I have the AF-S 28-70 2.8 lens and have been using it for about 8 years now. It's a great lens. I've now heard lots of great comments about the new 24-70mm lens.
To anyone that has used both; is there much difference (other than the extra 4mm on the wide side which doesn't really concern me as I already have the 17-35mm AF-S 2.8 as well).
Mike, sorry for not answering sooner, I couldn't seem to log on. I also owned a 28~70 for many years, and was excited about the 24~70, mainly because of the extra 4mm on the wide end. At the time I was using my D2X, and I needed the extra wide. Even though I also owned the 17~35, it was convenient to sometimes not have to change lenses when I was right on the edge. Now that I have the D700, I am really using all of the 24mm, and I sold my 17~35. I did buy a 14~24 first to find out how sharp it is, because my 12~24 was pretty mediocre!
It all comes down to this...The new 24~70 seems to be about a sharp as the old 28~70, maybe a little sharper wide open, and also has the advantage as far as weight, bulkiness and a little extra wide.
This is off-topic, but the 14~24 is an absolutely AMAZING lens!!!
Hope this helps, Mark S.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I gotta say something... and it's just for fun so if anyone wants to give me stick go ahead but I just can't help myself.
I had the 28-70 2.8 then one day I read a review of the 28-70 3.5-4.5D lens, the little one with the plastic aespheric element so I bought one on eBay for AU$85 then after a while I sold the 2.8 lens because the little wonder 3.5-4.5D lens was absolutely AS good as it's expensive counterpart...
I've used the 24-70 2.8 my business partner paid two and a half grand for it and a bit more for the new 14-24...
what do you want for the money???
Some lenses are a fluke so the 28-70 3.5-4.5D is as good as any of them for bugger all money.
But yes... the 14-24 is incredible, I use the Tokina 12-24 on my DX cameras but my business partner bought a D700 for the new wide lens and it's incredible.
Now we're both saving up for the D3x.
Bill.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I gotta say something... and it's just for fun so if anyone wants to give me stick go ahead but I just can't help myself.
I had the 28-70 2.8 then one day I read a review of the 28-70 3.5-4.5D lens, the little one with the plastic aespheric element so I bought one on eBay for AU$85 then after a while I sold the 2.8 lens because the little wonder 3.5-4.5D lens was absolutely AS good as it's expensive counterpart...
I've used the 24-70 2.8 my business partner paid two and a half grand for it and a bit more for the new 14-24...
what do you want for the money???
Some lenses are a fluke so the 28-70 3.5-4.5D is as good as any of them for bugger all money.
But yes... the 14-24 is incredible, I use the Tokina 12-24 on my DX cameras but my business partner bought a D700 for the new wide lens and it's incredible.
Now we're both saving up for the D3x.
Bill.
I've read lots of reports that the 3.5-4.5 is a good lens, but when it comes down to it, it's not f2.8. If you need f2.8, then it just won't cut it.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I have a friend who shoots the 24-70. It is a little bit sharper than the 28-70 and also lighter. The colors are about the same with an edge to the 28-70.
overall, the 24-70 is not enough better to make it worth the loss and trouble to sell a 28-70 to buy the 24-70.
If you had no lens and wanted to buy new, then you might want a 24-70 over the older lens.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
When my 28-70 dies (I've been using it for over ten years and it's a true work horse), I'll probably replace it with the 24-70. Just the weight and design make it worthwhile.
The thing about the pro level lenses is not only that they're really sharp, but that they'll stay sharp for years to come. While you might fid the occasional kit lens that compares to the pro lenses in sharpness, you're going to find that if you use it on a day to day basis, it's going to loose that edge as the plastic parts inside the lens wear out and the lens elements get out of tolerance.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Well.. my 28-70 finally gave up a couple weeks ago and I go the 24-70. First off, I love the size of it compared to the 28-70 and the new lens hood is better too. I found my 28-70 a little soft on the left side of the frame, but that has gone away with the new lens. I'm very pleased with it. When I have some extra cash I'll get the 28-70 refurbished and keep it as a backup. Mine is also over 10 years old and I'm sure there's still some life in it yet.
Nikon: 24-70 vs 28-70mm 
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