Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR announced

So it looks like a lot of the rumours have finally been realised. Nikon has released a VR overhaul for their not-so-old 24-70.

Was announced alongside the new 200-500 and 24/1.8G. Press release here: http://www.nikonusa.co​m …erspectives-in-Focus.html

Compared with the old lens
- even longer (still extending from wide to tele) and wider 88x154.5mm vs 83x133mm
- heavier 1070g vs 900g
- larger filter diameter 82mm vs 77mm
- Nikon is publishing some improved MTF curves (for what that's worth) with improved edge to edge sharpness.
- Electronic diaphragm: some bodies may not be able to drive the aperture
- New, smaller SWM which is supposed to be quicker to focus. Promo videos imply it is quicker to rack from one extreme to the other and back.
- Very different optical formula featuring a "new Aspherical Extra-Low Dispersion element" 20/16 vs 15/11 elements/groups.
- Oh yeah, and VR.

If it lives up to the hype it will be an excellent upgrade for those using the now old 24-70. Looking forward to the reviews and the hysteria from the 24-70G owners who don't want to fork out for the new lens

Sounds like an excellent lens. The old one is no slouch though, so honestly unless you really need VR I'm not certain if there would be a great incentive to upgrade.

Too bad the weights gone up ... the current version is heavy enough The dimensions and filter size don't bother me.

If it is an all-around improvement I'd probably upgrade if I didn't hate the hassle of selling used gear as much as I do. I was lucky when I switched from Canon that I had a friend who wanted most of my gear and it was easy to work out prices we were both happy with.

Im in the same camp as Bob above. I love my 24-70 but its already rather large and heavy. Unless there is a significant increase in IQ I cant see me upgrading. Im also thinking in oz its going to be close to 3K which will make it a very expensive upgrade even if I can off set with the sale of my existing lens.

In Sydney, DigiDirect has it at $3347 pre-order (link) and Georges has it at $2849 preorder (link)

smythie wrote in post #17659615
In Sydney, DigiDirect has it at $3347 pre-order (link) and Georges has it at $2849 preorder (link)

Pre-order from B&H is $2396.95 US which converts to $3,257.59 AUS.

Updated now to new price @ Georges AU$3056

Digital Camera Warehouse has it for $2710 at the moment too.

http://www.digitalcame​rawarehouse.com.au/pro​d12767.htm

Sounds heavy in more ways than one.

Roger Cicala at Lensrentals has put 10 copies on his optical test bench and found centre resolution is not improved, if anything, a tad less than the G but across the frame to the corners has been massively improved in terms of sharpness and astigmatism. From 1/3 out from the centre it's the best on the market in those regards.

http://www.lensrentals​.com …ess-optical-bench-testing

smythie wrote in post #17766190
Roger Cicala at Lensrentals has put 10 copies on his optical test bench and found centre resolution is not improved, if anything, a tad less than the G but across the frame to the corners has been massively improved in terms of sharpness and astigmatism. From 1/3 out from the centre it's the best on the market in those regards.

http://www.lensrentals​.com …ess-optical-bench-testing

sounds like it's not worth it for portrait and event shooters, extra size and weight, and not as sharp in the center?

but for landscape guys, I guess it's better, in the corners.
but you don't need the VR! you're probably using a tripod!

Dj R wrote in post #17770109
sounds like it's not worth it for portrait and event shooters, extra size and weight, and not as sharp in the center?

but for landscape guys, I guess it's better, in the corners.
but you don't need the VR! you're probably using a tripod!

... if you always have the point you want in focus smack in the center of the image circle. If you take portraits that follow something closer to the rules of thirds it's about the sharpest 24-70 lens available. It's not just the corners that are sharper, it's sharper than the old lens from 1/3 from the center all the way to the corners, and after 1/3 from center it starts to surpass the Canon and Tamron for sharpness.

I received my copy today. I don't have any focus issues with mine and its a sharp lens. The VR really does help with keeping imagines sharp. Sure it is expensive but imo worth it for me.

Nice one. I saw your test shot in the general Nikon thread. Look forward to reading your thoughts down the track.

Really wish I could afford one. Not that this release is particularly expensive - IMO it's no more so than the old version was before this was released.