8G ED is the best choice for paradigm quality. For a zoom lens to score 28 is pretty impressive, especially given the loftier resolution of the camera, where flaws caused by compromises in optical design are more than obvious. At $1800 it is expensive though.

Beneath these two lenses, there are three models that all scored 23. They are the the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF), the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Nikon and the Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/two.eight-4D IF. Of the iii, the Sigma lens comes out on acme in the sharpness examination, managing a very respectable 16P-MPix that fifty-fifty beats the Nikon 24-70mm f/two.8G ED mentioned above. Sadly, it is hampered past its chromatic abnormality, which scores a very poor 26µm. At $899, it is too the near expensive of the iii.

If you lot're looking for the real "budget star" of the trio, then the Tamron is the best choice With a sharpness score of 13M-Pix, it beats the Nikon and is the cheapest ($499) of the three past a noticeable margin. For it to match the scores of several more expensive lenses is a fantastic achievement, and it should get the nod equally the all-time bargain of the bunch.

Determination

Since they have such dissimilar uses, there can be no clear winner in these groups, so the results should be used to help y'all build a kit of lenses to cover your shooting needs. Clearly the best paradigm quality possible comes from the 85mm lenses, though if you lot don't shoot portraits, you may well find an 85mm lens surplus to requirements.

In part 3 of this series we'll be looking at the telephoto lenses too every bit the super-zoom models that provide a lot of versatility. The question is, how will they stand up to the rigors of being mounted to the Nikon D800?

In this 3rd department of the Nikon D800 review, nosotros'll be looking at the telephoto lenses. These are models with a focal range of 70-200mm or seventy-300mm and we have also included the super-zoom or "all-in-1" lenses with focal ranges from 28-300mm.

Of the lenses currently tested past DxOMark, at that place is 1 or two that are not yet bachelor. Notably, prime number lenses around 200mm or longer have non been tested as well as (at Mid-March 2013) the Nikon 70-200mm VR Ii lens. However, these will be added in the coming months as the labs become to exercise their testing.

D800-&-optics-IIb

As we've seen in the standard lens examination results, when using the Nikon D800, information technology pays to expect for the all-time lenses, considering the photographic camera is so demanding of lens performance. As we'd expect, when comparing the lenses in these groups to the all-time standard prime lenses, the telephoto models lose out. Even so, interestingly, the 70-200mm lenses do score approximately similarly to the standard zoom lenses, suggesting that optical quality is not dropping off that sharply in this focal range.

The 70-200mm lenses perform remarkably well compared to other lenses tested. As expected, lenses with a large focal range, lxx-300mm or 28-300mm super-zooms tend to show the lowest scores.

Within this test group, the 70-200mm lenses are clearly the best choice for the highest epitome quality.

70-200mm

The 70-200mm focal range is exceptionally popular – for practiced reason. This focal range covers a lot of requirements and is used regularly by photographers in most genres. As we've seen, the fact that these lenses tend to perform better than other lenses within this class has besides fabricated them a favorite choice.


Nikon AF-Southward NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR 2	2699	29
Nikon AF-Southward NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR	1399	28
Nikon AF-South VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED	1850	26
Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO Nikon	770	26
Sigma lxx-200mm F2.viii EX DG APO Bone HSM Nikon	1699	25
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II Nikon	949	25
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM Nikon	880	23

The best ii lenses tested are both Nikon models: in the Overall score, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII and the Nikon lxx-200mm f/4G ED VR come out on top with scores of 29 and 28, respectively. With a price of $1,399, the Nikon 70-200mm f/iv ED VR is not simply a top choice, but besides a good deal – as much equally a lens costing over $1,000 can exist considered a deal.

If you need a faster maximum aperture than f/4, then the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR 2 is the best in its class. If the Nikon is out of your toll range, the $770 Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) and the less-contempo $i,850 Nikon seventy-200mm f/ii.8G IF-ED both score a very good DxOMark score of 26. In all areas, the two are seemingly equal, so your choice will eventually come down to brand loyalty and price as much as any epitome quality concerns.

The one thing to keep in mind is that the latest Tamrom 70-200mm f/2.8 lens has not withal been tested. Once the lens has had its turn going through our labs, we wait to possibly see some shift in these ii last places, specially since the Tamron lens did so well when tested on a Canon-mounted version.

Apart from the Nikon f/4 lens mentioned above, the Tamron also makes a good value for money option given its retail price of $770. If the slight loss in paradigm quality compared to the Nikon f/four lens does not bother you, the Tamron model could even be considered the best option when toll and performance are weighed upwards.

seventy-300mm

The seventy-300mm focal range is ofttimes seen as a "kit lens" length every bit many double zoom photographic camera-lens combinations include a seventy-300mm lens. They are effectively cheap lenses that offering a decent focal length, only generally the compromises made in achieving the large focal range mean image quality suffers.

Lens	Price ($)	DxOMark Score
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED	669	xx
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED	196	20
Sigma lxx-300mm F4-5.6 DG Bone Nikon	359	19
Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-v.vi Di VC USD Nikon	449	xix

Of the four lenses, the Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lxx-300mm f/4.five-5.6G IF-ED comes out as the top option for two reasons – firstly, information technology has the highest sharpness score of the quartet, managing 12P-Mpix and secondly, because it features Nikon'south Vibration Reduction system. With such a long focal range, having VR is a real benefit in achieving sharp shots while handholding and then this lens makes the all-time pick.

However, if paying $669 for a lens similar this seems a chip as well expensive, the best value for money choice is the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-v.half dozen DG Bone. This is for largely the same reasons as the Nikon lens – it puts in the second highest sharpness score and also includes an image stabilizer role. Priced at $359 information technology is a practiced choice if value for money is your major concern.

Super Zooms

Buying a Nikon D800 and so fitting a super-zoom lens may seem a bit like ownership a supercar and running it on cheap fuel, simply in that location is a identify for these lenses equally they are functional, especially if you are travelling and do not want to deport the weight of several lenses in a kit. Nevertheless, every bit with the 70-300mm lenses, in that location is a compromise to be made in the lens design – if non, we'd all exist using 28-300mm lenses!

Lens	Toll ($)	DxOMark Score
Sigma 120-400mm F4.v-five.6 DG APO OS HSM Nikon	999	19
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-v.6G IF-ED	300	17
Nikon AF-South Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR	1050	17
Tamron 28-300 F3.5-6.iii XR I A Nikon	600	xvi

Of the 4 lenses tested by DxOMark, there are two that really stand out. The beginning is not a true super-zoom in the sense of being an all-in-one lens, but instead offers the longest focal length that volition be of involvement particularly to those shooting sports or wildlife. It is the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.v-5.vi DG APO OS HSM. With a sharpness score of 12P-Mpix, it beats the other lenses and doesn't actually lose out profoundly in any other expanse, hence why it top scores with a DxOMark Overall score of 19.

For a true super-zoom, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/iii.5-5.6G ED VR makes the best pick. 10P-Mpix is not great when compared to shorter focal lengths or prime lenses, but inside the compromises of the super-zoom design, information technology is not a bad result. At $1050 though, information technology is the about expensive lens tested in this category, though information technology does include Nikon's VR system. Because of the high price, unless yous actually demand the extended focal range, you may do meliorate to wait elsewhere.

For a value for money choice, the Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED offers a good culling. While it lacks the 300mm focal length, the much lower cost of $300 makes information technology an bonny proposition as in a directly head-to-caput with its more expensive stablemate, the merely area it actually loses out is in the chromatic aberration tests, which is why its overall score has suffered.

Determination

With a Nikon D800, your all-time option for the highest quality images in this focal range is to stick to the 70-200mm models. Every bit always, these offer the highest sharpness scores in the range and best prototype quality overall. The other lenses have their place in the kit pocketbook, but they suffer from too many compromises to brand them an ideal pick when trying to maximize the performance of the Nikon D800.

In the final department, nosotros'll expect at the wide-angle lenses, both primes and zooms. Stay tuned!

In this terminal section of the Nikon D800 lens exam review, nosotros'll be looking at the broad-angle lenses. For clarity, nosotros are classing any lens with a focal length up to 35mm every bit wide-angle. Inside this we have broken lenses downward into the ultra-wides with focal lengths below 21mm, wide-angle between 21mm and 35mm and zoom broad-angles with a focal length up to 35mm.

D800-wide-angle-visuel

The thing to call up is that with these categories, zoom lenses volition ever score lower than prime lenses. This is a function of the optical pattern limits of broad-bending lenses, though information technology should be noted that some prime wide-angles do manage to score near likewise as standard prime lenses.

Compared to the whole database, wide-angle lenses, and specially wide-angle zoom lenses, score lower than most other focal lengths.

The reasons for the lower wide-angle scores are unproblematic – wide angles tend to suffer more with distortion, vignetting and sharpness across the frame. In the ultra-wide bending lenses, the differences are very marked, with ultra-wide bending zoom lenses scoring twenty% lower than the amend wide-angle prime number lenses – a very significant drop. However, if you need an ultra-broad bending lens, this is something yous volition have to accept.

Inside the wide-bending classes, the zooms and the ultra-wides are clearly the worst performers due to limitations in optical blueprint and the constraints of edifice wide-angle lenses.

Ultra-broad

Lens	Price ($)	DxOMark Score
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* ii.8/15 ZF.two Nikon	2950	27
Sigma 20mm F1.8 EX DG ASP RF Nikon	629	26
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 21mm f/2.8 ZF2 Nikon	1732	25
Samyang 14mm f/2.eight IF ED UMC Aspherical Nikon	409	25
Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D	570	25
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 18mm f/3.5 ZF2 Nikon	1395	22
Sigma 14mm F2.viii EX Aspherical HSM Nikon	749	xx

If you are looking for an ultra-wide angle lens, then for the best image quality, the Carl Zeiss Distagon 15mm f/ii.8 offers the highest sharpness levels, with a P-Mpix score of 17. The one matter to recall with this lens though, is that it does non offer whatsoever AF as information technology is a transmission lens. Provided you are willing to work within these limitations, information technology is the best choice in terms of optical performance, with a DxOMark Overall score of 27 and a sharpness score of 17P-Mpix.

The Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZF2 is the all-time ultra-wide angle yet tested on the Nikon D800.

If you are looking for a lens that is non as expensive, then for value for coin, the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG ASP makes a skillful choice at substantially less cost than the Zeiss 15mm.

Wide-angle

Within the wide-bending lenses, the best overall score once again comes from a non-Nikon lens in the shape of the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A recently reviewed on our website. The second lens is the Carl Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 but as with the previous Carl Zeiss lens, this is a transmission model with no AF.

Lens	Price ($)	DxOMark Score
Sigma 35mm F1.iv DG HSM A Nikon	899	39
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/ane.4G ED	2200	34
Samyang 35mm F1.4 Equally UMC Nikon	599	34
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/1.iv ZF2 Nikon	1843	34
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G	699	33
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/ii ZF2 Nikon	1005	33
Nikon AF-Due south NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G	1797	33
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 28mm f/ii ZF2 Nikon	1283	29
Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/two.8D	280	26

For value for money choices, the Nikon AF-S 28mm f/one.8G and the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 Every bit UMC are both worth because, the Nikon model really being the best of the 3 in terms of sharpness, scoring 21P-Mpix to the Zeiss lens' 17P-Mpix.

Interestingly, the Samyang does make a very compelling argument – it is a petty lower placed in terms of sharpness, scoring 15P-Mpix, however it matches the other 2 lenses very well in all other areas. Given the low price of $599 (compared to the $1843 for the Zeiss and $699 for the Nikon) information technology offers very good value for money – provided you are willing to sacrifice autofocus.

The Nikon is probably the best all-rounder of the iii. While it may not match the sharpness of the Zeiss, and its manual score is lower than both the Zeiss and the Samyang, the fact information technology is a defended lens, with full autofocus may well make it the best choice in real-world use.

Zooms


Nikon AF-S NIKKOR xiv-24mm f/ii.8G ED	2000	28
Tokina AT-10 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX Nikon	849	24
Nikon AF-S Nikkor xvi-35mm f/4G ED VR	1260	23
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED	1764	21
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.v-four.5D IF-ED	610	20
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM II Nikon	1400	17
Sigma 12-24mm f4.v-v.6 EX DG Nikon	840	16

As far as IQ is concerned, the 14-24mm f/two.8 is a stellar performer for this range of focal length. This zoom is the simply one that competes with the amend primes. Despite its higher price tag, its loftier scores in image quality definitely justify purchasing this lens.

In terms of sharpness, both the Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX Nikon and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lenses are evenly matched on 14P-Mpix. Nonetheless, the faster maximum aperture of the Tokina and the lower distortion and chromatic aberration scores see information technology come out as the best option scoring 24 to the Nikon'southward 23. The fact that information technology is almost $400 cheaper ($849 vs $1260) merely serves to brand information technology an fifty-fifty better value for money option. In the Nikon's favor though, there is a vibration reduction system included, though this is ordinarily less useful in wide-angle shooting.

Decision

Depending on your preferences for primes vs. zooms, you'll make your own mind upwards virtually which lenses to select from this group. However, if you are looking for the best quality, the general advice is to stick to the prime number lens options.

Throughout these Nikon D800 lens tests, nosotros have given you an overview of which lenses are best when matched to the high resolution sensor on the camera. The over-riding lesson is that the sensor is very demanding on lenses and while manufacturer ain lenses are well regarded, if you're looking for the highest image quality, then information technology pays to wait to some of the third party options too.