Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70 mm f/2.8E ED VR review - Distortion

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Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70 mm f/2.8E ED VR

3 March 2016

Arkadiusz Olech

6. Distortion

While working with the small APS-C/DX sensor you might notice distortion only at the widest angle of view where it takes its barrel form amounting to −1.76%. Already at 28 mm, however, it decreases to −0.91%, then it becomes zero and change its sign at 35 mm, reaching an imperceptible level of +0.19%. At 50 and 70 mm focal lengths you see very similar values: +0.84% and +0.81% respectively.

When you progress to full frame everything becomes more difficult and the results of the lens reflect that too. At the widest angle of view you get very distinct barrel distortion of −4.23%. It’s worth reminding here the result of the predecessor as it was −3.85% (but it had a bit of help from the moustache distortion). Still all brand name lenses fare better in this category than those from independent producers anyway.

The increase of the focal length to 28 mm make the Nikkor’s AF-S 24–70 mm f/2.8E ED VR distortion decrease to a level of −2.38% so it still remains perceptible. There are almost no problems at all at 35 mm where you can notice negligible pincushion distortion of +0.39%. Unfortunately that pincushion increases noticeably for maximum focal lengths, amounting respectively to +2.03% and +1.99% at 50 and 70 mm. Once again in this category the new lens is distinctly weaker than its predecessor which, for instance, at the maximum focal length had a result of +0.72%.

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If the distortion correction is one of your priorities you have to know the previous version of this lens fared significantly better in this category.