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which 24-70/2.8?

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Okay, thinking about getting (but not committed yet) a 24-70. Question is which one? PhotoZone shows the Nikkor as superior across all focals, but to be honest, I see some excellent images being posted here from the Tamron at about 1/3rd less than the Nikkor. Tammy is a little lighter and a little shorter than the Nikkor, but neither is small. Not sure a 24-70 is even worth it if I have a Sigma ART 50 and 24 (don't have my hands on the Sigma 24 ART yet, but it's a foregone conclusion) and already have the 24-120 which while not great is often good enough ... Thoughts?
 

dwood

Well-known member
I recently rented the Tamron and was pretty impressed with its performance. AF was fast, and it was a definite plus to have the VC available...my hand-held technique needs all the help it can get. Corners were a bit softer at the 24 end than the 70 side and there's some vignetting, but that's easily dealt with in post.

I keep hoping to see some action from Sigma on the rumored 24-70 Art but that may be a while coming. I may just end up grabbing a Tammy and check out the Sigma if/when that ever happens. The Tamron seems to run between $800-900 used, and looks like there's a $100 rebate on new ones until the end of this month.
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
Jack,

As you can probably tell, I'm not big on mid-range zooms, and particularly not fast mid-range zooms. I had the Canon 24-70L some years ago and ended up selling it for the 50/1.4, 28/1.8, and 100/2 lenses ... they did a better job for me.

On top of that, you already have the 24-120, and a 24, and a 50 ... Unless the zooms you're talking about are vastly superior to even the primes in that range, I'd be more inclined to fill in the prime range with an ~85 or ~100 mm prime.

G
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Godfrey,

You have of course summed up my dilemma well. I too have owned the fast 24 (or 28 or 35) to 70 zooms, and almost NEVER actually ended up using them nearly as much as I expected, usually favoring my 24, 50 and 85 primes. I think your post has answered my question, thanks :)

But I am all ears for a good argument for the 2-70 :D
 

Swissblad

Well-known member
Jack
I bought the Nikon 24-70 - couldn't resist the sale price (≈$1100.-) - and am very impressed - but it is very bulky, heavy, and lacks VR.
However, as you also have the new 24-120mm AFS VR - which is a good lens for the zoom range - I would tend to favour fast primes - Nikon 20mm f1.8, Sigma 24mm f1.4 ART, Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART......
Have fun making your decision(s)
S :)
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Okay, got my plan. My Sigma 24 ART will be here tomorrow, so I'm gonna see how I get along with the 24/50/85 fast primes in my bag instead. Yes, I like the convenience of a zoom when traveling, but then I have the 24-120 already, and it is decent. IF however, I find I miss the zoom convenience and want a little more flexibility, the rumored Sigma ART 24-70 may be closer to a reality by that time and worth exploring -- if it isn't a reality, I am leaning strongly toward the Tammy as my intermediate fast zoom option since it has VR.
 

dwood

Well-known member
Okay, got my plan. My Sigma 24 ART will be here tomorrow, so I'm gonna see how I get along with the 24/50/85 fast primes in my bag instead. Yes, I like the convenience of a zoom when traveling, but then I have the 24-120 already, and it is decent. IF however, I find I miss the zoom convenience and want a little more flexibility, the rumored Sigma ART 24-70 may be closer to a reality by that time and worth exploring -- if it isn't a reality, I am leaning strongly toward the Tammy as my intermediate fast zoom option since it has VR.
I'll be interested to hear about your Sigma 24 Art experience. I shoot the 35 and 50, and have been close to pressing the 'buy' button on the 24. The only thing holding me back is that I have the Zeiss Distagon 21, and I just can't see parting with that. But if the 24 rocks, who knows.
 

bensonga

Well-known member
Hi Jack...which 85 prime do you like? I've been hoping we would see a Sigma 85/1.4 Art lens soon.

Gary
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Gary,

I have the Nikkor 85/1.4G and it is superb -- so good it appears sharper than the sensor across the entire frame. And as such, I personally would never bother waiting for -- or replacing it with -- anything else.
 

Bob

Administrator
Staff member
Gary,

I have the Nikkor 85/1.4G and it is superb -- so good it appears sharper than the sensor across the entire frame. And as such, I personally would never bother waiting for -- or replacing it with -- anything else.
+1 except when something like the Lomography Petzval is indicated
-bob
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
And like Bob, I have the Petzval 85 AND the PC-e 85, so yeah, I guess I like 85's :LOL:
 

gurtch

Well-known member
Jack: As you may have seen, I have posted a ton of images made with the D800E and Tammy 24-70 VC. I have a Zeiss 18mm ZF II, Zeiss 35mm ZF f2, Nikon 50mm f1.8, Nikon 85mm f1.8, and Nikon 105mm Macro VR. Somehow they usually stay on the shelf when I see a magnificent sky, and grab the camera with 24~70 already on it. The VC is a real plus for me (age 78).I make 20"x30" prints from the Tammy files. There are lens profiles in DXO and ACR. I highly recommend it.
Dave in NJ
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Dave -- I am actually leaning toward the Tammy if I do a 24-70, I really like the way it renders.
 

segedi

Member
Jack - I have the Tamron 24-70 IS lens and did an informal test on a lens calibration target. To my surprise the lens performed much better than I expected. It's really sharp - and as sharp as the 50 and 85mm f/1.8's. Killed the Sigma 150mm Macro. But, I'm a prime guy and it's been sitting since the test a few months back. If you're interested in a used one, let me know!
 

dr0th

Member
I have to say, I've rented the Tamron a few times and have been blown away by it. I have never been blown away by a Tamron, but I guess there's a first time for everything. The price and the addition of stabilization make it a worthy alternative to the Nikon. However, I still think the Nikon is better built, and I just don't like the construction and aesthetics of the Tamron. But overall, I'd admit that the Tamron is a better deal.
 

Tektrader

Member
Now is NOT the time to invest in a Nikon 24-70 Jack. Its getting on in age and is sure to be replaced in the next 12 months. In fact I was so incensed by the lousy corner performance, that after I got the 24-120 I sold the 24-70 and bought a suite of primes to replace it. The VR in the 24-120 is worth more than the stop of extra light from the bigger lens.

Ended up with: for 24mm I use the 14-24, for 35mm I bought the Sigma art 35mm (but I am going to replace that with the Nikon 35mm F1.8 due to weight factors), 50mm I use a Nikkor 50 1.4, 85mm I use the Nikkor 85 F1.8

Everything that matters use a prime, Walk around/holidays: the 24-120

No need for the 24-70 anymore.....
 

tcdeveau

Well-known member
I'd second the "hold off on buying a 24-70" at the moment. IMHO Nikon's 24-70 performs well, but it is probably due for a refresh soon. Nikon Rumors has been talking about new 24-70 pf vr f2.8 for awhile, which on paper would be lighter and have VR.
 
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