The extra 2 stops of Nikon 24mm f/1.4 – f/2.8 vs f/1.4

Nikon introduced the 24mm f/2.8D back in 1993, 17 years later, Nikon finally mastered the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G. Apart from incorporating the latest technology, such as Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Nano Crystal Coating to reduce ghost and flare, as well as including two ED and two asphercial lens elements in its construction, the major difference is having a maximum aperture of f/1.4, giving an extra 2 stops.

The Nikon 24mm f/1.4 has a price tag of  $1999 USD  which is over five times more than the Nikon 28mm f/2.8D at $360 USD.

The question is does the extra 2 stops,  Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Nano Crystal Coating and other nice additional features worth the premium price tag?

We know Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Nano Crystal Coating are welcoming features to the lens, but how useful is the extra 2 stops, is it necessary?

The extra 2 stops pretty much give you a shallower Depth of Field (DoF), the flexibility to use lower ISO or higher shutter speed for the same exposure.

For example, when shooting indoor, typically ISO needs to be at least 1600+, sometimes 3200 even when you are using aperture f/2.8 (refer here). With the extra 2 stops, imagine you have the ability to

• use ISO  400-800 (e.g. 3200—>1600—>800) which is much less susceptible to noise or
• stop motion and camera shake using  a shutter speed of hundredth of a second (e.g. 1/25s—>1/50s—>1/100s) even when you are indoor

These are beneficial mostly to low light shooters such as those whom shoot concerts and indoor sports.

For landscape shooters and those who shoot mostly under day light, the extra two stops might not be so crucial, unless you want the f/1.4 shallow DoF.

So how does the DoF differ between f/2.8 and f/1.4? Note that we are not comparing the bokeh which is the quality of the blur in the out-of-focus areas of an image. It is important not to get mixed up between DoF and bokeh, one associates with aperture setting, subject distance and focal length, the other by lens design and construction.

The images below show the DoF created by f/2.8 and f/1.4 using the Nikon 24mm f/1.4.

 

Nikon 24mm f/1.4 @ f/2.8

Nikon 24mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4

Which image do you prefer? The extra creamy bokeh of f/1.4? The extra 2 stops of aperture at f/1.4 does create a strong isolation of the subject to the background which is normally hard to achieve at wide angle like 24mm.

 

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Shooting with Nikon 24mm f/1.4

When shooting with prime lenses, you can't go wrong with the trinity combo made up of Nikon 24mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4. This is what we used on a recent birthday party. Actually, we did throw in the Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 in the mix.

I was using the stunning Nikon 24mm f/1.4 for most of the time. It fitted comfortably in my hand, well balanced on a gripped Nikon D700. The build quality is also good, but it isn't anything like the 85mm f/1.4 D which would probably make a dent to the concrete floor.

The auto focus is quiet as expected from the AF-S silent wave motor. While the auto focus was fast enough for catching those curious babies dashing around, it was not as snappy as the 24-70mm f/2.8.

One of the features with G lenses is the ability to override auto focus by simply grabbing the focus ring. I didn't get to use it for this occasion but it is certainly a welcome addition when shooting under low light condition.

When shooting with a wide angle lens, sometimes you need to get fairly close to fill the frame with your subject. The 24mm f/1.4 has a minimum focus distance of 25cm, so you can actually get within inches to your subject. Of cause you won't get to macro magnification, but you can still get some decent magnification. see samples here. For comparison, the magnification reproduction ratio is 0.18x compare to 0.27x from the 24-70mm f/2.8.

The Nikon 24mm f/1.4 is a special lens that has the ability to create shallow wide angle DoF. It also captures 2-stops more light that the state of art 24-70mm f/2.8. The gives you the ability to lower your ISO or raise your shutter speed. In a recent party. I was able to shoot at ISO800 while keeping a relatively fast shutter speed using aperture f/1.4 - f/2. The sharpness also tends to be better when you stopped down to f/2 or more.

Here are some images.

The settings were ISO800, f/1.4-f/2, 1/125s-1/200s

 

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Shooting with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII

If you are shooting in an open space, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is the most suited portrait lenses, amongst the 85mm f/1.5, 105mm f/2 DC and 135mm f/2 DC. The zoom range from 70-200mm covers from headshot to full body shoot and you can completely isolate your subject when you open up your aperture. The VRII version has an improved VR system and edge to edge sharpness over its successor VRI.

Here are some images taken with the amazing Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII.

The was actually taken with the 24-70mm f/2.8. Equally impressive.

Leading your eyes to the details through shallow DOF

The machine behind these images – Nikon D700 and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII

and this is how they were done.

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• Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII
• Nikon 85mm f/1.5
• Nikon 105mm f/2 DC
• Nikon 135mm f/2 DC.

DoF with Nikon 50mm f/1.4

The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is compact and light weight which makes it ideal for travel. Its maximum aperture of f/1.4 is handy when it comes to low light. It is also a very capable lens for full body portraits.

The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 can create interesting images with very shallow Depth of Field (DoF). At the minimum focus distance of 0.45m and aperture f/1.4,  the Depth of Field (DoF) is only 0.6cm. Nikon announced the AF-S 50mm in 2008 superseding the AF-D model introduced since 1995.

I think everyone should either have a 50mm f/1.8 or this in their lens line up. It is light weight, fast and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg like the 24mm f/1.4. It also helps you to develop a habit of moving around when taking your shots.

AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G	AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D
Release 2008	Release 1995
Lens (Elements) 8	Lens (Elements) 7
Lens (Groups) 7	Lens (Groups) 6
Diaphragm Blades 9	Diaphragm Blades 7
AF-S (Silent Wave Motor) Yes	AF-S (Silent Wave Motor) No
Focus Mode Auto, Manual, Manual/Auto	Focus Mode Auto, Manual
Filter Size 58mm	Filter Size 52mm
Dimensions (Approx.)2.9x2.1 in. (Diameter x Length) 73.5x54.2mm (Diameter x Length)	Dimensions (Approx.)2.5x1.7 in. (Diameter x Length) 64.5x42.5mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight (Approx.)9.9 oz. (280g)	Weight (Approx.)8.1 oz. (230g)

Here are some creative images from the Nikon 50mm f/1.4

@ f/2, focus distance 450mm, DOF =0.9cm

@ f/2.8, focus distance 600mm, DOF =2.22cm

@ f/1.8, focus distance 450mm, DOF =0.78cm

@ f/2, focus distance 1.7m, DOF =13.5cm

@ f/1.4, focus distance 450mm, DOF =0.60cm (Minimum DOF)

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