Nikon 24mm f/1.4G EDNikon is catching up with Canon in regards to the (really) fast prime lenses. They announced a new 24mm f/1.4G ED (link to the techpart)wide-angle lens today. This new lens makes it possible to do low-light photography with a maximum aperture of 1.4. Especially when you're shooting with a low-light monster like the Nikon D700 or D3(x/s).
The lens should also give you a nice depth of field (DoF) when shooting wide open, and being relatively close to your subject. We all know that wide-angle lenses tend to have a large DoF due to wide-angle optic characteristics (et voila).
The lens won't be cheap. Rumors are that it will cost around $2,000 USD (which will probably be around €1,000 here in Europe :-) ), and will be available around the end of March 2010.
Some specs (download the complete PDF):
AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED Primary Features
- A fast, wide-angle 24mm fixed focal-length lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4
This lens is perfect for capturing scenes such as architecture, landscapes and narrow indoor spaces with incredible perspective at the wide-angle focal length of 24mm. As an wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4, it offers superior optical performance demonstrated not only with handheld shooting under dim indoor lighting, but with large blur characteristics that make the most of this fast lens in images that exhibit dynamic perspective.- Constructed with two ED and two aspherical lens elements
A new optical design achieves an excellent balance between high resolution and aberration.- Nano Crystal Coat significantly reduces ghost and flare
- Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing
- Offers two focus modes, M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual)
I just hope that the lens is a flare magnet, otherwise I might be getting one.... Until then I'll be shooting (flareless) into the sun with my Voigtländer 20mm f/3.5.