Advice / Experience Sought on Nikon 24-120 F4 with D800

autofocus

http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanphotoshoot/9451735913/

Photo taken with D800, 24-120mm. You can see me in the reflection with the combo. I think it's an incredibly sharp lens.

Vipmediastar_JZ

When I was shopping around I opted for the 24-70 because it was sharper and my for my future proof plan.
This would be a great lens for non crirical work not subjects that need the extra umph like landscape or architecture of what im currently working on. If you go by test charts check out DXO scores or do a search on Flickr. Thats what I like to do during my commute.

For a weekend vacation I would consider the lens but im happy with my primes.

Adorama sent me an email that now you can rent and then use part of that money spent on buying it. Give it a try or return it if you are not happy

haroldp

why not simply crop in post ?
it is easy to cut something out afterward but if it is cropped of the original , you can not stick it back

Normally good advice, There are times when I know I will even crop the DX frame, such as many wildlife shots. In those cases, cropping in camera increases frame rate and reduces data flow and storage with no downside.

There are also the 'tourist' shots, simple memory / place shots for which a 15 mp DX frame is more than adequate.

... H

sevencrossing

haroldp There are times when I know I will even crop the DX frame,

sounds like you really need the new 80 -400

haroldp

haroldp There are times when I know I will even crop the DX frame,

sounds like you really need the new 80 -400

I have and use the new 80-400 (and recommend it highly) , it is not always mounted, or with me.

I used the 80-400 recently at the 150 anniv. gettysburg re-enactments. Imagine if Mathew Brady had a D800 and one of these. Of course PP would have been a problem since computers of the era were made of wood.

Regards .... H

ChasCS

How do I down load my D800 files to my Abacus?? Help, I can't find the hole, for the cord to plug in!!

I have but one lonely lens, the 24-120mm. It will be traveling solo for a few months more, at least until I have a few expendable pesos and sheckles, to throw at a companion lens... Not sure what though?? No idea yet.

So as I don't have any other lens to compare or share their differences yet, I can only honestly say I really like using this 'fat boy' so far. Admittedly, there's no hiding it, yes It does stick out like a sore thumb, when I aim it at anyone on street level.
Sometimes I wonder exactly what folks think, upon first witness of it all??
Some surely must think at far glance, that it's some kind of a weapon with the Vanguard GH-300T Pistol Grip, with trigger release. Mounted under, aimed directly at their body. Or head region.

Here is a well written and quite decent review of the 24-120mm lens.
http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-24-120mm-f4g-vr

I've been enjoying reading this thread with its many points of view,..
Also, as it teaches many of us what to look for, and expect from the next new lens we may purchase, in the future.

Even though, as mentioned above, much like the cameras they are designed for, these lenses do advance technologically and hopefully grow exponentially-quality glass wise, every few years., well most do anyway.
And the change not un or dissimilar to the computer industry. Hopefully only for the better too.

My first computer, a Pentium III ~ 500 megahertz seemed so powerful and it had a huge honk-in 13.0 Gigabyte Hard drive. :-) that should be plenty of storage, wink!!
Yeah, don't most cell phones have more than that for conservative memory today...
I think i'm in the midst of a caffeine buzz...all chatty!!

Msmoto

Here is a test of the 24-120 on a brick wall…shows distortion well, IMO.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/sets/72157631983618062/

As to an addition to this lens….first, simply decide what you want…..such as bokeh, long reach, hi speed (f/1.4, 1.8, etc.,) perspective control, super tele, landscapes, portraits, sports,and on and on…..

Admittedly I will purchase something to actually find out if I want it, but in almost all cases I am very happy. But if budget retraints are a reality, as for most of us, the decision as to final use of a piece of equipment is what drives the decision to purchase. IMO

haroldp

Here is a test of the 24-120 on a brick wall…shows distortion well, IMO.

One reason I use NX2 is it's correction of nikon lens distortion is excellent.

Modern lens designers (particularly for zooms) will trade off distortion to better correct other parameters like resolution ( I know resolution is more than one correction and complex) , since distortion is easily corrected digitally.

While not as good as the 24-70 / 2.8, the 24-120 / 4 is more than good enough, and stopped down to 5.6 on the long end is very close.

On my D3x, I thought they were almost equal, but the D800 shows the superiority of the 24-70.

I still use the 24-120 most of the time.

... H

Msmoto

I think I have confessed on other threads I would like to have purchased the 24-70 instead….but, that is life….

sevencrossing

LR will also correct any distortion
ChasCS regarding other lenses; as you seem happy with f 4 as your maxim aperture.
You might consider the 16 -35 f 4 , the 70 -200 f4 or if you need something longer, look at the fabulous but expensive, new 80 - 400

ChasCS

Perhaps happy is a proper description? Yes, I am.
I do hope to add to the collection of gear piling up, thee positive collective?
But Every time I even think about that incredible 80-400mm, first I drool a bit down on my chin a little,
then I start to get a mild headache, trying to justify the price... And finally trying to devise a disguise~robbing a bank!! Smile, Please remind of those other lenses after the New Year.
Heck, and then the X-Box One will be available, today!!
Every time you turn around, there's somthing else that catches your eye...
I need blinders on, like a thourobred race horse.

sevencrossing

ChasCS But Every time I even think about that incredible 80-400mm, first I drool a bit



Remember Nikon lenses do not deprecate the same way as cameras do

ChasCS

Nice, really awesome in fact...f4.5-5.6G too, I gotta love that.
http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2208/AF-S-NIKKOR-80-400mm-f%2F4.5-5.6G-ED-VR.html
But $2,799.95? I don't got it... Try me in the spring, maybe I'll spring for it then. Smile~Wicked Grin

Can you Lend an old friend a hand, 'hood buddy'? Pay you back, you know I always do... promise you I will.

sevencrossing

But $2,799.95? I don't got it

well look at the price of the 200 -400 f4 or the 400 f 2.8

If you want a Nikon pro quality 400 mm with VR I don't think there is a cheaper option

Please don't suggest the 70 -200 + x2tc, there is no comparison

ChasCS

I will not purchase another tele-converter... Ever!!

Yeah, I will start a lens fund, drive perhaps,,,

Are you able to start thee donation dollars rolling in.
We use one and two dollar coins here now, & have for awhile...
There by, big rollers!! Smile

I actually already have my eyes on a bigger prize.
http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2205/AF-S-NIKKOR-800mm-f%2F5.6E-FL-ED-VR.html
The 800mm, hahaha, win the lottery, send in, and order me one of those bad boys..,
$18,499.95
And a friendly mate to carry it for me... NOT

haroldp

The new 80-400 works astonishingly well with the tce14 II.

ChasCS

It almost sound too good to be true... Mouth watering profusely , like Pavlov's dogs actually...
And I have no extraneous lenses to sell!!

http://www.photographytalk.com/photography-equipment-reviews/3091-the-nikon-80-400mm-f-4-5-5-6g-ed-vr-af-s-zoom-lens-upgrading-a-one-of-a-kind-lens

It resides in my lens bucket list. Smiley face, it can't wait till spring!! But it must!!
Those little beggars on my shoulders, continue to whisper sweet nothings into both my ears.

Msmoto

I have the old 80-400 and a friend has the new one. Here is the old one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7415833014/sizes/o/in/set-72157629918001642/

But, the new one is much sharper, less flare, better AF and VR.

I suspect if this had been available when I bought my 400/2.8 I amy have given this more thought. While the 400 is super sharp, and has 2 f/stops, the weight makes it a lot more difficult to hand hold and in most cases one must use some support.

As to the 800/5.6…..one of our members has this, as seen next to the 400/2.8 w/2X on it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/9382936057/in/set-72157634819296709

This was at the NRF get together earlier this year in Colorado Springs….

haroldp

Is there anything solid about the performance of the 400/2.8 with tce 20 III , individually and compared to the 800/5.6 , and 600/4 with tce14 II ?

I have some local (sort of) eagle fishing opportunities, and am currently using the 200-400 f4 with tce14 II, and would like to step up to 600/4 with tce14 II, or 400/2.8 with tce 20 III.

Regards .... H

shawnino

@haroldp: we're drifting off topic but there was another thread on teleconverters. (Couldn't find it in my first pass.) I posted my annoyance that, around the 'net, reports were very very different as to whether tc-20 would AF with my 200-400 f/4 wide open. The earnest answers that came back was "well try it, obviously mileage varies". Never have been able to try it I live in a small town.

Not your exact question I know, but every time TCs one up the consensus is that when it comes to IQ there is no consensus, and once effective f-stop nears f/8, there's zero consensus on AF either.

Msmoto

@haroldp

Le's see if we can discuss the 400 and 800 here:

http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/1960/400mm-f2-8-with-tc-2-0e-iii-vs-800mm-f5-6#Item_1

peter000peter

Hi Peter.
Another peter here. I have the d800 24-70, 24-120 f4 and the 70-200 2.8. I run a full time portrait studio with hundreds of bookings every year. My prices are top end and ive never had anyone complain about the photo quality with any of these lenses. Instead of spending hours searching for test results on Google, just enjoy your photography.
Here's my take on these lenses from a portrait studio point of view.
70-200. Brilliant lens if your studio is long enough to be able to use it.
24-70. Brilliant lens but a bit heavy for all day use and a bit short at the long end.
24-120 f4. Definatley sharp enough where its needed. If the corners are soft, which some people report, it doesn't matter for portraits. Most of my photography would be in the 80-120 range but wide angle,wide open of a group of people is still fine. Nobody gets stretched or is noticeably out of focus like some old sigma wide angles. Lightroom will fix any disortion. The viewfinder is a bit dark with this lens and I have to have my modeling lights on for focusing, which I don't with a 2.8 lens. The extra zoom range means more variety with the photos which equals larger sales.

All of these lenses are first class and only people that study lens test graphs will be able to pick the faults.

ChasCS

The AF-S 24-120mm and the new AF-S 80-400mm are both awesome lenses with decent construction for what they cost.

Certainly a large step up, from where I was, this same time last year.

Chas

Msmoto

OK, having put the lens on my D800E, I can say the same issue I have seen in the past is still present..... how surprising.....

There is a barrel distortion, minor but present and I find this irritating. Not so much as to not use the lens, but it does require some correction in post, not a big chore, but something to remember.

Otherwise I think it is certainly a reasonably shape lens and can be relied upon. More to be done wide open however....

spraynpray

If there was any real alternative (24-70 isn't long enough), I'd get one. I'm not bothered about distortions that can be fixed upon import, it is the (relatively) poor VR (I find) and the 'meh' sharpness that bothers me. Considering the 24-120 and 70-200 f4 are of the same level in the Nikon range, there is QUITE a difference between them. I speak only of performance on a D750.