Nikon 24mm f/1.8Full-Frame for Nikon Z MirrorlessFormat & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations Z9 Z8 Z7 II Z6 II Zf Z7 Z6 Z5 Z fc Z50 Z30 Z System Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Flash Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S (72mm filters, 15.8 oz./447g, 0.8'/0.25m close-focus, $997 or about $700 used if you know How to Win at eBay). bigger. I got mine at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
July 2021 Nikon Mirrorless Mirrorless Lenses All Nikon Lenses Nikon Flash All Reviews Why Fixed Lenses Take Better Pictures Sample ImagesTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations These are just snapshots and there are many more throughout the review; my real work is in my Gallery. These are all shot as BASIC ★ JPGs; no RAW files, NORMAL or FINE JPGs were used or needed. Seven Palms Oasis by Moonlight, 7:47 PM, 09 November 2019. Nikon Z7, Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 wide-open at f/1.8 at 30 seconds at ISO 64 (LV -2.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © file. Remember that at f/1.8 there is no depth of field.
Sevilla, Spain, 12:13 PM, 08 November 2019. Nikon Z7, Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 at f/8 at 1/40 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 12.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © file.
Desert Palms, Sevilla, Spain, 6:02 PM, 08 November 2019. Nikon Z7, Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 at f/5.6 for 13 seconds at ISO 64 (LV 1.9), Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger or full-resolution. The dots in the sky are stars, and they are moving, as are the tops of the palms in this long exposure.
Starry Desert Sky, Sevilla, Spain, 6:07 PM, 08 November 2019. Nikon Z7, Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 at f/2.8 for 30 seconds at ISO 64 (LV -1.3), Perfectly Clear. bigger or high-resolution. The stars are moving in this time exposure; they won't be dots in the high-resolution version. Likewise closer objects on the sides simply aren't in focus.
Spanish Tile, Sevilla, Spain, 11:29 AM, 11 November 2019. Nikon Z7, Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 at f/8 at 1/250 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.6), Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger or camera-original © file.
IntroductionTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations
The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is bigger, heaver and more expensive than any Nikon 24mm f/1.8, f/2 or f/2.8 lens ever, but that's because this new lens has higher performance with a far more complex optical design than any other Nikon 24mm f/1.8, f/2 or f/2.8 lens. This is an optical "statement" lens; it's not intended as a tiny pancake lens. This Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is a superb general-purpose wide-angle lens for Nikon's full-frame mirrorless cameras. This new Z lens uses an electronic diaphragm and focus motors for near-silent operation and is designed also for shooting video, with little focus breathing and minimal spherochromatism. I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay.
NewNikon's first fixed 24mm lens for their full-frame mirrorless cameras. Electronic diaphragm.
GoodSuperior optics, ultrasharp at all apertures. The big focus ring provides instant manual-focus override by default, or can be set to control Aperture, Exposure Compensation or ISO — or be disabled entirely — at Z7/Z6 MENU > CUSTOM SETTING MENU (pencil icon) > f Controls > f2 Custom control assignment > click right and down to Lens Control Ring > and chose what you want it to do: Focus, Aperture, Exposure Compensation, ISO or NONE. Very good sunstars. 9-blade diaphragm. Nikon claims it's dust and drip resistant.
Bad$997, not $677 for the F-mount AF-S 24mm f/1.8 which also works great on the Z cameras with the FTZ adapter. Offshored to China; not made domestically in Japan.
Missingf/22 is missing; only stops down to f/16. Has an AF/MF switch, but no VR switch for in-camera VR.
Format & CompatibilityTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay. This is a full-frame lens which works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras. It does not so much as even mount on any other camera. Use the AF-S 24mm f/1.8 on DSLRs and 35mm cameras instead.
SpecificationsTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations
I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay.
NameNikon calls this the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S: NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses. Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras. S: Subliminally suggests sexual satisfaction. The "S" designation has no other purpose than subliminal seduction; Nikon and electronics and automobile and every kind of marketer have been using letters like "S" and "X" in model numbers since the 1940s for this same reason. Nikon called their first 1946 rangefinder lens mount the "S" mount, then went whole-hog to the "F" SLR mount in 1959, used "S" again when they updated their AI lenses to AI-"S" in 1983, created AF-"S" SWM lenses in 1998 and here it is again.
Also has: E: Electronic diaphragm for silent operation. AF-P: Stepper (Pulse) autofocus motor: silent and ultra fast. D: Couples distance information to the 3D Matrix Meter. ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration. RF: Rear focusing; nothing moves externally as focused except the rear element. Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures. Nano Crystal Coat (N): Magic anti-reflection coating that has a variable index of refraction that's far more effective against ghosts and internal reflections than traditional multicoating. ∅72: 72mm filter thread.
OpticsNikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S internal optical construction. Aspherical and ED elements. 12 elements in 10 groups. 1 ED extra-low dispersion elements which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration. 4 aspherical elements. Nikon Super Integrated multicoating (SIC). Nano Crystal Coat.
Coverage
DiaphragmNikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. bigger. 9 rounded blades. Electronically actuated. Stops down to f/16.
Angle of View84º diagonal on FX. (61º diagonal on DX.)
AutofocusInternal focus. No external movement as focused, so no air or dust is sucked in. Very quiet stepper motor.
Focus ScaleNo.
Infinity Focus StopNo.
Depth of Field ScaleNo.
Reproduction Ratio ScaleNo. Infrared Focus IndexNo.
Close Focus0.82 feet (10 inches or 0.25 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio1:6.7 (0.15×).
Image StabilizerThe lens itself has no internal stabilizer. It's rated 5 stops improvement when used with the Nikon Z cameras, which have their own internal stabilization.
CapsLC-72B 72 mm snap-on front cap, included. LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included.
Filters72 mm x 0.75mm pitch standard filter thread, plastic
HoodNikon HB-88 bayonet hood for Z 24mm f/1.8 S. bigger. HB-88 plastic bayonet hood, included.
CaseCL-C1 slipcase included.
Size3.07" maximum diameter × 3.80" extension from flange. 78.0 mm maximum diameter × 96.5 mm extension from flange.
Weight15.755 oz. (446.6 g) actual measured weight. Rated 15.9 oz. (450 g).
AnnouncedEarly morning, Wednesday, 04 September 2019, NYC time.
Promised forMid- to late-October 2019.
IncludedLC-72B 72 mm snap-on front cap, included. LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap. HB-88 bayonet hood. CL-C1 bag-style case.
Nikon's Model Number20080.
QualityNikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. bigger. Made in China.
Price, U. S. A. specifications topJuly 2021$997 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H. About $700 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
September 2019 ~ Janaury 2020$997 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H.
UnboxingTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay. The box is completely unsealed. Just like kids who lick ice cream and put it back in the store freezer or gargle with mouthwash and put it back on the store shelf, there is no way to know if anyone else has been fiddling with your camera, swapping parts and accessories, or even if it's a dropped, returned, damaged or used lens, unless you get yours from an approved online source, since they ship from automated warehouses where no shifty salesmen or other customers ever getting to touch your new lens before it ships. While new $5 CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and bottles of milk and drinking water are sealed and quite obvious if anyone's opened them, paradoxically Nikon doesn't bother sealing anything, so your only insurance is to buy only from a trusted online dealer.
PerformanceTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Exposure Falloff Filters Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes Lens Corrections Macro Mechanics
I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay.
OverallThis Z 24 1.8 has superior optics, but not superior to the equally superior 24-70mm f/4 or 24-70/2.8. All three of these lenses are superb. The reason to get this 24 is if you really need f/1.8; otherwise, stick with either zoom as it does more.
AutofocusAutofocus speed is moderate. It takes a moment to motor (hum) quietly from infinity to close distances or vice versa. It's not instantaneous. On my Z7 firmware version 2.0, as with all other lenses on my Z7, in Auto-AF-Area select mode it will tend to ignore a close subject in the center of the frame right in front of the camera if the background is already somewhat in focus. If you're focused at a distance, hold your hand a foot or two in front of the camera and you have to select the single-AF zone to get the Z7 to focus on the hand. Weird, but that's a Z7 problem with all lenses, not a problem with this lens.
Manual FocusJust grab the focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override. Manual focus is slow. Since it's completely electronic (the manual focus ring isn't connected to anything other than a digital encoder) I'm surprised we don't have a menu option for focus speed, or better, have adaptive manual focus speed that goes faster as we turn the ring faster. If you have a problem with a camera not autofocusing on a close subject, just use the manual focus ring to get to about the right distance and then the AF system will lock in.
Focus BreathingFocus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth. The image from the Nikon 24 1.8 doesn't change size as focused more closely. I can't see any change at all. Excellent!
BokehBokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is excellent, although it doesn't really matter as almost nothing is ever out of focus with a 24mm lens. Here's a shot at f/1.8 from about headshot distance: Davis 6250 weather station, 18 November 2019. bigger or camera-original © file. Shot on Nikon Z7 at f/1.8 at 1/6,400 at Auto ISO 64. As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at f/1.8 and get as close as possible.
DistortionThe Nikon Z 24 1.8 has moderate barrel distortion, which goes away if you leave your camera at its default setting to correct it at MENU > SHOOTING > Auto Distortion Control > ON (Z7 and Z6). If you go out of your way to turn off the automatic correction, you can correct it later with a factor of +2.3 in Photoshop's lens correction filter at a distance of 10 feet (3 meters). There will be some residual waviness. The resulting distortion with in-camera correction is invisible, and for more technical uses corrects a bit further with a factor of -0.1 in Photoshop's lens correction filter at a distance of 10 feet (3 meters). There will still be some residual waviness, but not that you'll ever see it.
Ergonomics
There are no secrets here; half the lens is the big metal focus ring and there's but one AF/MF slide switch, and that's it. You can program the ring in the camera to other things than focus if you prefer.
ExposureExposure is uniform across the aperture range. No problems here.
FalloffFalloff on full-frame is invisible in actual shooting with Vignette Correction left at its default of NORM, except for some corner darkening at f/1.8. As soon as you stop down to f/2.8, it's gone:
If you go out of your way to turn Vignette Correction OFF and then go looking for it, of course you'll see more:
Filters, use withThere's no need for thin filters. The 72mm thread is generously large. I can stack four regular 72mm filters without vignetting on full-frame, so go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters.
Flare & GhostsThere are no significant ghosts. See samples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color FringesThere are no color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras, which by default correct for any that may be there. There is some slight spherochromatism, which can cause color fringes on things that aren't in perfect focus. Spherochromatism is a completely different aberration in a different dimension than lateral color fringes.
Lens CorrectionsThe Z6 and Z7 correct for any or all of distortion, diffraction and falloff, any of which you may turn ON or OFF. The Z6 and Z7 always correct for lateral color fringes (chromatic aberration), this is part of Nikon's secret sauce and never appears in any menu.
Macro PerformanceMacro gets about as close as most traditional lenses (1:6.7 or 0.15×), and it stays sharp and contrasty even at f/1.8. It gets even sharper as stopped down. Remember there is zero depth of field at macro distances at f/1.8, which is why even though the watch face is in focus, neither the hands nor bezel are. The slight color fringes are spherochromatism and only are indicative of areas that aren't in perfect focus; the face isn't even straight-on to the camera in this hand-held shot: Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 17 November 2019. Shot on Nikon Z7 at f/1.8 at 1/4,000 at ISO 64. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file. If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification. If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification. If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
Mechanical QualityNikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. bigger. The Nikon Z 24/1.8 is a mostly plastic lens with glass optics and a metal focus ring and mount.
HoodPlastic bayonet.
Front BumperNone.
Filter ThreadsPlastic.
Hood Bayonet MountPlastic.
Front BarrelPlastic.
Focus RingMetal.
Rear Barrel aft of Focus RingPlastic.
Rearmost BarrelSection with AF/MF switch: metal.
AF/MF Slide SwitchPlastic.
IdentityMolded engraved and filled with paint on ring between front element and filter threads. Also engraved and filled with paint on top of rear barrel.
InternalsSeem llike plastic and metal.
Dust Gasket at MountYes.
MountChromed metal.
MarkingsMostly molded as engraved and filled with paint.
Serial NumberNikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. bigger. Laser engraved on bottom of barrel.
Date CodeNone found.
Noises When ShakenVery mild clicking.
Made inMade in China.
SharpnessLens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that. If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 at ISO 1,600 at default sharpening in daylight of moving subjects at differing distances in the same image. These cautions aside, this is an ultra-sharp lens especially wide-open at f/1.8 where most lenses are softer. At f/1.8 the corners are a bit softer in the lab at 45MP, but I doubt anyone will see this in actual pictures. In most of the image, it's ultrasharp even wide open at f/1.8! Nikon's MTF data agrees with what I see: Nikon's MTF chart at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm.
SpherochromatismSpherochromatism, also called "color bokeh" by laymen, is an advanced form of chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral color. It can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down. The Nikon Z 24/1.8 has a little bit of green-magenta spherochromatism; objects closer than the plane of focus at f/1.8 may have slight magenta fringes and vice-versa. This all goes away as stopped down.
Image StabilizationThis lens has no Optical Image Stabilization (OIS, IS or VR (Vibration Reduction)), but it is designed to work with the built-in stabilization of Nikon's cameras.
SunstarsWith a 9-bladed rounded diaphragm, I get pretty good 18-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light at the smaller apertures. Ignore the crazy rainbow effects at the smallest apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of the palm tree. The blue daggers in the upper right are flare. Click any to enlarge: Click any to enlarge.
RecommendationsTop Sample Images Introduction Format & Compatibility Specifications Unboxing Performance Recommendations I got my Z 24/1.8 at Adorama. I'd also get mine at Amazon or at B&H, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay. This is an optically excellent lens optimized for Nikon's Z cameras. Personally I'd rather carry the 24-70mm f/4 or 24-70/2.8 zooms as I prefer the ability to zoom over the ability to get to f/1.8, and to each their own. You could also get the less expensive Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8 and use it with the FTZ adapter, and it should work really well. The AF-S 24mm f/1.8 is only slightly less sharp in the lab (I'd never see any difference an actual photos), and the AF-S 24mm f/1.8 focuses closer. The AF-S 24mm f/1.8 also works on DSLRs and 35mm cameras, while this Z lens only works on Z cameras. I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either. The very best protective filter is the 72mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints. For less money, the B+W 72mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best. Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt. All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece.
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