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Archive 2014 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?

  
 
Dr88man
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


Is there a better zoom solution than the 24-70/2.8G in the 24-35 range for corner sharpness? I'm wondering if the 24-120/4 lens performs better in the wide end than the 24-70/2.8G for landscapes?...

I tested my new 24-70/2.8G. The center sharpness is excellent at every F.L. and aperture. The corner sharpness at 24mm is soft f2.8-4, at 35mm is very soft f2.8-5.6, at 50mm is slightly soft f2.8-5.6, and 70mm is good f2.8 and very good f4 onward. I was hoping for a stronger performance in the 24-35mm for landscapes. My new 14-24 is sharper in the corners at 24mm than the 24-70/2.8G.



Nov 30, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Gregg Heckler
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


The 24-70 really isn't deigned to be a landscape lens but a great PJ, all purpose event lens. You already have a great Landscape lens in the 14-24. The 24-120 may be better but it's not designed for that either.

Then the other question is why are you testing at 2.8 to 5.6? You wouldn't normally shoot landscape that wide open. So it's really not being fair to the lens. You could try the 16-35VR if you want something smaller than the 14-24.



Nov 30, 2014 at 01:18 PM
ckcarr
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


There are plenty of excellent landscape images in this Nikon 24-70mm lens thread. I don't see Steve Perry having a problem with the lens. If you can get even remotely close to his level you won't be concerned with pixel peeping.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1297060/0?keyword=24-70#12373504

In general, shooting almost any landscape wide open is going to sacrifice some corner sharpness (true with any lens), but more importantly, landscape sharpness throughout the frame. Use a tripod instead.

The 24-70mm is excellent when used properly. Testing & pixel peeping only gets you starting information which is pretty limited. Working with your camera, lens, and situations... gaining experience with that combination is when you'll see how it shines.

However, to be truthful, corner sharpness is only one small part of a good landscape. Maybe 10%, if that... Your audience won't even notice it with a quality image.

What camera body?



Nov 30, 2014 at 01:54 PM
mshi
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


Nikon 24-70 is one of the best landscape lenses ever. Period. But it has poor quality issues, such as light-leaking focus distance scale, stiff zoom ring after some use, etc. I purchase one, from Craigslist not too long ago, that is basically new with serial number starting with 9. It had severe front focus between 24 and 35, and somewhat back focus for the rest of the range. Sent it to Nikon and they sent me a refurbished replacement instead of fixing it.

Edited on Nov 30, 2014 at 06:44 PM · View previous versions



Nov 30, 2014 at 06:27 PM
JakeB17
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


mshi wrote:
Nikon 24-70 is one of the best landscape lenses ever. Period.


Exactly.

If you feel that the 24-70 is letting you down then nothing is going to make you happy.



Nov 30, 2014 at 06:33 PM
LMT1972
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


Mine is the same at the wide (tried 2 copies and both the same). Even at f10 & smaller apertures the corners are very soft on my D300. My $300 Tamron 28-75 2.8 blows the Nikon away at the wide end. Supposedly the softness is due to field curvature. Sent it twice to Nikon and they said it was fine. Might be better on an FX body, nor sure. In contrast the tele range (50-70mm) is superb.

Cheers
Leigh



Nov 30, 2014 at 09:05 PM
Dr88man
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


Thank you, kindly, everyone. I'm relieved the lens is behaving under normal limits. I absolutely love the color rendition of the 24-70/2.8G. I only wish the corner sharpness at 35mm was better for aerials too. I can't really go with primes, so I may have to shoot at f11 and use higher ISOs.. Last summer, I used the Canon 5D1 and 24-105/4, and the corners were soft at f4-5.6. The fact that I shot with a low ISO 125 didn't help. Perhaps with my new D810, I'll have auto ISO feature.

BTW, beautiful artistry Steve Perry!



Nov 30, 2014 at 11:45 PM
dreamplayer
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


several lenses better than 2470G at 24-35mm for landscape

NIKON 1635G, 1835G , SIGMA 24 105, TAMRON 24 70 VC



Dec 01, 2014 at 07:05 AM
Todd Warnke
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


Sorry, but the Sigma 24-105 is not the equal of the 24-70. I've run pretty extensive tests with both lenses and it's not close. Don't get me wrong, the Sigma is a very good to excellent lens, but it's not as sharp as the 24-70, isn't as sharp across the frame and while it has superb contrast, even there it falls just short of the 24-70. Truth is, I wanted the Sigma to be close to the 24-70 so I could justify it as a walkaround and landscape lens as I find that I am often working at the 70mm range and just beyond, but no go, at least for me.

Peace,

Todd



Dec 01, 2014 at 11:24 AM
zhangyue
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


It is a little weak at 24mm end, (F8 make it usable ) but not disaster weak like 24-85 kit lens. 24mm is weakest range of 14-24mm lens but still kill 24-70 effortlessly.

at 28mm and 35mm it clean up nicely. 50 is already strong performer. 70 is also great on most of frame at f2.8~f4. f8 is sharp everywhere. but the lens can't compare with great prime lens IMO. especially use it before f8 at extreme corner.

I thoroughly test the lens with D810 I have. usually before the trip. I had the lens before, sold it and bought another one before last Zion trip.

shooting at f2.8 is tricky though, as the focus may off cross the range, AF fine tune will correct some but not all. My newly bought copy only slight back focus at 50mm, but good at 24mm and 70mm with zero fine tune at almost all distance. It seems better than my last one. But this is not relevant for landscape shots. and keep in mind, this is pixel PP and the evaluation is aim for high quality sharpness. most people won't even realize the focus difference cross the range.



Dec 01, 2014 at 01:32 PM
Dr88man
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 24-70/2.8G: Sharper Zoom @ 24-35mm End?


If field curvature at the wide end on the 24-70/2.8G results in soft corners at f2.8-5.6, does it mean at distances toward infinity, the corners could be be sharper at f2.8-5.6?

I'm asking because I'll be using this lens for aerials. Zoom is the only practical option in a small plane. The Canon 24-105/4 isn't sharp in the corners at f4. I need to test the Nikon 24-70/2.8G against the Canon 24-105/4 this weekend for corner sharpness!



Dec 03, 2014 at 10:12 PM





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