Oldies but goodies tested today

[Airy]

I had a look at second-hand lenses today, Boulevard Beaumarchais ( = photo avenue in Paris).

A 15/3.5 AIS sold for the price of a new 14-24 - out of the question. The lens is very heavy, displays tons of CA, but seems very contrasty. Also, distortion seems relatively low (compared to, say, the 20/2..

The 24/2 AIS is the exact opposite. Moderate CA, and overall better IQ than I would expect after having read so many negative reviews. Also, it is surprizingly small and light: smaller and lighter than the 28/2. Vignetting is obvious at f/2, but moderate from f/2.8. But:
1) contrast is visibly lower (than the 15/3.5 for instance) - at any aperture
2) the blur circles, away from the center, tend to get an elongated shape, yielding a somewhat nervous bokeh.
3) the distant edges and the corners tend to lack sharpness

Price was 498€; I did not buy it, despite its perfect condition and very nice handling.

[Frank Fremerey]

I bought and later sold the 2/24ai for 200€

[Bjørn Rørslett]

A bad sample of the 15/3.5? Some CA is expected as this lens is pretty early in the lens history and was designed for film - nobody knew about the quirks of digital photography then. As the CA is almost exclusively of the lateral kind, it can be easily cured. It has the further advantage of quite low barrel distortion as far as super-wide lenses go, too.

The 24/2 is a strange bird as many samples aren't performing that well, whilst some are exceptional.  It took me many years to find one of the latter kind.

[Bjørn J]

I gave the 24/2 only one try, it was a dud. I was more lucky with the 20/2,8 and the wonderful 28/2.

[Airy]

A bad sample of the 15/3.5? Some CA is expected as this lens is pretty early in the lens history and was designed for film - nobody knew about the quirks of digital photography then. As the CA is almost exclusively of the lateral kind, it can be easily cured. It has the further advantage of quite low barrel distortion as far as super-wide lenses go, too.

The 24/2 is a strange bird as many samples aren't performing that well, whilst some are exceptional.  It took me many years to find one of the latter kind.

The 15mm lens was far from bad, and lateral CA (here : angles, esp. at f/8, several pixels wide) is easily corrected. Pics being prepared. I hope I made it clear that the pics looked good ! such high contrast on a SWA was a big surprize.

[stenrasmussen]

I had a bad copy of the 24/2 Ai-S. Sold it.
I had a good copy of the 28/2 Ai-S. Sold it. Idiocy!!!
I want a good 28/2 again.
Am looking for a twentier too.

[Frank Fremerey]

Sten. Buy a 20/f=1.8 G

[stenrasmussen]

Sten. Buy a 20/f=1.8 G

I am contemplating getting that one. Tried Mr. Fierce's copy when we met back in May and I really liked it. Bit I also tried the little CV 90 APO Lanthar and liked that one too so there is no shortage of money-stealing lenses 😊

[Airy]

Concerning the 15/3.5, here's my report :

http://www.behance.net/gallery/28280067/Lens-Test-Nikkor-1535-AIS

Enjoy

[Akira]

Very good lens.  No wonder anyone is tempted.

I would expect Fons to chime in.

[stenrasmussen]

Got a mint sample of the 15/3.5 to play with over the weekend. Curious to see if it behaves similarly to Airy's report.
Pricewise this one is not too bad at ca. 800 USD eqv.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Expect some propensity to flare, very straight lines except for close-ups, and some lateral CA that is easily removed in the RAW converter. Sharpness should be good to excellent, but beware this is not an easy lens to focus even with the Df. So use LiveView until you get accustomed to it.

Despite the heft and bulk, it is surprisingly easy to handle.

[Fons Baerken]

Very good lens.  No wonder anyone is tempted.

I would expect Fons to chime in.

Akira the copy i used was Thomas Stellwags a fine copy i may add i liked it a lot because of the low distortion,
iq is quite different from the 14-24

views of Frankfurt











i took many pictures that day i was in Frankfurt with Thomas, and our ladies.

i scanned for prices a near mint goes for €1595, and the f5.6 for €895

[Akira]

Fons, thanks for chiming in and sharing these intriguing images!

[Asle F]

I gave the 24/2 only one try, it was a dud. I was more lucky with the 20/2,8 and the wonderful 28/2.

I have given up the 20/2.8, the 20/3.5 is better in every ways. And my 24/2 and my 24/2.8 is about the same on the same aperture from f/2.8 and smaller. My 24/2 and my 28/2 is very similar.