Nikon 24-70 question

Anco

Senior Member
Since moving to Nikon and FF a few weeks ago, I have had the 24-70 trinity lens firmly in my sights. Today I was looking at the dxo scores for this lens, which I don't hold as the be all and end all for lens decisions, but it does have some interesting data there. While the reviews for this lens are positive as I would have expected, the measurements listed on the site for chromatic aberration for this lens are extremely poor, right across the full range for the lens. The only other week point, from the measurements, seemed to be some vignetting when wide open.

So has anyone that owns this lens experienced the CA issues? I understand this issue can be fixed post, but I just want to know from anyone that uses the lens, if the issue is as bad as looks on the dxo site.

On the other side of the coin the Tamron version shows no CA issues whatsoever and matches the nikon in almost every other way. It also has VC and sells at less than half the price.

On paper the Tamron looks better, but the nikon certainly has a good reputation. Can't decide, any thoughts?
 

johnj167

Senior Member
I have the 24-70 f/2.8 and I have experienced no problems at all. I have taken probably 5000 shots with this lens on both a D800 & D700.
 

AC016

Senior Member
From what i have read about this lens, it does suffer from CA. Though, many lenses do. However, as you said, you can fix it in PP. Furthermore, todays DSLRs correct it in-camera as much as possible.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I have the Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC and it is excellent, but about 2/3 the price of the Nikon (new). Not sure where your pricing is coming from. There are compromises with every lens.
 

Anco

Senior Member
I have the 24-70 f/2.8 and I have experienced no problems at all. I have taken probably 5000 shots with this lens on both a D800 & D700.

Thanks John, this was the response I fully expected to get as this lens does have a great reputation. It's really making me question the dxo tests.
@AC016 I understand many lenses have this issue to a degree, but the dxo tests say that's it's not a little problem. It actually looks like the worst result for any lens I've looked at on the site, ever
Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED mounted on Nikon D610 Measurements - DxOMark
 

Anco

Senior Member
I have the Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC and it is excellent, but about 2/3 the price of the Nikon (new). Not sure where your pricing is coming from. There are compromises with every lens.

Rick, we are not on the same continent. Here in Australia at the cheapest local supplier to me, the Nikon is around $2400 (higher at other stores) and the Tamron is $1100
 

AC016

Senior Member
Thanks John, this was the response I fully expected to get as this lens does have a great reputation. It's really making me question the dxo tests.
@AC016 I understand many lenses have this issue to a degree, but the dxo tests say that's it's not a little problem. It actually looks like the worst result for any lens I've looked at on the site, ever
Tests and reviews for the lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED mounted on Nikon D610 Measurements - DxOMark

This review says it has it pretty bad as well: Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (FX) - Review / Test Report - Analysis

All the reviews i have read, mention CA as somewhat of an issue. I am no lens guru and have no idea how different folks test for CA, but i would say it seems that different people are finding different things.

If i were you, i would try to get a hold of the lens and try it out (rent it, borrow it, etc.). Perhaps ask people here who have it, to post crops of photos taken with it. For the lens testers who are actually looking for this issue in lenses, you may not see it stand out as much as they do. You're buying the lens, so you need to be the judge. Tamron lenses are very good and are on par with Nikon. i think in the end, it will depend on how much money you want to lay out.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Rick, we are not on the same continent. Here in Australia at the cheapest local supplier to me, the Nikon is around $2400 (higher at other stores) and the Tamron is $1100

Wow! at those prices I'd get the Tamron without a doubt. Here the prices are $1299 and $1800!
 

Anco

Senior Member
Wow! at those prices I'd get the Tamron without a doubt. Here the prices are $1299 and $1800!

Wow right back at you!! At those prices the Nikon seems like a bargain to me and I'd snap it up on reputation alone. Over here I have seen used nikon lenses sell for as much as $1600. This is about the same price as the grey imports, which I think makes them a popular choice around here.
You'd be nice enough to send me one at that price, wouldn't you Rick? ;)
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Wow right back at you!! At those prices the Nikon seems like a bargain to me and I'd snap it up on reputation alone. Over here I have seen used nikon lenses sell for as much as $1600. This is about the same price as the grey imports, which I think makes them a popular choice around here.
You'd be nice enough to send me one at that price, wouldn't you Rick? ;)

Keep in mind that even at these more equitable prices, I still bought the Tamron. The VC is really that good, it wasn't about money. I test drove the lens a year earlier and loved it!
 
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Anco

Senior Member

Thanks for the link, another interesting read. Although they list zone CA as a weak point, they don't really seem to fussed about it. The camera can process out some of the effect, but that doesn't help me at all if I shoot raw does it?
I will certainly follow your other advice though, my local camera shop rents out lenses for around $70 a day, so it seems like a small price to pay to go and investigate this further.
 

Anco

Senior Member
I have the Tamron 24-70 and love it!

I also have the Tamron 24-70 and think it is great and it has VC which the Nikon doesn't.

I have Tamron 24-70 and is magnificent. Tested at Hawaii and in Coober Pedy.

Keep in mind that even at these more equitable prices, I still bought the Tamron. The VC is really that good, it wasn't about money. I test drove the lens a year earlier and loved it!

Wow, there is a lot of love here for the Tamron, thanks for your input guys. It's getting harder and harder to justify the extra dollars for the Nikon.

I'd still really like to hear from the nikon users to find out if the have any issues or not. Even if you have it and it's not an issue for you, I'd love to see some crops.

Rick I read your thread on the Tamron test and I see it is a decision you didn't take lightly. I do find it really interesting that the lower price difference you still went with the Tamron, it speaks for the quality of that lens.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
One of the considerations for me was the age of the Nikon. It is well past due for an upgrade and as a flagship lens it should be. I think it will eventually be replaced with a VR version, it's value will then drop significantly. The upgrade will be the best of the best and probably be worth whatever the asking price is. At that point I may buy it, but not the current dinosaur, the competition is just too good.
 

Anco

Senior Member
One of the considerations for me was the age of the Nikon. It is well past due for an upgrade and as a flagship lens it should be. I think it will eventually be replaced with a VR version, it's value will then drop significantly. The upgrade will be the best of the best and probably be worth whatever the asking price is. At that point I may buy it, but not the current dinosaur, the competition is just too good.

The age is definitely a concern, it's been 7 years since they announced this lens and with the Tamron seemingly taking a big chunk of the market share, surely a VR II version is around the corner.

They announced the D750 a week after I bought my D610, so if I went with the Nikon 24-70 I think we'd see the new version come out straight away ;)
 

PapaST

Senior Member
The age is definitely a concern, it's been 7 years since they announced this lens and with the Tamron seemingly taking a big chunk of the market share, surely a VR II version is around the corner.

They announced the D750 a week after I bought my D610, so if I went with the Nikon 24-70 I think we'd see the new version come out straight away ;)

By all means... please buy the Nikon 24-70... because I've been waiting a long time for the updated version and would like to see it sooner rather than later. ;)
 
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