Every Nikon shooter knows that the Nikkor 24-70 2.8G is the best standard zoom for Nikon's full frame cameras. However, at around $1900, it's not easily affordable. There are of course third-party standard zooms that cost far less, such as from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, but their performance is not quite as good as that of the Nikkor 24-70.
One alternative that some newer Nikon shooters might not know about is the predecessor to the 24-70, the Nikkor 28-70 2.8D. It is no longer being sold new, but used prices are about half the price of the 24-70.
But is the 28-70 as good as the 24-70? In this post, I compare the 28-70 to the 24-70 and let you judge for yourself.
ABOUT THE 28-70
The 28-70 is the first high-end Nikon lens I've owned. It is an all-metal lens and feels substantial. I don't own an 85 1.4D, but that's what it reminded me of. It feels like you're holding an expensive watch.
The 28-70 usually comes in black like the one pictured above but there is also a white version:
The 28-70 is sometimes called 'the Beast' because of its size and weight, a name that I don't think it truly deserves, because it's only slightly wider, a little shorter, and just 35 grams heavier than the 24-70. There are some people who talk about it being too heavy. I think they're whining like a bunch of little kittens.
Quick rundown of the 28-70's features:
Both the 28-70 and 24-70 have 15 elements in 11 groups, except that the 24-70 has 3 aspherical elements whereas the 28-70 has one. Both have a 9 bladed diaphragm for rounder bokeh.
There are some differences in features, however. The 24-70 has Nikon's nano crystal coating to minimize ghosting and flare. The 24-70 also has dust/weather-sealing. Finally, the 24-70 has a much closer minimum focus distance (15 inches vs. 27.6 inches).
Included accessories:
The 28-70 comes with a petal-shaped lens hood (HB-19) and a leatherette hard case (Nikon CL-74).
On with the shootout...
28-70 vs. 24-70: TEST PROTOCOL
I took the two lenses, mounted them alternately on a D3 on a tripod aimed at a brick wall. I took shots at 70mm, 35mm, 28mm (and in the case of the 24-70, at 24mm as well). Each focal length was taken at f/2.8, f/4.0 and f/5.6.
To compare the results, I took 100% crops from the center and from the upper left corner area (not literally the corner though). This is what the uncropped shot at 28mm looks like:
Disclaimer: the 28-70 had the benefit of a microfocus adjustment. The 24-70 here did not.
The 28-70 is the first high-end Nikon lens I've owned. It is an all-metal lens and feels substantial. I don't own an 85 1.4D, but that's what it reminded me of. It feels like you're holding an expensive watch.
The 28-70 usually comes in black like the one pictured above but there is also a white version:
 |
| image courtesy of Nikon |
The 28-70 is sometimes called 'the Beast' because of its size and weight, a name that I don't think it truly deserves, because it's only slightly wider, a little shorter, and just 35 grams heavier than the 24-70. There are some people who talk about it being too heavy. I think they're whining like a bunch of little kittens.
 |
| The 28-70 on a D3 beside a Tamron 17-50 VC on a D70 |
- Full frame FX lens - can be used on both full frame FX and APS-C DX bodies. On a full frame, it's a standard fast zoom. On a DX body, it covers 42-105, which is like having both a normal lens and a portrait lens with you, but no wide angle coverage.
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- ED glass: Extra-low dispersion glass minimizes chromatic aberrations.
- SWM (silent wave motor): as an AF-S lens, the 28-70 has a silent wave motor, which allows it to focus quickly and accurately, even on smaller Nikon bodies without a built-in AF motor
- SIC super integrated coating - reduces ghosting and flare
- M/A switch - allows quick switching from autofocus to manual focus
- aperture ring - as a D lens, the 28-70 has an aperture ring, which can be used to change aperture on the fly for video, adjusting aperture on older cameras, or for macro (for example, if used with a reversing ring).
Both the 28-70 and 24-70 have 15 elements in 11 groups, except that the 24-70 has 3 aspherical elements whereas the 28-70 has one. Both have a 9 bladed diaphragm for rounder bokeh.
There are some differences in features, however. The 24-70 has Nikon's nano crystal coating to minimize ghosting and flare. The 24-70 also has dust/weather-sealing. Finally, the 24-70 has a much closer minimum focus distance (15 inches vs. 27.6 inches).
Included accessories:
The 28-70 comes with a petal-shaped lens hood (HB-19) and a leatherette hard case (Nikon CL-74).
On with the shootout...
28-70 vs. 24-70: TEST PROTOCOL
I took the two lenses, mounted them alternately on a D3 on a tripod aimed at a brick wall. I took shots at 70mm, 35mm, 28mm (and in the case of the 24-70, at 24mm as well). Each focal length was taken at f/2.8, f/4.0 and f/5.6.
To compare the results, I took 100% crops from the center and from the upper left corner area (not literally the corner though). This is what the uncropped shot at 28mm looks like:
Disclaimer: the 28-70 had the benefit of a microfocus adjustment. The 24-70 here did not.
100% CROP FROM CENTER
In the slideshow below, you'll see the 28-70 shot first, then the equivalent shot from the 24-70. If you prefer, you can click on the link to launch the album where you can view the pictures larger.
In the slideshow below, you'll see the 28-70 shot first, then the equivalent shot from the 24-70. If you prefer, you can click on the link to launch the album where you can view the pictures larger.
0 comments:
Post a Comment