Even at full aperture very well

Granted, this lens is a fairly thick Brummer. While not quite as hard as the 14-24 2.8, but also bulky. With this length you have to be very be on guard, so that you get stuck anywhere and dented the expensive optics; o)

Still, I would recommend it unreservedly to FX. It not only replaces the complete series of the Nikon wide-angle prime lenses, but exceeds these still partially. Even at full aperture, it is 20-35mm knackscharf into the corners, very high contrast (1A) and only very low LISTING. Below the 20mm, there is slight blurring and darkening in the extreme corners, but they are with f5.6 and 16mm completely disappeared at 18mm with f8. Although the distortion at 16mm are the laboratory quite strong, with most shots still barely visible. Architecture-pictures but you should be sure to use a correction software (eg PTLens).

VR I've never had and I stopped at the wide angle also not important. Now I know it but appreciate. Even in a dark church or at dawn I can loosely shoot with the shutter speed of 1/4 second or from the hand.

The workmanship is very good, the balance on a D700 also. All movements of the optics found inside instead, nothing turns and nothing comes out. Filter Size 77mm is priced right, but you should use Slim filter types as high at 16mm cause vignetting.

In short: This lens is an outstanding 20-35 and a useful 16-19. Strong buy recommendation.