Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm F 4E ED Análisis | 54 Datos comparados

The Photography Life review of the Nikon 19mm f/4E PC identifies this lens as a premier, highly specialized tool for architectural and landscape photography, highlighting its exceptional cross-frame sharpness and innovative dual-rotation mechanism for independent tilt/shift movements. Its robust build quality and fluorine coating are lauded, offering superior performance compared to older models. Conversely, the review cites the exceptionally high price, lack of filter threads due to the bulbous front element, and a completely manual, relatively slow f/4 operation as limiting factors, rendering it primarily suitable for professionals rather than general users.

The Nikon 19mm f/4 PC-E is a highly specialized manual-focus tilt-shift lens designed primarily for landscape and architectural photography. Its standout feature is an upgraded mechanical design that allows the tilt and shift axes to rotate and adjust completely independently of each other, correcting a major flaw found in older Nikon perspective-control lenses. Optically, the lens delivers an exceptionally massive and well-corrected image circle. It provides outstanding center sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6, while impressively maintaining very good sharpness and minimal vignetting even when shifted up to 10mm toward the outer edges of the frame. However, the lens has several distinct drawbacks, including a steep retail price of US$3,400 and a hefty weight of nearly two pounds (969g), making a tripod mandatory for optimal utilization. Due to its physically large, bulging front glass element, it lacks a built-in or attachable lens hood, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Additionally, the focus ring features a short 90-degree throw that limits manual focus precision, and its protruding rear design causes physical clearance issues with the overhanging prisms of several older Nikon DSLR bodies....

The Nikon PC Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED is a premium, specialty tilt-shift lens designed primarily for demanding architectural and interior photography. As the widest perspective-control lens available for Nikon systems, it features physical controls for independent tilt and shift adjustments via a unique dual-rotation mechanism. When tested on a 36MP Nikon D810, the lens delivers strong image quality and excellent sharpness across the frame when stopped down to f/8 or f/11. At its maximum f/4 aperture, central sharpness remains excellent, though the edges drop to just acceptable levels. Furthermore, barrel distortion is exceptionally well-controlled at roughly 2 percent, and a fluorine coating effectively protects its large, bulbous front element, which lacks filter threads or a lens hood. The review highlights distinct pros and cons for professionals considering this specialized gear. On the positive side, the lens offers an ultra-wide perspective, highly effective flare resistance, dual-rotation capabilities, and impressive overall sharpness. However, its drawbacks include a complete omission of autofocus, minor barrel distortion, and noticeable corner dimming at wide apertures. Additionally, its high retail price makes it a heavy investment, prompting...

The Nikon 19mm f/4 PC-E is lauded as a top-tier, exceptionally sharp, and versatile wide-angle tilt-shift lens designed for architectural and landscape photography. Its key strengths include an advanced dual-rotation system for independent tilt and shift movements, along with virtually flawless, aberration-free optical performance, notes. However, this specialized tool is a significant investment at roughly $3,400 and is heavy and bulky. It is strictly for manual, tripod-based shooting and features a bulbous front element that precludes the use of standard screw-in filters, adds.

This specialized ultra-wide-angle lens is highly praised for delivering exceptional image quality, making it ideal for architectural, landscape, and studio photography. It provides perspective correction (shift) to eliminate geometric distortion and focal plane adjustment (tilt) to maximize depth of field without resorting to narrow apertures. Optically, the lens excels with near-zero distortion even at maximum adjustment, virtually no vignetting, and excellent control over chromatic aberration and flare due to advanced Nano Crystal and fluorine coatings. Mechanically, it features a solid build with smooth, precise manual adjustments and a smart locking mechanism to prevent accidental shifts. Despite its stellar performance, the lens has notable drawbacks, primarily its large size and hefty weight of nearly 900 grams, driven by the massive image circle required for shifting. The highly convex front element protrudes significantly, preventing the use of standard screw-on filters and making it vulnerable without its specialized, bulky lens cap. Additionally, the mechanical nature of the system completely rules out autofocus capabilities. Finally, its high price tag of just under 4,000 euros firmly positions it as a niche investment for dedicated professionals.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED as a professionally built masterpiece, offering exceptional, consistent resolution from center to edge between f/4 and f/16, making it ideal for architecture and landscape work. Key features include a robust, independent dual-rotation mechanism for tilt (±7.5°) and shift (±12mm) movements, along with advanced lens coatings that effectively minimize chromatic aberration and flare. Conversely, the lens is heavy at 885g and designed for tripod-mounted, specialized work rather than casual, handheld photography. While optical performance is superb, sharpness degrades at f/22 and f/32 due to diffraction, and the bulbous, filter-incompatible front element requires careful handling. Additionally, the high price point and the necessity to stop down when using extreme shifts are noted limitations.

The Nikon PC Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED ($3,399.95) is a specialized ultra-wide tilt-shift lens designed for demanding professionals, particularly those working in architectural photography. Testing on a 36MP Nikon D810 reveals that image quality is strong, showing excellent sharpness across the entire frame when stopped down to f/8 and f/11. It features dual independent rotation points, allowing photographers to tilt the lens elements to shift the focal plane for creative blurring or miniature effects, while simultaneously shifting the lens to correct keystone distortion in tall buildings. Despite its big, nearly 2-pound build and a bulbous front element that prevents the use of traditional filters, a protective fluorine coating makes it easy to clean off fingerprints and grease. The lens's primary advantages and drawbacks are highly distinct: Pros: Exceptionally wide tilt-shift capability for the Nikon system. Dual-rotation mechanics allow independent control over tilt and shift movements. Well-controlled barrel distortion (only 2%). Strong edge-to-edge sharpness when stopped down. Fluorine coat to repel grease. Cons: Extremely high price tag compared to alternatives like the Samyang 24mm. Complete omission of autofocus. Just-acceptable sharpness at...

The Photodo review analyzes a lens using MTF testing, highlighting exceptional center sharpness, contrast resolution, and robust build quality, alongside a quiet, responsive autofocus system. However, the evaluation notes a decrease in edge-to-edge resolution when shooting wide open, significant vignetting in high-contrast situations, and noticeable color fringing. The lens is also described as heavy, limiting its practicality for travel photography. Read more about this lens review on the photodo website.