p.2 #1 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
Travelair: that was EXTREAMLY helpful, thank yo for taking the time to document the information.
I know I am probably worrying about it more than I should, but I am hoping not to have a repeat of my last DSLR experience.
At this point, I think my best bet is to get the body and start looking for a used Nikon 24-120 that I can purchase and test. It will either meet my approval or not. If not, I can send it back and try again. If I bat 0-2, I will move to the Sigma 24-105.
Thank you to everyone for your time and expertise. I will report back with my findings.
p.2 #2 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
I have no idea about the Sigma, but bought the Nikkor 24-120mm a couple of weeks ago and I'm very surprised how good it is. A great lens in every way, and it will certainly be my go-to lens for years to come.
p.2 #3 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
I've had them both and all in all I prefer the 24-120 f4 VR... especially at the used price! I'm not a huge fan of it on my D810 but it's great on my DF! I've also used it on a D610, D750, and D7100 I used to own previously and also really liked it. I think the larger MP cameras the Sigma would be the ideal lens since the optics appear to be better but the 24MP and lower either are great.
p.2 #4 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
For those with a burning curiosity, here is the album (24-120/4 Test Album) containing all test shots comparing my 24-120/4 to that of my friends. Bonus 60/2.8 micro Nikkor and Tokina 100/2.8 macro content.
Warning, very boring and only shows what the optic is capable of under a very specific set of test conditions. Camera to subject distance was approximately 50x focal length for all shots. As noted above, all automatic corrections turned off. Manual focus on text just to right of Post-It note, with camera in 10x Live View.
p.2 #5 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
I took a series of pictures of subjects on my property using the D800e and the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 24-120mm f4 and ended up getting rid of the 24-120mm lens. I was able to compare the two lenses on the same camera and photographing the same scenes and so I could truly evaluate the image quality of the 24-120mm lens using the 24-70mm as a baseline. The difference would have been even more stark had the baseline lens been something like a 85mm prime.
I do not find MTF charts or shots of two dimensional test charts very useful in evaluating a lens. Even for lens autofocus fine tuning I get better results with three dimensional subjects.
p.2 #7 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
some wanna think that but in reality not so much. i use the 24-120/4 as my work lens too hooked up to either my D4s or D810. but then i guess its what you feeling in yourself that day. now i'm not saying that the 2.8 doesn't have its place just not most of the time in what i do. if i need it i'll get it again.
oh, i pulled down a database of a few thousand image i've done using my then 24-70/2.8. i would hit 2.8 on about 10% of the images in use. that helped make my final decision to cull it from the stable in the end.
p.2 #8 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
elkhornsun wrote:
I took a series of pictures of subjects on my property using the D800e and the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 24-120mm f4 and ended up getting rid of the 24-120mm lens. I was able to compare the two lenses on the same camera and photographing the same scenes and so I could truly evaluate the image quality of the 24-120mm lens using the 24-70mm as a baseline. The difference would have been even more stark had the baseline lens been something like a 85mm prime.
I do not find MTF charts or shots of two dimensional test charts very useful in evaluating a lens. Even for lens autofocus fine tuning I get better results with three dimensional subjects. ...Show more →
I don't usually spend much time shooting flat images on a wall. However, some real world imaging suggested deficiencies in my buddies lens, and I wanted to evaluate a little further. Locking down a bunch of variables, and shooting something a 2-d with detail confirmed my initial suspicion. Shooting against my copy suggested that there are examples of this lens that are rather sharp. A carefully shot 'brick wall' test can also ferret out decentered elements.
Both types of testing are helpful in determining lens characteristics. Certainly, there are lenses with significant optical issues, which test rather poorly in optical bench type situations, that are capable of breathtaking results.
p.2 #10 · Sigma 24-105, Nikon 24-120 or ?, Please help with lens selection
Nope. Although I have a degree in aerospace engineering, I'm in another line of work.
To be straight, over the years, I did know many that worked there. My father ran a general aviation airport a few miles east of the Evendale facility, and there was a flying club (The Flying Neutrons) on field, founded by GE engineers. When I was a kid, used to bum aerobatic rides from a kind club member that flew for the other side in WWII, and was brought over to work at GE. For a bit, GE also used to run an aerial shuttle between our airport, and their Peebles, Ohio test facility. Knew all of the folks associated with that operation too. The airport was shuttered two years back, and many of those I knew, plus my father, have passed.
