Thinking of getting a Nikon 24-70 2.8 VR. How do you guys like it?

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blong10

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I posted this on another forum but wanted your guy's opinion.
I looking to purchase this do go with my D850. I recently purchased a Tamron 24-70 2.8 G2 on eBay but had a lot of issues with it. I returned it for a refund. Anyone using this on a D850 and how do you like it. I'm going to use this for most of my landscape work. And then probably purchase the 14-24
 
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The 24-70 is one lens I don’t have and don’t miss. The 16-35 and the 20mm cover the wide end. The 70-200’s cover the other and the 50mm the middle. I’m sure the 24-70’s are great lenses but they just don’t suit what I do.
 
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Using both the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G and the later 24-70mm f/2.8E VR, tend to use the G series the most as I find it slightly sharper at the edges but the E series VR has been really useful when its dark and its somewhere that I can't use a tripod or flash. Very rarely need anything wider but I do have the Nikon 20mm f/1.8 G series just in case.

All used on a D5 and D850.
 
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I have the E version and have been using it more and more. It is a fine lens but pretty big and heavy. It’s great to have 2.8 but it’s heavy. I also have the 24-120 that I normally use when I need that range. The 24-120 is not as good optically but is perfectly acceptable. Much less $$ too.
 
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I own and use that combo and it is fantastic. If that is the focal range you shoot in much of the time then it is perfect for you. IQ is excellent and post processing pulls out so much color and detail that you will be amazed.
 
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I don't own one, but have used one before. It was a very nice lens, but I was not so impressed that I ran out and purchased one. Using it did cause me to seriously look at shorter focal length lenses. I ended up purchasing a Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art. At that time, I already owned the Nikon 70-200mm, and 28mm, 35mm and 50 mm lenses within the focal length range of the 24-70. For those focal lengths, having a faster lens is also a plus to me.

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I have the 24-70mm f2.8 G Nikon and the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Lens. I end up using the smaller/lighter 24-85mm the most on my D810 and D850. Its image quality is good enough for me. Its costs less than a used 24-70mm f2.8 G. If you want a non Nikon lens, consider a Sigma Art series 24-70mm f2.8. I would rent it first to try it out before buying it. That advice goes for any new lens.
 
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How much use you get out of the 24-70mm lens really depends on your subjects and how you shoot. I have a good friend that runs a very healthy business doing a lot of single and group portrait work including a lot of environmental portraiture like featured people in their places of work for magazine articles. He swears by the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 VR lens and is one of his most used lenses probably followed by the 70-200mm.

I've owned various incarnations of Nikon's 24-70mm but though I liked having coverage in those focal lengths I didn't get enough use out of it for scenics and wildlife work to justify the newest VR version. I sometimes shoot scenics in the 24-30mm range but generally want something wider on a full frame body for scenic work. I rarely if ever used the focal lengths between 30mm and 70mm though often find uses for the 70-200mm.

Presently I'm shooting with the 16-35mm for a lot of my scenic work and have a 24-120mm that finds a fair amount of use when I want intermediate focal lengths and is a bit more portable for walk around use than the 24-70mm f/2.8.

But if you do have frequent need of focal lengths in the 24-70mm range it's very hard to go wrong with the image quality of either the G or E versions of Nikon's f/2.8 lens.
 
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Sorry you had problems with the Tamron. I have a 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 paired with my D850 and it has performed very well for me.

When I am looking to buy a lens, I see how it fits in with the capabilities of the other glass I have and what I shoot. I don't look at a specific lens in isolation. You can't go wrong with the trinity (12 or 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2,8, and 70-200mm f/2.8). Those 3 iconic lenses cover a lot of territory for a lot of different types of photography. Add a 200-500mm f/5.6 and you can shoot most anything. Then add some primes like a 35mm and nifty fifty for low light situations, a portrait lens like an 85mm f/1.8, and a macro lens like a 105mm f/2.8 and you are 90% of the way there. Want to do some astrophotography, look at a fast 14mm lens .
 
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The Nikon 24-70 f2.8 G version rolled out in 2007 and it was my first Pro Glass purchase. The reviews of this Lens were glowing in regards to IQ and it spent a lot of time over the years on my D700 for Landscape and Family Portraits. I can‘t write of the newer 2.8 VR Version but I have used the older G Version on my D850 and the IQ is exceptional as I would expect it to be. I have the 16-35 f4 VR,
24-120 f4 VR, and the 70-200 f2.8 for my Landscape photography. IMO... and if on a budget the 24-120 f4 is a very good Lens though my copy is a little soft on the long end in the corners but other than that I have no problems using it for my Landscape or walk around needs on my D850. Choices... if you need the 2.8 the 24-70 will fill that need, if f2.8 won’t be needed as often then the 24-120 f4 VR might be a better choice plus a little more reach.
 
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I regularly look on Craigslist for used Nikon equipment and here in Vancouver the most frequently offered lens for sale is the Nikon 24-70 f2.8. I'm not sure what that says but at least it means a lot of people don't want to keep it for some reason. I suspect it's too limited in it's range.
 
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jhallettbc said:
I regularly look on Craigslist for used Nikon equipment and here in Vancouver the most frequently offered lens for sale is the Nikon 24-70 f2.8. I'm not sure what that says but at least it means a lot of people don't want to keep it for some reason. I suspect it's too limited in it's range.
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Pro Grade fast 2.8 Glass a favorite for Wedding / Event Photographers. Reason would not be IQ, perhaps range too short or upgrading to the VR version 2.8. I’ll keep my 24-70 G the IQ was very good on my D700 and even better on the D850.
 
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I love both the G and VR versions although they do render a bit differently, image quality is quite awesome but in the end I didn't get one because they are designed for a set of priorities that are not mine. If I need a one-lens walk-around system I prefer the 24-120 VR for its better reach (I am lucky to have a really good copy). If I want to do street photography then i'll mount a 20mm, 35mm or 50mm prime depending on what I am in the mood for - they are a bit more discreet and I love the control they give over DOF (f:2.8 isn't bad in that regard but it looks nowhere near as smooth as f:1.8 or f:1.4). And if I need low light then I am definitely using the brightest prime I have that fits the topic... so in the end, as much as I love the 24/70 f:2.8 (and I really do), I don't have much of a need for one. If I was a pro that needs top notch optics, built like a tank, with versatility then I'd be all over those. If I was headed on a safari and wanted a top landscape quality in one lens to manage weight then I definitely would rent one for the trip.
 
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I did a lot of research on the 24-70, 16-35, and the current 18-35. All Nikons and chose the 18-35mm. I'm really happy with it. I use it on a D750 but when I add the D850 it will be staying. If you google the lens it gets excellent ratings by some respectable photographers, even with the D850. It's not a Pro Lens but it can give Pro Results.
 
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I was so lucky. I spotted the Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2 version brand new for £675 on E- finity so grabbed it there and then. Main official retailers price is £1000 + so got a real bargan. that company has upped the price since then. What is more it is a vey sharp copy so guess who is a happy chappie?
Just looked and they have sold out of this lens ( dec 23)
 
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StephenP said:
I did a lot of research on the 24-70, 16-35, and the current 18-35. All Nikons and chose the 18-35mm. I'm really happy with it. I use it on a D750 but when I add the D850 it will be staying. If you google the lens it gets excellent ratings by some respectable photographers, even with the D850. It's not a Pro Lens but it can give Pro Results.
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I also did research and got the 18-35 for my D780. I am super happy with it and find it incredibly sharp.
 
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Snapshot2020 said:
Do you see any Barrel Distortion on the wide end of the 18-35 as this has been an issue with the 16-35 f4. It can be corrected in Post but it’s an annoying negative attribute at 16 mm.
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Because of the subject matter I'm drawn to, I've never noticed barrel distortion. This is a typical type of photo I'd use it for.
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I have the 24-70/2.8 which lives on my D810, it does 70% of my DSLR work. I also have 12mm & 20mm Voigtlander, Nik 50/1.4, 70-200/2.8 and a Sigma 170/500/4.5, but the 24-70 is the go-to. Wouldn’t be without it!

Oon my two lighter kits, the Z7 and Sony Nex7 I also have 24-70 lenses - it’s just the right range
 
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What I do is go through the thousands of images and average out what is the most common focal range I used.
You can buy good slightly used 24-70G versions from those up grading to E.
In my experience about $1300 AUD gets you a good 24-70 G, buy it from a good dealer.

Look the 24-70 G or E lens is simply a bullet proof reliable work horse made for serious full professional applications, ie working hard all day etc etc in commercial applications weddings etc etc, its a safe lens, sharp fast accurate versatile, its part of the wholly trio of lenses.

I find the F2.8 in any lens is simply essential, not just to shoot at 2.8 but the fact I need less iso and get better speed and focus performance.

I have the 14-24G, 24-70 G, 70-200 FL, these lenses are the go to lenses other than for long wild life sports action.
14-24 2.8 is a stunning all round paparazzi lens that is also spectacular for landscape, street photography and creative shots, fast sharp accurate a bullet proof work horse, not a consumer lens like the 16-35 f4 that for many vignettes with several filters and pushes you out to 19mm, The 16-35 is sharper in the middle by 20% but softer in the corners where the14-24 is sharper evenly across the frame. the 14-24 is the better choice and suits astro shooting better because its 2.8.

Don't do your head in, just hire before you buy and don't get caught up catching GAS disease, focus on composition.
As to the D850, its a brilliant all round do everything well camera that really requires good glass like 2.8 to get the best out it, it allows you to do everything, there is nothing much that the Z7 can do that the D850 cant, remember a camera is only a toll that records light which is a photon of red green and blue, what varies is the glass, and you behind the camera using it.

Yes if am traveling and don't want a heavy lens etc I take a 50mm 1.8, or a 24-85 I have had for ages.
 
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