Some of the experts will tell you that buying a 24-70mm lens is a waste of money. The argument is that most photographers have (and need) 35mm, 50mm primes - and likely own a 14-24mm and 70-200m lenses. So by carrying these 4 lenses you have everything covered between 14 to 200mm - with high-quality primes at 35mm and 50mm. So what is the point to a 24-70mm lens?
My answer?
It just makes life easier.
It is true that I own all of the 14-24mm, 70-200mm, and high-quality primes at 35mm and 50mm (that have f1.4 on both). However, 90% of my photos are taken at 35mm-70mm focal points... so by carrying this one lens I can easily meet most of my needs.
Notes specific to the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
- My main prime lens in the focal range is the Zeiss Otus 55mm. Let's be clear this Nikon can not duplicate those results. However, the Nikon lens is not chopped liver and for many jobs, it is an acceptable trade-off. I can go from a 35mm lens to 50mm in 2 seconds instead of a minute or two.
- The lens is reasonably sharp throughout the frame. The predecessor was known to be razor-sharp in the center but the edges were softer. This version seems not to be quite as sharp at the center, but with a very negligible fall off as you move out.
- Color saturation is solid - photos really pop... although they do lack that 3D-like effect you can get with some of the high-end primes
- The lens can maintain f2.8 across all of the focal lengths. So while it loses a couple of stops it is still pretty fast... especially at 24mm (where many lenses at f4.0)
- The image stabilization is very solid... in fact; you gain back at least 1 stop... if not 2 by being able to use slower shutter speeds. It has the best in-lens stabilization that I have ever used.
- Focus... occasionally I have issues with the lens-camera combo (I shot the D850) searching for focus.
- Not small.... this thing will add some bulk to your set-up. It is not unwieldy, but you wouldn't want it to be any larger.
Final verdict..... yes, for many pro's the Nikon 24-70 is a redundant lens, but the fact is... it just makes life easier. I know pro's have a hard time "settling" but the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E really doesn't force you to make many compromises... and honestly, when I am out of the studio, I try to carry as few lenses as possible. I find that I end up taking a vast majority of my photos with this lens... so who cares what the photo snobs have to say about it! :)
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$1,696.95 with 19 percent savings
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Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR AF-S ED Nikkor Zoom Lens - (Renewed) $1,119.00 & FREE Shipping
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This Item  Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -19% $1,696.95 List: $2,096.95 | $2,096.95 | -20% $239.20 List Price: $299.95 | $7,896.95 | -40% $905.00 New Price: $1,496.95 | $1,565.00 |
| Delivery | Get it Jul 15 - 17 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 12 | Get it Jul 23 - 24 | — | — | Get it Jul 21 - 22 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Focus Camera LLC | Green's Camera World | Port Hole Renewed | Adorama | BH 52 Innovations | Digital Village |
| lens type | Standard | Standard | Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto | Zoom |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F | Nikon F | Nikon F | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F | Nikon F, Nikon Z |
| lens design | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| focus type | Auto/Manual | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus |
| minimum focal length | 24 millimeters | 24 millimeters | 55 millimeters | 400 millimeters | 200 millimeters | 24 millimeters |
| max focal length | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters | 300 millimeters | 400 millimeters | 500 millimeters | 70 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters | 300 millimeters | 400 millimeters | 500 millimeters | 70 millimeters |
| real angle of view | 0 degrees | 34.3 degrees | 82.5 degrees | 6 degrees | — | 61.35 degrees |
| model name | 20052 | AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR | CRTNK55300VRRB | 2217 | AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR | CRTNK2470VREDRB |
| max aperture | 2.8 millimeters | — | 4.5 f stop | 2.8 f stop | 5.6 f stop | 2.8 f stop |
| diaphragm blades | 5 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 9 |
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 5.75 x 5.75 x 9.25 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 2.35 pounds |
| ASIN | B013D1BMFE |
| Item model number | 20052 |
| Batteries | 1 AA batteries required. |
| Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank |
|
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | August 2, 2015 |
| Manufacturer | Nikon |
| Country of Origin | China |
Warranty & Support
Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here. [PDF ]
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Amazing lens
I am an amateur. I upgraded from the previous generation Nikon 24-70 2.8G ED lens. That was amazing glass. It's major downfall was the lack of Vibration Reduction. The professional reviews about this new lens with VR were mixed were mixed. Portrait photographers seemed to hate it. Others thought it was great. The lens test I read said it was slightly less crisp in the center than the previous generation, but more evenly crisp to the edges. I decided to try it with the Amazon return available. I've only shot with it three times, but it has been a combination of landscape, architecture, reflection, flowers, sunset and bright light, and two portraits on the fly. I've shot about 600 shots. This squirrel is a good example of the strengths of the lens. At 1/60 of a second @ 70 mm vibration would be a problem. This problem was magnified because I could get no closer than 10' and this is a 3/4 crop. The VR did its job. I expect to gain another 60-90 minutes of handheld of golden hour light if I shoot both sunrise and sunset. The bokeh in the background is symmetrical and of equal light across the frame. The landscape shot is handheld and sharp. The autofocus appears to work well and rapidly. I also works in what feels like slightly lower light. I am very happy with this lens.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022*: BlackVerified Purchase
I am an amateur. I upgraded from the previous generation Nikon 24-70 2.8G ED lens. That was amazing glass. It's major downfall was the lack of Vibration Reduction. The professional reviews about this new lens with VR were mixed were mixed. Portrait photographers seemed to hate it. Others thought it was great. The lens test I read said it was slightly less crisp in the center than the previous generation, but more evenly crisp to the edges. I decided to try it with the Amazon return available.
I've only shot with it three times, but it has been a combination of landscape, architecture, reflection, flowers, sunset and bright light, and two portraits on the fly. I've shot about 600 shots. This squirrel is a good example of the strengths of the lens. At 1/60 of a second @ 70 mm vibration would be a problem. This problem was magnified because I could get no closer than 10' and this is a 3/4 crop. The VR did its job. I expect to gain another 60-90 minutes of handheld of golden hour light if I shoot both sunrise and sunset. The bokeh in the background is symmetrical and of equal light across the frame.
The landscape shot is handheld and sharp. The autofocus appears to work well and rapidly. I also works in what feels like slightly lower light. I am very happy with this lens.
Images in this review
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*: BlackVerified Purchase -
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*: BlackVerified Purchase -
ÉricReviewed in France on April 1, 2025
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