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Going from DX to FX - which lens Nikkor 24-120/4 or 24-70/2.8 or Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC

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LikeMagic

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I am seeking advice as to which lens I should buy in light of an upgrade to FX (D600) from DX (D90). I currently have a D90 with the kit lens 18-105, 50/1.8D and SB700. I don't plan to sell my D90 at this point.

My main reason for switching to FX is I prefer to do so before I start investing in more lenses. Had I stayed with DX I was planning on buying Sigma 17-50/2.8 and 50-150/2.8.

I shoot mainly family life (everyday life with 2 small kids and a fair bit of travel). We have a family trip to New Zealand in the near future.

I am leaning towards zooms due to convenience of them. I mainly do photos but do a little bit of video as well. I am looking to upgrade from the kit lens as I like to achieve good subject isolation in my shoots. I am planning on buying the Nikkor 24-70 used to save a few bucks. I would buy Nikkor 24-120 and Tamron 24-70 new.

Any inputs are welcome including advice on supplemental primes.

Thanks everyone!
 
Do you have a need for f/2.8? If not, I would go with a new 24-120 f/4. I own the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 and have used it on a D300, D3 and now a D3S and it is a spectacular lens. If I was new to FX, the 24-120 f/4 VR would be at the top of my list.
 
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If you want to go FX for subject isolation then buying an f4 lens makes that goal difficult. Personally, I would stay DX and buy a f1.4 or f1.8 prime lens at your most used focal length at which you feel you need subject isolation.

I probably would stay DX if I were is your position and buy a discounted D7000 or a new D5200 since you seem to be shooting AFS type lenses which do not require a built in motor within the camera. There are drawbacks to FX in the size weight department but many photographic benifits if you know how to get them.
 
I would highly recommend the 24-70 but only if it's in good condition. It'd be important to know the real reason the seller is getting rid of it. Otherwise the Tamron seems to be liked by many. Either way, I'd stick to a 2.8 for the kind of shooting it sounds that you'd like to do.

glo
 
glo said:
glo wrote:
glo said:
glo wrote:

Otherwise the Tamron seems to be liked by many.

glo
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I stand corrected.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3243718

glo
Click to expand...
That is a small sample of problems, and only a problem with new lens calibration (not something that breaks later on.) Just be sure to buy the Tamron a place you know you can return it if you run into the problem and test for it when the lens arrives. I was really impressed with how well the vibration control worked on the Tamron, when I tested it in a camera store.
 
If you are going to do a lot of traveling, I'd stick with DX and not switch. The 24-70s are really very heavy. If I were going FX, I'd get the 24-120, even the maligned older version which I own and still use with a film F100. The pix are great
 
Maybe my best choice at the moment is to keep my D90 and get one of the lenses mentioned above and use it on DX for the time being?

I would however be reluctant to invest in DX glass as I am still aiming to go FX in the future!

The Nikkor 24-70 seems to be well regarded on DX as well.

At the moment I am a nit nervous about buying the Tamron as it seems there is still problems to be sorted out with that lens.
 
The Nikon 24-70 is a beast - 900g Non VR, massive for 2.9 X lens, I'd only get it if money burning a hole in my pocket or I am getting paid for my work. If I were you I get the 24-120/F4 - I did (I am shooting D300s) on DX it is 36-180 - a decent range - I have the 16-85DX and love this lens and the range. I just hang on a little while longer to allow Nikon time to solve problems with the D800 and D600. My D300s is problem free from the day one - and that is how I want my Nikon to be.
 
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Mine turned out to have a miscalibrated aperture. I adjusted it per amateurtony's excellent post. Instructions and results HERE
 
When I stepped-up from a D200 to a D700 I assumed the 28~70mm f2.8 I already owned would be my most used lens but it left me frustrated. It lacked the reach I wanted for events and walkabout/travel. Heavy too.

When the 24~120mm f4 Vr was announced I bought it. I assumed I would still use the 28~70 but I couldn't see the point so I sold it. The 24~120 seems to have been tailor made for me. It gives me the range I want for events (reasonably wide to head & shoulder portrait) without having to switch lenses and it gives a nice range for a one lens solution on family holidays.
It does distort a bit but I find I can use it without it being noticeable most of the time and it is easily fixed in Lightroom on the rare occasions I have felt it necesary.
 
nearly-an-old-codger said:
flbrit wrote:

If you want to go FX for subject isolation then buying an f4 lens makes that goal difficult. Personally, I would stay DX and buy a f1.4 or f1.8 prime lens at your most used focal length at which you feel you need subject isolation.
Click to expand...
You'll get even better subject isolation with a fast prime on FX.
 
LikeMagic said:
LikeMagic wrote:

I am seeking advice as to which lens I should buy in light of an upgrade to FX (D600) from DX (D90). I currently have a D90 with the kit lens 18-105, 50/1.8D and SB700. I don't plan to sell my D90 at this point.

My main reason for switching to FX is I prefer to do so before I start investing in more lenses. Had I stayed with DX I was planning on buying Sigma 17-50/2.8 and 50-150/2.8.

I shoot mainly family life (everyday life with 2 small kids and a fair bit of travel). We have a family trip to New Zealand in the near future.

I am leaning towards zooms due to convenience of them. I mainly do photos but do a little bit of video as well. I am looking to upgrade from the kit lens as I like to achieve good subject isolation in my shoots. I am planning on buying the Nikkor 24-70 used to save a few bucks. I would buy Nikkor 24-120 and Tamron 24-70 new.

Any inputs are welcome including advice on supplemental primes.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
HI!




You have gotten the expected variety of answers, a testament to what works for one person, might not for the next!




If you are really an isolation junkie (like I occasionally am) you won't get the best isolation in a mid range zoom, even if it's f/2.8.




I have the 24-70 and it's a great lens (or in my case, a great lens after shelling out $600 to have its stiff zoom ring repaired!).




But when I really want to isolate my subject, I'll pull out a fast prime (and/or use a longer focal length)







RB





-


 
RBFresno said:
RBFresno wrote:
Click to expand...
RBFresno said:
If you are really an isolation junkie (like I occasionally am) you won't get the best isolation in a mid range zoom, even if it's f/2.8.

I have the 24-70 and it's a great lens (or in my case, a great lens after shelling out $600 to have its stiff zoom ring repaired!).

But when I really want to isolate my subject, I'll pull out a fast prime (and/or use a longer focal length)
Click to expand...
Good point. For people moving from 1.5X crop factor cameras, however, an F2.8 lens is equivalent, in DOF, to their F1.8 primes and they will often need at smaller apertures than even F2.8, to get enough of the subject into focus. Having a narrow DOF can be both a blessing and a curse.

At parties, for example, with more than one person in the photograph and not on exactly the same frame you will often need considerably less aperture. That is where the 24-120 F4 shines.
 
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LikeMagic said:
LikeMagic wrote:

I am seeking advice as to which lens I should buy in light of an upgrade to FX (D600) from DX (D90). I currently have a D90 with the kit lens 18-105, 50/1.8D and SB700. I don't plan to sell my D90 at this point.

My main reason for switching to FX is I prefer to do so before I start investing in more lenses. Had I stayed with DX I was planning on buying Sigma 17-50/2.8 and 50-150/2.8.

I shoot mainly family life (everyday life with 2 small kids and a fair bit of travel). We have a family trip to New Zealand in the near future.

I am leaning towards zooms due to convenience of them. I mainly do photos but do a little bit of video as well. I am looking to upgrade from the kit lens as I like to achieve good subject isolation in my shoots. I am planning on buying the Nikkor 24-70 used to save a few bucks. I would buy Nikkor 24-120 and Tamron 24-70 new.

Any inputs are welcome including advice on supplemental primes.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

I have had the 24-120 4.0... complete crap... had to send it to Nikon to be repaired after only a few weeks. would not hold focus through the zoom.



I have 2, 24-70 2.8 and both are at Nikon right now being repaired and 1 of them for the second time in fact. both are soft and nether holds aperture though the zoom. selling both when they come back.



I now have the tamron 24-70 2.8... great lens and only $1300 USD
 
Thank you everyone - great help indeed! I needed to hear some different opinions on these lenses! I totally agree one lens does not work for all - and I value all the points of view.

I ended up buying a used Nikkor 24-70/2.8 and will try it out and see if it ends up being the right fit for me. I have only had it for a few days so far - and sadly very poor weather - as I am itching to get out and give it a run for the money!!!

I was however tempted by both the Tamron 24-70 and the Nikkor 24-120/4.

Thanks again for you time and inputs!

Cheers T
 
I find the focusing is just not spot on accurate with the lens... the copy I tried did not have good corner performance at wide angle even stepped down (if that matters at you). I feel lie when I pay over 1000 grand, the lens shouldn't have these issues. I would like to try another copy, but the focus accuracy with the 70-300 VC has been similarly poor - I have lots of shots lacking in sharpness due to misfocus...
 
In one way you answered your own question. You say you prefer subject isolation which points you in the direction of f2.8 zooms for the convenience of use you want.

It amuses me the number of times the impression is given on forums that FX lenses cannot be used on DX bodies!

If you plan to upgrade soon the D5200 is the only new generation DX body that comes near your likely needs. This body, or the D600, will enable you to achieve much larger prints then you can achieve now.

As of now D600 has an auto focus advantage, but in 2 to 3 months there could be new high-end DX bodies at a lower cost than the D 600.
 
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Ciao

I have the Tamron 24-70 VC and I can't complain about it. Not optically nor for build quality.


I think your main concern should be realizing how much useful is the 70-120 range. 70mm for a standard zoom is really "short" and while it's more convenient than expected the 24mm, a little more reach (85 / 90mm) would have made of it a real bestseller.

Btw, here you can see a whole gallery taken with it during a political meetup over here

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