Purchase Nikon 24-70 or others

[imagesbymonroe]

<p>Ok gang I have been using my D300 and D80 as back up for wedding and other paid events using (rented 17-55) and my 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4 and 80-200Dmm 2.8 and SB800 when needed. I also love all aspects of photography from street, architecture and nature (www.imagesbymonroe.com) for examples.<br>

I have recently purchased D700 and rented (24-70) for paid events and I finally have the funds to purchase it also. However for the price of the 24-70 I could get a used 17-55 and a Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 and a 35mm 1.8 or 40mm macro for my D300. I am absolutely satisfied with the IQ of the 17-55/D300 combo for weddings/Events and with my other photography interest other than paid events I wonder if expanding my DX range would be more beneficial.<br>

I would like to hear the thoughts of the gang regarding my delightful conundrum!</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Hi Larry, I hope you don't mind me asking a very direct quesiton: what was your reason to buy that D700?</p>

[imagesbymonroe]

<p>Not at all Shun. I prefer using natural light in all my photography so the larger pixels and the sensor on the D700 is superior to my D300. When outside however in proper light I always prefer to use the D300.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<blockquote>

<p>I prefer using natural light in all my photography so the larger pixels and the sensor on the D700 is superior to my D300. When outside however in proper light I always prefer to use the D300.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Ok, I happen to have both the D300 and D700, and I also have a D200 that is equivalent to the D80.</p>

<p>I think as a wedding photographer, you are better off staying with the D700 for reason you youself gave. Nikon's 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S is the only Nikon f2.8 zoom I have never owned, but I have used like 6, 7 different copies. It is a great lens and is worth the price.</p>

<p>However, there are many alternatives. I never bought the 24-70 because I have the 28-70mm/f2.8 and I also have the <strike>24-120mm/f2.8 AF-S VR</strike>24-120mm/f4 AF-S VR. Those are possible alternatives. Recently Nikon sent me a D800 test sample with the 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S. I tested my 28-70 against the 24-70 on the D800. The 28-70mm/f2.8 is still an excellent lens but obviously it doesn't go down to 24mm. If you are ok with the 28-70 range, I would look into a used 28-70 as a possible alternative.</p>

<p>Additionally, third-party brands also have several 24-70mm/f2.8 choices. Recently Bob Atkins reviews the Tamron for photo.net: <a href="../equipment/tamron/24-70mm-sp-di-usd-vc/review/">http://www.photo.net/equipment/tamron/24-70mm-sp-di-usd-vc/review/</a><br>

Bob also used the Nikon 24-70mm/f2.8 on the D800 and has some comments on how the Tamron compares.</p>

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>I think that the D700 with 24-70, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4 and 80-200Dmm 2.8 and SB800 would be an astounding wedding combo. but there's no backup there in FX. You could, I suppose, stick the 80-200 on the D300, and use that with the 24-70 if your D700 went down.</p>

<p>If I were shooting weddings professionally, I think I'd get into FX if I possibly could.</p>

[dc_lin]

<blockquote>

<p>However, there are many alternatives. I never bought the 24-70 because I have the 28-70mm/f2.8 and I also have the 24-120mm/f2.8 AF-S VR. Those are possible alternatives. Recently Nikon sent me a D800 test sample with the 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S. I tested my 28-70 against the 24-70 on the D800. The 28-70mm/f2.8 is still an excellent lens but obviously it doesn't go down to 24mm. If you are ok with the 28-70 range, I would look into a used 28-70 as a possible alternative.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hi Shun, I did not know that Nikon has "24-120mm/f2.8 AF-S VR", would you share more info about that lens? Thanks much.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<blockquote>

<p>Hi Shun, I did not know that Nikon has "24-120mm/f2.8 AF-S VR", would you share more info about that lens? Thanks much.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Darn, I have just voilated my non-disclosure agreement with Nikon. :-)</p>

<p>The 24-120mm/f2.8 AF-S VR is a new lens that will be announced on February 29 next year. It is huge and uses 92mm front filters. The estimated street price will be US$3000 but it is unsharp on the 120mm end wide open.</p>

<p>Sorry, it was just a typo.</p>

[orcama60]

<p>Larry, if I would have to dedicate myself exclusively to shoot weddings, I would definitely pick : 70-200 mm f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 35 f/1.8, 50 f/1.8 and 85 f/1.8 Nikon brand.<br>

However, Shun is saying that Bob Atkins reviewed the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 and have acceptable results. If that is the case, Tamron is cheaper than Nikon brand and that is an option, but again, if it was me and I would have the budget, I would pick Nikon brand. </p>

 

[kurt_holter]

<p>After having been a Nikon 28-70/f2.8 AF-S owner and user since that lens first came on the market, I've always thought it was extremely good. When I bought my D800 bodies this spring, I went ahead and bought a 24-70/f2.8 AF-S, relegating the older lens to backup/personal use status.<br>

I have to say that after about four months with the 24-70, I think it's just a really special lens; the best Nikon f/2.8 zoom I've ever owned. I have a 17-35/2.8 AF-S, have had two 17-55/f2.8 AF-S's, an 80-200/2.8 AF-S, and a 70-200/2.8 AF-S. Every single one of them has been well worth the money.<br>

I like to avoid lens changes to the extent that it's possible, for reasons of expediency on shoots, as well as minimizing the amount of time I don't have a lens on a body to minimize the potential for dust getting on the sensors.<br>

If I have a job that doesn't require special purpose glass (like a macro, fisheye, or extreme focal length) there is not a whole lot I can't shoot with the 24-70 on one body and the 70-200 on the other.</p>

[luke_kaven]

<p>The Nikon 24-70 is built for daily professional use, and has weather sealing. The optics are superb, especially the microcontrast. All mid zooms have awful bokeh. But when you need a zoom, there isn't one better. If I were a busy event shooter, I wouldn't look at anything else. Later, when you join NPS, you can get further support for your Nikon products.</p>