24-70 substitute (nikon or third party)

been reading the threads re problems with 24-70. if i don't pop for yet another moderate WA prime....waiting to hear what RB says about the zeiss zf.2 25mm, ....since my coverage in this range is thin on FX, what recommendations? how "real" are the 24-70 issues, is it worth the chance of getting a bad copy or is there a solid substitute with comparable iQ out there?
i don't know much about this range.

thanks in advance.

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