The classic Nikkors: 28 mm f/2

[Per Inge Oestmoen]

As mentioned earlier in this thread, my 28mm f/2.8 AIS has taken several serious drops without any apparent harm, still performing very well. I recently had the opportunity to try out a 24mm f/2. The construction somehow felt flimsy compared to my 28mm f/2.8 AIS, and the edge performance was very poor at infinity.

I have never seen the Nikkor 24mm 2.0 AI/S, but I have seen several 24/2.8 AI-versions. They have all been very good. The same is the case with the Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AIS, but I have only examined two of these - in other words too few to be really statistically significant. I am however a bit worried by the fact that two of the three 28/2.0 AIS lenses I have seen have been practically useless due to sub par performance. The third was and is excellent, as is the 28mm 2.8 AIS.

It would be interesting to hear more experiences with the Nikkor 28/2.0 AI/AIS.

[Jack Dahlgren]

I’m really happy with mine. I think it is quite sharp and has good colors, tending towards the warm side. I like it for landscapes.


I have the AI-S so it focuses pretty well close up.
DFJ_6871

Wide open it is still pleasing (crazy bokeh emphasized here in post processing)
DFJ_6866

[Bjørn Rørslett]

As mentioned earlier in this thread, my 28mm f/2.8 AIS has taken several serious drops without any apparent harm, still performing very well. I recently had the opportunity to try out a 24mm f/2. The construction somehow felt flimsy compared to my 28mm f/2.8 AIS, and the edge performance was very poor at infinity.

The "flimsiness" might be a rear CRC group working itself lose, which is a common problem with the 24/2. This would also result in poor infinity performance off axis.

As to its overall construction and workmanship of build the 24/2 is on the same level as the 28/2. See the photo below of the pair of fast Nikkors.

A properly adjusted 24/2 is pretty sharp also at distance.

[CS]

Very nice images, Jack. Number two is what I would call a 3-D stunner. 

[David H. Hartman]

The question still remains why two of three Nikkor 28/2.0 I have tried have shown severe quality problems whereas I have not seen anything of the sort in two examined copies of the 28/2.8.

Chance?

[Bruno Schroder]

I'm quite pleased with my 28/2.0 AI and always a bit pleasantly surprised when looking at the first images of the shoot. It is the first and only I bought.

I literally found a 24/2.0 AI at the bottom of a box of old Nikon stuff bought for nothing at a garage sales but given its poor reputation I have not paid a lot of attention to it.

[Per Inge Oestmoen]

Chance?

Possibly. I hope so.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Nikkor 24/2, the "poor reputation lens" still managed this capture,

[DanAa]

Maybe the most photographed oak in Norway, at the Campus of Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Ås municipality, 30 km south of Oslo). [AiS 28/2.0 w/D800, 1/320 f=5,6 ISO200, removed chromatic aberration].

[Bruno Schroder]

Nikkor 24/2, the "poor reputation lens" still managed this capture,

This thread had already changed my mind on the interest of testing 24/2 and your picture motivates me further.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Most samples of the 24/2 I've seen needed some tightening of the rear CRC group. This is the weak point of the design, however once brought back to proper positioning of this CRC section, the lens performs well enough. The misalignment has lent it a poor reputation and thus lowered the asking price, so it's a win-win scenario in force here.

[Per Inge Oestmoen]

Most samples of the 24/2 I've seen needed some tightening of the rear CRC group. This is the weak point of the design, however once brought back to proper positioning of this CRC section, the lens performs well enough. The misalignment has lent it a poor reputation and thus lowered the asking price, so it's a win-win scenario in force here.

What are the advantages of the Nikkor 24/2.0 AI/S over the Nikkor 24/2.8 AI/S, apart from its being a faster lens? I have very positive experiences with the latter, but have not tried the former.

[Bruno Schroder]

Maybe time for an admin to fork the discussion to a dedicated 24/2.0 thread and move there the relevant posts?

[MarcelvanEngen]

Hi Maybe somebody is able to help me.
I just got this lens: a Nikon Nikkor N Auto  28mm F2. On the focus ring there is a rather big round inlay/cover. Never seen this on any other Nikkors from that era.
Does anybody know what this is?
Thanks in advance.

[Erik Lund]

Don't recall why it has this cover but I think all Pre Ai had it,,,
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/wides/28mm.htm