This is the last test in a series of tests of the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR lens. This time, I compared it with the first model of this lens from 2007 Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8G.
Close up sharpnes
I compared photos of small objects shoot from a distance of approx. 60-70 cm. As I mentioned in the previous tests, Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR is less sharp for cose-ups. This is also obvious in compare with Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G lens. Below are the test pictures, where it is clear that the old version of the lens mk.1 from 2007 is sharper at all focal lengths.
Cromatic aberation CA
The new Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR is much better in this segment.
Ghosting in flare
Due to the fact that the new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, have as many as 20 lenses the control of flare and ghosting is excellent.
Sharpness, vignetting, optical distortion
Below are examples of sample images, where we can see the difference in quality of sharpness, vignetting and distortion of both lenses at focal lengths of 70mm, 50mm, 35mm and 24mm and with different apertures.
The new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR significantly more vignetting at aperture f2.8. Optical distortion is almost the same with both lenses and is well-controlled.
Focal length 70mm
At 70mm there is visible rate of strong vignetting at f2.8 aperture, the difference between the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR and the old version of G is more than obvious, older lens is much better in this segment. The optical distortion was very small with both lenses. Sharpness at f2.8 at the center of the picture is similar in the extreme edges, the new Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR slightly better.
Full resolution photo (7360×9851)
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CORNER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CORNER
Focal length 50mm
Like at the 70mm focal length, at 50mm is also easily visible strong level of vignetting at f2.8 aperture, the difference between the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR and the old version of G is more than obvious, older lens is much better in this segment. The optical distortion was very small with both lenses. Sharpness at f2.8 at the center of the picture is similar in the extreme edges, the new Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR slightly better.
Full resolution photo(7360×9857)
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CORNER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CORNER
Focal length 24mm
Similar to the 50mm focal length, at 24mm is also easily visible strong level of vignetting at f2.8 aperture, the difference between the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR and the old version of G is more than obvious, older lens is better in this segment. The optical distortion is moderate with both lenses. Sharpness at f2.8 at the center of the picture is similar in the extreme edges, the new Nikon AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR slightly better.
Full resolution photo (7360×9852)
Adjustment in description on photo! 24mm despite 50mm!
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f2.8 CORNER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CENTER
Left new AF-S 24-70 f2.8 VR, right old AF-S 24-70 f2.8 G f8 CORNER
Vignetting in real life photos.
Below are two photos of the same scene, where it can be seen the influence of strong vignetting in normal subjects. The first photo was taken at aperture f2.8 and 24mm, the other with the aperture f11, and 24mm. It should be noted that such motives are not usually photographed by a diaphragm, which is less than 5,6, but sometimes it just happens that it is necessary to take photographs in aperture f2.8. Even in this case, the vignetting is not so critical, newer Nikon cameras offer the possibility of corection of vignetting in camera. This can be also corrected in picture editing programs such as Lightroom. In post-production it is possible to improve a lot, but it is true that in this case we are talking about the lens, which will cost 2400 euro so the requirements and expectations are higher…
Final thought
How important is for testing photographic equipment, relevant comparison, it is best demonstrated in the case of the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR. I did three tests, first I tested only the lens and from the first test I could pulled out some conclusions about the quality of the lens. The second test was a comparative test with a lens AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR, which belongs to the lower class and the almost 1,400 euros cheaper than this lens. The third test was this one where I compared the latest Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR with first version of this lens AF-S 24-70mm f2.8G from 2007.
If I am completely honest, I must admit that the old lens Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 G is optically extremely good lens. The new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR surpasses old lens with robustness of construction, built-in image stabilization VR, faster AF drive. The new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR has much less chromatic aberration CA and is better suited for shooting in the opposite light, where ghosting and flare effect is less noticeable. Sharpness for close-ups is worse then with older versions lens Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8G, also vignetting at f2.8 is much more pronounced than in the older version mk.1, Optical distortion is similarl in both lenses, the sharpnes in the center of the picture is about the same, in a really far corner the new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR performs slightly better.
The new Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8 VR have what was lacking in the first version of this lens, which is likely to attract many photographers. For my taste the new lens could be more sharp when shooting at close range and had less of a vignette around the edges at f2.8, especially when considering the selling price of this lens.
Avtor prispevka in fotografij: Bojan Stepančič
Clic here for 1. part of review on Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8VR lens Clic here for 2. part of review – comparison between Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f4VR and Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8VRAdded 23.8.2015
I would like to say that the all present test and comparison of Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8VR are made primarily from the perspective of the user experience. I spent a little more in-depth analysis of the sharpnes, optical distortion and vignetting at different focal lengths, but this is made mainly in the sense that it shows visually difference in image quality at variety of settings. At the beginning I had the choice of two identical Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8VR lenses, there were no major differences between the two lenses.