The Ultimate Nikon DX Lens Showdown: 12-28mm vs F Mount Lenses - 12-24mm, 10-24mm & 10-20mm

All the DX wide angle lenses in one place!
Okay, yes it took us 2 hours to get to our shooting location, but we managed to try out all of these different wide angle lenses both in the field and on the lab bench for our famous brick wall tests... And the results were surprising!
What's your take on these wideangle lenses? Do you own one?
You can find all of these lenses and more on our website:
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#wideangle #nikon #photography #lensreview

[@wakeywarrior]

The 12-28 is a must have lens for the DX line. Great video lens with the VR in too. It’s sharpness really stands out. Get the new 24/F1.7 for out and about/ travel photographs as well.

[@kaminobatto]

I have both the Z 12-28mm and the F 10-24mm. I would add that the 10-24mm adds a fair bit of focal length at the wide end, which could be another reason to go for it; however, in all honesty, in most use cases the 12-28 should do just fine and the fact that you don't need a converter makes it that much more convenient, and I'm all about convenience. Still keeping the 10-24mm though to use on my DSLRs.

[@keithsanders6554]

Somewhere in Sussex! Every railway enthusiast would recognise Balcombe Viaduct across the Ouse Valley. Very distinctive.

[@psoon04286]

Thanks for the info. Must visit it soon👍👍

[@Kupfertopf65]

I'm using the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 on my ZFC...gorgeous lens but somtimes I miss the flexibility of a zoom lens. So this test was perfect for me....😊😊😊

[@wakeywarrior]

I have both, very different use cases. Both the Viltrox and the 12-28 are great, also the 24/F1.7 is outstanding for stills.

[@SubiTrekker]

Comparing Nikon's MTF charts for the 12-24 and 10-24, it looks like the newer lens should perform better. Thanks to Becky and Kon, we now have the proof. I replaced my 12-24 with the 10-24 when it came out and I have been more than pleased with results on my D500.

[@DixonLu]

Thanks for walking 2 hours just to do a brick wall test👍😁

[@graysofwestminster]

Thank you very much!

[@peterjohnson1739]

I bought the 10-24 for my D200 because it had a wider range (2mm at the wide end) than the 12-24. A significant advantage. It was also a newer release and less expensive. The other two were not available then. I was always happy with the results. I even use it occasionally on my D750 in DX crop mode.

[@michael_saleem]

Recently bought the 12-28mm and a Z30 (from Grays) - it's a wonderful lightweight combo especially for video.

[@SprocketHoles]

The Z30 & 12-28 PZ is amazing for travel video. I'm using one for my trip across Asia. It's currently on my lap on a bus heading to Shirakawago.

[@randallbrander8157]

I will choose the DX 12-28 because I already own it. I have compared this to the FX F/2.8 17-28mm & the 28-75mm which I also own. When at F/8 they look the same to me at 28. Cheers! BTW did you get permission to take the Photo Bombers Pictures? 😉

[@NC_Karl]

I chose the Tokina 11-16 initially, now using the 11-20 version. Both have better DXOmark scores than the 10-24. Faster as well. Big and heavy for Street but great for Astro. I wonder if you had a "bad" 12-24 or were missing focus somehow? Did you focus tune every lens prior to testing? You also didn't identify the test apertures in the comparison - were they all wide open?

[@sergeantcrow]

Hi.. Initially I set my sights on that Tokina.. Now getting distracted with other options... I guess you would say.. "Get the Tokina!".

[@romy4593]

I used my 10mm to 20mm to take boat show photos a few weeks ago on a Nikon D5300 and also landscape style which were so clear you saw no blurr or edges that were not perfectly clear! I was so impressed but you need to use the proper settings to get this lens to take them that clear! That isn't what you two did. You used wide open and the most closed on every lens? I still am quite happy with my own choice and know the right settings to get the affect and clarity I want! Each lens has a "sweet spot" that top photographers learn which I have studied under. That area is where you get the most clear images. Each lens is very different in this respect which is why you need to compare them each at their best settings! Apples to Oranges? No each lens is different and can't really be compared equally with the same settings. Wide open and most closed is not what I use in my own photography unless I do night shots. Which came out amazing with a 35mm on the Sony A73 wide open. I actually took some shots wide open with a 10mm to 20mm and set it up with the other settings, still got sharp images edge to edge!

[@johnfancote1988]

Great video. I am D500 user and always looking for information. However, as a railway bridge engineer of over 40 years, I was nearly more interested in the magnificent brickwork of the Ouse Valley Viaduct. 😂

[@psoon04286]

Very impressive isn’t it. What would you consider as an alternative design?

[@johnfancote1988]

These days, it would probably be concrete. At the time of construction, brickwork was the only viable option for a structure this length and height.

[@pascalhibon7928]

I know the Z 14-30 f4 is quite a bit more expensive but that would be my choice for a wide angle lens for the Z50. The size and weight is great for the Z50 and the lens provides excellent IQ. The big plus in my opinion is that this is an FX lens which doesn't "lock" you into DX. Having said that, I would love to try the PZ lens in order to get a feel for the electronic zoom ring.

[@mattaz8601]

In f there are great 3rd party options too. I have the Tokina 11-16, really good, really heavy and screw focus, and the one I use is the Tamron 10-24 stabilised and light. Wonderful on a Zfc.

[@MMPAspergerian]

I don't need to see the video to tell you the outcome, DSLR's forever!!! I pick the 12-24. A bit disappointed, all you spoke about is sharpness, left out contrast, color rendition, and etc...

[@simonh]

I had the 12-24 f/4 for years and was never happy with the IQ. I was happier with the Samyang 14mm and used that instead, for all my super-wide photography.

[@jbing6251]

Nice, ordered the 12-28 already before watching this video, now I feel good about my choice. This lens will be a good travelling combo with my 18-140. Thanks for the video.

[@psoon04286]

When NIKON first announced the Z mount saying that it will allow for new and superior lens design I was skeptical. However, the Z mount has produced an unbeatable line of lenses in all shape and form👍👍

[@Kimagesydney]

Is this the actual place in FH4? Forza Horizon 4 the Racing game. I wish to visit it with my zfc with z12-28 .

[@williamm.3981]

Great video, timing is perfect as I just sold my F 10-20dx to buy the 12-28 Z. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. Might wait for fall sales for the Z12-28. Thanks 🙏🏻, have a wonderful end to the summer!! ❤😊

[@daveyboy6210]

Good timing .My Tokina 11-16 needs fixing ,not sure if this is the sharpest lens ? that was a really helpfull guide, cheers

[@dominiclester3232]

A great review, thanks! Nice to see you made more of the “through the arches” shot. Maybe you liked my attempt...

[@baxtermarrison5361]

On all the lenses the distortion along the bottom edge is very obvious, particularly on the bricks in the viaduct!! 😊

[@MrMysto]

They will have to do a s line when an ibis pro crop comes out similar to the 17-55 otherwise Fuji will carve up

[@veivoli]

@@MrMystoI really like the 17-55 on my D5600. Interestingly, the new price of the lens was about 3 times the price of the D5600 body - at the time of their respective releases.

[@warkentin1979]

Красивая дама! PS Объектив тоже хорош, уже купил.

[@fredkrieger278]

Well done and thank you.

[@platino536]

Gorgeous photographer must be in front of the camera not behind 😕

[@asdfghjkl1755]

i just bought 12-24 kill me

[@gazza9839]

It'll be fine, it's still a great lens 🙂

[@willynelsonitis]

For video, the PZ may have the advantage of PZ. Otherwise, I would imagine they're all great stopped down a tad (which is where I use my UWA lens the overwhelming majority of the time). I'd take 10mm over 12mm any day of the week.

[@super-z8943]

Not sure about the others but the 12-28 doesn't benefit much from stopping down. 5-10% improvement from a test I have seen. This is a good lens.

[@Malte-jl6ey]

I wonder how this lens would work on an FX body (with the chosen image area DX, and with the chosen image area FX, if that choice is even possible). Could be a cheap way to shoot wide angle, albeit at the loss of image corners, respectively resolution…

[@veeaa]

It works the same but with lower resolution.

[@TB-ni4ur]

The 10-24 will work at about 16mm wide open and 15mm at f6.3 on an FX sensor (not DX mode) with a negligible amount of vignetting that is easily corrected in post. At 18mm it works perfect wide open (f4.3 I think) out of camera and the corners are still sharp. Not sure about the other lenses, maybe others can chime in if they have them. This is something I'm always curious about and I wish reviewers would look at, as dx lenses tend to be much, much cheaper on the used market, and a lot of people have a combo of dx and fx cameras.

[@siphiwememela8388]

Great job on this. However, finding it a bit surprising the surprise at the poor showing of the 12-24(disclaimer, I own one). It's old. Nikon's first DX lens. In my opinion still the best built of the bunch. There's a 1001 Nights tale on it that's worth a read, for the curious.

[@gazza9839]

Me too (on a D5600) always found it to be sharp and contrasty.

[@johnvillalovos]

I like the part about two hours of walking to get there while see cars driving behind while she says that 😊. So hopefully there are closer places to park than a two hour walk!

[@graysofwestminster]

Actually no, the local residents near the viaduct don't appreciate people parking in their driveways so the recommended parking is the Ardingly Reservoir (which isn't 2 hours away, but is if you get lost like we did)

[@veeaa]

Thanks for the comparison, just what I'm looking for, however I think one of the best candidates is missing, namely the Tamron 10-24mm. It seems to be at least equal to the Nikon F-mount options while being considerably smaller and cheaper.

[@TorToroPorco]

Interesting to see how the 12-24 fared. When I was looking for a super wide zoom for my D200 I opted instead for the original Sigma 10-20 because of its wider focal length and much lower price. If Nikon ever comes out with a higher res DX sensor it’s good to see the 12-28 will be able to accommodate it. Shame it doesn’t go down to 10mm.

[@petercharles6652]

While I appreciate the first group of evaluations and samples, in order to be a truly meaningful comparison of all lenses, I would have also wanted to see a medium aperture comparison of corners and center at widest, middle, and longest focal lengths. Many of us will not just accept your generalizations on the other focal lengths and/or apertures. Note, I have three of the four lenses you have tested including the latest Z ultra-wide, power zoom. Regards, PCS

[@DixonLu]

Tamron 10-24 Di II VC HLD (F mount) has better IQ (to my eyes) than any of the F mount Nikkor DX wide zooms.

[@paulmontgomery6257]

I chose the 12-24 all those years ago for my D70S. Which leads me to a question - it came in a silver box, all my other lens boxes are gold why?

[@psoon04286]

Wow! How old is this structure? Never seen it so up close😲

[@AlessandroAbatePhotography]

I am wondering whether the Z 12-28 on a Z 50 would still make sense if one already owns a z 14-30 as I do (purchased at Grays of Westminster). Any suggestion?

[@graysofwestminster]

If you like the idea of a small form factor lens and can make use of the PZ functionality then the 12-28mm is great, but for stills and video (not vlogging) the 14-30mm is terrific

[@RomanatorII]

I hope they add focal length info in live-view to the PZ lens!

[@philgreaves1]

12-28 PZ it is then. 😁 Thank you.

[@psoon04286]

Fully agree🙂

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

Great video. I would use the 12-28

[@magictaz7]

Konstantin was in his element there

[@TimsWildlife]

Thanks!

[@christopherjhall]

Really cool subject

[@vincevinnyp9224]

The 12-24 F4 was released just before the 17-55 and was supposed to be the "Gold ring" companion to the 17-55 2.8 for DX when we first started moving to DSLRs. It's one of the few times that I was disappointed with Nikon and 3rd parties came in to fill the gap. The 12-28 release being small, light and optically sound, was such good match to the ZFc that it persuaded me to order Z DX kit.