p.1 #1 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
I know this is an impossible question that can only be answered by carefully evaluating my needs and shooting style, but I'm having trouble making a decision and wanted to initiate a conversation here to give me some more food for thought...
I want to extend my pro-lens collection to include the wide end. One criteria is fast aperture, another consideration is fast focus and versatility, which leads me to the 24 1.4 and the 24-70 2.8. I shoot the D700 and have a D800 on order and will be keeping both, as I see them as different tools for different scenarios. I do a lot of middle school sports indoors, and see some utility in the fast zoom, as well as landscape and street PJ, so the 24 would be nice. I do like fast glass and do a lot of work between 1.4 and 2.8.
My current most used lenses are (in order):
35 1.4G, 50 1.8G, 70-200 VRII, 85 1.4G, 105 2.8G. My *only* other zoom is the 16-35 4.0G, which I don't use much since its kind of slow, mostly for landscape work.
So as you can see, I gravitate to primes, so there is some "romance" for me in that 24, but I feel like the 24-70 would have more "utility.". Unfortunately, my annual camera fund only has room for one...barely, thanks to the D800.
p.1 #2 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
I can't comment on the 24 f/1.4G since it's not in my bag. Instead, I have 35 f/1.4G, 24-70 f/2.8G, and the 14-24 f/2.8G for my D3s. Each of them have very different purposes for me:
The 24-70 f/2.8G zoom is my event lens where things happen quickly. Same goes for the 14-24 f/2.8G. Half the time, I'll choose to carry both.
The 35 f/1.4G is for carrying light and extreme low light situations, but definitely not the lens I'll use for fast action photography, since the AF is much much slower. I'm sure the 24 f/1.4G is the same.
p.1 #3 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
If you have to ask 24-70...super versatile. The wedding and portrait shooters will tell you that the 24 1.4 can shoot sports and landscapes but nothing beats the instant AF and useful zoom range....
Remember they both are completely different tools and if you and sell something, get both.
p.1 #6 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
Leaning the prime direction for sure. No love for the 24-70...kind of like a lawn mower. You need to cut the grass, but the 24 seems more like a sports car. Can't haul the groceries, but the ride is sure nice.
p.1 #7 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
24, 24, 24, did I say 24, yes I did. Very sweet lens so much so there might be a chance you won't use your 35 as much after getting it. I shoot a lot of fast paced events (weddings and such) so I have both. The 24-70 is the fasted focusing lens in my bag and it does very well in low light. It's great for a lot of things but it sucks @ f1.4 I like using it on my D7000 as a 35 too.
p.1 #9 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
I have both... Cant get myself to sell the 24g because I still have times where I need the speed (AF) and zoom range of the 24-70. Any time of event where things are going at a fast pace, the 24g would probably miss shots because it does focus significantly slower.
Feb 11, 2012 at 12:51 AM
mshi Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #10 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
had both, and sold 1.4. 24-70 will give you more. forget about 24 1.4. you can achieve that kind of look in PS anyway.
p.1 #11 · Impossible Question: 24 1.4 or 24-70 2.8?
Since you already have the 35/1.4G and other fast primes then I vote for the 24-70. Versatile range and very fast AF. If sufficient light is an issue due to the f2.8 then use a flash.
I have had/do have the 24G, 35G, 85G, and the 24-70. While I ultimately sold the 24-70 due to its "slow" f2.8 and bulk it is still more suitable for event and PJ photography for capturing critical moments.
My photography is not critical nor do I make my living out of it, so I prefer to have the ability to play with DOF as well as benefit from a lighter rig with the primes. I just finished reviewing a few years' worth of photos (I used the 24-70 for at least 3 years) and it was clear to me that I generally preferred photos taken with my primes more than my zooms (24-70 and 70-200).
Very sweet lens so much so there might be a chance you won't use your 35 as much after getting it. I shoot a lot of fast paced events (weddings and such) so I have both. The 24-70 is the fasted focusing lens in my bag and it does very well in low light. It's great for a lot of things but it sucks @ f1.4