Nikon AF NIKKOR 24mm F 2 8D Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor is a lightweight and compact prime lens weighing just 269g, originally designed for film cameras but fully compatible with both FX (full-frame) and DX (sub-frame) digital bodies, where it offers a 42mm equivalent field of view. Optically, the lens delivers a generous "sweet spot" of sharpness in the center when shot wide open at f/2.8, and it becomes extremely sharp across the frame when stopped down to f/5.6 or smaller, particularly on modern DSLR bodies that feature automatic chromatic aberration removal. Its physical build includes a metal lens mount, an honest-to-goodness manual aperture ring with a lock switch, and a non-rotating 52mm filter thread, making it a highly portable and affordable option at around $350. However, the lens shows several limitations due to its legacy 1980s mechanical design. Its primary con is the reliance on a camera-driven mechanical screw drive for autofocus, meaning it completely lacks autofocus capabilities on entry-level, screw-less Nikon bodies like the D40, D60, and D5000. Optically, it suffers from significant corner softness and prominent chromatic aberrations when used wide open...

The LensTip review of the Nikon Nikkor AF 24 mm f/2.8D concludes that while the lens features a highly compact design and solid build quality, its overall optical performance is heavily split between the center and the edges of the frame. On the positive side (pros), the lens delivers excellent center sharpness even wide open at f/2.8, rapidly exceeding 40 lpmm as it stops down. It also boasts very low levels of distortion for a retrofocus wide-angle optic, offers well-balanced color rendition, and handles filters with ease due to its non-rotating front element. Its wide 84-degree field of view on full frame adapts well to journalistic and street photography, turning into a classic 35mm equivalent on APS-C/DX crop sensors. However, the lens falls short on modern high-resolution sensors due to several prominent flaws (cons), leading LensTip to ultimately question its value proposition against newer alternatives. The testers observed weak image quality at the edges of the frame, which suffers from softness and lacks uniform resolution unless stopped down heavily to f/5.6 or f/11. Furthermore, the lens exhibits high coma, noticeable...

The Nikkor AF 24mm f/2.8 D delivers very good sharpness in the image center at wide apertures, which improves to excellent levels when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8. Structurally, it features a very good, robust build quality while remaining compact and lightweight, making it highly portable for travel. Additionally, vignetting is easily controlled and becomes practically irrelevant when stopping down, while barrel distortion remains only moderate on DX format cameras. On the downside, the lens suffers from rather soft image borders and corners when wide open, reaching only fair performance values at the extreme edges even when stopped down. Chromatic aberrations are quite pronounced and increase significantly as the lens is stopped down, which degrades perceived sharpness. Furthermore, the bokeh exhibits an unpleasant, nervous quality with outlining and distorted background highlights. Mechanically, it lacks an internal autofocus motor, meaning it will not autofocus on Nikon's entry-level DX DSLR bodies.

The Oleg Novikov Photography review concludes that the AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D is a lightweight, compact, and affordable optic well-suited for full-frame landscape photography, especially when stopped down to f/11. Among its major pros are its solid build quality featuring a metal mount, a non-rotating plastic filter thread that simplifies using polarizers, and a Near-Range Correction (CRC) system that elevates close-up performance. Additionally, it boasts fast, precise, and quiet autofocus on bodies with an internal motor (like the Nikon D700), strong flare control even when shooting into the sun, and excellent center sharpness starting at f/2.8. Conversely, the lens suffers from notable optical flaws at wide apertures, making it less ideal as a general-purpose choice. The most prominent cons include heavy vignetting at f/2.8 that mimics overall underexposure and proves difficult to correct in post-processing, along with noticeably soft corners and very soft farthest corners between f/2.8 and f/5.6. It also displays complex "mustache" barrel distortion at close distances, minor chromatic aberration along contrasty edges, and a somewhat harsh bokeh profile at f/2.8. Finally, because it relies on the camera...

The reviewed Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D is a compact wide-angle prime lens with an unchanged optical formula dating back to 1977. Notable positives highlighted in the review include its highly portable size and weight, alongside useful features like dedicated Depth of Field (DOF) and Infrared compensation markings. Additionally, the integration of Nikon’s Close-Range Correction System (CRC) and the mechanical "D" technology provide reliable distance information for optimized flash photography. Despite these strengths, the reviewer outlines several critical drawbacks that severely limit its optical performance, particularly for landscape photography. The lens exhibits very strong vignetting from f/2.8 through f/8, exceptionally high chromatic aberrations, and soft corners that require stopping down to at least f/8 to control. Furthermore, coma remains an issue until reaching f/5.6, the required lens hood is not included, and the outdated screw-drive system will not autofocus on lower-end entry-level Nikon DSLRs. Ultimately, the verdict advises photographers to skip this vintage model, concluding that even cheap, modern zoom lenses significantly outperform it.

The Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D is highlighted as a compact, lightweight, and robust entry-level lens featuring a durable metal mount and manual aperture control. It delivers sharp, high-quality images with effective Close Range Correction (CRC) for close-up performance, particularly when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8. YouTube ·Kris’ Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, including heavy vignetting and soft corners at the maximum f/2.8 aperture, which require stopping down for optimal results. Additionally, the lens uses a screw-driven autofocus mechanism that lacks an internal motor, restricting autofocus capabilities on certain DSLR and mirrorless bodies.