24-70 or 24-85?

Maver!ck

Maver!ck

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Picking up my new D600 today. Is it worth the extra for the 24-70 f2.8 to go with it or is the 24-85 f2.8-4 a perfectly good option? I do want a good all rounder and would probably put the saving into a nice wide and/or fast standard prime. Any experience, opinion or thoughts appreciated.
 
Personally I would rule out the 24-85 f/2.8-4 as I said in your other thread, in terms of sharpness it does not review well.

If you need a cheaper option these would better than the 24-85 f/2.8-4.

Nikon 28-70 f/2.8
Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 v.c
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 non built in motor
Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR
 
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Have you compared sizes in a shop? My brother has a 28-70 and they aint small!
 
Personally I think the 24-70 would be very unwieldy on a D600, it feels too big even on a D700.

Like Gary says the old 24-85 AF-S (non-VR) is great for the money, I've not tested one on a high mpx body though and it has been out of production for a while now. The new 24-85 VR must be worth a look.

Tamron 28-78 f2.8 non-BIM is great if you get a good copy, nice and small and great IQ.
 
I should have added that i meant the 24-85mm G F/3.5-4.5 non VR and deffo not the horrible f/2.8-f.4 D model

Not tried the newer VR version so cant comment on that one but the original non VR is excellent and at around £250 used very affordable.
 
Ok. All useful, thanks all. Looks like the 24-85 2.8-4 is off the list as I don't want to compromise (too much) on quality. The 3.5-4.5 might be an option then but was thinking of something faster, though might go for 50mm f1.4 as well then.
 
jpw said:
Personally I think the 24-70 would be very unwieldy on a D600, it feels too big even on a D700.
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Never really found that to be the case although I am used to carting a 70-200 around.

Maver!ck said:
Ok. All useful, thanks all. Looks like the 24-85 2.8-4 is off the list as I don't want to compromise (too much) on quality. The 3.5-4.5 might be an option then but was thinking of something faster, though might go for 50mm f1.4 as well then.
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Save your cash and get the 50mm f/1.8g instead, its just as sharp as the 1.4 and a.f is a fair bit quicker.

Just be carefull if you decide to go with the 24-85mm G F/3.5-4.5 non VR. These are well known to have an issue with a loose front element and attract a huge amount of dust. I have never seen one that didn't have it.
 
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Maver!ck said:
Ok. All useful, thanks all. Looks like the 24-85 2.8-4 is off the list as I don't want to compromise (too much) on quality. The 3.5-4.5 might be an option then but was thinking of something faster, though might go for 50mm f1.4 as well then.
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Photozone seem to quite like the 24-85 2.8-4

The Nikkor AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF is an very good standard zoom and it was the right decision by Nikon to discontinue its younger cousin (AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED) rather than this lens. The resolution characteristics is very good to excellent throughout the zoom range with a sweet spot towards the wide end. The contrast suffers somewhat at large aperture settings, specifically at 85mm, but is lifted significantly when stopping down a little. Vignetting and CAs are very well controlled whereas distortions are about average for a lens in this class. The mechanical quality is decent without reaching the true pro grade Nikkors here due to a rather extensive use of plastics and an old style AF.
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Many thanks to all. A quick post as off shopping soon. Looks like the 24-70 is a definite maybe with the new 24-85 VR G ED and the 1.8 standard prime as an alternative. Will post later!
 
Again thanks to all who replied on this subject. Much appreciated advice, particularly pit-falls to look out for. At the end of the day arrived home empty handed but the reason for this was to do with the body I was to pick up. It ws a B stock body andn I just wasn't happy with it. A few minor marks on the rear screen (which I could have lived with) and some functions not operating as I was expecting, an issue that was probably just down to settings, but for that kind of dough I wasn't prepared to take the chance, so new body on order. Not committed but I have my name on a 24-70 2.8 G ED. Appreciate the comments about size etc Rapscallion & jpw but having handled it, even on the d600, (which is incredibly light!) as a total package I do like the look and feel, it seems to work well and by all accounts seems to be a quality lens. So, no excuses!!!
 
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Have you considered the 24-120? I was going the same route as yourself and Gramps suggested I take a look at the 24-120. Again a pretty huge lens but the extra focal length comes in really handy and the iq is excellent with the exception of distortion which is easily fixed in pp.
 
Maver!ck said:
Again thanks to all who replied on this subject. Much appreciated advice, particularly pit-falls to look out for. At the end of the day arrived home empty handed but the reason for this was to do with the body I was to pick up. It ws a B stock body andn I just wasn't happy with it. A few minor marks on the rear screen (which I could have lived with) and some functions not operating as I was expecting, an issue that was probably just down to settings, but for that kind of dough I wasn't prepared to take the chance, so new body on order. Not committed but I have my name on a 24-70 2.8 G ED. Appreciate the comments about size etc Rapscallion & jpw but having handled it, even on the d600, (which is incredibly light!) as a total package I do like the look and feel, it seems to work well and by all accounts seems to be a quality lens. So, no excuses!!!
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Were did you go to look at the body?
 
Speedy, wasn't even on the radar but i will check it out later but as an every day lens think acknowledged distortion would put me off a bit.

Soda, calumet.
 
Maver!ck said:
Speedy, wasn't even on the radar but i will check it out later but as an every day lens think acknowledged distortion would put me off a bit.

Soda, calumet.
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Didn't think they did b grade stock was it an ex demo one or something?
 
Yea Soda, it was an ex demo. Espresso, yes a grip would be the ticket. Will be on my wish list!!!
 
EspressoJunkie said:
If you stick a grip on the D700 it balances everything out nicely with a 24-70. I've yet to handle a D600, but is imagine a grip would have the same effect on it.
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Slightly less so D600 is basically the same size etc. as a D7K.
 
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