Hmmm, IMO, this reads like a "I get to write a review" article aiming to say nice things about a new item. I'd prefer one of those Roger of LensRentals reviews where not merely one but several copies of lenses are used, and real usage over time is reflected (vis-a-vis "robust", which often seems to be most honestly read as "heavier").
I've not really pixel-peep'd my 7-14/4's corners, but in general I'd been quite pleased by what I saw casually when getting mine from KEH.com after missing another whose seller had asserted "sharp into the corners by f/5.6) --and mine seemed good wide open (4.0).
The bit about right-sizing for various bodies, at, what a half-ounce (15g) diff. and somewhat longer 8-18?! --really?!
And trying for bokeh, w/WA lens?
And that sometimes (too-)snug fitting 7-14 lens cap (I LIKE it; better protection) ... !
And as for weatherizing, "freeze-proof down to ...", what's the real merit of such claims? I was surprised when looking .... that neither of the truly rugged big guns 1D & D3/D4 gave such claims re temperature (though some guy used D200s left out on glaciers and of course these cameras --and others-- are regularly used in freezing temperatures. Seemed odd IMO for no claims, just perhaps guarding the promise of speed vis-a-vis battery flow, I guess?)
And what's this double-talk
MOST importantly --given the review's rocky-beach & row-houses images-- looks to me to be that the 7-14 has more clouds & a crow :: not to everyone's taste, I'm afraid.
The current lone comment does raise a known issue : "purple blobs". If you need these, you might have to stick with the older lens, but no answer has been given yet.
-d