The AF-S Nikkor 24mm F1. 8G ED was first announced back in August 2015. It joins Nikon's growing family of modern full frame primes alongside the 20mm F1. 8G, 28mm F1. 8G, 35mm F1. 8G, 85mm F1.
8G and the 50mm F1. 8G. It's priced at just under $750 making it a well matched option to be paired with cameras like the Nikon D610 and the Nikon D750. The Nikkor can also be used on DX format cameras with an equivalent focal length of 36mm.
This fast wide-angle prime will most likely appeal to architecture, landscape and portrait or wedding photographers. Additionally, the F1. 8 max aperture may come in handy for those looking to utilize the lens for astrophotography work as well.
At 24mm the lens is Nikon's second widest modern prime option to date, coming in just behind the Nikkor 20mm lens. It's worth noting that there are a few other options at 24mm that potential buyers should definitely be aware of. One of those options is the slightly faster Sigma 24mm F1. 4 DG HSM Art that comes in at just under $850.
The Sigma 24mm can be seen mounted on a Nikon D810 on the left and the Nikkor 24mm can be seen mounted on a D810 on the right.
Although the Sigma is a bit pricier, it is a sensible alternate option for folks looking for a lens at this focal length. By comparison the Nikkor 24mm F1. 4G ED is is priced at just under $2000 which makes the Sigma version that much more attractive to potential buyers. We will be taking a closer look at the Nikkor 24mm F1. 8G and the Sigma 24mm F1. 4 as an alternative lens option in this review.
APS-C
If you're an APS-C shooter the 36mm equivalent focal length with an equivalent aperture of F2. 7 will be a nice addition to your lens kit, being flexible enough to allow environmental and photojournalistic portraits while still being wide enough to accommodate for some landscape and architectural photography as well. It is worth noting however that if you're looking to purchase this lens for an APS-C camera, then other options, such as Sigma's 18-35mm F1. 8 lens, might be a better alternative for the money. For this reason, we're not going to consider this lens for use on APS-C in this review.
Nikkor 24mm F1. 8G ED Headline Features
24mm Focal Length
F1. 8 Maximum Aperture
'Silent wave' focus motor with full-time manual override
F-mount FX format lens, works on both DX and FX format Nikon SLRs
Accepts standard screw-type 72mm Filters
Lens Specifications
AF-S Nikkor 24mm F1. 8G ED
Sigma 24mm F1. 4 DG HSM A (Nikon Mount)
Price (MSRP)
$745
$849
Announced
2015
2015
Lens Type
Wide Angle Prime
Wide Angle Prime
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Nikon F
Max Format Size
35mm FF
35mm FF
Focal Length
24mm
24mm
Image Stabilization
No
No
Max Aperture
F1. 8
F1. 4
Minimum Aperture
F16
F16
Aperture Ring
No
No
Diaphragm Blades
7 (rounded)
9 (rounded)
Elements
12
15
Groups
9
11
Special Elements/Coatings
2 extra-LD glass elements and 2 aspherical elements, Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating
2 aspherical elements, 3 FLD and 4 SLD glass elements coupled with Multi Layer Coatings
Minimum Focus
23cm (9. 1")
25cm (9. 9")
Maximum Magnification
0. 2x
0. 19x
Autofocus
Yes
Yes
Motor Type
Silent Wave Motor autofocus mechanism
HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
Full Time Manual
Yes
Yes
Focus Method
Internal
Internal
Distance Scale
Yes
Yes
DoF Scale
Yes
Yes
Weight
355g (12. 5 oz)
665g (23. 1 oz)
Dimensions (DxL)
Approx. 78 x 83mm (3. 1 x 3. 3")
85 x 90mm (3. 4 x 3. 6")
Materials
Metal Mount/Plastic and composite material
Metal Mount/Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material
Sealing
None
None
Color
Black
Black
Filter Thread
72mm
77mm
Hood Supplied
Yes
Yes
Hood Product Code
HB-76 Bayonet Hood
Tripod Collar
No
No
The Nikkor 24mm has a metal lens mount and a mostly plastic/composite material body. It feels surprisingly light for being such a fast prime lens; especially when compared to the Sigma 24mm lens which weighs nearly twice the amount and is slightly larger in size (this is broadly to be expected with the Sigma's 2/3 stop extra light gathering ability). The build quality of the Sigma lens definitely feels more robust with the majority of its components constructed of metal and a composite material that can be found on most of Sigma's Art series lenses.
It's worth mentioning that both the Nikkor and the Sigma 24mm lenses lack comprehensive weather sealing, but the Nikkor does offer some protection with rubber gasket around the lens mount, so that's definitely something to keep in mind if you plan to use these lenses in adverse weather conditions.
With these specifications in mind, how do these lenses stack up against one another in terms of performance? In this review we will be looking at the performance of the Nikkor 24mm and how it compares to the heavier and faster Sigma 24mm.
. dpreview.com2016-10-5 17:19
