Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED review

The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED combines a classic field of view with a fast aperture

Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED
(Image: © Nikon)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Sometimes we all feel the need for speed, and an f/2.8 zoom just won’t cut it. This prime lens gives the same generous viewing angle as a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-120mm f/4 at their shortest zoom setting, while being more than one or two f/stops faster respectively. It’s therefore great for freezing action under low lighting conditions, enabling a faster shutter speed without needing to bump up your camera’s ISO setting.

Pros

  • +

    Fast f/1.8 aperture

  • +

    Impressive image quality

  • +

    Solid but lightweight build

Cons

  • -

    Less speedy than an f/1.4 lens

  • -

    Noticeable vignetting at f/1.8

  • -

    Quite expensive to buy

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The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED gives no boost in field of view, compared with most standard zoom lenses but it gives you a faster aperture. Not just for maintaining fast shutter speeds under low lighting, this also helps to isolate subjects in a scene with a tighter depth of field. Naturally that’s quite a struggle with such a short focal length, but it can work well in close-ups and the Nikon focuses down to just 0.23m or 9 inches, as measured from the focal plane (essentially the camera’s image sensor).

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.