AF-S NIKKOR
24mm f/1.4G ED
Compelling wide-angle perspective combined with an ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture serves the needs of demanding professionals in exacting conditions.
$2,199.95*SRPSRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Close
Supplied Accessories
HB-51 Bayonet Lens Hood
LC-77 Snap-On Front Lens Cap
LF-1 Rear Lens Cap
CL-1118 Soft Case
/Views/87_4923_CL-1118-Soft-Lens-Case-(repl)_front.png)
AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
21
21
Finest Modern Nikkor yet tried
Along with a normal lens ( currently 50mm F/1.4 AF-D & AIS choices ) I live in wide angle country. I preferred a 35mm but went to a 24mm when doing an article, then some spreads in NYC. I felt freed using a 24mm in tight city streets. That was almost 30 years ago. Having been shooting various 24mms ever since. Mostly Nikkors, then some Leitz’s & Zeiss, but also on set using Canon, Pentax
And this one is good. Which is direct opposition to what I have found with most modern Nikkor lenses. They seem to be dummied down to the quality of digital sensors, compromising on saturation, depth, richness and just plain biting contrast that rocks you out of your seat. Nikon should have improved the sensors to match the glass, rather than compromised the glass to match the sensors. Alas, modern society.
This 24mm G lens also shares this characteristic, but to a surprisingly low degree. It is truly sharp, edge to edge from 2.8 down, and close wide open. I see no practical distortion, which of late has been rampant amongst modern Nikkors and my biggest customer complaint. They will no longer buy images with noticeable distortion. So on this account I would buy this lens alone.
In fact, it appears so sharp, I can see the hairs on the inner eye lids on a half length portrait shot at F /4.0, hand held under incandescent light at 1/15 of a second.on an old D90.
It’s color is also extraordinary. It is actually both it’s greatest feature and noticeable flaw. It is so pure - refined and delicate are better words. Elegant in fact. Separating different tones distinctly and continuously. On Velvia film this attribute is so awesome it will make you weep. Hypnotic.
Yea, the auto focus blows. As it does on every G lens I have used, in comparison of course to older D Nikkors. But it’s manual focusing is extraordinary. It almost ( but doesn’t and perhaps cannot ) matches a manual focus Nikkor in response, control and usability.
Now for the dark side. The strangest thing is that whilst it is so sharp it’s image for want of a better word looks papery. Almost like it was “painted on”. Again, I have noticed this in all modern Nikkors. Less so here than elsewhere, but still noticeable. And as superb as the color is, and it is superb, the shadows go that blue gray/cyan color. Seen this too on most modern Nikkors. Probably the Nano coat ( if it does anything other than help marking propaganda ). I actually don’t mind this characteristic as much as other things. But if shoot fashion or other high end stuff where people demand ( and deserve ) perfection you may have a problem.
And of course, despite it’s Nano coat rave rave reviews, whether real or planted/paid off, the lens flares more than most older Nikkors. Clearly more than any of my old Nikkor 24mms – F/2.0, F2.8 wither AF-D or AIS. Not like the new 50mm F/1.4G which is basically useless to me for a variety of it’s many serious shortcomings, including it’s tremendous propensity to flare. But still problematic. So care needs to be exerted in cross or close light.
But it’s big issues that regulate this lens to lesser use than the older AIS & AF-D 24s is it’s lack of bite and three dimensionality. It just doesn’t have that killer bite. That depth. Of color and overall weight. And that magic “glow”. The Leica Look if you will. Not that a lot of Nikkors do. But many of the older “pro” targeted lenses did. You would think modern technology could give us that. Or perhaps manufactures just don’t care? Unknown. But in comparison to my older Nikkor 24mm F/2.0 AIS the images suffers in this area. The old 24mm F/2.0 AIS image looks like you are there. It jumps. It’s so real, you think you can reach out an touch it. I think this may be a function of the G lenses lack of biting contrast. In comparison it is quite shocking. Because looking at the G lens image in isolation it is great. But not side by side. And the Nikkor 24mm F/2.0 AIS’s reputation is actually horrible, despite it’s extreme popularity ( and subsequent extreme used selling price ) in some quarters. And it is at least partially justified in some samples. It usually had very low contrast and limited sharpness. But I have 3 good ones ( out of 30 trys ). And they still are very suspect lenses. Still whilst the 24mm F/2.0 AIS relatively low in contrast, it is significantly snappier and more biting than the G lens. And the sharpness of the old lens also has a terrible rep. But I have good ones and would say that perhaps they remain sharper than the G lens. Hard to tell and the older lense just jumps and hits harder. And the G lens color - despite it's greatness does not suprass the old lens. Despite the AIS F/2.0's somewhat less ( noticably but slight # refinement in color, it the AIS is more accurate and more realistic. And the Nikkor 24mm F/2.8 AF-D or AIS is even better than the F/2.0 AIS # If you get a good one - good luck! #.
The flaws should be taken into context. As they are strictly in comparison to older “golden age of western manufacturing” products. Compared to newer Nikkors or other Japanese manufacture’s modern lenses I would say this is the best I have used. If you have owned a new 85mm F/1.4G or 35mm F/1.8 and have seen it’s image as wanting # after 3 tries each dumped mine a while back ) you will understand the problem. That is not the case here.
I would say this is the finest modern Nikkor available. A great piece of glass. Highly recommended and should be the high speed auto focus wide angle of choice in anybody;'s bag. It is in mine. I hope the 35mm G F/1.4 is as good, will get one too love the length. Good shooting.
January 26, 2012
Sharp Fast Low Light
Love it ! Great crisp fast wide angle. Did not pick up my 70-24 the whole day of shooting. I have put my zooms aside and only use my 200 F2G VRII, 85 1.4 G, 50 1.4 G, and this amazing lens as my shooting lenses.
September 26, 2011
Edge soft and corner distortion at 17mm
I have used this lens for more than two years. At 17mm, edge is soft and corner is distorted. I would recommend the 17 to 35 F2.8D or 24 mm F1.4G.
July 31, 2011
Great lens. Heavy.
Look, everyone needs to evaluate what their kit will consist of. Are you carrying zooms or primes? If you're a prime shooter, the 24, 50, 85 are great lenses. Maybe even the 105 micro. However, this lens is as good as it gets for a wide angle prime lens. Sure, there are wider choices, but @ f1.4 you get a pretty darn fast lens. More importantly, on a DX sensor, you're getting a 35mm...one of the best focal lengths available for every day shooting. Sure, you could get a slower 24 and muck with your ISO settings, but I hate doing that. This is a great lens. Sharp to the edges. Wish it had VR, but no standard or wide angle Nikkors have VR. Not the 24, 35, 50, 60, or 85. So, you get what you can get and with f1.4, you have lots of choices to freeze the action and get some great bokeh.
May 19, 2011
Amazing
This is my favorite lens. 24mm is just the focal length that seems to suit me.
Sometimes I want it slightly wider, but then I use the 14-24. For most things though, this smaller, lighter prime is just the ticket. Most of the time it simply amazes me... it's my workhorse lens!
I'm very keen on getting close to my subjects--this lens lets me get right in there when I want to!
May 12, 2011
Industry Recognition
2 Questions | 3 Answers
Product Q&A
Ask your questions. Share your answers.
2 Questions | 3 Answers
Have a new question?
Ask a new question Search the Product Forum
All Questions
1 of 1
All
All
Can this be used with D300
3 months, 2 weeks ago
by
Manish
San Francisco
Location :
San Francisco
Age: 25-34
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
yes,Answer:
Yes.8 months ago
by
SP
Age: 35-44
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: Less than a month
Role: Occasional user, memory keeper
1 answer
Answers
Answer:
Yes, this lens is compatible with the D5000.1 of 1
1 of 1
Close
Award Winner
Popular Photography 2010 POP Award
Popular Photography magazine awarded the NIKKOR AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED lens with a 2010 POP Award. The lens received top scores during testing by the magazine's test lab, for its sharpness and close focus capabilities. The award highlights Photography's Outstanding Products, as chosen by the magazine.
We’ll keep track of the products you view here.