Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Lens

I bought this lens because I wanted something with the capability to shoot extremely wide. I mainly use mine for indoor group shots, room interiors and architecture. I also use it for landscape, but I tend to use it only tripod mounted and use exposure bracketing methods rather than graduated ND filters, as this lens is not a great candidate for front mounted filters. It is possible, but you either need to create your own DIY filter holder, or you need to buy a very expensive commercial solution. For this reason, you have to concede that this isn't Nikon's best lens for landscapes. Screw-on UV filters are a non-starter. If you're primarily a landscape shooter, I'd suggest looking at the old 17-35 f2.8 or the new 16-35 f4 instead.

Where this lens comes into its own is for capturing group shots indoors using available light or flash, close-up reportage shots (think paparazzi) or architectural shots where you're not looking to correct for perspective distortion in-camera (if you need that, investigate the 24mm PC-E).

The 14-24mm f2.8 is simply breathtakingly sharp across the frame, exhibits no vignetting, and minimal distortion. I absolutely love it's ability to squeeze every last object in the room into frame. Estate agents will adore it, as you can make a tiny room appear cavernous!

Of course, because you can't install a front filter for protection, and because the front element is so large and so exposed, you need to be very careful how you wield it, and if there's salty spray or beer being thrown around - you might want to think twice about using it in the first place.

Overall, this is just unbeatable when you need to go really wide and you still want to capture gorgeous, sharp, contrasty shots with a minimum of glare (the nano crystal coat takes care of that) and have the ability to open up to f2.8. As I said, not the perfect lens for landscape unless you use exposure bracketing, but for just about everything else it's unbeatable.

Recommended!

Many lens - even the cheaper Nikon ones - are just as sharp as this in the centre when stopped down.

Where this amazes is in its ability to be sharp in even the furthest corner of the frame! Even the excellent Nikon 17-35 is a little soft in the extreme corners - most lens are.

It continues to amaze by being sharp corner to corner even wide open at f2.8! Most normal lenses would be struggling to maintain sharpness in the centre let alone the corners.

Optically this lens doesn't have any significant weaknesses. Downsides as others mention are lack of filters and its large size. Its also definately not a general purpose lens - this is for those wanting to utilise the ability of an ultra wide angle lens to create unique photos.

As a general purpose wide angle lens the 17-35mm f2.8 is better suited and just as sharp when stopped down - except at the very edges of the frame.

Its downsides are its weight, lack of filters and it occassional flaring.

To say I am ultra-critical would be understate it massively. But this lens is a cracking bit of kit.
I bought mine, having read the reviews, to use on my D3 expecting it to be pretty good (I always treat reviews with a healthy dose of sceptisism), but nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience. As a medium and large format user as well, I am used to sharp lenses, and that is just what this is. Bightingly sharp. I can't overstate it - it is stunning. No it's not the same as using some of my LF lenses for obvious reasons, but for daily use where my LF system is too big or expensive to run, then this gives me VERY saleable shots for my agencies.
If it has a down side, it has to be the lack of a filter thread. Yes, I can use multiple exposures blended, or add 'effects' in post-production, but I do miss the polarizer when I am near water - particularly when I am near a cracking azure-blue sea in spring with the larks rising and singing their hearts out as the white surf breaks over the shore. But I am prepared to forgive it simply because of how good it is. BIG, expensive - but like my D3 and Land Rover, worth every penny

ADENDUM

Now use it on a D3x and I really don't know what to say. Perhaps if I do say that I am using my Large Format less, and am becoming more, far more productive then that should give you the right idea of what I think of this lens. AND Lee filters now produce a filtes holder system for it!! God is in his Heaven and all is well with the world.