Nikon 24mm f/2.8 Ai-S

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

Hi, after getting my lovely new Nikon FM2n a few weeks ago I've been trying to get a good rounded set of lenses for it, I have a 50mm f/1.8 and 105mm f/2.5 both Ai-S now which is a great start. But one my main interests is landscapes so a decent wide angle lens is very important to me, at first I was looking at the 28mm f/2.8 but felt like I needed something a little wider and I'd also read that the 24mm outperforms the 28mm. Unfortunately though I have also read reviews that say the 24mm has quite bad distortion so I'd like to hear from people who use the lens on this forum.

I'd mainly be shooting landscapes, probably very little if any city or architecture, and probably some seascapes, would the distortion be a problem for this kind of application? I'd also like some advice about pricing for one of these lenses, I've found one in mint condition for £169.99, but that seems quite high to me. I'd to know I won't be at all disappointed before I spend that kind of money on a lens, after all I'm just a student!

Thanks,

lhoff601 · Sep 2, 2014

I own the 24mm. It's okay. I have heard the 20mm f/4 is much better, but I haven't worked with it.

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

Thanks for the reply, although unfortunately the 20mm f/4 seems to be even more expensive! The only one I saw on eBay was over £300, I just need a decent wide angle for landscapes and I can't really put much money into it which is why I'm not sure if £170 is a good enough price to justify getting the 24mm f/2.8. I don't mind some distortion as long as it's not really obvious, and obviously I'd like a sharp lens. If there are any other lenses in the same focal length and price range I'm to suggestions. Although I'm not a professional photographer, so surely this lens would be more than good enough for my needs?

Jeff Kubach · Sep 2, 2014

24 mm is a good focal length without much distortion.

Jeff

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 2, 2014

Unless you plan on shooting on a tripod and with mirror lock up every time I doubt you'll see any difference in sharpness from the 24 to 28. Especially if you stop down a couple stops.

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Unless you plan on shooting on a tripod and with mirror lock up every time I doubt you'll see any difference in sharpness from the 24 to 28. Especially if you stop down a couple stops.

I probably will use a tripod a bit as I'd like to try some long exposures and while the FM2n doesn't have mirror lock up I'd probably use the self timer which basically does the same thing. But no I wouldn't be using a tripod all the time, and I think most of the images would be at around f/8 or f/11. Would you say that £169.99 is a good price for one of these lenses?

snapguy · Sep 2, 2014

been had

I had a Nikkor 20mm f4 lens when it came out around 1970. It was horrible. The 24mm f2.8 Nikkor lens was new then and really nice. Newer 20mm Nikkors may be okay but take care in the one you do buy

Xmas · Sep 2, 2014

James-EG said:
I probably will use a tripod a bit as I'd like to try some long exposures and while the FM2n doesn't have mirror lock up I'd probably use the self timer which basically does the same thing. But no I wouldn't be using a tripod all the time, and I think most of the images would be at around f/8 or f/11. Would you say that £169.99 is a good price for one of these lenses?

In good condition yes, e.g. http://www.apertureuk.com/nikon_manual_lenses.html
A series E 28mm would be cheaper and not detectably different unless you have a very heavy tripod.
An expensive lens won't improve your photos.

RattyMouse · Sep 2, 2014

I have seen many example shots from the 28mm f/2.8 aid lens that are blazing sharp. I find this a very impressive lens.

Edit: Whoops, i miss read the subject. I thought you were asking about the 28mm lens, not the 24.

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

Xmas said:
In good condition yes, e.g. http://www.apertureuk.com/nikon_manual_lenses.html
A series E 28mm would be cheaper and not detectably different unless you have a very heavy tripod.
An expensive lens won't improve your photos.

Okay so I know it's a good price, it's described as mint and definitely looks like it in the pictures. My tripod is carbon fibre, but quite large as I use it for wildlife photography but I also have a ball head which is metal and very heavy, it provides quite a solid base and with the type of photographs I'd like to take it will be quite low to the ground.
I do understand that an expensive lens won't improve my photos, that's partly the reason I wast sure about the price, but I'd like the slightly wider lens, with a 50mm I definitely need something wider, and on my Canon and 18-55mm kit lens the 18mm end still seems quite restricting at times, on my camera with a crop sensor it is equivalent to 28mm.

I really appreciate the help received from everyone!

JimCee · Sep 2, 2014

I owned a Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AI-S lens for a period, but didn't really use it that much after I starting shooting mostly digital. I also owned a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AI-S lens that I used a lot and got very good results with this lens. The Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 lens has a reputation as one of the best Nikkor wide-angle lens ever made with outstanding correction and lack of distortion. Here's one reviewer's comments, with whom I agree, but if you Google the lens you'll find many more similar comments. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28f28ais.htm

I wish I still had my 28mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens!

Jim

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

Thanks Jim, will an extra 4mm wider be worth the extra price? And how noticeable is the change in sharpness between those two lenses?

eSPhotos · Sep 2, 2014

24mm f2.8 is a gem. You won't be disappointed. I think it's much better than any of 20mm lenses that Nikon offered.
£169 seems about right for a good one. You may get one cheaper if you keep searching.
I've got mine under $200 shipped.

Timestep · Sep 2, 2014

I have used a 24mm. F/2.8 since 1974, and consider it one of the great Nikkors. I have also a 28mm F.2,8 AIS, which is also in that league ( and focuses to 9" ) this with a good 50mm.and your 105mm f/2,5 ( Which I have used since rangefinder days and is definitely one of the great Nikkors.

The only thing you need add to this if you can find one is a 180mm. F/2.8 ED. You need no more and can rest assured that you have the best.

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

When some people say the 28mm is sharper, really how noticeable is it? I'd like the wider lens but I'd rather not pay much more if the lens is obviously not as sharp as the 28mm.
Yes, the 180mm f/2.8 ED is the next lens on my wish list, but that'll take a bit longer as there doesn't seem to be many of them around at the moment like you said, and they can be quite pricey from what I've seen on eBay

BradS · Sep 2, 2014

Both the 28 f/2.8 and the 24 f/2.8 AI-S lenses are considered to be about the best nikon manual focus lenses ever made by Nikon. Its as if Nikon told its design staff to make the very best they could with very few constraints.

I find the 24mm to be a little too short for my tastes but the 28mm is, hands down, my very most favorite small format lens....bar none. Assuming the specimen you buy is in good condition, you will not be disappointed with either one.

James-EG · Sep 2, 2014

BradS said:
Both the 28 f/2.8 and the 24 f/2.8 AI-S lenses are considered to be about the best nikon manual focus lenses ever made by Nikon. Its as if Nikon told its design staff to make the very best they could with very few constraints.

I find the 24mm to be a little too short for my tastes but the 28mm is, hands down, my very most favorite small format lens....bar none. Assuming the specimen you buy is in good condition, you will not be disappointed with either one.

Eventually I'd also like to get a 35mm f/2, perhaps that would make up for the short focal length if I got a 24mm? I've only found one 28mm under £200 at the moment and it looks a bit battered with a few dents etc., so maybe I'll get the 24mm as I don't see the 28mm for sale very often for reasonable prices in good condition, if the 24mm is unsatisfactory I can always sell it and replace it with the 28mm

chip j · Sep 2, 2014

19-35 Phoenix or Vivitar Series ! have good glass, are dirt-cheap.

mikebarger · Sep 2, 2014

I have the 24mm 2.8 and it's a great lens, however I use my 18mm f4 more than the 24mm.........never owned 28mm

RalphLambrecht · Sep 2, 2014

James-EG said:
Hi, after getting my lovely new Nikon FM2n a few weeks ago I've been trying to get a good rounded set of lenses for it, I have a 50mm f/1.8 and 105mm f/2.5 both Ai-S now which is a great start. But one my main interests is landscapes so a decent wide angle lens is very important to me, at first I was looking at the 28mm f/2.8 but felt like I needed something a little wider and I'd also read that the 24mm outperforms the 28mm. Unfortunately though I have also read reviews that say the 24mm has quite bad distortion so I'd like to hear from people who use the lens on this forum.

I'd mainly be shooting landscapes, probably very little if any city or architecture, and probably some seascapes, would the distortion be a problem for this kind of application? I'd also like some advice about pricing for one of these lenses, I've found one in mint condition for £169.99, but that seems quite high to me. I'd to know I won't be at all disappointed before I spend that kind of money on a lens, after all I'm just a student!

Thanks,

I have the 24mm f/2.8 AISand think it's greatand Iwouldn't like to miss it,nice sharpand light, no objectional distortion problems. I paid $200 for it used in 1998but when gtting into digital, I bought a new 24mmf2.8 AF,which does not perform any differently but was a lot more money.older Nikon glass is pretty decent for the price£170 does not sound excessive to me,considering UK prices overall.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 2, 2014

You're overthinking this especially the whole sharpness part. Get the 28, save your money and enjoy. Maybe later get the 24. Trust me. They'll be around. And you can likely sell your 28 for what you paid if it comes to that. And see this:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/lens-sharpness.htm

perkeleellinen · Sep 3, 2014

James-EG said:
When some people say the 28mm is sharper, really how noticeable is it?

You won't notice on a 10"x8" print. The 24mm is great, it lives on my FM2, perfect focal length for me. If you were closer I'd invite you round to have a go on mine.

phoenician · Sep 3, 2014

Hi - I've got the 24mm and it's very nice - you won't be disappointed. I haven't tried the Nikkor 28mm so I can't say, but if you want to go a bit laterally you might be able to pick up an Olympus OM with a 28mm (f2.8 which I also have and is very nice, or a f3.5 which is said to be even better) for about £100 if you can stretch that far.
Good luck - whatever you choose, you're getting a good lens.

Xmas · Sep 3, 2014

Don't forget to budget for the correct lens hood or a good substitute.

My 24mm fell out of gbag and landed on its generic rubber hood and bounced no damage...

James-EG · Sep 3, 2014

Well I went ahead and bought the 24mm, I'll be trying to get the HN-1 metal hood for it, if not the rubber hood. Should be arriving early next week so I'm looking forward to it

Nikon 24mm f/2.8 Ai-S

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