Which lens would make the sharpest image in low light? Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen...

Red Sky At Night

Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen glowing reports on the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 G2 especially for the money. For those of you who have used both this lens and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED in LOW LIGHT, which has given the sharpest image? Please note that I am asking specifically about LOW LIGHT situations. Thank you.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The focal length of a lens is dependent on the radii of curvature of all the lenses glass elements and is not dependent of light intensity. At low light levels you might be challenged to take advantage of your lens' optical properties.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Here is a comparison of the two very similar lenses from CameraDecision.

http://cameradecision.com/lenses/compare/Tamron-SP-24-70mm-F2.8-Di-VC-USD-G2-Nikon-F-FX-vs-Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-24-70mm-f2.8G-ED

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2 gets high praise. Pro Photographer Matt Granger graded its first generation as the Third best 24-70mm f2.8, next to Nikon's Holy Trinity version, and Canons L version. The G2 has to be better than its predecessor.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Red Sky At Night wrote:

Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen glowing reports on the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 G2 especially for the money. For those of you who have used both this lens and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED in LOW LIGHT, which has given the sharpest image? Please note that I am asking specifically about LOW LIGHT situations. Thank you.

I have the Nikon 24-70mm F2.8G ED NANO in my rental inventory, which means I get to use it for free. But I OWN the Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 VC G2 for my personal use. Neither really has an optical advantage for low light shooting other than the Tamron offers stabilization (VC) which is very handy in low light!

Red Sky At Night

MT Shooter wrote:

I have the Nikon 24-70mm F2.8G ED NANO in my rental inventory, which means I get to use it for free. But I OWN the Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 VC G2 for my personal use. Neither really has an optical advantage for low light shooting other than the Tamron offers stabilization (VC) which is very handy in low light!

Thank you.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Red Sky At Night wrote:

Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen glowing reports on the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 G2 especially for the money. For those of you who have used both this lens and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED in LOW LIGHT, which has given the sharpest image? Please note that I am asking specifically about LOW LIGHT situations. Thank you.

The Tamron G2. I use the older, Di version for interior low light shots all the time. And with the low light capabilities of the D850, it is a great combination.

Red Sky At Night

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

The Tamron G2. I use the older, Di version for interior low light shots all the time. And with the low light capabilities of the D850, it is a great combination.

Thanks.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Red Sky At Night wrote:

Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen glowing reports on the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 G2 especially for the money. For those of you who have used both this lens and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED in LOW LIGHT, which has given the sharpest image? Please note that I am asking specifically about LOW LIGHT situations. Thank you.

Neither lens is particularly good in low light. Edge sharpness is an issue, as is the overall sharpness as the focal length increases.

If you are looking for the best performing lens with a fast aperture that is amazingly sharp used at max aperture - then the only real choice is the Nikkor 105mm F1.4 - one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. The 85mm F1.8 is also quite good wide open.

The Sigma 105 F1.4 looks interesting but too new - no real reviews yet.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Sigma 105mm f1.4 is a large size lens with a tripod collar. Unlike Nikon's 105mm f1.4..The verdict on comparison is unknown so far.

Red Sky At Night

Gene51 wrote:

Neither lens is particularly good in low light. Edge sharpness is an issue, as is the overall sharpness as the focal length increases.

If you are looking for the best performing lens with a fast aperture that is amazingly sharp used at max aperture - then the only real choice is the Nikkor 105mm F1.4 - one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. The 85mm F1.8 is also quite good wide open.

The Sigma 105 F1.4 looks interesting but too new - no real reviews yet.

Thank you.

Red Sky At Night

Thanks everyone.

mleuck

It is not always about sharp!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Red Sky At Night wrote:

Okay, so I have watched tutorials and have found varying opinions. I am shooting with a D850 and want to add a lens. I've seen glowing reports on the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 G2 especially for the money. For those of you who have used both this lens and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED in LOW LIGHT, which has given the sharpest image? Please note that I am asking specifically about LOW LIGHT situations. Thank you.

Both will give the experienced and knowledgeable photographer excellent results. Where in this last sentence do you fit in.

Brent Rowlett Loc: Atlanta, GA

I think you need to understand what constitutes sharp. Images that pop off the page and print well with commercial printing presses for magazines are those with good contrast and lighting. Contrast is the abrupt change from where one color ends and another begins as compared with blah images with little difference in transition.

By using low light conditions you are working against tack sharp transitions and contrast—a waste of time. If you want sharp images with any lens, light them properly.