I have to admit, even though this lens received glowing reviews across the board, I had butterflies in my stomach considering a lens that after tax and shipping would be over ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. I mean, that's a heck of a lot of money for one lens! Could it really be worth it? I had just purchased a Nikon D700, replacing my old D80, and had found limitations with the DX format (chiefly low-light situations that required fast shutter speeds with no flash - read: indoor sports.) My experience with non-Nikon brand lenses was underwhelming. They did the job, but there was always "something" about them that didn't perform as well as the Nikon lenses I had purchased. Slow focus, loss of sharpness at edges, etc. Since my main mid-range lens was not a Nikon, and DX, I desperately needed an FX replacement. This is the only mid-range FX zoom lens that Nikon makes where the maximum aperture remains constant throughout its range (I'm not a fan of zoom lenses that have variable maximum apertures.) The bottom line is if I wanted a full-frame mid-range Nikon with constant max aperture, this is the only choice.
I ponied up the dough, and I must say I am impressed. The images this lens produces are amazing, and the performance consistently reminds me that this lens costs as much as it does for a reason. It's construction is incredibly solid, and the zoom ring is very smooth as it's adjusted. Focus is super fast and is almost inaudible (great for wedding photos or any other event where noisy focus would be a distraction.) Under low light conditions and wide open this lens grabs images that my previous mid-range would easily fumble.
The only reason I ranked the accessories at 3 stars is for a lens this expensive I'd at least expect the case it comes with to be a bit more protective. The top and bottom of the lens is held in place with open-cell foam, which is the same kind of foam just about any product ships with. Granted the open cell foam is a bit denser and is flexible, unlike styrofoam, but still. I would have expected at least dense closed-cell foam wrapped in some sort of material and stitched into the case. The foam blocks the lens is shipped inside the case with looks and feels like they're throw-away. I think most people at this level will wind up buying or already own a camera bag for bodies, lenses, and accessories, so this is kind of a moot point.
In closing, this lens is really your only choice for a Nikon full-frame mid-range constant maximum aperture zoom lens at the time that this review is being written. I think at this price it's a fairly painful purchase, but if you want quality it's worth it.
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This Item  Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras |  |  |  | |
| Price | $499.99 | $935.00 | -53% $750.00 New Price: $1,596.95 | -11% $426.95 List: $479.95 |
| Delivery | Get it May 31 - Jun 12 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 3 | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 29 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||
| Picture quality | ||||
| Auto focus | ||||
| Quality of material | ||||
| Durability | ||||
| For portrait photography | ||||
| Sold By | DHNETWORKS | Akiyacamera | Port Hole Renewed | Focus Camera LLC |
| lens type | Standard | Standard | Wide Angle | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F | Nikon FX, Nikon DX | Nikon F (FX) |
| lens design | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Prime |
| focus type | Ultrasonic | Auto/Manual | Auto/Manual | Ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | 24 millimeters | 24 millimeters | 24 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
| max focal length | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
Reviews with images
Outstanding piece of equipment
UPDATED: 4/4/2011:This weekend was my new, and first Grandson's Christening. I had packed both the Nikon 24-70, as well as the 16-35VR F4. At the last minute I left the 16-35 at home and took only the 24-70. The darkened church was no match for the 24-70. I shot both with and without Flash (my Trusty Nikon SB-400), using bounce, never direct, and the church images came out fantastic!! They were sharp, and clear even at F2.8. Yes, of course some were blurry, or out of focus, that happens to everyone, but as I shot multiple images of the ceremony it was a piece of cake to nail the winners. I did not miss the 16-35's VR at all. Actually I feel bad I have this gorgeously sharp 16-35 sitting in my bag unused after having purchased the 24-70. Total images, between Saturday's dinner, Sunday's christening ceremony, then a party back at the house I popped off about 900 to 1100 images (1800 - 2200 if you include the fact I shoot a jpeg & raw together) with my D700 and the 24-70. I actually piggy-backed this personal event, with a paid gig at the same location which explains the high number of images. The 16-35 stayed in the bag the entire weekend. All I can say is I'm thrilled I had this lens to capture such a wonderful event successfully. As a matter of fact, after the ceremony I stayed behind after the family had left as the pastor asked me to shoot images of him and his family for use in a new church brochure and booklet to be printed soon. (I've shot events, mostly paid, at this church before so I'm well known here).Just wanted to update my review... I hope you find it helpful.Outstanding. Short and sweet. This lens hasn't come off my D700. Truly amazing and sharp. It's heavy, but very well balanced on my D700 and the battery grip. The lens shade actually clicks and locks on. I also own the fabulous 16-35 f4 VR, had it about a year and have already lost the lens hood.Everything about this lens has already been said. So I will just say that if you've been waiting to get one just do it. I was on the fence as I own as I've said the 16-35 and the Nikon 70-300vr zoom but this lens fills an excellent void in the gap between the 35mm and the 70.All in all I'm very happy with my purchase and can't wait to go shooting with it again.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2011
*: BlackVerified Purchase
UPDATED: 4/4/2011:
This weekend was my new, and first Grandson's Christening. I had packed both the Nikon 24-70, as well as the 16-35VR F4. At the last minute I left the 16-35 at home and took only the 24-70. The darkened church was no match for the 24-70. I shot both with and without Flash (my Trusty Nikon SB-400), using bounce, never direct, and the church images came out fantastic!! They were sharp, and clear even at F2.8. Yes, of course some were blurry, or out of focus, that happens to everyone, but as I shot multiple images of the ceremony it was a piece of cake to nail the winners. I did not miss the 16-35's VR at all. Actually I feel bad I have this gorgeously sharp 16-35 sitting in my bag unused after having purchased the 24-70. Total images, between Saturday's dinner, Sunday's christening ceremony, then a party back at the house I popped off about 900 to 1100 images (1800 - 2200 if you include the fact I shoot a jpeg & raw together) with my D700 and the 24-70. I actually piggy-backed this personal event, with a paid gig at the same location which explains the high number of images. The 16-35 stayed in the bag the entire weekend. All I can say is I'm thrilled I had this lens to capture such a wonderful event successfully. As a matter of fact, after the ceremony I stayed behind after the family had left as the pastor asked me to shoot images of him and his family for use in a new church brochure and booklet to be printed soon. (I've shot events, mostly paid, at this church before so I'm well known here).
Just wanted to update my review... I hope you find it helpful.
Outstanding. Short and sweet. This lens hasn't come off my D700. Truly amazing and sharp. It's heavy, but very well balanced on my D700 and the battery grip. The lens shade actually clicks and locks on. I also own the fabulous 16-35 f4 VR, had it about a year and have already lost the lens hood.
Everything about this lens has already been said. So I will just say that if you've been waiting to get one just do it. I was on the fence as I own as I've said the 16-35 and the Nikon 70-300vr zoom but this lens fills an excellent void in the gap between the 35mm and the 70.
All in all I'm very happy with my purchase and can't wait to go shooting with it again.
This weekend was my new, and first Grandson's Christening. I had packed both the Nikon 24-70, as well as the 16-35VR F4. At the last minute I left the 16-35 at home and took only the 24-70. The darkened church was no match for the 24-70. I shot both with and without Flash (my Trusty Nikon SB-400), using bounce, never direct, and the church images came out fantastic!! They were sharp, and clear even at F2.8. Yes, of course some were blurry, or out of focus, that happens to everyone, but as I shot multiple images of the ceremony it was a piece of cake to nail the winners. I did not miss the 16-35's VR at all. Actually I feel bad I have this gorgeously sharp 16-35 sitting in my bag unused after having purchased the 24-70. Total images, between Saturday's dinner, Sunday's christening ceremony, then a party back at the house I popped off about 900 to 1100 images (1800 - 2200 if you include the fact I shoot a jpeg & raw together) with my D700 and the 24-70. I actually piggy-backed this personal event, with a paid gig at the same location which explains the high number of images. The 16-35 stayed in the bag the entire weekend. All I can say is I'm thrilled I had this lens to capture such a wonderful event successfully. As a matter of fact, after the ceremony I stayed behind after the family had left as the pastor asked me to shoot images of him and his family for use in a new church brochure and booklet to be printed soon. (I've shot events, mostly paid, at this church before so I'm well known here).
Just wanted to update my review... I hope you find it helpful.
Outstanding. Short and sweet. This lens hasn't come off my D700. Truly amazing and sharp. It's heavy, but very well balanced on my D700 and the battery grip. The lens shade actually clicks and locks on. I also own the fabulous 16-35 f4 VR, had it about a year and have already lost the lens hood.
Everything about this lens has already been said. So I will just say that if you've been waiting to get one just do it. I was on the fence as I own as I've said the 16-35 and the Nikon 70-300vr zoom but this lens fills an excellent void in the gap between the 35mm and the 70.
All in all I'm very happy with my purchase and can't wait to go shooting with it again.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Albert Wong
Seller gives us good product and service
Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2019*: BlackVerified Purchase
