Nikon 24mm f/2.8 Ai-S

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 3, 2014

Lots of new third party knock off Nikon hoods on eBay and Amazon. Congrats on the lens. I have that one and it's great.

Mark Crabtree · Sep 3, 2014

My favorite Nikkor. Mine is pre-AI, multicoated, and looks awful, but it works great. I also own an earlier one that has been on loan for a couple years; I couldn't tell any real difference.

Lately I've been messing with old Pentax screw mount (and a little K mount). I like the old Takumar lenses even more than Nikkors in general, with the exception that nothing in that line seems to be that wide, that fast, and that good.

James-EG · Sep 3, 2014

Glad to hear that everyone else likes the lens! I'll definitely get a lens hood, might add a bit of protection too

RalphLambrecht · Sep 4, 2014

James-EG said:
Glad to hear that everyone else likes the lens! I'll definitely get a lens hood, might add a bit of protection too

Yes, real photographers use lens hoods and shoot RAW

Christiaan Phleger · Sep 4, 2014

The slightly larger Nikon hood HN-2 works as well if you shoot without filters, its a bit deeper so more protection.

The Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 is a true classic; its revolutionary Close Range Correction system was a real advance in the design of wide angle lenses. This Nikkor has 2 different optical designs, the earlier Nikkor F and Pre-Ai K versions has one version and the Ai, Ai-S and AF have the 2nd version. There are differences in how each version renders; its relatively small but it is there; keep in mind the earlier versions other than the K has two different lens coatings, the .C and K versions are fairly close to the more modern NIC multi coating, the earlier N versions have multi coating on the elements (more internally) but they are much less complex and those versions are mostly referred to as Single Coated even though they have more than one on most elements. This coating differences does have an effect on how the lens renders; the very oldest have somewhat of a unique signature in a lower contrast backlight situation wide open; some shooters enjoy this and others are offended by this 'degradation'. In either case; all versions produce fine wide angle images. My own favorite (I've had multiple copies of all versions) is a Pre-Ai K with the older optical formula and the newer coating, with factory Ai ring. I also like the very early N with the 'single coating' for black and white.

Spicy · Sep 5, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
Yes, real photographers [...] shoot RAW:)

lol, not this guy

ritternathan · Sep 5, 2014

For what it's worth: Both the 28mm F2.8 AIS and the 24mm AI/AIS are great lens. At one time or another I have owned the 28 F2, the 28 F2.8 AIS, the 24mm F2.8 AI and the 24 F2.8 AIS. I have an old 35mm F2 O converted and a 50mm, and when I wanted wide, I found that the 28 was not wide enough. I ended up keeping the 24mm AI. If you do go for the 28 F2.8 make sure to get the AIS as the glass is different from the AI version, otherwise if you want the 24 F2.8, look at the focus throw of the AI vs. the AIS, they are the same glass, but the AIS has a much shorter focus throw, so I found I liked the slightly longer turn of the 24 AI. The AI versions are usually cheaper too, for some reason. YMMV, but I have found that if I want the corners to be sharp, I have to stop down to F8 with the 24mm.

fotch · Sep 5, 2014

I have a 20, 24, 28, 35 to use and usually my first choice is the 24.

narsuitus · Sep 5, 2014

James-EG said:
... my main interests is landscapes so a decent wide angle lens is very important to me...

I have the following wide-angle lenses for my Nikon 35mm cameras: 18mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm.

For landscapes, my first choice is the 28mm.

https://flic.kr/p/aq4k62

James-EG · Sep 5, 2014

Well the lens arrived today and I have to say I already love it it's in perfect condition, not a single mark on the glass and no dents, scratches etc. but most importantly looking through it on my FM2n is amazing, I'm glad I went for the slightly wider 24mm. I also tested it on my sister's D7000 and the pictures were very nice, can't wait to put another roll of film through my FM2n and try it on that!

The only thing about the lens is that the focus feels a little loose, like it moves too easily. The lens itself still focuses fine. Or is this normal with wide angle lenses? My 50mm and 105mm have a lot more resistance in focusing.

vlasta · Sep 5, 2014

Congratulations

I have a good range of Ai-S wide angles and most used is 24mm.
For me it is noticeable better than 28mm.
Enjoy!

RalphLambrecht · Sep 5, 2014

vlasta said:
Congratulations

I have a good range of Ai-S wide angles and most used is 24mm.
For me it is noticeable better than 28mm.
Enjoy!

can't verify,don't have the 28mmbut,It certainly better than all those 2x- something zooms.

Neil Souch · Sep 6, 2014

It is a great wide angle for landscape work and I use mine a lot - I have a 20mm as well but I find the 24mm more useful.

Neil.

Paul Goutiere · Sep 6, 2014

I checked the coverage, just now, with my 24mm and compared it to the coverage of my Hasselblad SWC. It looks like the horizontal coverage of the 24mm is pretty much the same as the SWC.

Can't say much about comparing the distortion but I bet both lenses are pretty much the same in that regard as well.

That little 24mm is a nice lens.

LJSLATER · Sep 7, 2014

mikebarger said:
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

Same here. Compared to the 18, the 24 is smaller, lighter, sharper, faster, has less distortion, focuses closer, can be reversed for macro, and accepts standard 52mm filters.

But, the 18 gives me 100° which is what I need!

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 7, 2014

LJSLATER said:
Same here. Compared to the 18, the 24 is smaller, lighter, sharper, faster, has less distortion, focuses closer, can be reversed for macro, and accepts standard 52mm filters.

But, the 18 gives me 100° which is what I need!

Any examples we can see?

perkeleellinen · Sep 8, 2014

This was taken on the 18/3.5:

(Sorry for the terrible reproduction; I'm useless at photographing prints)

I didn't keep this lens long, there were very few opportunities to need such a wide view.

LJSLATER · Sep 8, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Any examples we can see?

https://flic.kr/p/nC6FFP https://www.flickr.com/people/80071240@N04/

https://flic.kr/p/hrQv9n https://www.flickr.com/people/80071240@N04/

Both shots above were taken with the 18/4. They are crude "DSLR scans", but you can easily see the distortion and falloff. I don't have any digital files that really show off what the 24/2.8 is capable of, but in my opinion, pitting an 18mm against a 24mm isn't really fair; I shouldn't have made the comparison in the first place. Different tools for different uses.

Mark Crabtree · Sep 8, 2014

James-EG said:
...
The only thing about the lens is that the focus feels a little loose, like it moves too easily. The lens itself still focuses fine. Or is this normal with wide angle lenses? My 50mm and 105mm have a lot more resistance in focusing.

The focus is very light on mine, and was so on most older Nikkors with short barrels. They always had a different feel than most other brands. I assume they used lighter grease and imagine that was possible because of a precise fit. Now, after the passage of so many years, the lube has gummed up a bit in some and they sometimes feel stiffer, especially in lenses with a long helical like the 2nd version 105.

damonff · Sep 8, 2014

I paid about $200 US for my 24mm 2.8 ai. It is a very good lens and worth what I paid.

dynachrome · Sep 9, 2014

My 24 Nikkor is the NC. It has been converted to AI and still has a prong. From the limited use I have given it, it seems quite good. I understand that the AI model is slightly better. All wide lenses will show normal perspective distortion and will make the subject look strange when the film plane is not parallel to the subject. I have two 28/3.8 AI Nikkors and they are very good. The optical formula was changed when Nikon went fron the 'K' to the AI model. It doesn't focus as close as the 28/2.8 AIS but if I need to get close I have a slew of Micro Nikkors which will all be better that the 28/2.8 AIS in that range. I used to like carrying 20/28/35 focal lengths for wide shooting so I didn't consider a 24 necessary. Now I might carry a 24 and a 35 if I don't need anything wider than a 24. Some lenses gum up and get stiff focusing over time. The short Nikkors have the opposite problem. The lubricant can dry up and then focusing becomes too loose. Ity's a good idea to get that problem fixed because over time with metal rubbing against metal the focusing mount can get worn and wobbly.

James-EG · Sep 10, 2014

Thanks for everyone's replies again, I'll be able to try out the new lens properly for the first time this weekend. (I'm now back at school) But I'm always amazed at how wide it is when I look through it being used to a 18-55mm lens on a 1.6x crop sensor DSLR! I also got an HN-1 lens hood for it. Dynachrome, thanks for the advice on the loose focusing, I will look into it.
Very nice comparisons with the 18mm f/4, although I think it will be unlikely that I need something that wide for now, the next lens I might try and get will either be a 35mm or 180mm.

F4user · Sep 11, 2014

Nikon shooter. F4 and full frame digitall.
95% of my photos are made with 24-85 at 24 side . i carry with me also 2 zooms 18-35 and 28-300. All G models.
sometimes i need longer focal 85 is ok but i want more. i think to get 24-120 new but is expensive, bulky and heavy.
i ended to be happy with my 24-85.
waiting 20/1.8 G that will come after Photokina 2014.

so 24mm for every day use is great, 28mm is too long for me. i want 18mm prime and ended to get 18-35mm zoom only for 18mm for churches ( 30 pictures in one year ).

oftopic: perfect zoom for me 18-180 for 35mm film. i will pay 2000$ if someone will make.

Nikon 24mm f/2.8 Ai-S

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