High quality medium zoom for Nikon DSLR...
Mar 13, 2015 08:00:34 #
reindeer
Loc: London U.K.
For highest optical quality you might like to consider the Tamron 24-70mm f 2.8 lens. Absolutely amazing.
Mar 13, 2015 08:22:28 #
Nikonhermit
Loc: In This Place
RWR wrote:
No ultra-wide-angle zoom lens has impressed me yet, either. For anything wider than 28mm, I use only prime lenses. The 20~35 f/2.8 Nikkor AF D was quite nice, though.
Have you tried the 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon?
Mar 13, 2015 08:32:57 #
Nikonhermit wrote:
Have you tried the 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon?
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Sold my Nikon primes in that range after getting my 14-24 - it was as good if not better.
Mar 13, 2015 08:47:05 #
If you are expecting optical perfection you're probably not going to find it. That said I usually check lens performance at Photozone, they do good tests that are useful for spec geeks. After looking for a good lens that would not require a second mortgage for my D300 I chose the Nikon 16-85 3.5-5.6G IF ED VR. I have been quite pleased with it and I'm pretty picky about sharpness. You can check out the review at the following url:
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/635-nikkor16853556vr
I would not be overly obsessed with corner or as they say extreme (edge) sharpness in real world use you just won't really notice it. I did not find a better performing lens at this price point, but you can always keep looking maybe something better came out in the last few years.
Remember that if you get a FX lens to use on your DX body to get better edge sharpness, like using the 24-70 f2.8 (which is a fantastic lens), it will be a 36-105 f2.8 on a DX body, no longer all that wide. That's why I went with the 16-85 DX it's the 35mm (or FX) equivalent of a 24-127 lens.
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/635-nikkor16853556vr
I would not be overly obsessed with corner or as they say extreme (edge) sharpness in real world use you just won't really notice it. I did not find a better performing lens at this price point, but you can always keep looking maybe something better came out in the last few years.
Remember that if you get a FX lens to use on your DX body to get better edge sharpness, like using the 24-70 f2.8 (which is a fantastic lens), it will be a 36-105 f2.8 on a DX body, no longer all that wide. That's why I went with the 16-85 DX it's the 35mm (or FX) equivalent of a 24-127 lens.
Mar 13, 2015 08:52:27 #
Mar 13, 2015 08:57:49 #
pith wrote:
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I... (show quote)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sigma makes a great mild zoom lens (24-105) which works nicely on my Nikon D810. Check it out (the lens) as the price is ok too !
Mar 13, 2015 08:59:46 #
imagemeister wrote:
If money matters, there is no lens that does not go soft in the corners wide open RARELY, do most people have a need to shoot wide open these days - and if they do, - ( mostly for artistic reasons) they want the corners to go "soft" ....
I just crop the edges out, I'm not a smart, or rich man. :roll: :thumbup:
Mar 13, 2015 09:12:13 #
Rick from NY
Loc: Sarasota FL
RWR wrote:
No ultra-wide-angle zoom lens has impressed me yet, either. For anything wider than 28mm, I use only prime lenses.
Uh - have you ever shot with the 14-24/2.8? And by the way, the poster asked about a medium zoom, not an ultra wide.
Mar 13, 2015 09:19:25 #
pith wrote:
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I... (show quote)
One thing is what you read and another what you see from a lens you just have used. The perfect lens has not been made yet and yes, the majority of the lenses tend to be somewhat soft at the corners although some are better than others.
If you are not planning on humongous enlargements do not expect to see a difference. I do not use professional lenses and I am very satisfied with the quality I get from my lenses when I have done my part.
Zooms are very practical lenses because they allow the photographer to use several focal lengths in one lens allowing cropping in camera. Modern zooms have excellent optical quality and I repeat that you will not see the difference unless you enlarge to big sizes, which most probably you will not. I use often the Nikon made 18-70 and the 28-105 and as I said I am very satisfied with their quality.
In general modern lenses are excellent and I repeat that they will do their part if you do yours.
Mar 13, 2015 09:28:04 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Nikonhermit wrote:
Have you tried the 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon?
No I have not. Unfortunately (for me), it is a G lens, although I'll admit this is a foolish reason for rejecting it. I don't shoot much 35mm film anyway, and do have an F5. I like the built-in hood feature, and not having a filter thread is a non-issue. I just may take a serious look at it.
Mar 13, 2015 09:28:07 #
Mar 13, 2015 09:30:53 #
camerapapi wrote:
One thing is what you read and another what you se... (show quote)
Very well said. I totally agree. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 13, 2015 09:37:46 #
wolfiebear wrote:
You might consider trying: NIKON 28-80 G (FX size)
See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm
Having just done a bunch of side-by-side lens tests with it, I am not sure it is the best of the bunch from all the lenses I just got. I would have to some more testing to really say that for myself. However, it is sharp edge to edge as he says. And it's light and tiny, which I love . . . .and you can get it for literally a song and a dance.
See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm
Having just done a bunch of side-by-side lens tests with it, I am not sure it is the best of the bunch from all the lenses I just got. I would have to some more testing to really say that for myself. However, it is sharp edge to edge as he says. And it's light and tiny, which I love . . . .and you can get it for literally a song and a dance.
"... 'literally' for a song and a dance." Wolfiebear obviously has a story she's not yet shared...
Mar 13, 2015 09:40:23 #
Stop reading DxOmark & other review sites as they are doing optical bench tests. Real world shooting is a different animal & bench tests don't compare...Only if there are huge gaps in ratings will you see a noticeable difference between lenses... Sharpness isn't everything either...
Mar 13, 2015 10:23:57 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sigma makes a great mild zoom lens (24-105) which works nicely on my Nikon D810. Check it out (the lens) as the price is ok too !
Sigma makes a great mild zoom lens (24-105) which works nicely on my Nikon D810. Check it out (the lens) as the price is ok too !
I agree Doug, I use one on my Df for that general walk around lens that we all like. I added the new Nikon 20mm 1,8 for the wide angle that I wanted. Makes a nice lite bag for general purpose and street use! And by the way, good morning, hope your doing well!
Phil
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