Is it worth trading up to the nikon 24-70 2.8?

I am about to do the same. I have the beast just overhaul by NSC, but I like
the new 24-70mm. I am now intending to go modern glass, the 14-24 is super.

The answer is yes ! The 24-70 is a superlative lens, and 24mm is much wider than 28mm in practice.

Guy

david debalko wrote:
Is it worth trading up to the nikon 24-70 2.8?


It's a decision to be thought seriously, because they are really different lenses.

1. 28-70 has a "gentle" rendition. Little microcontrast, little contrast, good sharpness already wide open. Images never "pop", but they are wonderful on people, it just works magic.
   Minus: it suffers from heavy CA in the wrong conditions... really hard. You can clean it, but it'll surprise you!
   
2. 24-70 has a completely different rendition. Ultra contrasty, and super sharp from wide open (short distances). Seems like a wonderful lens, but with people, it really screams "digital" to me, and I don't like it.
   

Also to mention, the feel of the lenses are pretty different. And the 24-70 has a weather seal on it. I've owned both, and if finances permit, I'd switch if I was you. However, if you have other lens needs, it might not be worth the potential $800-$1000 extra.

I've owned both and was able to compare them side-by-side. The 28-70 had CA wide open, 24-70 had small to nothing. The 24-70 is also sharper wide open than the 28-70.

I shot a 24/70 along side my 28/70 when the 24's came out for a solid month. I also was in contact with several others including the lens testing team at Nikonians and we all pretty much agreed. Hysteria aside, except for the 4mm's on the wide end there is nothing between them. If you didn't have one get the 24/70 if you have a 28/70 keep it.
Frankly I've never seen any CA what so ever from my 28/70 and it's been on film bodies, D50's, D1X's, D700 and D7000. The contrast and sharpness matches the 70/200 and is a perfect stablemate.
I would have been apt to go with the 24/70 if I saw any reason to. I still have the 28/70 in fact I have two of them.

4mm on the wide end

well this thread has not helped me decide, I've been shooting with the 28-70 for years(not unhappy with results) and just thought It was time to move to a newer lens design, but reading some posts maybe I should stay with what works.
the 4mm on the wide end doesn't pull me to this lens as much as 10mm on the long end would.

I like the way the 24-70 feels in my hand better, but
I will be keeping my 28-70
I like being able to use the Aperture ring
If it dies, I will still wait for the VR version of the 24-70

Has anyone shot with both and noticed a difference in favor of the 24-70? other than fro knows, which he favors the 24-70 but has never shot with a 28-70 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq875jU7s10

A friend loaned me his 24-70 and I ran tests against my 28-70 and I thought the 24-70 was an all around better lens -especially shot at 28mm-35mm at f2.8-4 and especially around the edges of the frame. so I bought the 24-70. I now have a 28-70 on my shelf.

I have both and prefer the 24. IQ is not all that different, however, the handling is. I like the size/shape of the 24 both in my bag and in my hand better.

I like my 24-70. I can do stuff like this

All-in-one Noink 24-200mm VRIII f/1.8 G ED Super Nano coming soon!


All-in-one by Ilya Lisyanyy, on Flickr

Iluxa007, you forgot to mention that it would make a powerful micro lens

david debalko wrote:
A friend loaned me his 24-70 and I ran tests against my 28-70 and I thought the 24-70 was an all around better lens -especially shot at 28mm-35mm at f2.8-4 and especially around the edges of the frame. so I bought the 24-70. I now have a 28-70 on my shelf.

So, do you still consider him a friend ?

For my needs a VR version would be a very nice thing to have, or a better quality 24-120 f/4 VR.