Two 24 mm Nikkors - which one should I keep?

[Gurdie]

Hello,

I finally received my Nikkor-N.C 24/2.8, which I bought from eBay two weeks ago. The lens is professionally AI-converted. A few spots on the lens coating and a few cleaning marks, nothing serious.

Here´s the pair.



You can see the different colour of the lens coating. I had thought, that the older NC one would be bigger, but they are the same size, the AI-S is little shorter. The older one has much longer focus throw, almost 180 degrees, the AI-S version less than 90 degrees.

Here´s some comparison shots. No PP, just resized

24 mm NC wide open



24 mm AI-S wide open



Close distance

24 mm NC at f/2.8



24 mm AI-S at f/2.8



I cannot see a big difference between the two. To my eyes, the AI-S is maybe a little contrastier and sharper at close distances, but the NC is maybe a little sharper at infinity. Maybe it´s just my skill , they are not easy to focus with the D200 original screen in the low light.

Here´s some flare shots sun is shining straight onto the lenses.

24 mm NC at f/16



24 mm AI-S at f/22



So far I´m satisfied with the older one – but – there´s one detail. The NC is well used, and the focusing ring is rather loose. When I turn the ring towards infinity and reverse the turning direction, the picture in the viewfinder jumps sideways. It doesn´t affect the focus, but it´s disturbing. Anyone having same kind of problem with an older lens? Maybe the focusing cam is just loose. The lens rattles a bit when shaken, but the newer one rattles too.

I have take more pictures, before I can decide, which one I´ll keep.
_________________
Mark Gurdy


.Digital: Nikon D200, Canon PowerShot A70
Film: Nikon FE, Nikkormat FTn, Zorki-C, Cosina CX-1, Yashica Electro 35 GSN
Medium Format: Agfa Isolette
Lenses: Nikkors 20/3.5 AI, 24/2.8 AI-S, 50/2 AI, 55/3.5 Micro AI´d, 105/2.5 AI´d, 105/4 Micro AI-S, 135/2.8 AI-S, AF 50/1.8D, AF-S 18-70/3.5-4.5 DX
M42: Auto Revuenon 55/1.4, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, Soligor 180/3.5
-----------------------------------------

[Attila]

I suggest to keep AIS, well know quality lens it will keep it's value.
_________________

Olympus E-1,Bessa L,Bessa RF,Olympus OM2n,Nikon FA,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version
Please visit my Ebay shop to support my reviews !

[patrickh]

Agree with Attila
and I think the results from the AIS version are better - contrast, saturation, sharper etc,


patrickh
_________________
DSLR: Nikon D70 Nikon D200 Canon 40D
MF Zooms: Kiron 28-85/3.5, 28-105/3.2, 75-150/3.5, Nikkor 50-135/3.5 AIS // MF Primes: Nikkor 20/4 AI, 24/2 AI, 28/2 AI, 28/2.8 AIS, 28/3.5 AI, 35/1.4 AIS, 35/2 AIS, 35/2.8 PC, 45/2.8 P, 50/1.4 AIS, 50/1.8 AIS, 50/2 AI, 55/2.8 AIS micro, 55/3.5 AI micro, 85/2 AI, 100/2,8 E, 105/1,8 AIS, 105/2,5 AIS, 135/2 AIS, 135/2.8 AIS, Nikkor 200/4 AI, 200/4 AIS micro, 3004.5 AI, 300/4.5 AI ED, Kiron 28/2 Panagor 135/2.8, Tamron 28/2.5, Tamron 90/2.5 macro, Vivitar 90/2.5 macro (Tokina) Voigtlander 90/3.5 Vivitar 105/2.5 macro (Kiron) Kaleinar 100/2.8 AI Tamron 135/2.5, Vivitar 135/2.8CF, 200/3.5, Tokina 400/5,6
M42: Vivitar 28/2.5, Flektogon 35/2.4, Takumar 35/3.5, Curtagon 35/4, Arsat 50/1.4, Volna-6 50/2.8 macro,Mamiya 50/1.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1,8, Oreston 50/1.8, Industar 50/3.5, Sears 55/1.4, Helios 58/2, Jupiter 85/2, Helios 85/1.5, Jupiter 135/4, Jupiter 135/3.5, Takumar 135/3.5, Tair 135/2.8, Takumar 150/4, Jupiter 200/4
Exakta: Topcon 100/2.8, 35/2.8
C/Y: Yashica 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8
P6 : Mir 38 65/3.5, Biometar 80/2.8, Kaleinar 150/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8

[estudleon]

Gurdie said "So far I´m satisfied with the older one – but – there´s one detail. The NC is well used, and the focusing ring is rather loose. When I turn the ring towards infinity and reverse the turning direction, the picture in the viewfinder jumps sideways. It doesn´t affect the focus, but it´s disturbing. Anyone having same kind of problem with an older lens? Maybe the focusing cam is just loose. The lens rattles a bit when shaken, but the newer one rattles too. "

I had this problems with two normal lenses. At the pics, till I could see, nothing wrong.

Ihaven't experience with nikkor lenses, but the ais seem better to me.

Good luck.

Rino.
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

[koji]

Mark,

That jumping image at end of focus rotation is not a rare thing, two of
my nikkors and some other manufacture's do the same thing. But it
is annoying, but IQ does not seem to suffer. I do not notice some
ill effect due to the jumping, of course that is my personal experience.

happy shooting
_________________
koji kawakami Toronto, Ontario CANADA
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami

[kds315*]

AIS should be a bit better, have that one, too
_________________
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary

[patrickh]

I have the 24/2 and it's a beautiful lens


patrickh
_________________
DSLR: Nikon D70 Nikon D200 Canon 40D
MF Zooms: Kiron 28-85/3.5, 28-105/3.2, 75-150/3.5, Nikkor 50-135/3.5 AIS // MF Primes: Nikkor 20/4 AI, 24/2 AI, 28/2 AI, 28/2.8 AIS, 28/3.5 AI, 35/1.4 AIS, 35/2 AIS, 35/2.8 PC, 45/2.8 P, 50/1.4 AIS, 50/1.8 AIS, 50/2 AI, 55/2.8 AIS micro, 55/3.5 AI micro, 85/2 AI, 100/2,8 E, 105/1,8 AIS, 105/2,5 AIS, 135/2 AIS, 135/2.8 AIS, Nikkor 200/4 AI, 200/4 AIS micro, 3004.5 AI, 300/4.5 AI ED, Kiron 28/2 Panagor 135/2.8, Tamron 28/2.5, Tamron 90/2.5 macro, Vivitar 90/2.5 macro (Tokina) Voigtlander 90/3.5 Vivitar 105/2.5 macro (Kiron) Kaleinar 100/2.8 AI Tamron 135/2.5, Vivitar 135/2.8CF, 200/3.5, Tokina 400/5,6
M42: Vivitar 28/2.5, Flektogon 35/2.4, Takumar 35/3.5, Curtagon 35/4, Arsat 50/1.4, Volna-6 50/2.8 macro,Mamiya 50/1.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1,8, Oreston 50/1.8, Industar 50/3.5, Sears 55/1.4, Helios 58/2, Jupiter 85/2, Helios 85/1.5, Jupiter 135/4, Jupiter 135/3.5, Takumar 135/3.5, Tair 135/2.8, Takumar 150/4, Jupiter 200/4
Exakta: Topcon 100/2.8, 35/2.8
C/Y: Yashica 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8
P6 : Mir 38 65/3.5, Biometar 80/2.8, Kaleinar 150/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8

[estudleon]

Ahh I forget.

If you take with one hand the focus ring and with the other the end of the lens and when you move one or both hands in bascule way, the lens moves too, it can to be a problem that tends to be badly in the future.

One repairmen told me that years ago.

Good luck. Rino
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

[Gurdie]

Thanks for your comments, guys.

Well. I´m relieved to hear, that others have had same phenomenon with the viewfinder picture jumping. I have noticed no effect in pictures. Still...
the newer one has a silky smooth focusing, and it´s joy to use.

Rino, what do You mean by "bascule movement"? That word is not in my dictionary.

Yours
_________________
Mark Gurdy


.Digital: Nikon D200, Canon PowerShot A70
Film: Nikon FE, Nikkormat FTn, Zorki-C, Cosina CX-1, Yashica Electro 35 GSN
Medium Format: Agfa Isolette
Lenses: Nikkors 20/3.5 AI, 24/2.8 AI-S, 50/2 AI, 55/3.5 Micro AI´d, 105/2.5 AI´d, 105/4 Micro AI-S, 135/2.8 AI-S, AF 50/1.8D, AF-S 18-70/3.5-4.5 DX
M42: Auto Revuenon 55/1.4, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, Soligor 180/3.5
-----------------------------------------

[Richard_D]

The old Nikkor-NC is a very very good lens but the AIS is truly superb IMO
_________________
Richard

The interesting bit:

Nikkors: 20mm f2.8 AIS, 24mm f2.8 AIS, 28mm f2.8 AIS, 35mm f2 AIS, 50mm f1.4 AI, 50mm f1.48AI, 50m f2 AI,
55mm f3.5 AI'd, 105mm f4 AI, 135mm f2.8 AI'd, 135mm f3.5 AI'd, 200mm f4 AI'd .
Nikon E Series: 100mm f2.8 .
Soviet Nikon Mount: Zenitar 16mm f2.8, Arsat/arax/photex 85mm T&S f2.8 .
Other: Asahi Super Takumar 55 mm f2 (M42) ,Tamron 300mm f5.6 SP, Tamron 500mm f8 SP.

DSLR: Nikon D700. 35mm SLRsNikon FE, Pentax S1a.
TLR: Rolliecord II.
Sub-Minature: Pentax Auto 110, 18mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 50mm f2.8.

More to come...

[Attila]

[estudleon]

I will pút it in this words to be clearer. Take the lens as I told you before.
Move your hands like you want and the lens mut be still, motionless.

I usally do it before any purchase or in force warranty.

Regards, Rino.
_________________
M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

[Screamin Scott]

I also have both the NC Ai'd version as well as the Ais version just like you have...There is a small scratch on the Ais front element, but I like & am keeping both since they did not cost me much...
_________________
Cameras-Nikon D70s,N2000,FE2,FTN ,FT2,N90s &N70
Nikkor AF Zooms=28-105/3.5D,18-55/3.5GS,28-70/3.5D,35-135/3.5
Nikkor AF //50/1.8,//Nikkor MF//50/2ai,50/1.8ais 50/1.4ai,24/2.8ais,28/2.8ai,28/3.5ai,55microAis/2.8,105/2.5ai,200/4ai,300/4.5ai35-135/3.5Ais
Kiron /Kino madelenses//70-210/4ai,28-105/3.2ai,30-80/3.5ai,Viv 28/2ai,35-85/2.8aiVivS1,105/2.8AisDine,24-48/3.8ai VivS1,50-150/3.8aiViv,28-85/2.8aiViv,100/2.8Nai Viv,70-210/3.5Nai Viv,28/2.5ai VivKomine made Viv//24/2Ais,135/2.8aiCF,28-50/3.5ai,28-90/2.8ai Viv S1,80-200/4.5aiCosina made Viv 19/3.8 Ais...Also Sigma 24/2.8 Ais Tokina made24/2.8ai VivAF Sigma 21-35/3.5,& other lenses

[Shiladitya]

I have been using the AIS version for the last couple of years and had faced the same dilema as yours when I bought it, but let go the NC as I liked the AIS version better (mine was not Ai'd and hence had to be stopped down to get metering on my F4) and as Attila puts it it is one of the best 24 mm around.
_________________
Camera: Nikon F4s, Nikon FG, Nikon FE2, Pentax ME Super, Pentax MZ5, Exakta Varex IIb
Lenses: Nikkor- 2.8/55 Micro, 1.4/50 AIS, 1.2/55 Pre AI, 2.8/24 AIS, 4/200 AIS
Pentax K: SMC 2/50, 2.8/24, 3.5/135, 4/200 & 4.5/80-200
Exakta: Pancolar 2/50, Pentacon 3.5/30

[Gurdie]

I decided to sell the older NC one.

Anybody interested? It´s worn, but perfectly usable.

I paid 55 euros for it + postage, now I´m asking 60 Euros.


_________________
Mark Gurdy


.Digital: Nikon D200, Canon PowerShot A70
Film: Nikon FE, Nikkormat FTn, Zorki-C, Cosina CX-1, Yashica Electro 35 GSN
Medium Format: Agfa Isolette
Lenses: Nikkors 20/3.5 AI, 24/2.8 AI-S, 50/2 AI, 55/3.5 Micro AI´d, 105/2.5 AI´d, 105/4 Micro AI-S, 135/2.8 AI-S, AF 50/1.8D, AF-S 18-70/3.5-4.5 DX
M42: Auto Revuenon 55/1.4, CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, Soligor 180/3.5
-----------------------------------------