 Lisa C. Lloyd |
Nikon 24-70 lemon? I recently purchased a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 zoom lens (I'm using it with a D300s). I'm a little frustrated because it seems really soft at f2.8-4 and slow to focus. I saved for over a year to purchase this lens and am afraid I've wasted my money or gotten a lemon. I have an inexpensive 50mm f1.8 that is sharp as a tack and quick to focus. I'm unaccustomed to spending so much money on a lens and am now worrying myself sick. Has anyone else had negative experiences with this lens or some advice? Could it be that it requires more practice or that primes are naturally sharper than zooms? Am I just missing something? I admit this is my first big investment in glass that received rave reviews. Thanks!
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Bob Cammarata |
It's true that "primes are naturally sharper than zooms"...but if you are referring to the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S, you should give the Guru of Everything Nikon his just due and peruse Ken Rockwell's assessment of your recent acquisition. According to his reviews, it appears to be a really fine lens. Perhaps you did indeed get a lemon or defect and hopefully you kept the receipt.
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Thought to reproduce from Bob's recommended page that might be of interest to you, Lisa. "Autofocus Accuracy Autofocus is OK on my D300, D3 and D40. On my D200, autofocus focuses too closely at 24mm. At 24mm wide open, I get far better results using what we do in television studio production, which is to zoom into 70mm, lock focus, and zoom back out. On a D200 at defaults in AF-S mode, zoom to 70mm, press the shutter halfway, and hold it to hold focus while you zoom back out to 24mm. AF is fine from 35-70mm, even on my D200. For those of you comparing, I had huge AF errors on my D3 with the older 28-70mm AF-S, and perfect focus with this 24-70mm AF-S. I was able to compensate the older lens with my D3's AF Fine Tune menu option, but my D40 had no such option. AF accuracy will vary with each sample of camera and each sample of lens, so pick and choose accordingly. This is why I only buy from places that give cash refunds if I find a lens which isn't compatible with the certain camera body with which I plan to use it. Again, this 24-70mm is perfect with my D300, D40 and D3." UB.
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Peter K. Burian |
Hi Lisa, Based on every test I have read, this is a FABULOUS lens. Peter http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/236-nikkor-af-s-24-70mm-f28g-ed-review--test-report?start=2 Verdict The Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED exceeds the already very good performance of its predecessor. The center quality is nothing short of outstanding matching or beating the resolution of a 10mp APS-C sensor. The border quality is very good at large aperture increasing to excellent levels at f/5.6-8. However, you've to be careful with the curved focus field at 24mm which can result in out-of-focus corners! Distortions and vignetting are very low and not really field relevant. Chromatic aberrations are generally well controlled although they could have been somewhat more symmetrical (in the tested sample). The build quality of the lens is superb and it´s a joy to handle it in the field despite its comparatively hefty size and weight. The high speed and low noise of the silent-wave AF drive is the cream on top of it all.
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