Nikon 24-70 F2.8 on full frame body

[bethpapa74]

Fast AF on both my ff body ... Af is almost instant. Bokeh of course cannot compare with those f1.4/1.8 .... I would say good enough.

A so-so lens in low light, useable I would say. Recently I replace this mid range zoom lens with prime.

Sharpness is subjective ... I used to think 24-70 is sharp ... Until ...
If u need versatility, no way you can avoid this lens! Just my 2cts

 

[Blur Shadow]

I think one must be clear here that zooms are, generally speaking, a compromise - they provide a range of focal length, thereby great convenience, at the cost of some image quality.

If ultimate sharpness is what one is after, prime lenses are, generally speaking, superior in this aspect.

Prime lenses are also available in large apertures, something which is technically unfeasible in zoom lenses.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a high-end offering by Nikon, and one can expect good quality in this product. Hence, it may be generally concluded that the lens has fast AF speed, good AF accuracy, sharp image quality, fairly decent bokeh with the right setup, pleasing colors. However, exactly how fast, sharp and good is entirely up to you. I believe this lens is satisfactory for most users, although some CSers have voiced their disatisfaction with this lens.

I have used this lens extensively, and I have nothing unpleasant to report. But then again, I usually have the same to say for most professional-grade lenses, since I think it is a matter of getting the right tool for the right job. I also like to think that I am fairly adaptable, but I could have been kidding myself all this while.

 

[Blur Shadow]

Basically if your shooting it at the 35-70mm range and in the f/5.6 to f/11 range its a perfect lens... and get great results.... outside of these ranges its not so good IMO.

( I used this lens on a D300 then my D3S... after which I saw the above, disliked it and sold it... I'll wait for an updated version.. maybe... ( I'm strongly speculating in 2015... lol )

But for you please buy what you need today... never based on what "may" come... something better is always coming right...

My experience with this lens on the Nikon D800 is that it starts to give way past f/5.6... My evaluation is that image sharpness has decreased significantly (although still useable by most standards) at f/11.

 

[Ben Ang]

I think one must be clear here that zooms are, generally speaking, a compromise - they provide a range of focal length, thereby great convenience, at the cost of some image quality.

If ultimate sharpness is what one is after, prime lenses are, generally speaking, superior in this aspect.

Prime lenses are also available in large apertures, something which is technically unfeasible in zoom lenses.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a high-end offering by Nikon, and one can expect good quality in this product. Hence, it may be generally concluded that the lens has fast AF speed, good AF accuracy, sharp image quality, fairly decent bokeh with the right setup, pleasing colors. However, exactly how fast, sharp and good is entirely up to you. I believe this lens is satisfactory for most users, although some CSers have voiced their disatisfaction with this lens.

I have used this lens extensively, and I have nothing unpleasant to report. But then again, I usually have the same to say for most professional-grade lenses, since I think it is a matter of getting the right tool for the right job. I also like to think that I am fairly adaptable, but I could have been kidding myself all this while.

+1 to this

everyone has different needs and expectatioins. everyone values certain things differently. I've not used the 24-70 2.8 but i'll draw parallels with the AFS 80-200 2.8 which is pretty much on par with the 70-200 vrii.

is the 80-200 2.8 a great lens? yes. is it sharp? very. is the AF fast? fastest i've ever come across. do i still have it? no. why? because i value colour contrast and rendition over sharpness, flexibility and AF speed. it was also too big to use regularly. also, because i shoot primes, the image quality of the 80-200 while very good, wasn't anything special so to speak.

so are primes better? perhaps.. they tend to have better image quality, larger apertures and are more compact, but they lack flexibility which is exactly where zoom lenses come in. if you need the flexibility there're no 2 ways around it. the 24-70 2.8 is the best normal zoom there is on the market bar none. sure it doesnt match up to the primes, but it gives you versatility.

so while you take into account everyone's feedback, be aware that ppl like Dfive use some really high end primes and what you are impressed with will only be normal to him. on the other spectrum, someone who's not shot good glass before will rave about it like its the best thing in the world.

in short, if its what you need/want get it, there's nothing better(and you and i probably don't need it to be better). if ultimate image quality is what you want try some fast(or old AIS) primes instead. as a suggestion, the 28 2.8 AIS, 35 1.4 AIS, 50 1.4/1.8 AIS and 85 1.8D/G will give you a set that will outperform this zoom at everything but AF and flexibility.

 

[Zaknafein]

A so-so lens in low light, useable I would say.

Sharpness is subjective ... I used to think 24-70 is sharp ... Until ...
If u need versatility, no way you can avoid this lens! Just my 2cts

When u say so-so in low light, are u talking about AF performance?

As for sharpness, its ok. Im not too particular about it

 

[Zaknafein]

I think one must be clear here that zooms are, generally speaking, a compromise - they provide a range of focal length, thereby great convenience, at the cost of some image quality.

If ultimate sharpness is what one is after, prime lenses are, generally speaking, superior in this aspect.

Prime lenses are also available in large apertures, something which is technically unfeasible in zoom lenses.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a high-end offering by Nikon, and one can expect good quality in this product. Hence, it may be generally concluded that the lens has fast AF speed, good AF accuracy, sharp image quality, fairly decent bokeh with the right setup, pleasing colors. However, exactly how fast, sharp and good is entirely up to you. I believe this lens is satisfactory for most users, although some CSers have voiced their disatisfaction with this lens.

I have used this lens extensively, and I have nothing unpleasant to report. But then again, I usually have the same to say for most professional-grade lenses, since I think it is a matter of getting the right tool for the right job. I also like to think that I am fairly adaptable, but I could have been kidding myself all this while.

Yes i agree with u. I love primes, and i have been shooting with them. the colors, contrasts, bokeh is just wonderful. But now i need flexibility, thats why im considering using a zoom with some compromise in IQ. I know that the bokeh from the zoom cannt compare to a prime's, but if it is not too bad then i might give up that bit of IQ for versatility

Btw, thanks for ur reply, and also everybody else! You all have been really Helpful!

 

[Zaknafein]

My experience with this lens on the Nikon D800 is that it starts to give way past f/5.6... My evaluation is that image sharpness has decreased significantly (although still useable by most standards) at f/11.

U mean in a high resolution body like d800, signs of diffraction starts as early as f6.3? If its true.... Woww thats surprising for a lens of this class.

 

[Zaknafein]

so while you take into account everyone's feedback, be aware that ppl like Dfive use some really high end primes and what you are impressed with will only be normal to him. on the other spectrum, someone who's not shot good glass before will rave about it like its the best thing in the world.

That is very true, ppl who have shot with diff glass has different level of expectetion when it comes to IQ. Not to mention, different ppl have different tolerence levels as well. I will need to make judgement based on my own perception, as what some bros have mentioned.

 

[akuma]

Hi Bro,
Here is my newbie feedback.
Your question drew many replies. I too was thinking last time.
I am a lazy person and when i travel, i usually just take the 28-85 last time during film days. So i thought my natural first step would be to buy the 24-70mm.
I did not ask the question here. But i read many reviews and my friends advice same thing. Why bother reading people's review? go rent lah. the other problem was many photos shown had been photoshopped. so hard to tell if it was lens good or photoshop skills good.
One comment i have for him was....if rent...the picture come out nice or not...also depend on my skills...right? my main objective of buying a new lens is to learn to "hip siong" aka take photo with my D800e. So assuming the equipment is capable of achieving good results...if my pictures come out kenna sai, this means my skills is the problem..not the equipment.

My question to u....are u in the same scenario as me? lazy to take too many lens out? only have budget for 1 or 2 zoom? ie about $6k budget for lens?
The 24-70mm confirm Bokeh not as good as 105mm, 135mm...why? bec different focal length. not as good as the 50 f1.4...bec different aperture. but i wonder how is it comparing to the 24-70mm of other brand?
My initial image quality sucks...bec the D800 had back focus issue...common bug. the 24-70mm would still be my default lens if i were to travel...since my budget is limited. here are 2 photos which i took yesterday. C&C welcomed.
btw..u can check other people's photo from pixel-peeper.com....paiseh cannot post here bec new member...haha

This one has some ps...still not very happy with this..

This one has no ps but cropped

 

[Zaknafein]

My question to u....are u in the same scenario as me? lazy to take too many lens out? only have budget for 1 or 2 zoom? ie about $6k budget for lens?
The 24-70mm confirm Bokeh not as good as 105mm, 135mm...why? bec different focal length. not as good as the 50 f1.4...bec different aperture. but i wonder how is it comparing to the 24-70mm of other brand?

......

here are 2 photos which i took yesterday. C&C welcomed.
btw..u can check other people's photo from pixel-peeper.com....paiseh cannot post here bec new member...haha

Hi akuma, and yes! Many thanks to u and the numerous replies and inputs!! i guess our scenarios are slightly similar.... I can afford 1 or 2 good lens, be it zoom or prime. My considerations for a zoom is becos i need the flexibility of it; i need wide and some amount of tele at the same time. Actually i like primes, but unfortunately a prime cant give me that luxury of shooting in tight spaces and shooting tele at the same time. I would leg zoom if i can, and i'll just shoot with a prime and solve my problem, but thats not always possible.

Btw, focal length and aperture can affect the dof, but it cant affect the quality of bokeh. What can give u smooth creamy bokeh, is the internal construction of the lens aperture blades, and the no. of them. Future details, im not that sure of, but that's probably a topic for another thread.

I read the 24-70mm of other brands has their market, but if ur talking about absolute IQ, then N's 24-70 is the one.

And for some reason, my iphone issnt loading the 2 thumbnails pix... I'll take a look when i get the chance to fire it up on my pc. Will take a look at pixel-peeper too

 

[Cowseye]

You still have many options for wide primes! From 14mm F2.8, 16mm FE, 24mm F1.4 or F2, 28mm F1.8 and 35mm F1.4 or F1.8.
Pick your poison

 

[regnad999]

24-70 is a fine lens. Very versatile because of its zoom but slightly on the heavy side. Sold it to buy a couple of primes. Most important IMHO is buying a lens that you need. Not based on reviews alone.

 

[akuma]

Zaknafein,
do you shoot landscape? one friend tell me this lens is like neither here nor there lens. it depends on what you like to shoot also.
if u think the other way...if u like landscape..a 14-24 + 70-200 + 50mm will also cost about the same...for me it was the convenience.

 

[Zaknafein]

Sometimes i shoot landscape when i travel, but i have another lens for that... The 24-70 wont be my travel lens, at least not at the moment hahah

 

[screambitch]

Sharpness has never really been an issue to me. I think as long as you can convey the feel of the image be it sharp or not. That's what matters.

 

[Zaknafein]

Sharpness has never really been an issue to me. I think as long as you can convey the feel of the image be it sharp or not. That's what matters.

Im with u on this... I weigh color and contrast over sharpness in IQ. Theres no right it wrong i guess, just personal preference

 

[crazypaladin]

I had the 24-70 and it was on my camera most of the time. I lend this to a colleague of mine who had the 16-35 mm and in the end, he decided to buy the 24-70 mm and wanted to sell the 16-35mm. For the two of us, the range matters most though we were impressed with the IQ and the fast focusing speed of the camera. Focusing speed also depends on the camera bodies as well.

 

[Zaknafein]

I had the 24-70 and it was on my camera most of the time. I lend this to a colleague of mine who had the 16-35 mm and in the end, he decided to buy the 24-70 mm and wanted to sell the 16-35mm. For the two of us, the range matters most though we were impressed with the IQ and the fast focusing speed of the camera. Focusing speed also depends on the camera bodies as well.

Thanks paladin... Btw how does the lens AF perform in low light?

 

[daredevil123]

One of the best best zooms I have ever used. The other best zoom is 70-200 vr2.

AF is fast and snappy even in very low light. But AF is not dependent on the lens alone. A lot depends on your camera body as well.

 

[nikonlensman]

Hi akuma, and yes! Many thanks to u and the numerous replies and inputs!! i guess our scenarios are slightly similar.... I can afford 1 or 2 good lens, be it zoom or prime. My considerations for a zoom is becos i need the flexibility of it; i need wide and some amount of tele at the same time. Actually i like primes, but unfortunately a prime cant give me that luxury of shooting in tight spaces and shooting tele at the same time. I would leg zoom if i can, and i'll just shoot with a prime and solve my problem, but thats not always possible.

Btw, focal length and aperture can affect the dof, but it cant affect the quality of bokeh. What can give u smooth creamy bokeh, is the internal construction of the lens aperture blades, and the no. of them. Future details, im not that sure of, but that's probably a topic for another thread.

I read the 24-70mm of other brands has their market, but if ur talking about absolute IQ, then N's 24-70 is the one.

And for some reason, my iphone issnt loading the 2 thumbnails pix... I'll take a look when i get the chance to fire it up on my pc. Will take a look at pixel-peeper too

Focal Length & aperture WILL affect bokeh, because it affects DOF. An 85mm lens at 1.4 will give you much better bokeh compared to a 24mm at 2.8 because of shallower DOF. Without subject isolation there will be no bokeh. To compare bokeh, you must use the same aperture & effective focal length setting. Then things like diaphragm, no of elements in the lens etc will come into play affecting bokeh.