Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 or Nikon 24-70mm f2.8

NeilA1975

NeilA1975

Messages
5,031
Name
Neil
Edit My Images
No
Having just acquired a Nikon D600, have taken a serious look at both the Nikons, 28-70mm F2.8 and the 24-70mm F2.8.
Both seem to have similar performance, with perhaps the 28-70mm just edging it from reading reviews although has a 4mm shortfall in range. Price for the 28-70mm is a little more competitive - I would however like to hear from anyone who has used both as i'm seriously considering one or the other.

Cheers
Neil
 
For a brief time, I had both. I did a few crude tests to see if I could see any difference between them but couldn't. I think the 24-70 has a coating of some description that may give it some theoretical advantage but I couldn't see it. Despite the 28-70 being known as 'the beast', the 24-70 is actually longer. The 28-70 is sort of bulkier though and feels better screwed together in my view. It's the one of the two that I'd buy again with one or two caveats. Firstly, they're all getting on a bit so you'd need to know its a goodun (AF motors can fail). The other thing is, you may really want that extra 4mm. Personally it was never an issue for me.

One things for sure, neither would disappoint.
 
gad-westy said:
For a brief time, I had both. I did a few crude tests to see if I could see any difference between them but couldn't. I think the 24-70 has a coating of some description that may give it some theoretical advantage but I couldn't see it. Despite the 28-70 being known as 'the beast', the 24-70 is actually longer. The 28-70 is sort of bulkier though and feels better screwed together in my view. It's the one of the two that I'd buy again with one or two caveats. Firstly, they're all getting on a bit so you'd need to know its a goodun (AF motors can fail). The other thing is, you may really want that extra 4mm. Personally it was never an issue for me.

One things for sure, neither would disappoint.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your interesting response.
 
No problem Neil. One thing I have noticed lately is that the 24-70's used price seems to be dropping and the 28-70's creeping up. One of the things that lead me to the 28-70 when I went full frame was that a good 28-70 could be had for £600 or less and a 24-70 started at £900. Now it seems more like £700 vs. £800 which makes it a little harder to call. Still a big fan of the 28-70 but they made more sense when they were a little cheaper. Somewhere at home I have a photo of the two side by side. It's interesting to see how their proportions are quite different.
 
gad-westy said:
No problem Neil. One thing I have noticed lately is that the 24-70's used price seems to be dropping and the 28-70's creeping up. One of the things that lead me to the 28-70 when I went full frame was that a good 28-70 could be had for £600 or less and a 24-70 started at £900. Now it seems more like £700 vs. £800 which makes it a little harder to call. Still a big fan of the 28-70 but they made more sense when they were a little cheaper. Somewhere at home I have a photo of the two side by side. It's interesting to see how their proportions are quite different.
Click to expand...

Thanks again!

I've got a couple of options on the 28-70mm, quite a bit cheaper than the 24-70mm which seem to hovering around the £800 mark.
 
Credit to the original poster... http://www.nikonjin.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=876

2X-70comparison-0009.jpg


2X-70comparison-0011.jpg
 
Lol! I got the 28-70mm. Optically there is only the issue of chromatic abbreviation that is quite pronounced at high contrast region. As light room doesn't have this lens in its profile manual adjustment is kinda tricky. But luckily DxO optics pro does have this lens in its profile. I have not used 24-70 but I can day the lens is sharp and renders a good bokeh. Obviously there will be superior fix focal lens out there performs better but the lens offers great flexibility.

I think the upgrade option for me is not the nikon 24-70 but the tamron 24-70VC
 
i think its a combination of CA and Bokeh fringing...basically without the lens profile in LR i found it virtually impossible to eliminate the red/blue fringes...with DxO, its all gone

also the lens is heavy and quite a bulk...partially due to the all metal construction.
 
to demonstrate my point
15178515781_48d1927ef1.jpg

14994767969_f822a41a78_c.jpg


you can see the blue fringe around the paper and the watch rim..I have no processed these other than WB adjustment...there is fair bit of noise in these due to the high iso...but if you want to buy that lens in the classified, I think that price he want it for is very good, you should snap it up and you won't regret it.
 
I'm very pleased with my 24-70. I cannot speak of the 28-70. New my 24-70 cost me £1250. I have used it wide open only a few times, I bought it was I wanted the sharpest zoom I could buy for a Nikon system that covered the focal lengths I used. I'd rather, it was lighter and a F4 lens. I rarely shoot wide open.

Here' some web res stuff, they look great at full res, really sharp clear edges. It does suffer from C/A, not terribly, but not as well as I hoped. Its a zoom lens, they do it, all lens probably do, even my ziess 21mm. Colours, contrast, they are all good. One issue is the amount of dirty it lets in. I am sure its why I have to clean my sensors a lot. Its not the best for keeping the dust bunnies out. Certainly compared to running primes between cleans, then using this, this lets grub in.

A sunset, it doesn't flare too badly, if at all.

Some low res pish

_DSC2667 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A friend

_DSC2430 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A castle

_DSC2856 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A cityscape scene

_DSC0723 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr
 
ricky1980 said:
to demonstrate my point
15178515781_48d1927ef1.jpg

14994767969_f822a41a78_c.jpg


you can see the blue fringe around the paper and the watch rim..I have no processed these other than WB adjustment...there is fair bit of noise in these due to the high iso...but if you want to buy that lens in the classified, I think that price he want it for is very good, you should snap it up and you won't regret it.
Click to expand...

Clear as day. Surprised LR / ACR doesnt support this lens and DxO does. For a pro lens this in my opinion, is unacceptable.
 
ST4 said:
I'm very pleased with my 24-70. I cannot speak of the 28-70. New my 24-70 cost me £1250. I have used it wide open only a few times, I bought it was I wanted the sharpest zoom I could buy for a Nikon system that covered the focal lengths I used. I'd rather, it was lighter and a F4 lens. I rarely shoot wide open.

Here' some web res stuff, they look great at full res, really sharp clear edges. It does suffer from C/A, not terribly, but not as well as I hoped. Its a zoom lens, they do it, all lens probably do, even my ziess 21mm. Colours, contrast, they are all good. One issue is the amount of dirty it lets in. I am sure its why I have to clean my sensors a lot. Its not the best for keeping the dust bunnies out. Certainly compared to running primes between cleans, then using this, this lets grub in.

A sunset, it doesn't flare too badly, if at all.

Some low res pish

_DSC2667 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A friend

_DSC2430 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A castle

_DSC2856 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr

A cityscape scene

_DSC0723 by SFTPhotography, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Stunning quality there Steve.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST4
NeilA1975 said:
Stunning quality there Steve.
Click to expand...

My reasons for wanting it simply was I want the best performing zoom accross the focal lengths, my joy is cityscapes/landscapes. Theses were all off the 600 sensor you have. I've used it on a D800 and its great on that too.

One word of advice, if you're shooting with a flash on top, its bloody heavy. If its weddings etc you are planning to use it for, an SB910. D600 and that is a fair weight. I'd stick on a nice light prime if your into indoor flash work.
 
ST4 said:
My reasons for wanting it simply was I want the best performing zoom accross the focal lengths, my joy is cityscapes/landscapes. Theses were all off the 600 sensor you have. I've used it on a D800 and its great on that too.

One word of advice, if you're shooting with a flash on top, its bloody heavy. If its weddings etc you are planning to use it for, an SB910. D600 and that is a fair weight. I'd stick on a nice light prime if your into indoor flash work.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve, appreciate it.
 
Very technical, also the definge iant easy to correct. There are profiles out there for the lens but they only correct the distortion.
 
And quite a lot cheaper is the nikkor 35-70 F/2.8. Still heavy and great quality. Try to avoid shooting into light. One of my best best value for money lenses.
 
NeilA1975 said:
Looks like more expense then. Never used DxO though.
Click to expand...
there is a free one which i downloaded and it should support your D600...i can pass this onto you :) as I have gone for the proper version due to it lacking support for D610 :)

i can email you the code but not sure how i can pass on the exe file
 
Chris Wilson said:
Hi Neil
I really rate the Tamron - I've used it on my D3x and D800 and it performs well.
The vc may or may not be useful to you but it certainly works and they aren't stupid money.

just my 2c!

cheers, cw
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris.

Decisions decisions!
 
Last edited:
Well took the plunge and opted for a mint condition 28-70mm which arrived yesterday!
Very excited and if I can figure out the D600 (bit complex compared to the 5D) I expect to have a blast this weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST4
couldn't wait so quick shot (unprocessed) of the maize field across the road.
Very impressed with the sharpness. Taken at 28mm, ISO 100 f8 1/160

Maize by nealmondo75, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
told you it's a decent lens :) contrast and colour produced is amazing.

but SO HEAVY and the hood is ridiculous large impractical. I am desperately trying to find one of those collapsable rubber ones to replace it.
 
ricky1980 said:
told you it's a decent lens :) contrast and colour produced is amazing.

but SO HEAVY and the hood is ridiculous large impractical. I am desperately trying to find one of those collapsable rubber ones to replace it.
Click to expand...

Yes mate..very very happy indeed.
The hood......lol yeah, huge!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top