Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AI or Nikkor 28mm f2.8 AIS
- Thread starter deleuze3
- Start date
WilliamGuy
Member
I have not used either personally... but have thoroughly researched this question myself in the past:
28/2.8: Many people rave about it being one of the sharpest AI-s lenses, which is certainly nice when most of these manual Nikkors need to be stopped down a bit to find clarity (which it still might). And as one of the cheaper Nikkor manual primes it certainly seems a bargain.
24/2.8: Despite the fact that many Nikkor Manual Prime rental sets include this lens as a full-frame wide option, many users complain about its less than brilliant performance, noting a less sharp image when used wise open. If you want an ultra-wide (or wide on APS-C) then I'd look at the 20/3.5 AI or the 20mm/2.8 AI-s (if you can afford it). Otherwise there is always the Tokina 11-16/2.8 if you aren't too fussed about manual primes.
Personally, there aren't many AI-s lenses out there that are utterly unusable. While some are far better than others I would consider your budget/quality priorities and make your decision off of that. If you really do want to scout out the best lens (whatever that means anyway!) then find some that you can rent/borrow for a day and see which you like best. If that is difficult with these old manual primes, it certainly isn't hard to find videos on YouTube and Vimeo that can give you adequate footage for comparison.
And again, let me stress that I haven't used these lenses personally... I only offer an aggregation of my research online, and many will disagree.
28/2.8: Many people rave about it being one of the sharpest AI-s lenses, which is certainly nice when most of these manual Nikkors need to be stopped down a bit to find clarity (which it still might). And as one of the cheaper Nikkor manual primes it certainly seems a bargain.
24/2.8: Despite the fact that many Nikkor Manual Prime rental sets include this lens as a full-frame wide option, many users complain about its less than brilliant performance, noting a less sharp image when used wise open. If you want an ultra-wide (or wide on APS-C) then I'd look at the 20/3.5 AI or the 20mm/2.8 AI-s (if you can afford it). Otherwise there is always the Tokina 11-16/2.8 if you aren't too fussed about manual primes.
Personally, there aren't many AI-s lenses out there that are utterly unusable. While some are far better than others I would consider your budget/quality priorities and make your decision off of that. If you really do want to scout out the best lens (whatever that means anyway!) then find some that you can rent/borrow for a day and see which you like best. If that is difficult with these old manual primes, it certainly isn't hard to find videos on YouTube and Vimeo that can give you adequate footage for comparison.
And again, let me stress that I haven't used these lenses personally... I only offer an aggregation of my research online, and many will disagree.
Last edited:
homestar_kevin
Well-known member
I've had both, I still have the 28.
The 24 is still a great lens, and I didn't have any problems with how it performed, I just like the 28mm focal length better.
The 24 is still a great lens, and I didn't have any problems with how it performed, I just like the 28mm focal length better.
Michael Carter
Veteran
28 is a dynamite FOV for APS-C.
The 28 AI-S is also a stellar performer for distortion, something you don't always get in a wide. It's supposedly one of the most distortion-free wides in existence?
And it has a freakin' aperture ring, which makes me feel happy and secure.
The 20mm 2.8 ha been the same formula from AIS days to the AF era... but it's not regarded as highly as the 28.
The 28 AI-S is also a stellar performer for distortion, something you don't always get in a wide. It's supposedly one of the most distortion-free wides in existence?
And it has a freakin' aperture ring, which makes me feel happy and secure.
The 20mm 2.8 ha been the same formula from AIS days to the AF era... but it's not regarded as highly as the 28.
I like the 28mm on crop for shooting video of a subject (it shows a bit of background but doesnt make the subject disappear)
For wider shot, establishing shot, showing the subject in environnement, i will buy a nikkor 20mm 2.8 or 3.5. it depends.
Viva Nikkor lenses!! Hourra
For wider shot, establishing shot, showing the subject in environnement, i will buy a nikkor 20mm 2.8 or 3.5. it depends.
Viva Nikkor lenses!! Hourra