Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Impressive Lens
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2020
I bought a Nikon Z7 in a bundle that included the 24-70mm f/4.0 lens. I thought this lens was a somewhat expensive upgrade to that bundled lens, but since I was taking a trip that would offer many opportunities for photos, I decided to splurge. Having now finished that trip and downloaded the photos, I am quite impressed with the output of this lens. There were definitely some lower light shots that were made possible by this lens that the f/4.0 could not have captured, as well as some shots where I really shortened the field depth and allowed the background to bokeh beautifully.
While this lens is noticeably heavier than f/4.0 lens in the bundle, that is unavoidable due to marked increase in the optics of the lens. Moreover, compared to other f/2.8 lenses, it is fairly compact at 89x126mm and among the lightest in the category with a weight of 805g. I thought the weight difference between the f/4.0 and the f/2.8 might be a problem by upsetting the balance of the camera, but that never emerged. I initially noted the extra weight compared to the f/4.0, but within minutes, I got used to the camera's new feel. I never felt out of balance, and enjoyed the experience of shooting with the new lens immediately.
Beyond the actual photographic output of the lens, from a usage standpoint, I was most impressed with the focusing. The lens has two synchronized AF drive units, and it enables the lens to focus very quickly and with impressive accuracy. I found this to be most helpful when shooting video because a moving subject could stay in focus without effort, however even for photos when I was not focusing manually, I noted how quickly it focused. It's noticeably faster than the f/4.0.
While this lens is certainly an investment, I think its performance justifies its cost. I am happy I bought it. I think for a professional, this f/2.8 is an essential workhorse. However, even if you are an amateur who likes to have top-notch tools, this lens is remarkable, and it's an incredible upgrade from the f/4.0.
