I am looking for some advice on an ultra wide angle lens. I have a 35mm f/1.4 for everyday use but I am looking for something wider, mostly for landscapes (but also for the occasional inside gathering to capture the whole room).
I am going back and forth between the Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 and the Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8. I don't mind manual focus at this FOV, but do really want the highest image quality for my new D800.
Both are fantastic lenses can't go wrong with any of them, zoom has the flexibility but filter problems as you already may know, i have the Zeiss 21 2.8 and it's a fantastic lens, but if filter was not a issue and mostly shot landscapes i would choose the zoom.
I would go with 14-24 personally. Unless you will use filters, it will set you back 500, i would consider 16-35. In most cases you step down for landscape so you dont need 2.8 all the time.
I sold 14-24 only because I did not used it as much at 14mm - got 24/1.4 and never looked back
Another option is the 17-35 AF-S f/2.8. Sharp, low distortion (the 16-35 distorts horrendously at 16mm) and takes 77mm filters. I've owned the 14-24 and 17-35 - the 14-24 performs slightly better, but using filters is a royal PITA.
I own both the 14-24 and the Zeiss 21 ZF2. Honestly, at 21mm, the Zeiss wins hands down for sharpness and distortion. It's a really, really good lens.
That said, you get more versatility with the 14-24 since it covers 12mm of range and does [most] of that pretty well.
The Zeiss 21 is better @ 21mm. The Nikon 24 1.4 is better @ 24 as is the Nikon 24 PC-E but not enough to rule any of the three out, all three of those are excellent.
Zeiss has more contrast and more color than the Nikkors. Honestly, more color and contrast than any pro Nikkor glass I own. [and I own a lot]
14-24 has probably the worst distortion of anything listed but its also the only one that goes to 14mm. If you need wide without a fisheye, this is your go-to lens. [also why I havent sold it yet tho I will if I end up getting the Zeiss 15mm...]
Oh and filters? 14-24 you need the special Cokin or Lee setup [or one of the other options now] ... all are $$$ and hard to get in stock. All other listed glass takes regular screw-on filters no problem.
