Nikon 24mm D Prime vs. 24-70 Zoom

[Aztex]

Howdy,

I have always liked my 24mm 2.8 D lens and under the proper circumstances quite amazing. I come from a film back ground and have not really had a lot of money to up grade until recently. Used to be primes were "always" better. I know I'm a late adapter mostly due to funds

I am curious if getting the 24-70mm will provide any clear IQ advantages. It costs roughly 5x more….

Any other options I should investigate for this range? I am happy with my 80-200 2.8 so looking for a mid-wide range zoom to take along.

I shoot a D700 and a D300s, mostly urban landscape but some street shooting.

Thanks!

Aztex

[Some Guy]

Go to photozone.de and compare.

Seems the Nikon 24-70 beats out the 24mm.  The Sigma 24-70 numbers are very close to the 24mm, and the Tamron 24-70 comes in last.

My only issue with Nikon is they do not allow for any fine tuning of the AF at both ends of the zoom range like Canon does.  The zoom lens has to be a good copy in alignment and not do something odd like needs a -15 AF Tune at 24mm and then maybe a +5 AF Tune at 70mm.  Sigma ART series allows the owner to adjust for that with their optional AF tuning puck, but you have to send the Nikon lens off and hope and pray.

There's been talk of a Sigma 24-70mm 'Constant' f/2.0 lens on the horizon too.  If so, it should be really sharp if it goes into their ART series.  http://petapixel.com/2013/07/30/sigma-may-be-building-a-groundbreaking-24-70mm-f2-lens-for-full-frame-cameras/

Good luck.

SG

[Aztex]

Thanks!

I hadn't found that site before.

Seems they don't like any of those lenses all that much!

Any other suggestions for a killer mid-wide lens for ~$1500 to show off my D700?

Thanks,

Aztex

[kers]

It seems the latest wide 1.8 wideangles from nikon ; 28mm and especially the 20mm are not bad at all.
try google
- i have the 24mm 1.4 - a very nice lens but expensive. I did not like the 24-70 at 24mm; soft corners for one.

[dwswager]

Howdy,

I have always liked my 24mm 2.8 D lens and under the proper circumstances quite amazing. I come from a film back ground and have not really had a lot of money to up grade until recently. Used to be primes were "always" better. I know I'm a late adapter mostly due to funds

I am curious if getting the 24-70mm will provide any clear IQ advantages. It costs roughly 5x more….

Any other options I should investigate for this range? I am happy with my 80-200 2.8 so looking for a mid-wide range zoom to take along.

I shoot a D700 and a D300s, mostly urban landscape but some street shooting.

Thanks!

Aztex

The 20mm and 24mm AFD lenses were pretty good, but the 28mm is marginal. 

As to those 2 lenses there is a world of difference in size, weight, versatility.  If you'r planning to get the 24-70mm f/2.8G and are asking if you can sell off the prime, then yes.  The zoom is a little soft in the corners wide open, but otherwise a great lens if you are willing to carry it.

I have the 16-35mm f/4 VR, but kept the 20mm 2.8D because sometimes, I just pocket the little prime and have it with me when I don't think I need or can't carry the bigger zoom.

[kers]

An old Nikkor that i really  like is the 35mm f2- i bought mine second hands fort less than 100€.
It is a nice very small lens.

Compared to the 24mm 1.4G the coating is not as good and it is a little soft wide open but at f11 it covers my 36Mp corner tot corner.

So @ 12mp there will be not too much to complain ...