Field Review: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4 G ED (Day 2)

Last Updated on 06/24/2011 by Chris Gampat

Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30) Aperture f/5.6 Focal Length 24 mm ISO Speed 800

I did not want to go to my day job on the second day of testing this lens, but I had to. What I wanted to do was stay out all day. I wanted to stay out and play with the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G ED AF-S RF SWM lensall day and all night. But alas, I could not. What I was able to do was visit Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey and evaluate its wide angle, low light, and motion capabilities. I also found myself looking at the sharpness in low light and paying attention to how the autofocus worked.

Gear used

Nikon D90

Nikon 24mm f/1.4G ED AF-S RF SWM lens

EasyTag GPS device

Black Coffee

Let’s Go Wide

On my Nikon D90, which has a DX Format sensor that measures at 24×16 mm, the lens has a 61 degree angle of view at 36mm. When shooting a big area, the shots get a lot of detail. I was pretty impressed there. I was shooting at ISO 800 to keep my shutter speeds fast in the early morning hours. The lens picked up lights from the buildings across the Hudson River as well as a huge range of space. From where I was standing,I was able to capture the Greenwich Village area, Central Park, and a big chunk of sky.

Using This Lens for Landscape

Because of this lens’ angle of view and its sharpness, it’s an excellent lensfor landscape photography. The lens adds a lot a depth to an image compared to a lens with a longer focal length; especially if you are in a position lower than the landscape you intent on photographing.

Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40) Aperture f/5.6 Focal Length 24 mm ISO Speed 400

Sharpness

This lens is extremely sharp, like a katana sharpened by a master sword smith. There is a certain magic to this lens. The Nikon 24mm F1.4is impressively sharp from f/1.4 up around f/16. After that, there is some defraction.

Exposure 0.04 sec (1/25) Aperture f/5.6 Focal Length 24 mm ISO Speed 800

Autofocus

The autofocus on this lens seems spot on all the time. All the focus points on my Nikon D90 hit extremely quickly. The autofocus speed is one of the fastest I have ever seen on my Nikon. It’s quiet and there are no elements moving on the outside. This is because of the internal focusing technology.

Exposure 0.04 sec (1/25) Aperture f/4.0 Focal Length 24 mm ISO Speed 320

Taking Photos on A Moving Train

To play with the autofocus some more, I took some shots while on the train to work. While the train was in motion I got some great shots using continuous autofocus. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4 G EDand the Nikon D90performed admirably together; keeping the images as sharp as possible. This is doubly impressive considering we were moving at a decent speed. The autofocus of the lens hit every spot focused on while moving.

Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60) Aperture f/4.0 Focal Length 24 mm ISO Speed 320

This lens has quickly become one of my favorites.

More to come in the field review.

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