How does the 28-70 compare to the 24-70?

<p>Got an email from a friend who has a friend getting rid of his Nikon gear because he went over to the Dark Side. He has a 28-70 f/2.8 that he'll let me have for a good price but I need to make a decision soon. My current lens is the 24-85VR and the older 24-120 f3.5-5.6VR when the 24-85 is being used by my kids. I can read the reviews but I prefer hearing from members about their experience with this lens. The lens is a uSA model with box and case and it doesn't suffer from the squeaky motor.</p>

<p>If the price is below what the lens would fetch on *Bay, then why not just buy it and check it out for yourself? There's always going to be some sample variation between lenses, and there's no guarantee that the lens in question will perform the same as others, or that your opinion of it will match anyone else's.</p>

<p>going rate is 750.00 to 850 on the auction site but I've seen them go for $700 all the way up to $1,000+ for the "gray" version. <br>

The thing to watch for is the squeal in the AF motor. It's not a sure sign that motor will fail, but it can be a warning. <br>

Personally I prefer the 28-70 over the 24-70 just based on price. The 4mm doesn't make a lot of difference. <br>

The zoom and focus are incredibly smooth and fast. Great lens. <br>

Dave</p>

 

<p>I own the Nikon 24-70, but if I were in the market for a new lens I would consider the Tamron 24-70. There was a interesting thread on the Luminous-Landscape about Tamron being a better lens than the Nikon. Also Tokina is supposed to come out with a new zoom in that range. </p>

<p>Sometimes 28mm is just not quite wide enough, but otherwise the 28-70 f/2.8 is a very high quality lens. I got mine used on eBay but have had no problems. I have gotten very crisp shots at all focal lengths on both the D800E and the D3s. It really is a very good lens, just not quite versatile enough when you need 24mm.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

<p>In these days, I mainly use my 24-120mm/f4 AF-S VR to cover that range, but I have tried my old 28-70mm/f2.8 AF-S on the D800E, and it is still excellent on today's most demanding Nikon DSLR.</p>

<p>However, 24mm is indeed considerably wider than 28mm. I would opt for 24mm if I have that choice. The 28-70mm/f2.8 AF-S also has an aperture ring for those who need it.</p>

<p>I only have experience with the 28-70, but it is all good. I've had mine for over 10 years and it is always my go-to lens. I love the versatility of the range. During that time it's been coupled with an F5, F6, D2x, 3 D700s, and now a D800E. I guess it's my favourite of the 2.8 zooms. A true workhorse.<br>

Few lenses have actually acquired a nickname. This one is often referred to as The Beast.</p>

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<li>Mark, I bought Nikon 28-70mm 2.8 last month after renting the 24-70 numerous times for weddings. The IQ between the the 2 is very similar and I actually prefer the shorter and wider design over the longer slimmer 24-70mm. I could not justify spending the money on the 24-70mm. If the 4mm is not a main need and you find a clean 28-70mm you will not be disappointed . See some of the images here http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagesbymonroe/sets/72157639631001326/</li>

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<p>I owned both the 28-70 and traded up to the 24-70 when it was first released. The 28-70 is an excellent lens, but I think the 24-70 is sharper. No scientific comparison - just my sense of how the lenses performed. I also find the flare/ghosting better controlled with the 24-70 when the sun is in the frame.<br>

I also owned an old 24-120 which, excuse the bluntness, was (or should have been) an embarrassment to Nikon. That lens was only good for a paperweight. I currently own the newer 24-120 and that lens is a vast improvement over the 2 previous iterations and I tend to use it in cases when the convenience in one lens is more critical than the slight optical dropoff from the 24-70. I still consider the 24-70 to be my go to medium zoom. Spectacular lens.</p>

<p>About the extra 4mm on the wide end - that 4mm, as Shun has mentioned, is NOT insignificant. In fact, 24mm is more than 14% wider than 28mm and that is a big difference and often a big factor in a photo.</p>

<p>Bottom line - if you can get the 28-70 in good shape for a good price, I see no reason not to buy it. Depends on your sense of value. If you can afford the 24-70, I would not "settle" for the 28-70, but if you are price sensitive (who isn't?), the 28-70 is a great intro to the world of 2.8 mid range zoom pro lens.</p>