I got the S version today thinking it had to be as good as the G at 14, probably even better. I used to shoot an awful lot at 14mm with the G and did some shooting today at 14 and 20 with the S.
I can honestly say I was always impressed by the edge sharpness at 14 with the G, but I was totally disappointed today with the S. I basically shot between F4.5 and F8. The edge sharpness looked no better than what I remember I used to see using the Zeiss 21. While I can understand the praise for that lens, I never was real impressed with its corner sharpness. I think the Loxia is better.
What struck me most is that the 14-24S doesn't even look as sharp in the corners as the 14-30 and it's not even close to the 20S.
Please look at some images enlarged at least 50% and let me know what you see. Strangely, if I photograph the famous brick wall, the corners look fine, but if I shoot a landscape or anything like it beyond 20 feet or so, things start to deteriorate.
Strange lens indeed. What Nikon was thinking with the lens caps is beyond me, and that control ring (or whatever it's called) has to be the most useless thing I have ever seen on a lens.
I'm really starting to think I made a mistake by returning the 20 and going with this lens. The 20 literally puts it to shame when it comes to corner sharpness and overall rendition. Its contrast, color and tonalities are gorgeous.
The Leica 21SEM is the other 21 that I have a lot of experience with. Great color, stunning center sharpness, but the corners are a mess compared to some of today's ultra wides.
I'm not trying to cause a stir here, I'd just kind've like to know what's going on as I always felt the old G lens was about as good as it gets. The S version is incredible at center frame. Extremely sharp. But I was so disappointed today with the edges and I just don't get it.