Thorough Examination of Nikon's Z 14-30mm f/4 Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
### A Comprehensive Review of the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 Lens for Underwater Photography
The **Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4** lens is a versatile rectilinear wide-angle lens designed for Nikon Z-series cameras, making it an attractive option for underwater photographers. Its wide focal length range and rectilinear design make it suitable for capturing expansive underwater scenes or larger subjects like marine life or reefs.
One of the key advantages of this lens for underwater photography is its compact and lightweight design. This is beneficial when used in underwater housings, as it minimizes the overall size and weight of the photography setup.
The lens is praised for its excellent image quality, particularly at wider focal lengths. It exhibits phenomenal overall sharpness and sharper corners compared to traditional wide-angle lenses. Additionally, it produces less vignetting compared to the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4.
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/4, which may not be ideal for very low-light conditions underwater. A lens with a larger aperture would allow more light in, potentially improving image quality in dimly lit environments.
Another drawback is that the lens does not have built-in image stabilization, which could be a disadvantage for handheld shots or when using slower shutter speeds underwater.
The lens's unique filter thread design might also limit the availability of specialized filters for underwater use, such as color correction filters. Additionally, the availability and cost of specific underwater housings designed for this lens and camera combination might be a consideration.
Despite these limitations, the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 is a solid choice for underwater photography due to its optical quality and wide-angle capabilities. It is particularly useful for photographing skittish subjects like sharks and dolphins, as its sharpness and minimal distortion can help capture clear and detailed images.
The lens is also beneficial for Nauticam WACP-2 users seeking the best quality and widest field of view in a rectilinear wide angle lens system. The Nikon Z mount, which the lens is designed for, has a wide mount and a relatively short flange distance compared to the legacy F mount, effectively protecting the sensor from mismatched light.
The lens is complete with a control ring and a single autofocus/manual focus switch, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly. The build quality of the lens is very solid and compact, weighing 485 grams.
The corners of images captured with the Nikon 14-30mm can be soft at 14mm, but they are still usable. A corner sharpness test was conducted using a wolf eel at open and normal apertures behind an Ikelite 8 inch compact dome.
The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 has a MSRP of $1,299.99. Overall, this lens is a high-quality investment for underwater photographers seeking a wide-angle lens with excellent optical performance.
- The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 lens, designed for underwater photography, offers a versatile rectilinear wide-angle focal length range for capturing expansive scenes or marine life.
- The lens's compact and lightweight design is beneficial when used in underwater housings, minimizing the overall size and weight of the photography setup.
- Known for its excellent image quality, the lens exhibits phenomenal overall sharpness and less vignetting than traditional wide-angle lenses at wider focal lengths.
- However, the lens has a maximum aperture of f/4, which may not be ideal for very low-light conditions underwater, and it doesn't have built-in image stabilization.
- The lens's unique filter thread design might limit the availability of specialized filters for underwater use.
- Despite these limitations, the lens is a solid choice for underwater photography, especially for capturing skittish subjects like sharks or dolphins due to its sharpness and minimal distortion.
- The lens is also beneficial for Nauticam WACP-2 users seeking the best quality and widest field of view in a rectilinear wide-angle lens system.
