Switch from a 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8?

chuhsi · Mar 11, 2014

I'm thinking about switching from my 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8? The main reason would be to save weight since I bring my camera everywhere. The cost saving is nice, but not an important factor.

I almost entirely shoot pictures of my kids and family in every sort of situation you can imagine - portraits, action, events, indoor, outdoor, etc. I shoot mostly wide open both in low and regular light. I also use DXO to process my raw files.

Am I crazy??

robert829 · Mar 11, 2014

Im saving money for 24G..Its just an amazing lens heard lots of good things about this lens.If Im in your situation I'll keep the 24G and save money for 28G..(Its save $100 deal right now)

===robert==

turbsy · Mar 12, 2014

If money isn't an issue buy or rent the 28mm and see if you like it. ive tried the 28mm but not the 24mm so I can't comment on the optical quality between the two. Saying that I did decide to go with the Sigma 35mm over the 28mm for that reson.

NikonShoot3r · Mar 12, 2014

chuhsi said:
I'm thinking about switching from my 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8? The main reason would be to save weight since I bring my camera everywhere. The cost saving is nice, but not an important factor.

I almost entirely shoot pictures of my kids and family in every sort of situation you can imagine - portraits, action, events, indoor, outdoor, etc. I shoot mostly wide open both in low and regular light. I also use DXO to process my raw files.

Am I crazy??

It depends on which focal length you prefer - but I do own the 28 1.8g and is fantastic lens. Build quality not up to the 24 1.4g which I never owned, but good enough for my needs. Plus you can save some $$$ by selling your 24 and buying the 28 - Good luck!!!

designdog · Mar 12, 2014

If money is not an issue, I would never give up on the 24mm 1.4G. A unique lens.

I owned the 28 1.8, but sold it in favor of the Sigma 35 1.4. — a much better lens, but big and heavy. Actually, the 28 1.8 is not that much of a size/weight savings vs the 24 1.4.

I see you have a DF. If you are comfortable with MF, a 28 2.8AI-s would be perfect for you. Great quality on that sensor, and a small size. Plus, it could be the stepping stone to a really great MF kit for you: 50 1.2AI-s, 105 2.5AI-s.

Probably not the best setup for fast moving kiddy shots however, but, then, neither is the DF.

j_photo · Mar 12, 2014

chuhsi said:
I'm thinking about switching from my 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8? The main reason would be to save weight since I bring my camera everywhere. The cost saving is nice, but not an important factor.

I almost entirely shoot pictures of my kids and family in every sort of situation you can imagine - portraits, action, events, indoor, outdoor, etc. I shoot mostly wide open both in low and regular light. I also use DXO to process my raw files.

Am I crazy??

I don't own the 24, so I can't comment on that. But I do use the 28/1.8 with the d800 as my day-to-day walk around combo. I like the focal length more than 35 mm, and it's a relatively lightweight, compact setup that I can carry everywhere comfortably. Since you say saving weight (and I assume bulk) is your main consideration, I think you are on the right track. Here's two from yesterday.

tom43 · Mar 12, 2014

The AF-S 24 1.4 is one of Nikon´s best lenses. I use it regulary and I see it in the same level as the Zeiss 15, Zeiss 21, Sigma 35, Zeiss 135 and Nikon 200.

The 28 is with respect to sharpness, color rendering and bokeh a class behind the 24. Attached to a full-frame DSLR the weight advantage is marginal (ca. 1.6kg vs. 1.3kg).

Finally, you will also lose some money with your 24 by selling it...so I would not recommend to switch.

Jogger · Mar 12, 2014

How about just adding the 28/1.8 to your collection?

I've been shooting the 24/1.4 for over 3 years and would never part with it. Its a very unique lens. But, i can understand your concern about the builk.. esp. on the Df which isnt really ideal for heavy pro lenses with 77mm filter threads.

chuhsi said:
I'm thinking about switching from my 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8? The main reason would be to save weight since I bring my camera everywhere. The cost saving is nice, but not an important factor.

I almost entirely shoot pictures of my kids and family in every sort of situation you can imagine - portraits, action, events, indoor, outdoor, etc. I shoot mostly wide open both in low and regular light. I also use DXO to process my raw files.

Am I crazy??

Matsu · Mar 12, 2014

Why not own both? I don't own either one and I can't afford to splurge on the 24, but everything I've seen from it looks wonderful. I get by with a 24-70 in that range.

That said, I don't think you can ever legitimately mark one of these primes as superior to the other. People do it all the time, they ask 24 or 28, or 28 or 35, with an eye towards cost and absolute optical performance, but field of view and rendering make all three f these focal lengths different enough from each other there's a good case for owning at least one lens at each focal length.

Maybe the fact that the 28 so often gets considered against something both wider or longer tips it off as a strong 'tweener choice for people who can't have all of them, or don't want to carry all of them. It's just on the edge of wide but not wacky for most subjects, and you can stand back a bit and crop a little from the frame for tighter compositions. But, in the end they're just different and if you have a strong preference for one versus another type, then that's going to matter more than absolute optical quality or cost.

xtm · Mar 12, 2014

I switched from the 24 1.4G to the 28 1.8G and lovin every minute of it. My experience is that the 28 1.8G is WAY more reliable when it comes to focus accuracy. 24 1.4G has unique rendering, but what good is that if the lens can't focus? The 28 1.8G nails focus each and every time, and rendering is pretty good too.

Matsu · Mar 12, 2014

I wonder if this is a hallmark of the 1.8 primes in general. Both my 50 and 85 are excellent in this regard, especially in challenging light. Makes me want to add a 28.

Rservello · Mar 12, 2014

If it's anything like the 50mm 1.4g its a pointless expense. The 50mm 1.4g is a half stop faster than the 1.8g...but the optics are so poorly made that it vignettes and loses nearly a whole stop from 1.8-1.4...so it negates its advantage. Not to say there aren't good fast lenses that actually work wide open. I am waiting on my Voigtlander 58mm 1.4 SL-II. I have been told that f/1.4 is solid and actually an extra half stop....I will see next week when it arrives. Fingers x'd.

PSCL1 · Mar 12, 2014

To the OP: My comment is just on field/angle-of-view, and NOT on the quality or weight of these lenses, neither of which I've owned or used; but I've had other lenses at 28 and 24 FL's. IMO, 24 and 28 are operationally different, which is why I think you are wanting a 28. The 28 will introduce less distortion in people photographs close up but will also let you include some of the setting in 'environmental portraits,' e.g. of kid playing in room. The 24 has replaced the 28 in many people's opinions as the bread-and-butter WA lens and, IMO, puts you into the long end of the ultra-WA range. The 28 is naturally more moderate in its effect. Maybe this is why you are contemplating a 28.

MPA1 · Mar 12, 2014

xtm said:
I switched from the 24 1.4G to the 28 1.8G and lovin every minute of it. My experience is that the 28 1.8G is WAY more reliable when it comes to focus accuracy. 24 1.4G has unique rendering, but what good is that if the lens can't focus? The 28 1.8G nails focus each and every time, and rendering is pretty good too.

The lens nails nothing though, does it? The focus sensors and software are all in the camera.

I have noticed that the 1.4's perform better on the higher end bodies than they do on the lower end bodies due I suspect to more sophisticated AF systems in those cameras.

Also, DoF at f1.4 is so thin that a small operator error can easily be misinterpreted as an equipment failure.

Hank Photo · Mar 12, 2014

I have owned the 24mm and 28mm G's. As an earlier poster noted, the 24mm f1.4g renders in a special way and was my sharpest lens on my D800E. It became my favorite focal length and lens. I suffered a spinal cord trauma and am now on a cane. I sold the 24mm along with the D800E due to weight.

I used the 28mm G on my D600. It is a very good lens but I did not like nor could I get used to the 28mm focal length. Sold the 28mm.

The thought has even crossed my mind to re-buy a 24mm for my Df but the weight remains a killer for me.

Not sure if you have a 35mm but the new Nikon 35mm f1.8G might be a good choice. I am wait listed for one.

chuhsi · Mar 12, 2014

All these responses are great. Thank you.

I don't have a 35mm. I thought about buying one, but I'm stuck with choices there as well. The Nikon 1.4 is heavy (what I'm currently trying to solve). The Sigma is heavy as well. The Nikon 1.8 doesn't seem to be getting stellar reviews. If it did, I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

As for the 24 versus 28 focal length difference, 24mm is close enough to 28mm for my purposes.

clarnibass · Mar 12, 2014

I have the 28mm f/1.8G and I think it's excellent. Almost anyone who has it says it's excellent as far as the photo quality. The build quality is ok but not great. I consider it no better than the 50mm f/1.8G and actually the focus ring is a little worse (I've tried a couple of each so not a copy issue).

The lighter weight of almost half of the 24mm f/1.4G is huge for me. I actually don't really have a problem physically with heavy lenses, but I just really prefer light lenses. It makes it much more fun. It also helps that the 28mm FL is exactly what I like, insead of 24mm and 35mm.

If it's not an issue of cost, how about buying or renting the 28mm lens without selling the 24mm, to see if you like it. If you won't use the 24mm lens anyway because of weight (regardless of whether you have the 28mm or not), then you can always sell it.

Rick Knepper · Mar 13, 2014

That's common sense but it seems many sell the lens they are replacing before they really know if the replacement suits their needs.

chuhsi said:
I'm thinking about switching from my 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8? The main reason would be to save weight since I bring my camera everywhere. The cost saving is nice, but not an important factor.

I almost entirely shoot pictures of my kids and family in every sort of situation you can imagine - portraits, action, events, indoor, outdoor, etc. I shoot mostly wide open both in low and regular light. I also use DXO to process my raw files.

Am I crazy??

Hank Photo · Mar 13, 2014

Given that you have the Nikon Df, you might want to think about the 18-35mm. It is a surprisingly good wide zoom. Very sharp to 28mm and not at all bad at 35mm. The Df gives you enough high ISO to cover the f stop difference. I am finding that the 16mp on the Df are a bit more forgiving with lenses than the D800 for example. Also with the zoom, you do not have to decide between focal lengths

. Just a thought for you.

The 18-35mm does appear to be where I am going to remain for my wide side Df work.

Jogger · Mar 13, 2014

MPA1 said:
xtm said:

I switched from the 24 1.4G to the 28 1.8G and lovin every minute of it. My experience is that the 28 1.8G is WAY more reliable when it comes to focus accuracy. 24 1.4G has unique rendering, but what good is that if the lens can't focus? The 28 1.8G nails focus each and every time, and rendering is pretty good too.

Click to expand...

The lens nails nothing though, does it? The focus sensors and software are all in the camera.

I have noticed that the 1.4's perform better on the higher end bodies than they do on the lower end bodies due I suspect to more sophisticated AF systems in those cameras.

Also, DoF at f1.4 is so thin that a small operator error can easily be misinterpreted as an equipment failure.

I found that comment on focusing odd as well.

I shoot at f1.4 95% of the time (for "environmental portraits") and am always aware that any movement of camera/subject may make them out of focus, esp. at closer range. The focus-recompose does not work as well as the 24mm end on my 24-70.

Switch from a 24mm 1.4 to a 28mm 1.8?

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