Manual Focus Nikkor 24mm f/2.0s wideangle lens
Many amateurs
photographers would select the 28mm over the 24mm because the 28mm yields a more
natural perspective and distortion is not as apparent. Well, while the 28mm focal
length is an ideal all round wideangle lens to handle many situations such as family
events, PR functions or event photography, but certain photographers specilized in
other catagory such as photojournalists or newsmen on assignments might think otherwise
as the wider picture angle of the 24mm may just comes in handy to provide good coverage
of the background while at the same time, maintaining a close relationship with the
subject, which is very important in journalism or reportage kind of photography.
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One of the many reasons why fast speed lenses were still in good demand during the '70 & '80 was because quality of fast speed film were remained unsatisfactory, and thus high speed lenses served very good purpose especially to those demanding working professionals who always have works in available photography and ensure a top rated lens to yiled what they were supposed to be paid for. The Nikkor 24mm f/2.0 was first introduced in October, 1977, almost a decade after the slower f/2.8 wideangle counterpart which was released much earlier back in 1967. The current version of the Nikkor 24mm f/2.0s was updated with an Ai-S coupling system towards the end of 1981. |
Wideangle lens at 24mm focal length was almost treated like a standard lens to photojournalists and newsmen. This fast speed Nikkor wideangle lens has built a fine reputation over the years for its superlative image quality it offers. It was a clear Nikon winner at this catogory at the professional users market which had inspired Canon to introduced a competing high speed Canon FD 24mm f1.4L to counter Nikon's offer for professionals at this specific focal length. Like any new kid on the block, I have owned both of the 24mm lenses (started from the f/2.8, migrated to the f/2.0 but eventually disposed both of them while acquired a Nikkor 28mm f2.0s at later stage instead. However, that was not the end - at my soul searching years that followed, eventually, I settled with a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8s and has invested again into a high speed AF-D Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 lens barely a few years ago! And if you can trust my recommendation, between two comparing Nikkor 24mm wideangles, I would rather preferred the faster 24mm f/2.0 lens primarily because the fast lens speed is always a plus point for those who likes flashless photography. Next, the image quality presents by this lens can easily make one's eyebrows raise - even I don't own any of the two lenses anymore, but I really missed that 24mm f/2.0 dearly.
Optically, thsi 24mm wideangle has a massive 11 elements in 10 groups optical construction which considers a rather complex design for a wideangle lens. Such factor has contributed to its heavier 300g weight as compared to 250g found in the slower f/2.8 version. However, the slight increase of weight of the lens does provides a better weight distribution and good balance when attaching to a Nikon SLR camera. Besides, the weight factor also projects a solid, typical quality Nikkor lens feel which makes you think you have paid well for it, ha ! Another good aspect in its design is its minimum aperture which stands at a useful f/22, which is excellent to provide greater depth of field control especially in wideangle photography. Optically, this lens has remained unchanged in its optical composition since its inception back in 1978 and, probably it has only gone through one round of lens upgrade as an Ai-S Nikkor lens towards late 1981. Basically, this wideangle 24mm lens was introduced as a native Ai Nikkor lens and there was no Non-Ai version that may confused users of older/newer Nikon SLR camera owners.
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<<<< --- Night Market, Bangkok, Thailand. Copyright ©-free images collection 2000. leofoo ® (88k) Jpeg |
As compared to the alternative slower f/2.8 counterpart, which many users also rated it as another very top wideangle Nikkor performer; this fast speed f/2.0 lens has a uncharacteristically with a beautiful larger piece of front lens element but it costs almost double to the f/2.8 version. The price factor was probably the main reason why this lens was seen as less appealing to many amateur photographers who prefers to settle for f/2.8 lens. Well, just don't let that negative aspect to put you off your high flying flames within - provided price is not an issue, between the two available options, always put the faster lens on your priority list. Because other than the impressive optical performance it can offer you, the one f-stop maximum aperture in speed gain can be of a good supplement in many photographic situations, regardless of available light or flash photography. Besides, you will always have the luxury of having a constant, brightly lit viewfinder image in your camera for precise manual focusing and for quick responsive picture composing. Further, despite its fast lens speed, this wideangle lens maintains a good Nikkor tradition of providing a standard filter attachment size of 52mm which allows you to share many of the system lens accessories.
Technical Highlights: It is a high speed 24mm lens designed for shooting in available light. First class both in its built quality and optical performance. A good companion to use it with coarser-grains high speed film. * Wide 84° picture angle and extra depth of field make this lens suitable for a great many photographic situations, including sports, candid, landscapes, night lights, architecture and interiors. * Large f/2.0 maximum aperture is ideal for available-light shooting - an important advantage in photojournalism and travel photography. * Highly portable - weighs only 300 grams. * Maintain high picture quality even at distances as close as 0.3m (1ft.), is possible, due to the adoption of Nikon's Close-Range Correction System. * Takes popular 52mm filters.
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Specifications: |
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Maximum Reproduction ratio: 1:8.6; Filters: 52mm front screw-in |
| Back | to Main Index Page of MF Nikkor lenses at 24mm focal length
Manual Focus Versions | Early Versions (Non-Ai) | mid-1970 (pre-Ai) | Late 1970 (Ai) | Early 1980 - Present: 24mm f/2.0 ; 24mm f/2.8 | Additional info on: W-Nikkor 2.5cm f/4.0 Relative - Autofocus Nikkor lenses / AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8s / AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D ultrawideangle lenses
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Recommended links to understand more technical details
related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my
friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen,
Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
Recommended Reading Reference on Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses | about this photographic web site
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Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites; Lars Holst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; Ted Wengelaar, Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; Hiura Shinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
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