Lens Advice: 24-120 vs 24-70

[atanabe]

I am open to all lenses Tamron, Sigma, Nikon, my main goal is to be portable. Now the 28-70 and 24-70 are at the top of the pyramid when it comes to image quality out of a zoom but in a very large package. I would like to keep the physical size down for two reasons, fatigue and intimidation. If the camera/lens combo is so large and heavy that you dread carrying it for extended times then it sits in a bag. If the camera/lens combo is so large that women and children run and hide, then it becomes a liability. I think the nickname for the 28-70 was "The Beast". So as with everything in life there is a balance between form and function, will I give up some image quality for portability? Yes, in a heart beat because if I don't carry a camera, I couldn't take the picture. This is why they make different cameras for different situations, Leica M8 & 28 Cron for everyday, Hassey CFV for still life and high detail work and now the D700 & ?? for walk around medium and long lens and high ISO. Now if the M8 had great high ISO and I could use it with longer focal lengths then this would be a moot exercise.

Thanks!

 

[Amin]

I haven't used the 24-120 but at one time I owned both the Nikon AF 28-105/3.5-4.5 and AF-S 24-70/2.8 for use on the D700. The 24-70 is a fantastic performer but large and heavy. The 28-105 was plenty sharp for my purposes (people photography) and has impressively low distortion. Eventually I sold it because the bokeh rendering was not to my taste. In fact, bokeh was the main reason I preferred the 24-70 to the 28-105.

I now use only primes with the D700, but if I were going to try another standard zoom, it would be the Tamron 28-75. I've seen many wonderful photos made with that lens on full frame.

 

[LivingFiction]

Have you considered the Nikon 28-70mm f2.8? Even though it is out of production, many mint examples are available.

I own this lens and use it often on the D700. It's become one of my favorites, and I'd highly recommend it!

 

[atanabe]

Thanks for all of your replies. After playing with several options, 24-85 AF-S (like looking through a funhouse mirror) pincushion to barrel distortion. The 24-120 VR AF-S and the 24-85 AF-D macro are viable but not desirable. I know I would be supremely happy with the optical performance on the 24-70 or 28-70 AF-S zooms, but after looking at the options my just get a 50 1.4 AF-S and carry the M8 with the 28 Cron for everyday. The weight of the 24-70 or the 28-70 is more than the M8 alone.

Once again, thank you!

 

[glenerrolrd]

Al Thats a good option. I have been using a 28/2 zeiss on a d700 and the 50/2 zf on my D3....its a sweet combination. The D3 is too big but its better for sports with the longer lenses. I don t find the D700 and a wide/normal prime as much different from the M8.

 

[Steen]

Wise move, Al. The AF-S 1.4/50 G is surprisingly sharp even wide open and it only weighs 280 g.