I almost pulled the trigger on the 24-70mm "Flagship"..........

TedG954

Senior Member
I've had an internal battle going on for quite some time. After reading day-in and day-out about how nothing can compare to the 24-70, I thought I really needed to get one. Yep, then I could say I had one and that there's nothing better out there.... and that may be true. But, better for who? Bottom line: Could I afford it? Yes. Do I need it? No.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a NIB 24-85VR for $227. I couldn't pass up that deal, even though I knew I really wanted the 24-70. I took some photos with the 24-85 and I was pleased with the results, but it wasn't the greatest lens since sliced bread.

Then came the lens rebates from Nikon. I agonized late Saturday night and Sunday morning. I actually got to the point of entering my credit card number for the 24-70 on the Adorama site.

In a moment of clarity, I closed the computer and decided I'd prove to myself that I needed the 24-70.

So, I went out to take photos with the 24-85VR just to show that the resulting quality would lack something to prove how inferior the lens really was. I could always order the 24-70 later.

I took a bunch of photos with lots of straight lines and bright corners. (I took pictures of real objects, not paper with squares, circles and bulls-eyes.) Even though I didn't own a magnifying glass, I knew I'd be able to detect flaws in the 24-85VR photos. I knew it.

Upon processing some of the resulting photos, I discovered something..... I'm an idiot who was easily influenced by the Jones'. I didn't need the 24-70. The 24-85VR is a wonderful lens that produces really nice photos. Photos, not matrix squares and scales. I was almost caught up in the game. I'm not a professional. I don't make money for my photos. Heck, anyone can have them for free. And, as I said earlier, I don't own a magnifying glass.

Besides the realization that I was caught up in the "mine's bigger than yours" frenzy, I could put the $1,700 toward a photo trip instead. Now, doesn't that make more sense?


Straight lines. Hard corners. Color. Not a test pattern.............

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Dave_W

The Dude
That's a good way to put it. I agree with you, if you don't need a professional lens, there's no reason to pay up for one. But more importantly, you can easily fix any of the issues that crop up with a less expensive lens with PP. In photo #2 you can see the barrel distortion near the corners (look at the shadow of the street light and the sidewalk paint in the right-hand corner) which can be easily reversed with LR-4.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I'm with you, Ted. I don't need f2.8 often enough to justify that end of the argument, and I've not once been disappointed with the sharpness of this lens to justify wanting to spending that kind of money to replace this one - or give me the choice of whether I want to carry this or "the heavy one" around on my shoulder.

That doesn't mean that I haven't had my credit card number typed before as well. I need a wide angle zoom first, anyway.
 

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Ted, good summary and something we all should consider.. You helped us think and I am glad that it worked out well for you!

Pat in NH
 

TedG954

Senior Member
That's a good way to put it. I agree with you, if you don't need a professional lens, there's no reason to pay up for one. But more importantly, you can easily fix any of the issues that crop up with a less expensive lens with PP. In photo #2 you can see the barrel distortion near the corners (look at the shadow of the street light and the sidewalk paint in the right-hand corner) which can be easily reversed with LR-4.

Well, you actually proved my point. When I am distracted to the point of comment by a shadow on a possibly inclined street, is when I'll have to re-think why I'm even taking pictures.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Well, you actually proved my point. When I am distracted to the point of comment by a shadow on a possibly inclined street, is when I'll have to re-think why I'm even taking pictures.

Well, that's about all your paying for when you buy a professional lens. You're paying big bucks of a little lower light potential and for corners that don't bend inward or outward. The center portion of a kit lens and a professional lens will be the same. So if you're comparing a consumer lens with a professional lens, the only way to see the differences are in the corners, right?
 

TedG954

Senior Member
Well, that's about all your paying for when you buy a professional lens. You're paying big bucks of a little lower light potential and for corners that don't bend inward or outward. The center portion of a kit lens and a professional lens will be the same. So if you're comparing a consumer lens with a professional lens, the only way to see the differences are in the corners, right?


Whatever you feel is necessary to justifiy your requirement for the 24-70 is fine with me. I'm not competing.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Ted, I'm with you about the photo trip. You'll get a lot more from a trip than the luxury of that particular lens. I went to Vietnam with a simple Tamron 28-200 on my D600 and I came back with pictures, are they billboard quality? Some yes because when shot at F8, most lenses perform very very well. Good enough for me anyway.

But this Nikon acquisition syndrome is stronger than will at times. I did make some decisions that were reversed just on impulse to get that particular lens. But I did wait for a pre-owned one so I did pay full price.

I vote for the trip, much more fun then buyer's remorse after a few days pixel peeping. :)
 

jwstl

Senior Member
I have an upcoming trip and am considering an upgrade to the 24-70 as well. I'm weighing lots of factors:

1. This will probably be the only time in my life I visit this area and I want the highest quality images I can afford. I don't want to have regrets.
2. What can I afford?
3. Would I be comfortable traveling overseas with a $1700 lens?
4. Do I want to carry around a heavy lens?
5. 3. How much use will I get from an expensive lens?

What I'll do is weigh everything and pick the lens that's right for me.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have an upcoming trip and am considering an upgrade to the 24-70 as well. I'm weighing lots of factors:

1. This will probably be the only time in my life I visit this area and I want the highest quality images I can afford. I don't want to have regrets.
2. What can I afford?
3. Would I be comfortable traveling overseas with a $1700 lens?
4. Do I want to carry around a heavy lens?
5. 3. How much use will I get from an expensive lens?

What I'll do is weigh everything and pick the lens that's right for me.


The weight is a very important factor that I considered before packing my lenses. When I traveled with my D7000, I just took my 18-200, 50 1.8 D and my Sigma 10-20 and maybe of more importance, a monopod. This combination will get you very good quality images I can assure you. Have a look at my Hungary Gallery. All these were done with the above mentioned combination.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Also keep in mind that professional level lenses are more than just optical quality, they're build to withstand conditions that other lenses would fall apart in. But more importantly, photography, like all forms of art, is a very personal expression and it's ultimately up to the individual what preferences they want and what level they're willing to take their art . When you obsess with gear more than images then you lose sight of the big picture.
 

stmv

Senior Member
someday,, I'll buy one of those,, not in my budget now either,,

seems like my primes fill in the quality gap, and older cheapers zooms like the 35-70, not as flexible, but 2.8 sharp.

I drool more over the 14-24 zoom,, as a flexible Wideangle.

in the mid range, so many awesome primes and decent midrange zooms.

budget not in issue,, no problem, but life is about compromises. but with the small primes, the compromise is flexibility of a zoom, and not quality.

and like you say, when you value flexibility, the little zoom does pretty fine.
 
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