Andy, I'm loving the photos from India but I'd invite you to mention which lens you're using for each shot or set of shots as Glen did above. Many who visit this thread are considering which lens might be a good addition to their kit. We all know these lenses are excellent performers but knowing which lens delivers which result could be useful, even inspiring for some of our regulars. I can't tell you how many times I've been motivated to shoot with one of the lenses in my cabinet after seeing photos on this thread taken with that lens. We are, after all, a gear thread and not simply a photo appreciation thread. Thanks.
I am interested in getting an older Nikkor 24mm f2.8 manual focus lens. My main use will be for landscapes.
I have read that the older non-AI versions had 9 elements in 7 groups, while the AI/AIS versions had 9 lenses in 9 groups. Is there a noticeable difference in IQ between the two, especially when comparing the coated NC version of the non-AI? I am thinking Nikon wouldn't have made such a change without a reason. I have seen a few very old discussions on this topic - like 15 years old. I thought I would seek a more current opinion.
I will be using it on a Df, so it doesn't matter to me whether its AI or not.
I am interested in getting an older Nikkor 24mm f2.8 manual focus lens. My main use will be for landscapes.
I have read that the older non-AI versions had 9 elements in 7 groups, while the AI/AIS versions had 9 lenses in 9 groups. Is there a noticeable difference in IQ between the two, especially when comparing the coated NC version of the non-AI? I am thinking Nikon wouldn't have made such a change without a reason. I have seen a few very old discussions on this topic - like 15 years old. I thought I would seek a more current opinion.
I will be using it on a Df, so it doesn't matter to me whether its AI or not.
If your name means anything about the color of your hair/beard, you've definitely come to the right place for an answer. We have many contemporaries who have experience with these lenses, not only from work today but from yesteryear when these beauties first came on the scene.
If I've learned anything during the years I've been playing with these lenses, its that one should never assume that later changes in design make a lens "better." That is because beauty is so much in the eye of the beholder and often times the aberrations that later lenses are trying to remove add interest and charm that some find quite delicious.
I bought only AI-s lenses when I began this journey and was delighted with the results. Then a fellow from Australia showed up with a kit filled with pre-AI lenses and dropped photos on the thread that captured my fancy. For the next four or five years I began buying pre-AI lenses with the AI conversion kit installed, that because I was shooting with the D700 at the time and had NO interest in hacking up aperture rings. I like beautiful lenses to remain beautiful.
What I found was that uniformly, the earlier lens designs were every bit as satisfying to my aesthetic taste as the later manual focus lenses. You mention the 24 f/2.8 N.C. which became my FAVORITE lens at that focal length. Here's the lens I bought for the princely sum of $104...
And here is a photo I took with it that is one of my TOP 15...
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with that lens. Many folks on this thread are using it and enjoying how it performs. AND it is beautiful when mounted on a Df which is the camera I'm using at the moment. And once you start taking photos, come on back to the thread to show us your work. You're always welcome.
Zichar wrote:
Thanks guys. I think my worldview leans towards stoicism so I'm still chugging along. Just need to remind myself to self-care every now and then.
The ubiquitous cat in a Japanese shrine, with the 50 1.2 AIS
If we could ALL experience the contentment a cat who is well fed regularly finds the world would be a much saner place and we would all be much happier. Definitely Chin, self-care is at the heart of it all. It is when we're well cared for that we actually have something to offer those we love... ourselves, fully present. Keep chugging along friend...
Yes, I am a little "long in the tooth". Thanks for your reply, and I will await additional responses. My 'aesthetic" preference are for the older, scalloped lenses - but I am trying to not let looks trump performance (its difficult).
One question - despite your glowing affection for the NC variant, on the very fist post on this forum you show a selection of your lenses and they are are all AI-s, including the 24 f2.8. I realize that was about 8-1/2 years ago. So do you have both now? Despite alluding to the different "character" of NC vs AI-s, do you notice any differences in sharpness that may play into a decision, given the intended use as a landscape lens?
Yes, I am a little "long in the tooth". Thanks for your reply, and I will await additional responses. My 'aesthetic" preference are for the older, scalloped lenses - but I am trying to not let looks trump performance (its difficult).
One question - despite your glowing affection for the NC variant, on the very fist post on this forum you show a selection of your lenses and they are are all AI-s, including the 24 f2.8. I realize that was about 8-1/2 years ago. So do you have both now? Despite alluding to the different "character" of NC vs AI-s, do you notice any differences in sharpness that may play into a decision, given the intended use as a landscape lens?...Show more →
Thanks for the invitation to post photos. The problem is - to which forum should I post - the Df forum (not much going on there), or this one. Difficult choice.
Right now I can't post anything from my computer as I do not have a paid subscription
The 24mm f2,8 Nikkor N.C is sharp, even at 36 Mpix. Some of these older lenses fare better then others, but reading that you want to use the lens on a Nikon Df, there is nothing to worry about. 12 or 16 Mpix is quite generous, and even the less stellar lenses do perfectly fine on these lower resolution cameras.
I owned the 24 f2,8 Nikkor N.C for a few years, and mainly sold it because I almost always grabbed the 20mm f3,5 Nikkor UD instead. The 20mm f3,5 Nikkor UD recently surprised me and surpassed expectations I had of that lens on a D800.
graytrekker wrote:
Mr. Grindahl:
Yes, I am a little "long in the tooth". Thanks for your reply, and I will await additional responses. My 'aesthetic" preference are for the older, scalloped lenses - but I am trying to not let looks trump performance (its difficult).
One question - despite your glowing affection for the NC variant, on the very fist post on this forum you show a selection of your lenses and they are are all AI-s, including the 24 f2.8. I realize that was about 8-1/2 years ago. So do you have both now? Despite alluding to the different "character" of NC vs AI-s, do you notice any differences in sharpness that may play into a decision, given the intended use as a landscape lens?...Show more →
Stoicism I do well too. In a bit of a pickle here as well. I should have had the keys to the new home last week already, but due to an involved bank not doing what it should, everything is on hold....
....which would be fine, having 175k in my bank account and all,but I have to be out of my current home by the end of the month and time is running
Zichar wrote:
Thanks guys. I think my worldview leans towards stoicism so I'm still chugging along. Just need to remind myself to self-care every now and then.
The ubiquitous cat in a Japanese shrine, with the 50 1.2 AIS
Thanks for the invitation to post photos. The problem is - to which forum should I post - the Df forum (not much going on there), or this one. Difficult choice.
Right now I can't post anything from my computer as I do not have a paid subscription
GT
You can post right from flickr, just copy and paste the BBCode found from clicking on the little arrow in the bottom right of each image.
I am interested in getting an older Nikkor 24mm f2.8 manual focus lens. My main use will be for landscapes.
I have read that the older non-AI versions had 9 elements in 7 groups, while the AI/AIS versions had 9 lenses in 9 groups. Is there a noticeable difference in IQ between the two, especially when comparing the coated NC version of the non-AI? I am thinking Nikon wouldn't have made such a change without a reason. I have seen a few very old discussions on this topic - like 15 years old. I thought I would seek a more current opinion.
I will be using it on a Df, so it doesn't matter to me whether its AI or not.
I really like the lens because it works extremely well in IR and is my preferred focal length for close-up street photography in FX and IR DX. Bear in mind a lot on my street shooting involves continuous walk-by movement so don't judge the lens due to my inadequate shutter speed or zone focus not being spot on.
I recently compared this lens to my 18-35 G ED at 24mm.
The NC held up really well against the modern wide-angled AF zoom but in my limited testing I would say the AF zoom was a little sharper at infinity when pixel peeping.
There is just something about the 24/2.8 NC that means it is always in my camera bag.
The 18-35 loses out and stays at home because it is soft and mushy at IR wavelengths due to its modern lens coatings
Curtis, unfortunately, the Fuji xt1 I was using does not record the relevant exit. However unless noted, pretty much all the wide shots are with the 28/2 ais.
Generally I would have the 28 on camera and pick 1 from my other lenses, the pool consisted of 85/1.4, 105/1.8, 135/2 and 180/2.8ED but I couldn't tell you which was used.
Of course I am switching to a Z6 in a week or so with the FTZ adapter and that too does not record exit information from our mf lenses but then I won't be on a 4 month trip taking 4000 pics so will have no excuse then 😄
I will endeavour to add the lens whenever possible though.
Andy
CGrindahl wrote:
Andy, I'm loving the photos from India but I'd invite you to mention which lens you're using for each shot or set of shots as Glen did above. Many who visit this thread are considering which lens might be a good addition to their kit. We all know these lenses are excellent performers but knowing which lens delivers which result could be useful, even inspiring for some of our regulars. I can't tell you how many times I've been motivated to shoot with one of the lenses in my cabinet after seeing photos on this thread taken with that lens. We are, after all, a gear thread and not simply a photo appreciation thread. Thanks. ...Show more →
The 20mm lens is another one I am researching. I think I asked about it here awhile back, but didn't get much of a response. Opinions on the various Nikkor variants of this focal length seem to vary, with some liking different ones to others saying none of them are that good and get the 1.8G AF. The only head-to-head comparison I have seen is on Ken Rockwell's site. He also included the Voigtlander. In his test (not sure just what all the parameters were), the UD fared the worst, and the f2.8/Voigtlander the best. I have read Galen Rowell enjoyed the f4, but maybe because it was the smallest so fit better for his adventuring needs.
My use would be mainly for astro. Opinions on the 20s is also welcome.
The 20mm lens is another one I am researching. I think I asked about it here awhile back, but didn't get much of a response. Opinions on the various Nikkor variants of this focal length seem to vary, with some liking different ones to others saying none of them are that good and get the 1.8G AF. The only head-to-head comparison I have seen is on Ken Rockwell's site. He also included the Voigtlander. In his test (not sure just what all the parameters were), the UD fared the worst, and the f2.8/Voigtlander the best. I have read Galen Rowell enjoyed the f4, but maybe because it was the smallest so fit better for his adventuring needs.
My use would be mainly for astro. Opinions on the 20s is also welcome.
My 16/3.5 fisheye makes a cleaner job for similar shutter speed, ISO and aperture.
This one is a pano so maybe not a fair comparison to the single frame 24mm
