Nikkor 24mm f/2 Ai-S!!!

[Øivind Tøien]

The one copy of the 24 f/2.8  f/2 AIS that I tested did not seem dull, but while it resolved fairly well in the center, edges were far from sharp at infinity, and did not quite recover when stopped down to f/8.

Attached examples resized frames with D7100 handheld at f/2, f/2.8 and f/8, then 100% edge crops at f/2, f/2.8 and f/8 and a center crop at f/2.8 and f/8.

[Edit: Oops- this was f/2 version as in the thread title,  not the f/2.8 version. Sorry for the confusion, now corrected and it is should be clear from the rest of the text too.]

[richardHaw]

same as my findings, the corners look terrible until f/5.6 but it still looks ugly compared to the center
this behaviour is what I call "art" lens

[Birna Rørslett]

My two copies of the 24/2.8 AIS never convinced me in the same manner as the first ones I used many decades ago, viz. first the 24/2.8 N then the NC (first version with multi-coating). Both ended at f/16 on the aperture scale. They had a character in their drawing dissimilar to the later models.

In fact, I purchased a nice NC version that had been AI-converted a few years back to enjoy its performance on my Df. I still have one of the f/2.8 samples but use it rarely these days.

[Snoogly]

After a lot of back and forth between N, NC, and K, I purchased a K 2.8 today. But I already regret not going for an earlier version - even just taking the form factor into consideration.

[richardHaw]

in every discussion about the 24/2 the 24/2.8 always comes in

its like talking about cyndi lauper back then but boy george always gets into the conversation not that boy george or the 24/2.8 are bad or anything, its just hard to talk about one without mentioning the other

[Øivind Tøien]

Yes, even when one do not intend to, f/2.8 seems to creep in, see my correction above. 

[richardHaw]

Yes, even when one do not intend to, f/2.8 seems to creep in, see my correction above. 

that sure confused me awhile ago

[Birna Rørslett]

To bring us back on track, I just noticed how much convincing the f/2 AIS is at f/2.8 compared to the f/2.8 models.

[richardHaw]

To bring us back on track, I just noticed how much convincing the f/2 AIS is at f/2.8 compared to the f/2.8 models.

I haven't compared the corners, I think thats where the biggest difference should be seen

[Birna Rørslett]

Here is an example for which the pleasantness of the 24/2 prevails. The sharpness zone gradually fades into the background so everything is rendered in a buttery smooth manner. Add the Df and everything improves ever so much.

[pluton]

An idea could be to get a cheap AFS 17-35/2.8. Maybe one that "squeaks" and does not autofocus well and then just use it with MF. Then set it to 24mm and use is as a 24mm lens. I think it performs very well at 24mm and much better than the AF 24/2.8 I had. The disadvantage is that 17-35 is a bit heavy......but if it is very cheap......

<Endorse^^^.  My copy of the 17-35/2.8 is very, very good at 24mm.

[Snoogly]

An idea could be to get a cheap AFS 17-35/2.8. Maybe one that "squeaks" and does not autofocus well and then just use it with MF. Then set it to 24mm and use is as a 24mm lens. I think it performs very well at 24mm and much better than the AF 24/2.8 I had. The disadvantage is that 17-35 is a bit heavy......but if it is very cheap......

An ideal candidate! Does not autofocus any more.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-17-35mm-1-2-8D-ED-Lens/133669701234?hash=item1f1f55c672:g:Ye4AAOSwxjZgL8I4

[MEPER]

That seems to be a very good deal for such a nice lens.
The chip probably still works which is an advantage compared to a pure manual focus lens.

[Birna Rørslett]

The CPU chip is more robust than the AFS mechanism ....

However, if one is going to use the AFS 17-35/2.8 as a substitute for a (manual) 24mm lens, there is a heavy weight penality to pay Handling the 17-35 as a purely manual lens is inferior too.

[Birna Rørslett]

Properly adjusted, the CRC feature of the 24/2 AIS ensures a very impressive close-focus performance.  100% crops centre and corner of a snapshot of my bookshelf with the lens set to f/2 (Df, ISO 640) illustrate this aspect nicely. Apart from a slight veiling flare evident into the corners of the frame, every detail is crisp and clear even with the lens set wide open. The K3 split-screen on my Df helped me getting optimal focus. For an essentially flat-field subject such as this, you cannot miss the focus mark by much before the whole frame goes murky and all detail is lost.

Centre crop first, then corner. both 100%. The Df was hand-held and shutter speed was 1/40 sec for f/2. There is obvious barrel distortion up close, like with the 35/1.4 AIS. I left this as is.