Professional, fast aperture, standard zoom lens with SWM for fast and quiet Autofocus. Designed for digital, this lens rivals that of fixed Focal length lenses for edge to corner sharpness, and features a Nano Crystal Coating to minimize ghost and flare.
24-70mm zoom range (DX equivalent: 36-105mm). Nano Crystal Coat reduces ghost and flare. Slim, durable and lightweight barrel. SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for whisper quiet and fast autofocus. ED glass to minimize Chromatic aberration. Closest focusing distance: 0.38 m (at 50 mm). Rubber mount seal. Instant manual focus override (M/A). Detachable hood and soft pouch CL-M3 included.
Focal length 24-70 mm Maximum aperture f/2.8 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 15 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and one Nano Crystal Coat) Picture angle 84° - 34°20’ (61° - 22°50’ with DX-format camera) Minimum focus distance 0.38 m/1.2 ft. (with focal length 35-50 mm) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/3.7 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Filter/attachment size 77 mm FocusingInternal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount)Approx. 83×133 mm/3.3x5.2 in. WeightApprox. 900 g/31.7 oz. Supplied accessoriesBayonet Hood HB-40, Semi-soft Case CL-M3
The Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a truly stunning lens that exceeds the already very good performance of its predecessor. Chromatic aberrations are generally well controlled although they could have been somewhat more symmetrical (in the tested sample). This is not the fastest f/2.8 on a APS-C type lens that Nikon produce, if you are use to the super fast 17-35mm and he older 28-70mm (both f/2.8) then you might be a little disappointed with the focus speed of this lens. Though the high speed and low noise of the silent-wave AF drive is the cream on top of it all. The build quality of the lens is superb and it's a joy to handle it in the field despite its comparatively hefty size and weight. The center quality is nothing short of outstanding matching or beating the Resolution of a 10mp APS-C sensor. The border quality is very good at large aperture increasing to excellent levels at f/5.6-8. However, you've to be careful with the curved focus field at 24mm which can result in out-of-focus background corners! Distortions and Vignetting are very low and not really field relevant. The bokeh (out-of-focus Blur) is unusually smooth and buttery for a zoom lens with aspherical elements.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I have borrowed a friends Where did you buy this item?: N/A When did you buy this item?: N/A
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Sharp at almost all lenghts, build quality Cons: Price
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 114 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.3
Build Quality
4.3
AF Speed
4.4
Value for Money
4.4
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Light Leak on 24-70, Thursday, 12 August 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
2.0
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
3.0
After reading all of the positive feedbacks, I decided to plunge $1800 for this awesome lens It takes great pictues and I love it... (not repeating what others have already shared)... However, I just saw on Nikonrumor about a reported Light Lak problem on 24-70 and I have it too!!! for $1800, this should not happen!!! this is only a year old lens and not acceptable.
Check your lens.. Put on the lens cap, set ISO to 4000, exposure to 10 sec, focus between 50-55mm and focus your flash ligh into the zoom window indicator... crap!!!! i can't believe I hit the jackpot!!!
very disappointed and going to call Nikon about this... hope you guys do not have this problem!!
If you don't mind carrying a ton of bricks with yo, Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I got this lens because I'm a beginner photographer who happens to be rich and irresponsible. I'm not that good at taking pictures, so I need every Bit of help I can get. This lens is great. I look like a real pro. The lens works great and takes good pictures. Very sharp and accurate.
A lot of "professional" photographers say they don't use mid-range zooms. Well la-dee-flipping-dah. I have found this zoom to be pretty much amazing, and having mostly used prime lenses, I love the ability to change from the moderate wide all the way to head-shoulders portrait range. There is some distortion at the 24mm range, but goes away quickly as you zoom. Personally, I like the opportunity to use perspective at that range anyway. I've heard there is some issue with "light leak" at 55mm and long exposures with the cap on and a bright light shining on the focus ring, but I have not found it to be an issue, though I've only had this lens for a month now.
It is: Amazingly fast and accurate (especially on the D700); Sharp, sharp, sharp; A little heavy, but I am a fairly strong guy, so it doesn't bother me, even on long assignments; Expensive - I can't imagine purchasing this if I didn't make money with photography, but hey, that's where I come from (cheap Asian family) A "game changer" - combined with the D700, is disgustingly fast, and the colors are AMAZING.
It doesn't have VR, but since I only use it on the D700 with the Auto ISO threshold up to 6400 and minimum shutter speed at 1/60, I haven't really missed VR on this thing yet. Other people of course have different cameras and different uses, but for mostly wedding and event photography, this has worked fine for me.
I don't know much about Color Aberration, and I'm not the type-A kind of person that will go out and make a chart on the sharpness at each available focal length, but I can tell you that if you have the money to drop on this beast, you will be amazed, especially if you pair it with a higher end Nikon camera.
Nikon 24-70 f2.8 lens is good, but....., Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
3.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
I have owned this lens for about three months. I have to say that for the money, it is just OK. Image quality is very good, but only if shot at f4 and above. It is not nearly as sharp as the 70-200 f2.8, which I also own and shoot at f2.8 all the time. I also have a specific complaint about focal lengths between 50 and 70mm - the lens is especially soft after you zoom past 50mm. I bought this for indoor shooting and need f2.8 more than any other aperture setting. To be honest, my 18-105VR kit lens gives this thing a run for the money (for lots less of it, too), with the 24-70 performing somewhat better only at apertures equal to or smaller than I can get anyway on my kit lens. It does do quite a bit better once you get to f5.6 and up, but who cares when you need f2.8 most of the time? At apertures smaller than f4 and focal lengths of 24-50mm, it performs admirably, but the range I need is the worst of the bunch. For a lens without VR to be this expensive and have the flaws mentioned, it is only an OK lens in my view. I actually tried 2 copies, the first of which was not only soft (more so than the second copy), but had a terrible amount of purple fringing when shot wide open. It had to be returned. The second was better, so I figured that was as good as it gets with this one, and kept it. It will still be useful when I have to have a fast lens at this focal length range, but it is a bit disappointing after getting such fantastic results from the 70-200VR. Great reviews made me believe that it was going to be comparable, but that is unfortunately not the case. Build quality is good (and the weight is hefty, too), so it should be built well enough for very demanding users. I may investigate other brands and sell this one down the road if I find a less expensive and equally good or better performing one, but will put up with it's weaknesses for now.
Serious lens for serious shots, Saturday, 17 July 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have to admit, even though this lens received glowing reviews across the board, I had butterflies in my stomach considering a lens that after tax and shipping would be over TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS. I mean, that's a heck of a lot of money for one lens! Could it really be worth it? I had just purchased a Nikon D700, replacing my old D80, and had found limitations with the DX format (chiefly low-light situations that required fast shutter speeds with no flash - read: indoor sports.) My experience with non-Nikon brand lenses was underwhelming. They did the job, but there was always "something" about them that didn't perform as well as the Nikon lenses I had purchased. Slow focus, loss of sharpness at edges, etc. Since my main mid-range lens was not a Nikon, and DX, I desperately needed an FX replacement. This is the only mid-range FX zoom lens that Nikon makes where the maximum aperture remains constant throughout its range (I'm not a fan of Zoom lenses that have variable maximum apertures.) The bottom line is if I wanted a full-frame mid-range Nikon with constant max aperture, this is the only choice.
I ponied up the dough, and I must say I am impressed. The images this lens produces are amazing, and the performance consistently reminds me that this lens costs as much as it does for a reason. It's construction is incredibly solid, and the zoom ring is very smooth as it's adjusted. Focus is super fast and is almost inaudible (great for wedding photos or any other event where noisy focus would be a distraction.) Under low light conditions and wide open this lens grabs images that my previous mid-range would easily fumble.
The only reason I ranked the accessories at 3 stars is for a lens this expensive I'd at least expect the case it comes with to be a bit more protective. The top and bottom of the lens is held in place with open-cell foam, which is the same kind of foam just about any product ships with. Granted the open cell foam is a bit denser and is flexible, unlike styrofoam, but still. I would have expected at least dense closed-cell foam wrapped in some sort of material and stitched into the case. The foam blocks the lens is shipped inside the case with looks and feels like they're throw-away. I think most people at this level will wind up buying or already own a camera bag for bodies, lenses, and accessories, so this is kind of a moot point.
In closing, this lens is really your only choice for a Nikon full-frame mid-range constant maximum aperture zoom lens at the time that this review is being written. I think at this price it's a fairly painful purchase, but if you want quality it's worth it.
Serious lens for serious shots, Saturday, 17 July 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have to admit, even though this lens received glowing reviews across the board, I had butterflies in my stomach considering a lens that after tax and shipping would be over ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. I mean, that's a heck of a lot of money for one lens! Could it really be worth it? I had just purchased a Nikon D700, replacing my old D80, and had found limitations with the DX format (chiefly low-light situations that required fast shutter speeds with no flash - read: indoor sports.) My experience with non-Nikon brand lenses was underwhelming. They did the job, but there was always "something" about them that didn't perform as well as the Nikon lenses I had purchased. Slow focus, loss of sharpness at edges, etc. Since my main mid-range lens was not a Nikon, and DX, I desperately needed an FX replacement. This is the only mid-range FX zoom lens that Nikon makes where the maximum aperture remains constant throughout its range (I'm not a fan of zoom lenses that have variable maximum apertures.) The bottom line is if I wanted a full-frame mid-range Nikon with constant max aperture, this is the only choice.
I ponied up the dough, and I must say I am impressed. The images this lens produces are amazing, and the performance consistently reminds me that this lens costs as much as it does for a reason. It's construction is incredibly solid, and the zoom ring is very smooth as it's adjusted. Focus is super fast and is almost inaudible (great for wedding photos or any other event where noisy focus would be a distraction.) Under low light conditions and wide open this lens grabs images that my previous mid-range would easily fumble.
The only reason I ranked the accessories at 3 stars is for a lens this expensive I'd at least expect the case it comes with to be a bit more protective. The top and bottom of the lens is held in place with open-cell foam, which is the same kind of foam just about any product ships with. Granted the open cell foam is a bit denser and is flexible, unlike styrofoam, but still. I would have expected at least dense closed-cell foam wrapped in some sort of material and stitched into the case. The foam blocks the lens is shipped inside the case with looks and feels like they're throw-away. I think most people at this level will wind up buying or already own a camera bag for bodies, lenses, and accessories, so this is kind of a moot point.
In closing, this lens is really your only choice for a Nikon full-frame mid-range constant maximum aperture zoom lens at the time that this review is being written. I think at this price it's a fairly painful purchase, but if you want quality it's worth it.
Value for money? Not for me., Thursday, 08 July 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
1.3
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
2.0
Very heavy, makes carrying your camera around less and less desirable with every day that passes. I had people commenting on the fact that they felt intimidated by the size of the lens. Picture quality is great, but (at least my copy) does not feel as "stellar" as other reviews made me to expect. I cannot see any difference in the photos when compared to lenses that cost a fifth of what this one costs, enlarged to 100 percent side by side in LightRoom when the same body is used. For me the "value for money" just isn't there, especially in this economy. Do yourself a favor and stick to a DX body and lenses between $200 and $600. Nothing wrong there and no one will notice the difference in the photos.
I acquired this lens last fall and it is the lens most often on my camera. I will typically use it on a D700 although I occasionally put it on the D2X. In FX format the wide angle is fine for many shots and near focusing allows me to use it for medical photography sometimes over my Macro lenses. The images it produces are extremely sharp. There are fewer aberrations than with my 17-35mm 2.8. While it is bulky, the build quality is superb and there are some exercise benefits to lugging it around. Expensive but worth the money if you can do it. I have decided it makes more sense to put the money into the pro lenses and stick with the D700 and D300 range bodies rather than extend to the D3 range. I will be using this lens long after the D1X and D2X are retired to my closet.
I bought this after purchasing the 70-200mm f/2.8 and use both on my d90, and will be purchasing the d700 soon. This lens makes a dramatic difference to the quality of the images that I have taken ever since my purchase. I definitely have no regrets about forking out the money on this item. The telling thing for me about quality lenses like this are they rarely decrease in price without a newer version being made. Camera bodies on the other hand decrease over time as the technology continues to advance, but you can only let in so much light. From a budget decision making view, I am also glad I upgraded my glass before I upgraded the body for fear that I would have used a premium body with poor lenses that would have created a poor impression of what is by all accounts a great camera. It is sturdy and well made, super fast and handles low light conditions well. Can't wait to try it on a d700. The only challenge with it is the focus and zoom rings are close together enough that it takes an adjustment period to learn where to place your hand. Vibration would have been nice, but I haven't had any call to use it anyway. Buy this lens, you won't be disappointed.
Before buying the 24-70, I would read all of these wonderful reviews and think, "how good can a lens really be?" After getting and using the lens on my D700, I can hands-down say this is the best lens I have ever used. The color is as close to perfect as anything I have ever seen. The focus speed is stunning. The bokeh is very nice. The sharpness is better than my Nikon 50mm/1.4G at any aperture. Of course the 1.4G beats the 24-70 in very low light, but only by a little (and not enough, IMO, when the DOP loss is considered).
Net-Net: All the glowing reviews are dead-on. And, of all the standard zoom ranges, this is probably the most useful. If you have a D3/D700, I'd call this lens a must-have. For a D300,D90, etc., you would sure not be disappointed either.
If you are on the fence between the lens and an assortment of primes in the same range, I'd highly recommend giving this zoom a try instead. Being an owner of both primes over the same range and this lens, I can foresee the itch to sell the primes. This lens will stay on the D700 with only brief breaks for for the 14-24 and maybe the 70-200 when the color performance of the D700 is needed over the D300.
Before buying the 24-70, I would read all of these wonderful reviews and think, "how good can a lens really be?" After getting and using the lens on my D700, I can hands-down say this is the best lens I have ever used. The color is as close to perfect as anything I have ever seen. The focus speed is stunning. The bokeh is very nice. The sharpness is better than my Nikon 50mm/1.4G at any aperture. Of course the 1.4G beats the 24-70 in very low light, but only by a little (and not enough, IMO, when the DOP loss is considered).
Net-Net: All the glowing reviews are dead-on. And, of all the standard zoom ranges, this is probably the most useful. If you have a D3/D700, I'd call this lens a must-have. For a D300,D90, etc., you would sure not be disappointed either.
If you are on the fence between the lens and an assortment of primes in the same range, I'd highly recommend giving this zoom a try instead. Being an owner of both primes over the same range and this lens, I can foresee the itch to sell the primes. This lens will stay on the D700 with only brief breaks for the 14-24 and maybe the 70-200 (when the color performance of the D700 is needed over the D300, otherwise the cropping of the D300 causes the 70-200 to find that body as home most of the time).
Before buying the 24-70, I would read all of these wonderful reviews and think, "how good can a lens really be?" After getting and using the lens on my D700, I can hands-down say this is the best lens I have ever used. The color is as close to perfect as anything I have ever seen. The focus speed is stunning. The bokeh is very nice. The sharpness is better than my Nikon 50mm/1.4G at any aperture. Of course the 1.4G beats the 24-70 in very low light, but only by a little (and not enough, IMO, when the DOP loss is considered).
Net-Net: All the glowing reviews are dead-on. And, of all the standard zoom ranges, this is probably the most useful. If you have a D3/D700, I'd call this lens a must-have. For a D300,D90, etc., you would sure not be disappointed either.
If you are on the fence between the lens and an assortment of primes in the same range, I'd highly recommend giving this zoom a try instead. Being an owner of both primes over the same range and this lens, I can foresee the itch to sell the primes. This lens will stay on the D700 with only brief breaks for the 14-24 and maybe the 70-200 (when the color performance of the D700 is needed over the D300, otherwise the cropping factor of the D300 causes the 70-200 to find that body as home most of the time).
I am a Semi-pro Wedding photographer. I bought this lens for its speed (f/2.8). Turns out the ED Glass on the lens provided for some amazingly crisp photos. I wish i got this lens sooner. If it is in your budget, definitely get one. you will not be sorry.
