larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have a friend who gets beautiful results with this lens on his D500. And it is interesting to me that several of the lower cost DX lenses have large image circles that cover a full frame sensor over at least a significant portion of the zoom range. (My 18-200 covers over quite a bit of its range, but my 17-55 f2.8 doesn't even come close.)

My only caveat would be to check the corners carefully. Weird things sometimes happen in the corners, even when all looks OK at first glance.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I think he's looking for a zoom, not a prime.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks! Happy I could help inform your decision!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I was in the same boat as you about a year ago - looking for a quality wide angle zoom (and I didn't want to totally bust the budget). After doing a lot of research, I picked the Nikon 18-35. Check it out on DxoMark.com. Excellent sharpness and color, and it's a bargain at under $750.

(Download)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I have the 14-24. 20/20 hindsight tells me I would probably have used the 16 or 18-35 a lot more for what I shoot.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I have the Nikkor 18-35mm and the 16-35mm. Both have been excellent for me. The 18-35 is considerably smaller and lighter. But if that isn't a problem, for shear dramatic effect, the 16-35 is way cool.

Budapest Funicular

(Download)

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I just went through a search similar to the OP, and purchased this 18-35 on ebay for substantially less than the price mentioned. One thing that has not been pointed out is that this particular lens is far far lighter than most of the others on the list. I also own the Tamron 15-30, but that is far too bulky to carry around for casual use. I plan to use that one for astrophotography. If the OP does rent or borrow before purchase, he can decide if bulk of the lens is an issue.

Valen Loc: Canonsburg, PA

I have the Sigma Art 14-24 f2.8 which I use primarily for large group photos. If you look at the tests published by N-Photo magazine and others, you will see it is the top rated wide angle zoom. Rated even better than the Nikon and it is on sale at B&H Photo today.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Really guys!!!! Nikon 14-24, that is what you are recommending to the OP, really??? His budget is $800.00 and folks here are recommending a lens that lists for almost three times his budget.
Does anyone read a whole post before writing, maybe that should be a new requirement for everyone here.
OK, OP, here are my suggestions for you for under $800.00.
Nikon 20 mm 1.8 G ED $796.95
Nikon 24 mm 1.8 G ED $746.95
And yes, the Nikon 16-35 f4 is over your budget at $1096.00. Some folks here have discounted this lens, that is too bad as I have found just the opposite. I do some landscape and I carry two lenses that both have take a 77mm filter. The Nikon 24-120 mm f4 and the 16-35 mm f4. I use a ten stop ND filter for water. Below is a shot from Vermont taken with the 16-35 mm f4, it has won many awards and continues to be one of my favorite lenses for landscapes. I love wides for their ability to capture foreground and background in one shot.
Wides are different than normal and telephoto's, you need to consider a lot of things before making a decision. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

the Nikon 14-24 mm f2.8 lens goes on sale occasionally for a significant price reduction, i paid $1,596.95 Dec 19,2019. today's price is the same

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

It certainly is a good idea to check out DxoMark as part of your research. But this test is in a lab, I have seen many lenses that tested poorly by DxoMark yet preform very well in the real world of photography.
That is why DxoMark is not an end all but should be considered as one part of everyone's research when looking at a new purchase.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The OP has a budget of $800.00. READ IT BEFORE YOU POST A LENS AT TWO TIMES HIS BUDGET.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Super wide angle lenses are widely misunderstood by folks who have never used them. They often sound like a really great idea until they get mounted on a camera and a few shots get reviewed later. And it can be difficult for a new or prospective user to find someone to teach when, when not, and how to use them.

The result is that it is trivially easy to find literally tons of very nice, lightly used ones, especially the premium models, for sale through multiple channels. The supply far exceeds the demand, so prices are usually far below any retail or published sale price. I was doing a search for something else a couple of months ago and found over a hundred Nikkor 14-24 lenses for sale on one site for $1000 or less.

That speaks to why I always advise caution to folks considering purchase of an extreme wide angle lens. It is generally very difficult to get much, if any, of your money back if you change your mind because the resale market is so flooded.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Besides all that the Nikon 14-24 is a massive lens. Hard to care for front element, very expensive filter system, and like you said, a real learning curve for folks new to wides.