The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Nikon 24mm f2.8D and the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED is the longer of the two lenses at 108mm. The Nikon 24mm f2.8D with a length of 46mm, is 62mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Nikon 24mm f2.8D's 65mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Nikon 24mm f2.8D weighs 270g, which means it is 460g (63%) lighter than the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED which has a weight of 730g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.
Wideangle Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
The Nikon 24mm f2.8D has a filter size of 52mm whereas the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED has a 77mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 52mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Nikon 24mm f2.8D:
And these are the 77mm filters that we recommend for the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED:
Lens Mounts
Both the Nikon 24mm f2.8D and the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.
Focal Range
Both lenses have the same focal range of
24mm but while Nikon 24mm f2.8D has the fastest aperture of
F2.8, the Nikon PC-E 24mm f3.5D ED's widest aperture value is
F3.5.