SafetySam Loc: Colorado

I have jumped back into photography after a 20 year hiatus and wound up doing so in a pretty major way . . I purchased a D7200 and assorted lenses last year (14-24mm, 35mm, 85mm, 70-200 and the kit 18-140mm) and had a great time shooting and learning but never was quite satisfied with the quality of images of a variety of subjects and the printing quality of larger prints was just not . . . .

Being a past Hasselblad user as a commercial photographer in the 70"s, I understood the quality of and wanted larger files to work with, and have now stepped up to the FF D810 with the 24-70 and the 70-200 (using the 14-24 purchased with the D7200), so I have a full range of lens capabilities . . .

For landscape, architecture, animals (not wildlife) and low key portraiture, I purchased a refurbished D810 with a refurbished Nikon 24-120mm 1.4G ED thinking that would be the only lens I would need starting off as a "walk around" lens and then add as needs arose . . I soon found that the images were all "soft" and not as sharp as the D7200 with the 18-140 kit lens, even with using all adjustments in shooting and the D810 focusing adjustments, nothing changed, still not focusing sharp.

I felt disappointed in the results and on a valued suggestion, purchased the 24-70 1.2 (non VR), and the images from this lens is so sharp it would cut paper !!! Nothing changes, just the lens . . (also added the new Tamron 70-200 1.2 - what a gem!)

NOW, I am planning on returning the 24-120 (already have the RMA) BUT every time I pick up the D810 with the 24-70 lens, I realize the "walk around" feature is probably a thing of the past . . . the size and weight is enough to stop my gym membership for upper body strength conditioning! (of course the D7200 is still the "walk around" solution!)

I still have the 24-120 packed in the box waiting to return, but have not sealed it yet . . . any suggestions or comments on why this lens is not as sharp as the reviews say, AND what I should do with this $550 "investment", return it?

Thanks - I look forward to reading the responses!

Sam

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I think what you're experiencing is that a camera like the D810 will quickly emphasize any deficiencies in a lens. In other words, as you discovered, a camera like the D810 and other equivalent cameras demand the highest quality lenses or you will be disappointed in the results. My grandson has a D810. He got a Sigma 70-200 but was disappointed in the images with that combination. They just weren't as sharp as he expected them to be. I bought that lens and it worked very well with my D7200. Images with that lens were sharp. He got a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VRiii, and was thrilled with the results. His images with that combination are amazing. It just the price you pay for using a camera with a 36 or higher megapixel sensor.

SafetySam Loc: Colorado

Thanks for the reply Wingpilot. I think you are right, the quality of the glass is the key to the sharper images! I guess I just had too high expectations for the 24-120 (and the lower cost . .) but it would have been great to have the sharpness AND the reach in a smaller package for easier carry. Just can't "have my cake and eat it too . ." but the larger sensor will give me the results I want.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Sam, You just may have a bad copy.Return it and try again if 24-120 range is what you want.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

It is not surprising that a 5:1 zoom might not be as sharp as a 3:1 zoom designed with separate movements on the wide angle and telephoto sides. But before you return the lens, let me ask how you determined that the focus is soft. The D810 back screen has the ability to zoom two notches past the optimum image size for judging focus...if you zoom all the way to the end, past the green indication on the zoom scale, it will actually split pixels in the image. When that happens, it is possible to interpret that the focus is not sharp when, in fact, it is. If that is how you are doing your focus test, you might want to double check before sending the lens back. Your images actually may be sufficiently sharp for all but the most critical applications. Also...you didn't say, but were your test images in the middle of the aperture range?

Bill_de Loc: US

The D810 with the 24-70 is a great solution as a walk around. Between the walking and the upper body strength conditioning the heavy camera/lens combinations provides, you can give up the gym membership and spend more time taking pictures.

I never had a gym membership but I have come to love the feel of the D850 + battery grip, with the 24-70 Nikkor.

Good Luck

--

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

It ain't easy going full frame; just wait until you hold a D850 with the 24-70 lens. That being said, I find the benefits of a full frame Nikon far outweigh the negatives. If you don't like the results of the 24-120, return it; it's not going to get any better for you. The only other addition would be the Nikkor 28-300, which is a great Fx all in one lens.

SafetySam Loc: Colorado

The images were taken across the range of apertures iso and shutter speeds. The images were viewed in LR and PS for sharpness and exposures. It just seemed as though the lens wasn’t focusing though I searched the images for any depth focus it just wasn’t there in magnification on the computer.

Same shots same circumstances and the 24-70 was sharp across the entire image.

Thought at first it was a camera focus issue but just changing the lens provided the improvements so it’s not the camera.

Thought I could get by with a cheaper entry but evidently not and have the quality I want.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I see. So sounds like it was a pretty comprehensive check and that returning is likely the best choice. Just thought I'd ask...

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Sam, keep in mind that Nikon produced 3 versions of the 24-120mm. The "middle" version has been called a real dog by many photo articles. You can recognize it by the RED "VR" letters on the lens to designate Vibration Reduction. The newer/better version has those letters in GOLD. If that is the zoom range you want, you should check that one out.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

May I inquire as what you mean with the "1.2" designation?

Largobob

I think he means they are f/2.8 lenses

DannyKaye Loc: Sheffield now but soon moving to Blanzay

Don’t forget that you need a higher shutter speed with the d810 try shooting at 1/(2 x focal length) minimum and see what happens, also try to keep with a 3:1 or better zoom ratio, the higher the ratio the more compromise is made in the design.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I'm 73 years old, next month. I currently "walkaround" with my Nikon D810 and the 24-70 lens is married to that body. I
want to take good photos and like you said the 24-70 lens is razor sharp. I'll carry the camera. If I was using a walker--I'm put the rig in the basked on the front. Just my opinion.

Leitz Loc: Solms

It's an insult to tell the OP you don't think he's smart enough to know the difference between lens resolution and motion blur.