Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8G vs 24-70mm f2.8G

[arnica]

Hi All,

Just wondering if any of us here have used or know about the above lenses. I am seriously considering getting one of the above lenses and wanted to get people's opinions on them before diving in.

I do the occasional portrait shoot, but most of my pics are of landscapes, waterscapes. So I want to know which lens would suit me more.

[nick351]

I will put my $0.02 in since I have had the 17-55mm on a D90 and currently have the 24-70mm on a D700.

To put it simply, the 17-55mm met 95% of my shooting requirements, it had amazing build quality, high colour and contrast, it was sharp as a tack throughout the aperture range and would honestly recommend it to any nikon DX shooter. It was an amazing lens well worth the price if you could afford it. I had no intentions of selling it, until I was offered a D700 at an unbelievable price. I didnt see myself heading to FX for a few years at least, as I was thrilled with the D90 and 17-55mm.

As for the 24-70mm, the equivalent focal length would be (36-105mm) on your D90, I love mine on the D700, didnt get to try it on the D90 but im sure it would be just as good, once again it has Nikons amazing build quality, sharpness and beautiful colour, contrast and bokeh.

I was happily doing portraiture with the 17-55mm, and landscapes etc. But as it is a DX lens, it is not suitable for FX shooters.

You say you like land and seascapes, the wide end on the 24-70 would become 36mm, and IMO not wide enough. But for portraits its a nice focal range.

You could purchase the 17-55mm and bit more cash into a prime? (e.g 85mm or 105mm)

So you have to ask yourself, whether you intend to go full frame, or if you are happy with your D90 for a few years. I was getting some great images with my D90 and 17-55mm, if you can afford it, then why not. Resale value is still quite good.

In the end, both are amazing lenses, it just depends what focal length suits you, your budget and where you intend to be in a few years.

Good luck with the purchase!

[arnica]

Wow! thanks for the informative analysis.

I do see myself moving to FX in the next 1 -2 years. So if I get the 17-55mm have a play with until I upgrade to FX ... then sell it and the get 24-70mm and FX body.

But On the flipside, I've got the 10-20mm Sigma for my wide angle shots ...definitely not as sharp, but it has the wide angles covered.

[campo]

I have the 17-55 on a D300 and it's one of my bread and butter lenses for weddings. Whilst i would love a 24-70 for the little extra reach, 36 ain't all that wide on a DX body so until I go full frame, I'll be sticking with the 17-55.

[old dog]

I`ve got the 17-55 on my D80 and love it. Hardly comes off the camera. Pretty well as Nick above describes his experience with one.

[arnica]

Thanks for all your replies fellow APians!

I should be getting the 24-70mm. Hopefully I'll be able to get it in the next week or 2. That way it will give me a few opportunities to try it out before my Tassie trip

[kiwi]

+1 to all that's been said. For the odd occassion where 24 is not wide enough pocket a 20 2.8 second hand

[arnica]

Guess what? I finally plunged in and got myself a 24-70mm ... boy is it heavy! I'm looking into getting a D700 in the next few weeks .. got some relos coming from overseas and they asked me if I wanted any camera gear (how nice of them).

[nick351]

I have that combo and love it! Except now I want the 70-200mm!

[arnica]

Just any question, do you use the long strap that comes with the camera or a hand grip?

I had a play with my mates D700, 24-70mm, 70-200mm combos .. and it weighs a fair bit ... considering getting a hand grip as well.

[JM Tran]

Just any question, do you use the long strap that comes with the camera or a hand grip?

I had a play with my mates D700, 24-70mm, 70-200mm combos .. and it weighs a fair bit ... considering getting a hand grip as well.

a hand grip will be more detrimental as your forearms will be taking the amount of weight, and not your shoulders, not to mention you have to carry it in your hands all the time

why not get a neoprene style shoulder strap? the flexible material feels a lot more comfortable than the stock standard shoulder straps for prolonged periods of time.

[arnica]

a hand grip will be more detrimental as your forearms will be taking the amount of weight, and not your shoulders, not to mention you have to carry it in your hands all the time

why not get a neoprene style shoulder strap? the flexible material feels a lot more comfortable than the stock standard shoulder straps for prolonged periods of time.

You have a point there .. I normally wrap the strap around my wrist when shooting anyway ...

[kiwi]

R-strap !!

Hand grips are not very useful, I have that badge


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