Nikon 24-70mm
 

As anybody got this lens on WPF?
Nikon 24-70mm
Is it as good as all the reviews I've read about it say?
and is it worth th money?
I am on the lookout for a lens for wedding photography and this seems to be the one most are talking about. I'm sure it was under £1000.00 a few months ago, now with the credit crunch Nikon have put up the price!!!!! :mad:
Thanks

Get yourself the older version 28-70 f2.8. I have no idea of current cost but its known as the 'beast' and its probably the sharpest lens I have.

Well recommended.

Random test results

Thank for that Stephen, I take it Nikon still make that one? or is it a second hand Jobie

I believe Nikon made the 24-70 to replace the beast.

I am sure it would not be a problem to source one from the used market.


......rehome one today :D

I just had a quick look on Fleabay, not a lot on there !!!!!

I would not use fleabay for anything like a lens. Keep for eyes peeled for one of the used re-sellers and you should have some recourse if things go wrong.

Resellers:-

Grays of Westminster
Mifsuds
Aperture photographic (museum st, London)

Go and visit check one out and you may opt to buy.

Hi Lello, I have the 24-70 and the 14-24, I got rid of the 28-70 after using the 24-70. The 28-70 was excellent but the 24-70 is spectacular in my opinion. It's the lens that is rarely off my D3. Like the "beast" it is not a light lens, but the extra workout is well worth the results it is capable of.

Andy I'm jealous! I am still looking for one (had to hire it on a regular basis) - going to the show this coming weekend so may find one there...

I have the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8. not in the same league as the Nikon with build quality, and they have an annoying blip in the zoom action around the 30mm mark, but much cheaper than the nikon, and easier to source.
maybe worth a punt?

Sorry Joe, it's not being snobbish but I firmly believe if you've got a good camera, get the best glass. I've already learned by breaking two cheaper lenses, and one was the Nikon 24-85 ED (which is a classic and the image quality is/was superb). They are just not made well enough for regular/hard use.

Ok. Just thinking, it's the best one Sigma do, which would serve you in terms of speed and zoom range, until you get the Nikon?....but I know what you mean though.

A comparative review of both lenses can be read here and might help decide which lens to go for.

A quick read suggests the 24-70 is slightly sharper at f2.8 and by f4 there is little difference.

Thanks for the link Stephen, very interesting

Lello,

I have been looking at dealer prices on the back of a rumour that another price increase is on the way. Some prices are near double Nikons 15% on lenses since 1st Feb. Either dealers are looking at greater margins, or prices on some stuff reflects what is just round the corner ( ie items are on back order and the dealer knows the new price ).

I will be unpopular in this, but as we got away with it fairly lightly in the Feb 1st increase compared the USA ( similar percent increase as the UK despite the UK£ falling further against the JapanY than US$ ). So I believe the rumour to be true, and fully expect the next price rise on the 2nd March.

Either way new and second hand prices are on the up.

Don

Thanks for the good news Don :(

My plan is to buy big at the show this weekend. That's if anyone is actually selling the stuff.

The 'Focus on Imaging' show Derek?

Yes, a party of us Yorkshire folk are going down. Sunday is not the best day, but I have a free pass from Caroline ;) so I'm doing Whitby on Saturday.

My first weekend all to myself for quite a long time!

Well it seems Nikon price rise effective from 1st of March is now official. Info from several sites confirms what is in this link.
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_277403.html

No idea of rough percentages yet, but I will know once the new list is published. I have however seen pro lenses advertised at up to 8.6% above current list, suggesting at least another 15% is on the cards.
I have not followed the Sigma range, but if as this link suggests they raised prices by an average of 40% then this round from Nikon could be a bit painful particularly for the pro end of the lens range. Nikons last price rise was generally around 15% on lenses so considerably less than the Sigma number.

Don

Good call Don.
The secondhand prices seem to be following suit. I'm thanking my lucky stars I got the s/h D2x when I did, as some of the prices I'm seeing now have gone into silly money.

Oh well, looks like the lens will have to on the backboiler for now, Unles I find one S/H
I Do think I will hire a lens for my wedding shoot HERE seems a good price and I can get it at least 3-4 days before to try it out.

A friends of mine uses that site when they need to hire lenes and recommends them :)

A great idea, try before you buy!

Thanks for that Clive, I was meant to have asked if anybody here had used this company before, At least there is a recommendation now.

Lello

Hi Stephen , That's what I thought!! It's cheap enough to try out.
Lello

Hiring also makes good business sense if you're out on a job too, as it can be classed as an expense. :) happy days :)

Forgot to mention.
In terms of reliable secondhand dealers, I've had a few bits and pieces from these guys before;
https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

Always very helpful, and when ordering online I've always received a personal email from one of the people at the shop. Shipping has always been lightening fast too.
Although I've never been to the shop as it's a bit far north, if I ever found myself there I would certainly drop in to them. They seem very knowledgeable and helpful, prices arent too bad, and they usually have quite a variety of secondhand gear, with a fast turnaround of listed stock too.
Hope his helps

Great prices down at the show, I finally got my own 24-70. :)

the big problem with the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 is sample variation - I knwo a few people who have owned this lens, a couple have been very happy with it but others weren't. One chaps copy was shockingly bad, it was enough to put me of getting one when I was looking for something in this range. I'd recommend anyone going for the Sigma to try the copy they're buying before parting with any money.

Well I resisted for about 3 weeks, But I couldn't wait any longer, I'm now a proud owner of a Nikon 24-70mm lens. When I registered it on the Nikon site, I was told I'm now a professional user!! ME, professional!!!!!!!! :):)

Congrats Lello. glad you got the lens you were after.

Know exactly what you mean postcardvc.
Funnily enough, only the other day I was chatting to a fellow photographer whilst waiting for Kim Marsh to turn up, and got chatting about lenses. Was shown another 24-70mm Sigma for his Canon 1D....I said I was happy with mine in terms of glass, but not 100% happy with the slight resistance at the 28-30mm zoom mark approx. He then fished his out of his kitbag,happy with the glass (and price), looked identical BUT his had an extra MF/AF switch as well as the usual push/pull AF/MF focus ring which he was annoyed about!...and his zoom had some resistance around the 60mm mark!....the lenses looked identical with serial numbers not that far apart.
Definately a weird one.


I think similar happened with Saphire's Tokina wide angle zoom. The first example was a shocker, and got sent back to Warehouse express. The replacement though is a stunner, and very sharp

Thanks Joe
Been out today playing with it, so far so good, Will have to get used to not having VR.
(We had a lovely sunny morning) so, no VR was not an issue today. will post some images as soon as I get some time.
Lello

Congratulations Lello, I think it is a superb piece of glass - now a big question - is it's perfect companion the 14-24 Nikkor .............??;);)

Andy, I got the Nikon 24-70mm at the show (I had previously rented it) and it's now my favorite lens - can't beleive just how fast it is to focus.

Your second point - the answer is YES!

Thanks for that Andy, that's all I need, more temptation, It's going to have to be a dream for now:(

Hi Derek I can't see me ever taking the 24-70 off the D300,
I love it
Lello

Lello, Derek, I know you will enjoy it as I do - and yes I have the 14-24 as well. But I kept the 17-35 f2.8 purely because you cannot stick any filters on the 14-24 and it does not have a rear holder for gels. The 24-70 has become my main lens as well.

24 - 70 mm nikon lens
 

Hi, I bought a 24-70mm nikon lens 6months ago. Best lens I have, especially for wedding photography when used with a D£ camera, very fast and razor sharp.

post
 

Hi. I have just acquired this lens and think it a superb piece of glass. These are first three images taken with it.

Bodnant_Hall_main_house
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/q...main_house.jpg

House_round_pond
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/q...round_pond.jpg

Pin_Mill
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/q...9_pin_mill.jpg

on a D3 body. :cool: