Nikon Nikkor AF-S 18-35 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED review - Distortion

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Nikon Nikkor AF-S 18-35 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

10 December 2013

Arkadiusz Olech

6. Distortion

If you use the Nikkor AF-S 18–35 mm f/3.5–4.5G ED with a body featuring an APS-C/DX sensor, the distortion won’t be a huge problem. It is still noticeable at the shortest focal length, where you get “barrel” amounting to -2.52% but overall it can be considered moderate. At longer focal lengths the situation is even better because, at 26 mm we got -1.10% and at 35 mm only -0.53%.

The distortion problems increase on full frame for obvious reasons. Their caliber is really high at 18 mm focal length where the distortion level, measured by us, amounted to −4.72%. As if it wasn’t enough, you have to deal with moustache distortion here. It gets as high as to −5.3% in the very centre of the frame but on the edges that aberration decreases to −4.4%. All these results compare unfavourably with those of the rivals. For example the distortion of the Tokina 17-35 mm at the widest angle (and it’s worth remembering that it is a bit wider than that of the Nikkor) amounted to just −3.64%.

In the middle of the focal range the distortion is noticeably lower, amounting to −2.18%. It is a level which you can describe as moderate. The fewest problems you get at 35 mm where the barrel distortions reach just −1.16%.

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