Lens Heritage/Nikon

Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AI-S

Nikon F (AI-S)

Production

1977 – 2007

Country

Japan

Optical

9 elements in 9 groups, with a floating element for close-range correction (CRC)

Updated

Feb 15, 2026

Overview

The Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AI-S is the wide-angle workhorse — wide enough for landscapes and architecture, fast enough for available light. It was the go-to for photojournalists who needed to fit more in the frame without the extreme distortion of ultra-wides. At 24mm, you get impact without absurdity.

Verdict: The practical wide-angle. The 24mm f/2.8 does its job without drama — sharp, well-corrected, and reliable. Not exciting, but excellent.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Minimal bokeh at f/2.8, but smooth when present.

Color

Neutral Nikon rendering.

Sharpness wide open

Sharp center wide open, corners improve by f/4 and excellent by f/5.6.

Flare resistance

Good coating control, minimal flare issues.

Contrast

Good contrast, clean images.

Vignetting

Mild vignetting wide open, well-controlled.

Community Insights

What people love

Compact wide-angle
Well-controlled distortion
Sharp across the frame
f/2.8 is useful speed
Nikon build quality
Great for landscapes and architecture

What people dislike

Not as wide as modern ultra-wides
f/2.8 isn't super fast
Some barrel distortion

Pro Tips

Use f/8-11 for landscape sharpness
Great for environmental portraits
Less distortion than 20mm options

Sample Photos

Source: Wikimedia Commons · Credit: Christian-sainthil · License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Sources (5)

phillip_reeve-

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-ai-nikkor-24mm-f-2/

unknown-

https://www.meanbearmedia.com/nikkor-24mm-f2-8-ais-review/

unknown-

http://www.alexluyckx.com/blog/2022/05/16/optical-review-blog-no-29-nikon-ai-nikkor-24mm-12-8/

unknown-

https://joserochaphoto.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/nikkor-24mm-f2-8-ai-s-review/

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Community consensus