RichLacey Loc: Atlanta

As Wolf camera closed its doors, I was hitting stride as a photographer. They sold me a Nikon 28-70 medium zoom. It seems to be constructed of metal and has no VR. I like the lens a lot but do miss the VR. My request is for members to comment on the ins-and-outs of the 28-70 versus the newer 24- 70VR. I am shooting a D850 and have relatively good technique. What do you think?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use a lens close to that range and no VR has never bothered me. In fact, I only have two lenses that have VR and I never use that function due to the fact that I don't remember they do.
--Bob

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

VR is nice, but not a necessity. I used a used Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8D for years before selling it (for more than I paid) and bought a Nikkor AFS 24-70 f/2.8G non-VR. For me the less electronics a lens has the happier I am. Most of my glass is AF rather than AFS.

Bill_de Loc: US

I had the 28-70 for a long time. I only got rid of it in favor of the 24 - 70 the second time the AFs motor went bad. The VR really isn't needed for that lens unless you do some really low light shooting.

--

Largobob

Generally, the wider the angle of the lens, the less need for VR....especially in good light and using proper grip/technique. I bought my 24-70mm (AF-S Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G ED), WITHOUT VR and am very satisfied. It yields amazing images on my (FF) D810.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I use the Nikon 28-70 2.8 and my wife uses the Nikon 24-70. We find no difference in the quality of the shots taken. The only difference is the slight range difference. Her shots taken at 24mm are distorted until she gets to 26mm. She uses a D800 and I use a D810. They are both fine lenses. I don't miss the extra 4mm or range. If I want wider I use my Nikon 17-35 2.8mm, another fine lens.

1963mca

I got my 28-70 2.8 to use on my F4 in my pre-digital days. It's heavy but rock solid. I also use it on my D850 now with absolutely no complaints. I tried a 24-70 2.8 at a store to see what I might be missing but just couldn't justify replacing the 28-70. If you NEED the extra 4mm WA and something a little lighter, maybe upgrade. I have VR on some of my other lenses, but I don't miss the VR at all on the 28-70.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A lens with VR is convenient because it will control the stability of the image while shooting, especially at low shutter speeds. VR will never stop subject movement, for that a high ISO and or a high shutter speed is needed.
Both of the lenses you mention are professional quality lenses and if 24mm is not that useful to you then the 28-70 will fit your style. If as you say you use good photographic techniques then you should not miss VR for the majority of your subjects.
For those low shutter speed shots there is always a tripod.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

I had the 28-70 for years. And loved it. Motor replaced. Now have the 24-70 non VR and love it more. VR not important enough at this time. The extra 4mm is worthwhile once you have it!
Last note—Nikon no longer supports this lens. Either keep it and use it until it fails. And buy a new/used lens. (Who knows when?). Or sell it now and use the funds for a 24-70–new or used. Last is my suggestion.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

It depends a lot on you. Up to a few years ago, I was able to hand hold a non VR 400mm prime and get excellent sharp results. Because of the natural shakiness that comes with age, I now use a Nikon VR 24-70 f2.8 on my D800. The combination of the extra weight and the VR feature allows me to shoot sharp photographs in situations that would otherwise be impossible for me without a tripod. When you get tremors, a little extra weight actually helps steady your hands. In fact, there is a whole industry devoted to providing weighted eating utensils for those with much more serious issues then I have. Ten years ago I would have possibly saved my money and dispensed with the VR feature.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I used the old non-VR 24-70 for probably about 8 years. I do a lot of low light work and not having the VR was occasionally a problem. I picked up the newer version and I use it a lot. It's worth noting that the VR in this lens is the new generation of VR which blows away the old one. I had the 70-200 VR for those 8 years and while the VR was helpful, it wasn't great. I also picked up the new version 70-200 VR and the new VR is much better.

I only found out about the improved performance when I got the 200-500, which also has the new VR. I had been using an old Bigma (Sigma 50-500) and could only use the longer focal lengths with a tripod, or at least a monopod. The 200-500 allows me to use it hand held at 500mm. I have one shot at 1/10 second hand held which is pretty good. Once I found out how good the VR was on that lens I tried the 70-200 and found it much improved so I got the new version lenses.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I did own the 28-70 at one time and found it to be a solid lens. I now use a 24-70, without VR, and have not seen a need to upgrade to the latest, VR, version for the work that I do and the way I work. Best of luck.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Yesterday afternoon I went to Samy's Cameras in Santa Ana, CA and tried out the Z7 mirrorless with the new Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/4 S lens and I was extremely impressed because of the len's small size especially when combined with the Z7. The features and specifications of the camera are unbelievable. I was especially impressed with the sharp, clear and bright eye level and backplane LCD displays. Although the camera did not have an SD card installed, it allowed me to shoot one frame and examine the results on the LCD, however without the SD card, when I took the next picture the first was lost (I don't understand why a camera store that is selling a high end camera can't put a flash memory card in the camera so you can look at the results on a large computer screen).

As far as the VR performance, I was unable to evaluate that under the circumstances. I do believe that it is probably as good and even better that the VR system on the newest model F-mount lenses. The camera has a built in image stabilization system. In any case, the Z-cameras have generally inherited the the control placement of all the Nikons going back to the original F with a few additions; the most notable is that in addition to the LCD menu control control, there is a small joystick like controls located below and to the right of the eye level finder. I was on a tight time schedule so I did not find out what the joystick did. In Nikon's literature and videos, it shows the joystick, but it does not say what it is for. Considering everything, the L7 has a very comfortable feel and seams heavy in the right way for a high quality camera and lens of that small size. It felt to me as though I was holding an old Leica M3 and, in the same way, felt like the camera was a part of my body.

I also tried a full size 24-70mm F/2.8 VR lens of the same model as my lens using the FTZ mount adaptor. It was a major improvement over that lens on my D800 body in overall size and weight. If I were buying the Z7 I think I would stick with my 2.8 not only because of its speed, but mainly because I do not think that the Z 24-70mm warrants the extra cost if you already have an F-mount 24-70. That being said, if I did not already have a 24-70, I would make the investment if I was buying a Z7. However, I am not yet ready to commit to a new camera now because of the high cost when I consider the type of photography I do now. I am sure that at some point the investment will make sense for me, but not now. If you have the resources to buy the combination of the Z7 and the Z 24-70mm lens I doubt that you will be disappointed.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

I use the 28-70 2.8 lens and it is a great lens.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I have been using the 28-70 2.8 lens w/o VR. No problems. I did just invest in a nice tripod so for my planned photos (I take a lot of photos of items I have knit, draped outdoors against various fences and nature's backdrops) so VR is not needed. I have found the 28-70 to be a great lens. I love the heft of it. Well made. ~ Eileen