One best lens for everyday photography?

[mogwai]

24-70mm is really heavy and huge and I do agree that its one of the best lens.
I also do prefer the lens because of its focal length but yet again its huge and heavy and I might just afraid not to carry it for shoot and ending up using my 50mm instead.
I wonder if there is anyone sold this trinity lens just because of its weight and I don't want to be one of them. :dunno:

my fave primes are 35mm and 85mm. now both 1.4 and for travels and walkabouts, i tend to use these more often. (consider the 35/2 paired with 85/1.8 if weight is really an issue. they are cheaper, lighter and very very good).

but i won't sell my 24-70 because i find it's still the most versatile for events (i don't shoot professionally - i meant for friends n family). depending on situation (lighting/ size of place etc), i couple 24-70 with either a f1.4 lens or 17-35/2.8.

yups, it's heavy cos a 28-105 or 24-120 will give better coverage with less mass. but when i browse the pics after that, i know the extra grams are worth it.

 

[uranium2k]

My vote goes to the 24-70 f2.8 for general purpose photography. However, weight may be a slight issue when it comes to "walkabout". :bsmilie:

 

[jeff7id]

Hi Red Dawn,
Guess you are right, not even 1 year I saw a thread a member selling away his 35mm 1.4G after 2 weeks of use as he thinks that the lens didnt suit him at all and he prefer to use the 24-70mm more which he will be going to purchase it again after selling it off.

If you feel that AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is too heavy for your everyday shoot, you might consider the Sigma version which is 110g lighter.

Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED --> 900g
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM --> 790g

 

[uranium2k]

For the extra weight of 110g, you get a "no horse run" performance lens, probably the sharpest Nikkor lens among all.

 

[baggiolee]

For the extra weight of 110g, you get a "no horse run" performance lens, probably the sharpest Nikkor lens among all.

nikkor's sharpest mid range zoom...

yeah..think no point saving the 110g to get a much inferior lens unless cost is a factor.

 

[jeff7id]

For the extra weight of 110g, you get a "no horse run" performance lens, probably the sharpest Nikkor lens among all.

nikkor's sharpest mid range zoom...

yeah..think no point saving the 110g to get a much inferior lens unless cost is a factor.

In my opinion, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is still not the Sharpest Nikon Zoom lens.

Comparing between 24-70 (at f/2.8 and 70mm) and 70-200 VRII (at f/2.8 and 70mm), I feel that the latest one is even sharper ...

 

[Ferderico]

In my opinion, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is still not the Sharpest Nikon Zoom lens.

Comparing between 24-70 (at f/2.8 and 70mm) and 70-200 VRII (at f/2.8 and 70mm), I feel that the latest one is even sharper ...

but then again, 70-200 is way too big and heavy to the best lens for everyday photography.
Moreover, the range is too tight for group/social events shots.

24-70 still gets my vote.

 

[photobugg]

Actually after much consideration, I have decided to sell away my 70-200mm since it has not been very active for one year.
Been in my dry cabinet and I have convinced myself that my 70-200mm wont be a use for my needs ever though I love that lens so much.
Sacrifices have to be made rather than it became a white elephant in my dry cabinet.
I can always rent it if I missed it so much. Haha.
Anyway I have actually just posted it under Buy/Sell Section to those who are interested.
So.. now which other lens?
Heheh.. :devil:

Probably the Nikkor 24-70 would be good. And probably this is the only one lens you ever need.

 

[vaxvms]

Comparing between 24-70 (at f/2.8 and 70mm) and 70-200 VRII (at f/2.8 and 70mm), I feel that the latest one is even sharper ...

sharper or not nvr realli notice but focusing wise 70-200 definitely faster :think:

 

[sf_kang]

hi xintothezonex, you already have to superb lenses to go with your D700.
For baby shots, the AF-S 50/1.4G and the AF-S 70-200/2.8G are both great lens to us.
However, for landscape, you need something wider, e.g. 28mm, 24mm, or wider.

If you want to stay with a 2-lens combo, then the 24-70 and 70-200 is ideal (apart from the weight).
If you can accept a 3-lens combo, then keep the 50/1.4 and 70-200, and add a 14-24/2.8 instead. This 3-lens combo is what I normally bring along for my travels where I shoot people and landscape. The 50/1.4 gives me low light capabilities, and shallow DoF when I need to. The 14-24 and the 70-200 gives me good range from ultra wide to tele range.

You're welcome to view some photos on my flickr set taken in Turkey recently.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28858702@N07/sets/72157625532446002/

I also have the 24-70/2.8 that I use for event shoots when I need a mid-range zoom and when there is no time to change lenses.

Hope this helps.
Fred

 

[icarus]

Sell the 70-200mm and 50mm, get the 35mm f/1.4G and 70-300mm VR.

 

[baggiolee]

In my opinion, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is still not the Sharpest Nikon Zoom lens.

Comparing between 24-70 (at f/2.8 and 70mm) and 70-200 VRII (at f/2.8 and 70mm), I feel that the latest one is even sharper ...

so far i'm really happy with this 2 lens....but i can't really see the differences yet unless i do some tests on the same subject, but that would be boring. :bsmilie: both are wonderfully sharp for me so far. :thumbsup:

 

[baggiolee]

Sell the 70-200mm and 50mm, get the 35mm f/1.4G and 70-300mm VR.

i would never ever sell away 70-200 2.8 lol. 70-300 is only good at bright day light, otherwise, u'll need to pump too much iso to compensate, even at cloudy day.

 

[canonmono]

for me i think the canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 travel lens is good for me .. what do u guys think for this lens ..

 

[sammajor]

I would go for 24-70 f2.8

 

[whatsupdoc]

No doubt 24-70 2.8... just bare with the weight.. it serve most of the shoot...

 

[Gammy]

i have tried the 24-70 is good. But is heavy. Price also too heavy for me.

 

[chanzdad]

The 24-70 F2.8 definitely. but nowadays its just the 24mmF1.4 for my one lens mission. So what is your take, flexibility or dedication?

 

[Temenggong]

You now have a choice of 35mm lenses for your Nikon D700.
Nikon 35mm f/1.4G (latest)
Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-S
Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon ZF.2
Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZF.2 (latest)

The Nikon 35mm f/1.4G might have a slight edge over the Zeiss 35/2 Distagon, but asymmetric results from both lenses leaves enough doubt that picking a winner is tough, at least on this test scene. The older Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-S lags both lenses considerably.
I’ve long considered the Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon the best 35mm lens available, this new Nikon 35/1.4G deserves serious praise for being a stop faster and performing so well. Of course, it’s about 80% more costly too. The new Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon has just been released, but is priced similarly to the Nikon.
I am very, very pleased with my Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon ZF.2 that I use on my D700; it’s a terrific all-around lens, nice handling and easy to focus in all light conditions. Optical performance is excellent at f/2, but stop down to f/2.8 or f/4 for outstanding quality. Images made with this lens simply do not disappoint. Colour rendition, flare, bokeh, etc are all very pleasing, and it is hard to fault the 35mm Distagon in any area. B&H Photo is selling it for US$1,004.00 each.

 

[Akatsuki]

24, 35, 50mm perfect for everyday photography. Best balance of performance and weight, i personally would not want to lug an intimidating 24-70, or even 28-300 around for casual shoot