New Nikon lenses: 24-70 f/2.8 VR, 24mm f/1.8G and 200-500mm F/5.6

[D.P.]

http://nikonrumors.com/2015/07/29/f...m-f5-6e-lenses-leaked-online.aspx/#more-95504


The 24-70mm VR was a given and rumored for ages with a load of patents over the last years.

24mm f/1.8G was also expected and rounds out an amazing f/1.8 prime series: 20mm, 24m, 28mm, 35mm (DX and FX), 50mm and 85mm. You can get some serious performing kit with a D750 and a choice of primes!

Only thing that would be nice to add would be a 16mm f/1.8 or f/2.8 prime for DX lenses. to get a 24mm FoV equivalent.



The oddball is the 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. N doubt a last minute attempt at diverting sales form the tamron and sigma 150-600mm. Came out of the no where really this lens. IF performs right and the prices as rumored then it will make the Tamron and Sigma C redundant IMO. The lens of course is a little shorter but if it has the right sharpness then subject detail wont be too dissimilar and you are 1/3rd stop faster. I'm definitely not going to buy the Tamron/Sigma C if this is true. The Sigma sports model still has some interest.

 

[D.P.]

I hope the sub £1000 price stays in the UK. I hope it is AFS!

Nikon haven't released a non-AFS lens in 15 years apart from the PC lenses which can't AF anyway. Why would they suddenly start releasing a non-AFS lens?

 

[D.P.]

That would make it cheaper and I guess lower spec than my 80-400?
It's the new 16-80 F2.8-4 that's interesting me....... As I've gone all DX

Its is going to be a lower build quality, more plastic, to compete withe the $1000 Tamron and sigma 150-600s.

 

[D.P.]

I meant SWM.

That is what the s in AF-S means: auto-focus with Silent Wave motor.

Do you perhaps mean the new E-type lenses where the diaphragm is controlled electrically? These only appear in very high end telephotos (the new 400,500,600 and 800 mm primes) at the moment and I doubt it would come to a consumer lenses.

 

[D.P.]

Still waiting for a 22 or 24mm f/1.8 DX lens to get a 35mm FF equiv.

Just buy the 24mm f/1.8 FX lens that was released.

 

[D.P.]

It's been launched and is an E lens! Also its on preorder in the US for $1400!

Yeah, interesting that it is an E lens. Might mean that Nikon intend to upgrade more lenses with electronic apertures.



Price also looks fantastic. Definitively something I will keep an eye on. I was all set to by the 300mm f/4.0 PF but this is intriguing. Think I will still go with the 300mm PF due to weight savings but i might add the 200-500mm as a bigger tele option. Price is remarkable.

 

[D.P.]

$2400 for the 24-70, ouch. Wonder what UK street price will be, £1800?

Its basically the same RRP as the Canon 24-70 when it was released in 2012, and the Nikon has VR so the pricing makes sense. Like the canon it will drop in time a little.

Still, i wont be updating my 24-70

 

[D.P.]

Good one. £600+ each vs. Nikon releasing a ~£130 DX version like with the 35mm?

It wouldn't be £130, more like £400+. 24mm is a much more complex lens than 35mm on a DX a sensor.

 

[D.P.]

Here is an interesting video of the design philosophy of the new 24-70mm VR.
http://nikonrumors.com/2015/08/04/n...the-24-70mm-f2-8e-ed-vr-lens.aspx/#more-96068



Helps explain why the original did no have VR and liekly why Canon's newer version also doesn't. The fact that they first decided on the diameter of the lens and worked backwards form their just highlights why Nikon (and Canon) always do so well with ergonomics compared to the 3rd party lenses.

 

[D.P.]

The Tamron 24-70 VC is a proven performer and is available for around £600... the new Nikon 24-70 will undoubtedly have faster AF, perhapy marginally better IQ, and yet is longer and heavier and around £1000 more expensive. No thanks.

The 2 lenses are in a totally different class though. Build quality, image quality, autofocus speed and accuracy.

Its a workhorse lens for professionals where cost is much less important than reliability and being able to take knocks and bangs while out in the field.

 

[D.P.]

Oh no..That means my 24-70 2.8 has just become rubbish and I must have the new one with VR................


Unless IQ is better with the new one then The above statement may actually not be tongue in cheek.....lol

The IQ will be better for sure but it is not like the current version is lacking.

 

[D.P.]

The Tamron is considered to have professional optics and build quality, and is used by many professionals, I'm not sure "completely different class" is accurate in real terms, especially given the monumental price difference.

Considered by who, Tamron marketing?

The build quality of the current Nikon 24-70mm is in an entirely different class to the Tamron. That is justa fact.



The price difference is irrelevant really. Of course the Tamron is cheaper, 3rd party lenses are always cheaper. Nikon and Canon never consider the price of 3rd party options for their professional lenses because professionals don't care that much about the cost but about performance, reliability and being part of NPS/CPS. A pro wedding tog in the US might pull $100k gross a year, the price difference between the Tamron and Nikon, which is tax deductible to them, it meaningless compared to the ability to get extra keepers due to improved AF or the reduced chances of failure when knocked and banged in use.


For consumers, sure, you have to consider the pros and cons against the costs and make your own choices. No one forces you to buy every new Nikon lens.
Personally I would ever consider buying the new VR version, my old version works plenty well enough for me. But I don't make a living out of photography.

 

[D.P.]

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/09/tamron-24-70-f2-8-vc-issue

Looks pretty ropey and typical of 3rd party lenses to me.

 

[D.P.]

Not sure that's true Canon do a £100 24mm pancake f2.8 for crop cameras so there is clearly no need for a similar Nikon lens even if it was a bit faster say f2 to be dramatically more complex and expensive

1 stop will typically increase the price of a lens 3-4X.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8 is £339, the 1.4 on 2/3 stop faster is £1129
Nikon 35mm f/1.8 FX is £369, the 1.4 is £1289.

Nikon 300mm f4.0 is £848, f/2.8 £3489


At the telephoto end the difference will grow as seen by the 300mm comparison, at the wide end the difference might be 2-3X.
A lot will also depend on the optical quality, glass elements, construction etc.

the Nikon 24mm F/1.8 G is £579 street now, I would expect a DX version to cost around £250 maybe, just going by the prices of the 35mm f/1.8 DX to FX.

 

[D.P.]

Nikon 24-70 2.8 ED for £805... shall I do it guys? Can't see it losing 'too' much value over the next few years...

For that money absolutely,it is a great workhorse lens, lovely Bokeh and lightning AF.