{"id":76340,"date":"2025-10-12T07:45:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T06:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=76340"},"modified":"2026-01-14T08:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T07:25:56","slug":"review-nikon-ai-nikkor-24mm-f-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-nikon-ai-nikkor-24mm-f-2\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Nikon AI Nikkor 24mm f\/2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today, I\u2019m taking a look at a vintage classic \u2014 the Nikkor 24mm f\/2 AI. With analogue photography making a strong comeback, old film-era lenses like this are getting attention again. Nikon first released it in 1977 as the AI version, followed by the AI-S in 1981 \u2014 same optical design, just refined mechanics. This lens was designed near the end of the era when Nikon still held absolute dominance in the professional segment.<\/p>\n

For decades, this was Nikon\u2019s fastest 24mm, holding that title until the AF-S 24mm f\/1.4G came along in 2010. Even more impressive, Nikon kept producing it until 2005 and sold it as new until 2007 \u2014 nearly 30 years on the market. That\u2019s a remarkably long run for any lens, but was it truly because of its performance, or something else? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a> )<\/p>\n

\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Z7ii | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Z7ii | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Z7ii | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n24mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n7 (Straight)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.3 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n52mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nNikon F<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n300 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n63 x 61 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n11 elements in 10 groups.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 on a Nikon Zf via an FTZ adapter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy:<\/strong> eBay.com<\/a>, eBay.de<\/a> (anywhere) from\u00a0 $180 (Affiliate links)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

I purchased this lens with my own money.<\/p>\n

Variations<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Nikon Nikkor 24mm f\/2 AI-S uses exactly the same optical formula as the AI version but was mechanically upgraded to allow automatic aperture control in P and S modes with compatible cameras.<\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The build and handling of this lens are typical of Nikon\u2019s AI and AI-S series \u2014 small, compact, with a 52mm filter thread, and built entirely of metal and glass. It feels solid in the hand. Once you\u2019ve handled one of these lenses, you\u2019ll immediately recognise the feel across most of the lineup.<\/p>\n

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Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It features a relatively large, easy-to-grip focusing ring at the front with about a 175\u00b0 throw, allowing for precise manual focus. Normally, the focusing ring turns smoothly with pleasant damping, making fine adjustments easy. On my sample, however, the age is starting to show \u2014 there\u2019s occasionally a faint creaking sound when turning the ring. The distance scale on the ring is engraved and paint-filled, showing both feet and meters. On the barrel, coloured markings correspond to the aperture values to indicate the depth of field for any set distance\/aperture combo, and there\u2019s also a red mark for infrared focusing adjustment.<\/p>\n

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Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture ring has equidistant full-stop markings and clicks firmly from f\/2 through f\/22. The front element doesn\u2019t rotate during focusing, which is always nice when using filters or filter holders.<\/p>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we look at three areas of the image, centre, mid-frame, and corner, see highlighted areas in the image below!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Infinity
Infinity sharpness | Nikon Ai 24mm f\/2 | Nikon Z7ii<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here the AI\/AI-S 24mm lens shows its age. At f\/2, centre sharpness is good, midframe is just okay, and the corners are soft. There\u2019s also a veil of dreamy softness across the entire frame, with noticeably low contrast. Stopping down one stop to f\/2.8 removes that dreamy veil, and centre sharpness becomes very good. From f\/4 onward, the centre is excellent, the midframe sharpens up nicely, though the corners remain only fair. By f\/8, midframe sharpness improves to a very good level. The corners reach their best performance around f\/11, while centre and midframe areas are about the same or slightly better than at f\/8. So, f\/11 gives the most even sharpness across the frame.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Portrait)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at the points of interest for portraits at the portrait distance: the very centre, the centre\u2019s inner periphery\u00a0 (1\/3 rule intersection), and the centre\u2019s outer periphery (1\/4th intersection).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Portrait Sharpness Points of Interest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n