gdgt

Nikon's 16-35mm F4 VR is the first true wide zoom to sport optical stabilization, but thankfully doesn't compromise imaging performance to do so. It's an excellent choice particularly for full frame users, but you do need to be aware of its pronounced barrel distortion at wide angle.

It's evident that the optics of this lens are quite complex, to deliver high sharpness across the frame with only moderate chromatic aberration and vignetting and at a relatively affordable price.

This is the lens many Nikon shooters have been waiting for, and although it doesn't amaze me like the 14-24mm did, it is still a very capable professional quality lens.

The Nikkor AF-S 16-35 VR is a very good pro grade ultra wide zoom lens that shows excellent resolution in the center, very good border and corner at medium focal lengths, but lacks border and corner sharpness at the shortest and longest focal lengths.

In the optical department, the only serious flaw is the amount of barrel distortion at the 16mm end, which is surprising even for an ultrawide zoom. Putting aside that, however, the lens is a superb performer.