Firstly, thanks to everyone who replied in my last thread - your views were very helpful!

I am just a little torn between these two lens, so I'd be grateful if those of you who have the D300 and either the Nikkor 24-70, or Nikkor 17-55 would post some pictures in here if at all possible

I don't think I would miss the 17-24 so I am more concerned about IQ.

Apologies to non-D300 owners, but I'd only like to see pictures taken with the D300 and either of these lens, just so I can get an idea of how each lens performs with my own camera.

Cheers!

Timmmy. Please take a step back and think about what you are requesting. You want only D300 users to post shots from these 2 lenses so you can judge image IQ. From the downsized web shots that will get posted here you think you will be able to judge image quality and get an idea of how these lenses will work on your camera?

There are many websites that are dedicated or have sections that are dedicated to lens testing. Here are a couple of my favorites:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

This site has reviews by Bjorn Rorslett, who is well known and well respected. He generally comments on how lenses perform on different cameras (D3, D300 etc...)

http://www.photozone.de/

photozone has a large set of reviews

If I were you I'd start by looking at sites like these if you are interested in lens IQ. On this forum you can get an idea of how people use these lenses to take pictures. Or you can get an idea of field of view and how that can differ with focal lengths between the 2 lenses. But to look at IQ you would need full res shots or someone would have to do a lens comparison for you with both lenses on a tripod, shooting the same image and then post 100% crops.

Finally, below are 2 pictures. One is from a D300 with a 17-55mm and the second was taken with a Canon 20D + Tokina 12-24mm. Can you tell which is which? If not how are you going to discern IQ between the 24-70 and the 17-55…let alone if it was taken on a D300 or not?

Yeah I agree the only FAIR way to do that would be to find someone with both a 17-55 and 24-70 and take images with identical settings one after the other and send you the full image file to pixel peep.

A good photographer with a weaker lens will be able to sell you against a weaker photographer with a better lens. Not really a fair sale.

I think a more important question to answer is how likely are you to be moving to an FX sensor in the next few years? The 17-55 is less expensive and a phenominal lens on DX, but if you intend on jumping to an FX sensor before too long, you might weigh in the depreciation you'd face selling off a 17-55 to buy an FX-compatible lens.

Thanks both, you're right of course

However I was just hoping to get a general feel.

I think it's a moot point now, as with the D700 being announced I may just get the 24-70 instead (I'm sure I wouldn't miss the 17-24 end).

Thanks again for your replies.

Timmy I just opened up my 24-70 and sold my 17-55 yesterday, I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Dan

Thanks Dan - look forward to see them... and have fun with your new 'baby'

Get a 16-85 vr for your D300 and iq is indistinguishable from
either of those lenses, enjoy pleasures of adv vr. And save your money for ff body and glass.

Timmmy wrote:
I think it's a moot point now, as with the D700 being announced I may just get the 24-70 instead (I'm sure I wouldn't miss the 17-24 end).

All just too funny, almost like it's no longer a rumor and it's fact.
I wouldn't hold your breath....just yet!

Michael

Sorry for the nothing special shot but it's raining out and I worked all day so heres a shot of my vacuum cleaner with the 24-70 (damn it's sharp!)
Just converted from RAW, no adjustments.

These are 100% crops. Similar subject and lighting. D300, raw, identical PP/ f/2.8
24-70 is at 50mm
17-55 at 55mm (slight disadvantage for the 17-55 since that's weakest performance)

sorry for the size but downsizing really destroys the comp. I find both the be excellent but the 24-70 is just more excellent (probably the best standard zoom I've used wide open, Canon or Nikon). If you can live the focal range and price, you should be happy with the 24-70.

17-55 top


Edited by csd2020 on Jun 19, 2008 at 07:44 AM GMT

haha... amazing how rumors spread like wild fire. Even if it did come out at some point, what about the jobs now? I have the 17-55 2.8 and use it with my D200. I considered the 24-70, but I like having that bit extra width. I have been in PLENTY of situations where I was thankful of 17mm. Like most say, you will miss that width over that bit of length. Its quite sharp btw.

god that doll is creepy!!

damn!! there's something about that shot of the vacuum that is just...like, wow... AND IT'S A SNAP OF A VACUUM!! I just got to play with the 24-70 the other day..... I am in love..... soooooooooooo in love!!

Steve. Nice contribution. One rarely sees 100% crops in threads like this. Your first shot with the 17-55mm seems to have more noise in it - even on well lit portions of the face. Any idea why? I am curious because I think it throws the comparison off a little.

r_o_b_s_o_n wrote:
god that doll is creepy!!

damn!! there's something about that shot of the vacuum that is just...like, wow... AND IT'S A SNAP OF A VACUUM!! I just got to play with the 24-70 the other day..... I am in love..... soooooooooooo in love!!

You've been reading too much Steven King!

galenapass wrote:
Steve. Nice contribution. One rarely sees 100% crops in threads like this. Your first shot with the 17-55mm seems to have more noise in it - even on well lit portions of the face. Any idea why? I am curious because I think it throws the comparison off a little.


Not sure I have an answer. Noise looks pretty close to me. They actually both look a little worse after posting but I had to save as medium quality jpegs to get them to fit here. Probably why you don't see too many 100% crops. Bottom line is that I find the 24-70 a little better than the 28-70 which is a little better than the 17-55 if you really get down to pixel peeping. I would have to say that the Photozone tests are quite valid but which lens works best is a function of which focal length best suits your application. Personally, I prefer the 24-70 with an ultra wide for anything wider. Now to start saving for the 14-24.

torned like you. trust me you are going to need the 17mm.

im in singapore right now and having 17-55 helps alot on framing scenery pictures.