Camera Labs

-------------UPDATE----------------------------
My 24-70/85mm shootout is now up here.
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This is just to give you the heads-up about my up-and-coming shootout of the
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
- Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD
- Nikon AF-S 24-85/3.5-4.5G VR
It's currently in the final rounds of editing and will then be reviewed by Gordon.
I've linked to the individual reviews above so you can make up your own mind in the meantime.
But the shootout will make it much easier to compare the results from all those tests side-by-side.

This thread is open for your comments and questions regarding this trio of mid-range zooms that are very well capable of producing good images on DX and FX sensors.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Hi Thomas, I was wondering do you know roughly when the results of this shoot out will be available?

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

Colin, Gordon is pretty busy currently. But I hope he'll publish it next week.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Yes I can imagine, okay thanks Thomas

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

currently in the final editing/review stages...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

My 24-70/85mm shootout is now up here.
I hope you'll find it educating and entertaining!

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Excellent reviews Thomas & you deserve much praise for the `shootout`.
The time & effort you have put into this project must have been substantial!!!!

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Nice you like it, oldCarlos!
The effort was even greater as the testing of the Nikon 24-120 plus the 28-300 (at least in the range from 28-120) was also done.
But that is a story for another shootout...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Blimey Thomas, you'll need a holiday after all that! (maybe Gordon can jet you off to the Bahamas )

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

If wishes were horses...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Maybe best to just go for a lie down.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Thank so much for including the Nikon 24-85mm VR in you comparison. When it was announced, I was reading an announcement that this lens was not of quality for the D800, and is why they thought the rumored D600 was real. I’ve read your review on 24-85mm lens when I purchased it along with my D800 last month. It is my first FX camera and I shoot mostly sports for my son’s soccer team with my old… D200. I already have the 70-200mm and 70-300mm and needed something 24-70mm range (FX), but did not want to pay $1700 after just spending $3000.

I have not used this lens much yet, and my D800 is a little slow for my type of shooting at this time. I am hoping to do more landscape after this year with my son is graduating from High School. Now that I read you comparison, I am thinking that 24-85mm is not a bad lens to just for carry around every day lens. Instead of purchasing a 24-70 at a later date, I am thinking about purchasing a few Primes to supplement as needed.

I will be taking my son’s team picture which will be published as a calendar for vendors/sponsors to be displayed at their shops around town. I am thinking about purchasing a 50mm f1.8G for that picture. I am concerned about the distortion I see with the 24-85mm for that purpose. The team will be lined up post to post and I will most likely setup just outside the goal box. Not sure how the 24-85mm will perform for this shot @50 to 60mm in the AM of early November where it may be overcased or sunny?

Thanks so much for this comparison. This helped me confirm my strategy on the Primes.

Thomas great work, just logged on tonight, and saw your update. Hopefully I will get a chance on Friday to look at this review and give it the time it deserves. So good you putting in the hours etc, thanks, Colin

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

Hello Dlee, and welcome to the friendly Camera Labs forum!
To enjoy your stay here please have a look at the house-rules!
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Regarding distortions: Yes the 24-85 produces visible distortions at 50mm but the question is whether you could be content with what post-processing can to.
Don't know which software you're using but Lightroom could do it automatically for you. Perhaps I'll show the result of some post-processing later.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Thanks Thomas. I do use Lightroom to manage all my photos.