Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24 70mm F2 8E ED VR Review | 54 Data compared

Ken Rockwell’s review of the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR highlights the addition of Vibration Reduction and an electromagnetic diaphragm, which improve low-light handheld shooting and provide faster, more precise exposure control. The lens maintains excellent sharpness and performance across the zoom range, making it a professional-grade option for action and event photography. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a substantial increase in size and weight, along with a move to an 82mm filter size. Furthermore, the construction is criticized for its all-plastic exterior feel, and the "E" diaphragm restricts compatibility with Nikon camera bodies released prior to roughly 2007.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR identifies it as a professional, optically redesigned lens, setting a new standard for DSLR midrange zooms with improved edge-to-edge sharpness and efficient Vibration Reduction. Key advantages include faster autofocus, robust build quality, and an electromagnetic diaphragm for precise aperture control. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including increased weight, size, a larger 82mm filter thread, and heavy vignetting at wider focal lengths. It also points to a higher price tag and a marginal drop in center sharpness at wide apertures compared to the older version.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f2.8E ED VR is a professional-grade standard zoom lens tested on a high-resolution Nikon D810 body, earning a "Highly Recommended" award due to its class-leading image stabilization and excellent image quality across the FX full-frame sensor. Launched as the successor to the popular 24-70mm f2.8G, this version introduces vital hardware upgrades including an electromagnetic diaphragm, a fluorine coating for easier element cleaning, and a weather-sealed metal lens mount. Performance-wise, it features an autofocus mechanism that is barely audible and 30% faster than its predecessor, a highly useful maximum macro magnification of 1:3.1, and an incredibly quiet Vibration Reduction (VR) system that successfully delivers at least 3 stops of hand-held image stabilization. However, these stellar performance capabilities come with significant physical and financial trade-offs. The lens has a steep price tag of approximately 2500 EUR, making it substantially more expensive than its older 1400 EUR predecessor and the 800 EUR Tamron alternative. Optically, it suffers from stronger vignetting and distortion than the previous G-version, alongside a 20-element design that increases the risk of lens flare. Furthermore,...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR as a rugged, high-performance pro lens, particularly praised for its effective Vibration Reduction (VR) system offering a four-stop advantage, as well as excellent center sharpness and suppressed chromatic aberration. Key features include an electromagnetic diaphragm, robust weather sealing, and a complex optical formula that produces sharp, high-contrast images, especially when stopped down. Conversely, the review notes significant weight and bulk, and points out that edge sharpness is relatively weak at f/2.8, requiring stopping down to f/8-f/11 for optimal performance. Other cons include pronounced vignetting at wide apertures and significant barrel distortion at 24mm, along with a high price point, although the lens is deemed an uncompromising tool for professionals.

The LensTip review of the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70 mm f/2.8E ED VR highlights its position as an optically complex, fast standard zoom lens designed for advanced photojournalists. Compared to its predecessor, this version stands out for adding a highly efficient image stabilization unit (VR) and an electronic aperture mechanism (the "E" designation). The review notes that the optical design successfully prioritizes balancing image performance evenly across the entire frame rather than breaking records exclusively in the center. This design choice allows the lens to deliver impressive, decent-quality images right to the very edges of full-frame sensors, easily outpacing several key competitors in edge resolution. The lens's comprehensive list of pros and cons includes several stark trade-offs. On the positive side (pros), it delivers excellent image quality in the frame center, great edge quality on APS-C/DX sensors, a quiet, fast, and highly accurate autofocus system, and slight longitudinal chromatic aberration. It also boasts low coma, minimal astigmatism, and a highly effective optical stabilization mechanism. Conversely, the primary negative aspects (cons) outlined are excessively high lateral chromatic aberration in the wider...

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR is a massive, professional-grade F-mount standard zoom lens designed for DSLRs that prioritizes performance and build quality over size and weight. Measuring 155mm in length and weighing over a kilogram (1,070g), this "hulking brute" features top-notch construction, extensive weather-sealing, and fluorine coatings. Key advantages of this completely redesigned model include exceptional center-sharpness across the entire zoom range, an upgraded 9-blade electromagnetic diaphragm for high-speed continuous bursts, and the addition of a highly effective 4-stop Vibration Reduction (VR) system. However, the lens has several notable drawbacks, starting with its high price tag, bulky profile, and heavy footprint. In terms of optics, lab tests revealed mediocre edge and corner sharpness at medium to long focal lengths. Furthermore, it displays very noticeable color fringing uncorrected in the 24-35mm range, as well as prominent barrel distortion at 24mm and pincushion distortion at 70mm. Ultimately, while it is built like a tank, it falls short of Nikon's newer Z-mount lenses for mirrorless systems, leading reviewers to prefer less expensive alternatives like the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM...

The Have Camera Will Travel review highlights the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR as a professional-grade midrange zoom featuring an advanced 20-element design and integrated Vibration Reduction (VR), which enhances low-light handheld shooting. Pros include improved edge-to-edge sharpness at 24mm, fast Silent Wave Motor autofocus, and durable, weather-sealed construction featuring Nano Crystal and Fluorine coatings. Have Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a high price, increased weight (2.4 lbs), and a larger 82mm filter size. Performance downsides include a slight decrease in center sharpness compared to the previous version, notable barrel distortion at 24mm, and a more plastic-heavy exterior feel.

The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR AF-S Nikkor is a fully redesigned, full-frame compatible lens that introduces highly requested features like image stabilization (Vibration Reduction) and an electromagnetic diaphragm for precise electronic aperture control. Optically, the lens delivers excellent center and vastly improved corner sharpness compared to its predecessor, particularly at the wide 24mm end and when stopped down to f/8. Additional benefits include a highly responsive autofocus system that transitions from infinity to close-focus in under a second, a durable build quality with protective Fluorine and Nano Crystal coatings, and an impressive VR system providing 3 to 4 stops of handheld stabilization. Despite these clear upgrades, the lens comes with several performance and physical drawbacks. Its retail price is quite steep at approximately $2,400, and the physical footprint has expanded, making it both longer (154mm) and heavier (1,070 grams) than the previous model. Image performance takes a slight hit mid-range, showing a general softness at 50mm when shot wide open at f/2.8, requiring users to stop down to f/4 for cleaner results. Furthermore, testing on full-frame bodies reveals distinct...

The hands-on review of the AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8E ED VR highlights the addition of Vibration Reduction (VR) for better hand-held shooting and significant improvements in corner-to-corner sharpness, astigmatism reduction, and faster, more reliable autofocus. The lens also features an improved build quality and faster overall responsiveness compared to its predecessor, making it a capable tool for demanding photography scenarios. Conversely, the complex redesign makes the lens noticeably larger and heavier, adding significant bulk for long-term use. Additionally, the review notes a slight decrease in center resolution compared to the previous model and highlights that the lens requires 82mm filters, demanding an upgrade from the standard 77mm filters used on earlier versions.

The Aperture and Light review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S highlights its exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, fast, silent multi-focusing system, and robust weather sealing. It praises the lens's color reproduction and effective flare suppression via advanced coatings, marking it as a premium standard zoom for Nikon's mirrorless system. Conversely, the review notes the lens is heavy and costly, with notable vignetting at f/2.8, particularly at the 24mm focal length. Minor drawbacks include slight barrel distortion at the wide end and subtle "onion skin" texturing in bokeh highlights.