Last Updated on 05/02/2016 by Chris Gampat
Nikon has created an incredible lineup of f1.8 lenses for those of us who can’t afford some of the higher end products. We’ve been waiting a while for the 24mm f1.8–and thankfully it doesn’t disappoint. Nikon’s lenses have always been stellar, and when you use the 24mm f1.8, you don’t really think that you’re using a typical f1.8 lens.
With seven aperture blades, 12 elements in 9 groups and a weight of 12.6 oz, you’ll probably never want to take it off of your camera.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Surprisingly sharp
- Lightweight, you’ll never want to take it off of your camera
- Nice bokeh
- Great colors
- Fast autofocus and very accurate overall
Cons
Gear Used
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G was tested with the Nikon D750 and the Adorama Flashpoint Zoom LiOn flash.
Tech Specs
Specs taken from the Nikon listing page
Focal length | 24 mm |
---|---|
Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
Minimum aperture | f/16 |
Lens construction | 12 elements in 9 groups (including two ED glass and two aspherical lens elements, and lens elements with Nano Crystal Coat) |
Angle of view | Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras: 84° Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras: 61° |
Minimum focus distance | 0.23 m/0.75 ft from focal plane |
Maximum reproduction ratio | 0.20x |
No. of diaphragm blades | 7 (rounded diaphragm opening) |
Filter-attachment size | 72 mm (P = 0.75 mm) |
Dimensions | Approximately 77.5 mm maximum diameter x 83.0 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange) |
Weight | Approximately 355 g/12.6 oz |
Supplied accessories | LC-72 72 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap, LF-4 Rear Lens Cap, HB-76 Bayonet Hood, CL-1015 Lens Case |
Compatible accessories | 72 mm screw-on filters |
Ergonomics
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G is a lens that is pretty small, light weigh and works very well. Most of the body is characterized by textured plastic with the exception of the large rubber focusing ring. With the lens hood attached, you’ll have a larger package overall.
Take the hood off and it will be a smaller package. However, you’ll want to use the 72mm filter thread to put on a UV filter. That way the front element is protected.
Tilt the lens to the side and what you’ll find is the focusing switch. That’s all that there is in terms of controls on the lens.
Build Quality
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G lens is one of the company’s lower tier of lenses above lots of their zooms. It is a full frame lens without weather sealing or VR. So just keep that in mind. For what it’s worth though, I took it out during a slight rainfall and it was fine. However, I wouldn’t recommend that to everyone.
Ease of Use
Essentially what you do to use this lens is you slap it onto the camera, set it to autofocus, point, shoot and be happy with your images. It’s really that simple. The AF also has a manual override, so that makes it simpler for what it’s worth.
When switched in manual focus and using the viewfinder, the Nikon rangefinder system takes over. To date, this is the single best way of using manual focus lenses on a DSLR.
Autofocus
The Nikon D750 and the Nikon 24mm f1.8 G focus very quickly together in both good and bad lighting. It’s nice; and in every situation the camera and lens never seemed to miss its target. Surely, you’re getting what you paid for.
Image Quality
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G is a lens that offers really amazing image quality. In fact, if you really don’t need to shoot at f1.4, then this is more than good enough as a suitable alternative. Nikon’s 24mm f1.8 holds it own with many other options out there. And to be honest, if I were a Nikon user I would even consider buying one.
Bokeh
The bokeh from this lens is very, very nice. It’s creamy, beautiful and very much there. However, it’s only really there when you focus on something that is pretty close up. Otherwise, consider the fact that this is a 24mm lens and otherwise you’re not really going to get a ton of bokeh.
Again though, for what it is, it’s very nice.
Sharpness
This is where I was really taken aback, I didn’t expect this lens to be this ridiculously sharp. However, it is perhaps one of the sharpest wide angle lenses I’ve ever tested. For the landscape, architecture and real estate photographers that will consider going for this lens, know that there is a lot going for this lens.
Color Rendition
Nikon’s colors are punchy though still natural. They’re not quite like Fujifilm or Sony; but the colors are very nice. Use them with Nikon’s camera color profiles for the best results.
Color Fringing
In my testing, I found very little color fringing. Anything that was found was easily removed with Adobe Lightroom by pushing a slider. When looking at images as a whole though, you’re not going to see the purple fringing–only when looking at the images at 100%.
Extra Image Samples
Conclusions
Likes
- Very sharp image quality
- Great color
- Lightweight
- Pretty good bokeh
Dislikes
- Quite pricy for what it is.
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G is a lens that can give its owner very great image quality potential when combined with a good creative vision. It’s got pretty good bokeh, is sharp, offers great colors and is light weight. On top of this, it is fast and accurate in the focusing department. For the higher end enthusiast, this is a no brainer to purchase. But to the more budget conscious photographer, be sure to really save up and consider whether or not you really need it.
The Nikon 24mm f1.8 G receives five out of five stars. Want one? Check out Amazon’s listing for $746.95.
Recommended Cameras
Nikon D750: Shoot photos and then beam them to Instagram with this camera.