BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

The DXoMark on the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is very good. Mine is my main lens on my 800E.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

There is only one version of the 24-70 AFS Nikon lens. I have used the lens and it is sharp.
I like the 24-120 f4 VR. It has the most used focal lengths by me and VR is nice to have. It is also cheaper.
Do not buy a lens because it is sharp buy what you need for your type of shooting. All lenses are sharper when on a tripod.
Come to think of it, most lenses at around f8 are hard to tell apart.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Never base your selection on cost alone. When it comes to lenses, you must look at form and function. That includes construction metal vs plastic, weather resistance, guarantee (if new, 5 years of protection from Nikon), AF, VR, resale value, IQ, etc. DxO does not cover such features.

Lenses are often dependant on the cameras with which they are used. The sensor can contribute to sharpness, noise, etc.

Glider Loc: Austin

Nikon's 24-70 is an excellent lens. I recently sold mine and replaced it with the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8. The Tamron is as sharp as the Nikon, maybe even a bit sharper AND it has VR. Some would ask why on a lens in that focal range is VR necessary and my response is that I often drag the shutter and VR makes that more viable.
So, positives about the Tamron are that it has VR, it is as sharp if not sharper than the Nikon and it cost a lot less money.
Negatives about the Tamron...82mm front element which makes filters rarer and sometimes non existent and more expensive and there is an intermittent focus issue with the lens and Nikon.
Here's the deal...when mounted on a Nikon, some Tamron 24-70's have VR issues that cause focus problems where focus jumps around and refuses to lock. So try the exact lens you plan to buy. Some do, some don;t have the problem. My first one did, but Tamron just swapped it out for me and I am both impressed with their service and the quality of the lens I now have.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

I agree. After renting it and the D610, I knew that combination was going to work great for me. Besides, it'll work great on my N8008 also. Maybe I should buy 2.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

You don't mention weather resistant, construction, resale, etc. which are important as well. You did bring up the point that it has a 82 mm diameter. The 24-70 is the same 77mm as the 16-35, 17-35, 105, 70-200, 80-400 and many more. With that I can buy one set of filters and use them on just about all my lenses. This includes polarizers, SD's and alike.

Finally, here is a comprehensive review comparing the tamaron with the Nikon. The Nikon wins hands down at almost every zoom including bokeh.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_vs_Tamron_24-70mm_comparison/

You saved money but gave up image quality, performance, reliability, etc.. etc., etc.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

I borrowed a 28-70 a few years ago from a friend and found it to be a very good lens. I had it mounted on my D700 and I got some pretty nice vacation pics with it. The 24-70 is a much better lens though....sharper out to the corners, faster focusing, and better IQ. Yes, it's expensive, but I believe it is one of Nikon's best zooms. I don't miss VR on it and would much rather have it than any of the 3rd party lenses even though some of them are really good. I spent the money and have never regretted it. One aside here, Adorama, B&H, etc sell used lenses and I have found them to be very honest in their evaluation of condition. They do however sell gray market lenses and do not differentiate between them and US version lenses when selling used. They state this in their policy but just wanted you to know that before putting up the cash for one. They offer their limited time used warranty but after that you could be stuck with a lens that Nikon will not work on.

Glider Loc: Austin

Mark, never heard of cameralabs, but DXO Marks claims the Tamron exceeds the Nikon for sharpness and matches in every other category except for some fringing. Weather sealing on the lens is excellent. Nikon may be slightly better built, but if so, it's a near thing. Frankly, I don't care about the cost difference. I'm fortunate in that area. DP Reviews tends to agree with DXO in their field test.
They are different lenses and Nikon, which I have been shooting since before they created their first SLR, has always been my choice. However, in this focal range and for what my clients are asking me to do, I need VR. Nikon doesn't have it. Tamron does. I have ragged on my Nikon rep and my NPS rep for more than a year about VR on this focal length. While they would prefer that I stayed with Nikon, they understand the switch in this case and even agree.
There are easier, less expensive ways to overcome the filter issue. I am not one of those that believes in a "protective" filter.
I shoot a pair of D4 bodies and a D810. So far, I'm pleased with the lens on these bodies. It gives me a capability Nikon did not and the image quality is comparable.
It is your right to disagree and to go your own path, as did I. I've made a living with Nikon gear for more than 50 years. This is only the second non-Nikon lens that has earned it's way into my bag.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

There is something to be said about Cameralabs and their comprehensive approach. It looks at sharpness throughout the focal range. DxOmark does not. I don't understand why as this is a zoom lens and not a prime. It compares sharpness at one focal length and not the same even between cameras. The criteria used by DxO is limited and does not take into account other criteria such as bokeh and important criteria such as value.

VR certainly becomes valuable in specific shooting situations. I don't question that attribute. I favor a tripod when I shoot and VR is not that important. I shoot with a D4s, D810 and D800E amongst others. I teach photography at the college level for the last 15 years. Bottom line, it has to be image quality, and that is where the Nikon 24-70 (throughout the range) succeeds.

Glider Loc: Austin

Sorry to disagree. Image quality is important, but it takes a back seat to content. For the right content, we can tolerate some pretty funky stuff. And DXO does compare at multiple focal lengths. I have both a bachelor and masters degrees in photojournalism and got my masters under Clif Edom at the University of Missouri. While you make your living teaching it, I have made mine doing it for more than 50 years.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I really does not matter how many degrees you have or how you made your living or mine. It is unprofessional to even have to mention that to justify your skills, knowledge or abilities. I can assure you it does not mean anything. The fact that I been teaching for the last 15 years does not underscore my 30 years of professional experience prior to that or my BA or MFA.

I will admit I missed the charts in DxO where comparisons of different focal lengths are provided. However, the field test with real world images as provided by Cameralabs are much easier for the layman and professional to visualize.

Image quality is always important and content is as well. You can have both.

Have a great day

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

New term to me: "drag the shutter"

Could someone please offer a succinct explanation?

Thanks.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

I have the G 24-70 2.8 lens and it is a really great lens. It is sharp, easy to use but its heavy. This lens does not have VR but I couldn't care less about that because I do all of my shooting on a tripod. The 24-70 is a great lens, well worth the money. The Nikon lens blows away both the Sigma and the Tamron. Go to the 16-9 lens test site to see lens tests an these lenses. The Nikon lens is a far superior lens in build quality and performance.

amehta Loc: Boston

Here is a link at the Digital Photography School.

It is using a lower shutter speed to increase the exposure of the background, with the flash exposing the main subject correctly.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

If it makes a difference to you, used Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 G lenses are running around $1300-$1400 on Ebay. I know you have reservations about Ebay, but I have never had an issue with photo gear I bought there. Plus many sellers have a 14 day return policy (pushed by Ebay no doubt to weed out the sellers trying to unload defective gear). If you are looking for a big ticket item like this on Ebay and the seller has a no return policy, that would be a big red flag to me!