Nikon Nikkor 24mm f/2 AI-S Lens Review

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Verdict
Sample Pictures

Introduction

August 29, 2009

The Nikon Nikkor 24mm f/2 AI-S is a small and compact wide angle lens, the size and weight is to be expected from a prime lens. The lens features Nikon's CRC(Close Range Correction) Nikon says that the CRC allows the lenses to get superior picture quality at close focusing distances and increases the focusing range according. Something that was quite clear on the Nikkor 28mm f/2 which had really sweet performance on close focus. The AI-S version of this lens was produced from 1981 to 2005.

Specifications

Lens Construction: 11 elements in 10 groups

Picture Angle: 84° (35mm/FX)

Minimum focus distance: 0.3m / 1ft

Filter Size: 52mm

Lens Hood: HK-2

Included accessories: Front cap, rear cap LF-1

Size: Approx Dia 63mm x length 51,5mm / 2.48 x 2.02in

weight: 300g / 0.661lb

Diaphragm: seven straight blades

Price from: $ Discontinued

Positives

• Pretty straight lines for a wide angle lens.
• Build quality. Good old Nikkor quality, built like a tank.
• DOF / IR markings. Lens is provided with a Dept Of Field scale and a Infrared compensation mark.

Drawbacks

• IR hot spots at f/8
• Second hand price. Expect around $4-500 USD for a EX condition lens.
• Corner performance is pretty bad un till you hit f/8 on a FX sized camera.
• Watch out for ghosting and flare, as that can be quite nasty on this lens.

Verdict

Nikon's wide angle lenses are expensive there is no way around that, but in the case of the Nikkor 24mm f/2 AI-S I would skip this one(especially if you use a FX / FF camera like the D3 or Nikon's film cameras). Center sharpness wide open is ok, it won't break any records though. Corners are pretty soft on a FX or full frame camera. The lens requires you to stop down to at least f/8 before the corners are sharp. I printed out quite a few pictures taken with the D3, with the Epson R1800 on 13x19inches paper. The corners are way soft on f/4 and f/5.6. Close focus on the 24mm f/2 is really nice, and it is one area the lens excels. Sweet spot of the lens is f/8 to f/11. Infrared performance was rather strange, the lens hot-spots at f/8, not a huge problem though, it is usable even at f/22 if the final picture is BW.

Features
Performance FX
Performance DX
IR Performance
Build
Value

Alternatives

Support this website, get your equipment through these links

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D Price From: $354.90 USD

Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Price From: $1,789.95 USD

Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Price From: $1,959.95 USD

DX equivalents:

Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED Price From: $789.95 USD

Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF Price From: $899.95 USD

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed price is from August 29, 2009

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS4 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.