Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

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Archive 2009 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Naude
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p.1 #1 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

I got a great deal yesterday on a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

After taking a few hundred photos and reviewing them on the computer I noticed that the lens doesn't look as good at f/2.8 as it does at f/4

It appears like the scene has less contrast wide open and that the highlights blow much easier.

Both shots were taken on a tripod and focused manually via live view.

f/2.8

f/4

f/2.8 crop

f/4 crop

Nov 21, 2009 at 06:57 AM

parsons
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p.1 #2 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

pretty standard to loose contrast wide open, eevn the fabled 14-24 does.
why not just increase the contrast in post?
nothing to worry about from what i can see.

s

Nov 21, 2009 at 09:41 AM

Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #3 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Joseph, I don't think there's a zoom on the planet that does not increase contrast at least slightly on stopping down from wide open. OTOH, I have used that lens wide open for at least half of the many images I have taken with it. Usually other factors render an image non-usable long before contrast is considered. It's an excellent, but heavy, lens in my experience. cheers, kl

Nov 21, 2009 at 12:39 PM

Naude
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p.1 #4 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Thanks guys. Just wanted to make sure this is normal. Doesn't really bother me to add contrast in post. I always do that in anycase ;-)

Nov 21, 2009 at 12:58 PM

papageno
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p.1 #5 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

It's also normal for sharpness to increase a bit as the lens is stopped down. Rule of thumb is that best sharpness is 2-3 stops down from wide open.........

Nov 21, 2009 at 08:23 PM

fusiongt
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p.1 #6 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Isn't that the case with almost all but the greatest-of-the-greatest lenses? 2-3 stops down will increase IQ a lot.

I know there's exceptions though but mostly with primes (at least from the lenses I've used). My 500 f/4 is best wide open... I'm sure the 200 f/2 is best wide open.

Nov 21, 2009 at 10:16 PM

Baywing
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p.1 #7 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

That is pretty much the case with all lenses, they are at their best in the middle of the f-stop range. There are exceptions......
Focus point is very critical wide open, and manual focus introduces other variables beyond those of just the lens optics alone. I don't see anything wrong with the shots provided, the bigger issue with lenses is usually uneven focus accuracy from one area to another under flat field conditions.

Nov 23, 2009 at 02:15 PM

jonshonda
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p.1 #8 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

I think its junk, and you should sell it to me for pennies on the dollar....

Nov 23, 2009 at 02:49 PM

papageno
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p.1 #9 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Isn't that the case with almost all but the greatest-of-the-greatest lenses? Hence rule of thumb.......

Nov 29, 2009 at 10:11 PM

cputeq
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p.1 #10 · Nikon 24-70mm Expecting too much?

Some surprising rule-breakers are various kit lenses.

My Canon 28-135 kit with my 40D didn't get better as I stopped down (it was pretty good).

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/190-canon-ef-28-135mm-f35-56-usm-is-test-report--review?start=1

My 18-105 Nikon doesn't really get much sharper, either.

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/410-nikkor_18105_3556vr?start=1

Both surprisingly great lenses for general usage.

Nov 30, 2009 at 03:22 AM


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