Photography News issue 22

Photography News Issue 22 absolutephoto.com

Lens test

£ 1199

Specs

Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Aperture range f/2.8 throughout, to f/22 Format compatibility Full-frame and APS-C Field of view 84-34° (full-frame) 62-23° (APS-C) Optical design 15 elements in 11 groups Diaphragm 9 rounded blades

Verdict This Nikon is the oldest standard zoom in this selection but it shows that age isn’t a factor when it comes to optical performance. A fine, top quality optic.

Features Silent AF, good close focusing but no IS Performance Produces very sharp images Handling No complaints in this department Value for money A top end zoom hence its high price Overall manual override. AF is very quiet and fast, recording 0.38 seconds in the near-to-far speed test, and is virtually instant for normal focus shifts. It goes down to a 19cm minimum working distance, measured from the front of the lens for a best in class maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.7. The optical design has 15 elements in 11 groups, including three of ED glass and three with aspherical surfaces. Sharpness is very high in the centre, easily above the Excellent line at f/2.8 and at all focal lengths, with slight improvements at f/4 and f/5.6. Edge sharpness follows closely and from f/4 it also rates as Excellent.

24/25

Autofocus motor Silent Wave Motor Min focus 38cm (from sensor) Min working distance 19cm (front of lens) Max magnification 1:3.7 Weather resistant Yes Filter size 77mm Zoom lock No Accessories supplied Hood, zipped case Size (DxL) 83x133mm (153mm at min zoom) Weight 900g Camera fittings Nikon only Contact nikon.co.uk

24/25

23/25

It’s getting on in years, but it’s still a cracking lens Pros Quiet and swift AF, weather resistance, handling Cons Weight, optically just short of the best around

95/100

There are four standard-range zooms in the Nikon full-frame portfolio and the 24-70mm f/2.8G lens is the premiummodel. This 24-70mm f/2.8 is the oldest, dating back to 2007. A lot has happened since then, particularly on the build and packaging side with the now widespread use of high-quality mechanical-grade plastics to reduce size and weight, even in the most expensive lenses. So the Nikon might be a little old-fashioned with its metal zoom and focusing rings, and at 900g it’s almost as heavy as the Sony, but as far as the optics are concerned, Nikon can still hold its own.

The optical layout is unusual, as the barrel extends at the short end of the range rather than the longest. Nikon has cunningly used this to its advantage, in effect creating a ‘zooming’ lens hood that provides optimum shading at all focal lengths. The old Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L Mk I was also like this. Build quality is top drawer, including weather resistance. Handling is excellent, with very smooth controls and a lightly- weighted focusing ring, with slightly heavier zoom action. Autofocus is by Nikon’s SWM (Silent Wave Motor), with full-time

Aberrations control is in line for this class. CA averaged 6.6µ to score Good overall. There’s some vignetting at f/2.8, mostly at short focal lengths with the worst being 2.0EV at 24mm f/2.8, but it’s dramatically cut from f/4 for an average rating of Good. Barrel distortion measured 2.9% at 24mm, turning to mild 0.7% pincushion at 70mm, rating Good overall. In the battle of the brands, the Nikon falls just behind Canon and Sony for sharpness, but it’s a close call. The differences are slight, and only noticeable at f/2.8. In all other aspects of performance, the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 is second to none.

£ 600

Specs

Sigma DG 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EXHSM

Aperture range f/2.8 throughout, to f/22 Format compatibility Full-frame and APS-C Field of view

Verdict Independent brand Sigma is well known for its quality optics and this one is typical: it’s perfectly capable, handles well and is good value for money.

84-34° (full-frame) 59-22° (APS-C 1.6x) Optical design 14 elements in 12 groups Diaphragm 9 rounded blades Autofocus motor Hypersonic drive Min focus 38cm (from sensor) Min working distance 16cm (front of lens) Max magnification 1:5.3 Weather resistant No Filter size 82mm Zoom lock No Accessories supplied Hood, zipped case Size (DxL) 89x95mm (125mm at max zoom) Weight 790g Camera fittings Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony Contact sigma-imaging.co.uk

Features Has enough to rival the marque brands but cheaper Performance Use mid-apertures and you won’t be disappointed Handling No issues arose during our test Value for money A capable standard zoom at a decent price Overall A decent standard zoom at a decent price, but avoid f/2.8 Pros Attractive price, optically good at mid-apertures Cons Quality at maximum aperture

24/25

22/25

24/25

94/100

Autofocus is by ultrasonic HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), with full-time manual override. It’s very quiet, barely audible, and shifts focus very fast. In the near-to-far speed test, it recorded a rapid 0.38 seconds, keeping up with the best. This Sigma focuses down to a minimum working distance (measured from the front of the lens) of 16cm, where Sigma claims a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:5.3, though it checked out at 1:4.5 on both Canon and Nikon-fit versions – just a useful bit better than stated. Optical construction is 14 elements, the least number in this test, though

Sigma has not spared the exotic glass with one ELD element, two SLD and three aspherical surfaces. Fewer elements suggest a less ambitious design and a lower standard of correction, and although that’s not always true, the Sigma proved to be less sharp than rival 24-70mmmodels here. The main areas of weakness are at f/2.8 and f/4, particularly around the edges, and at longer focal length settings. Stopping down improves things rapidly, with a big jump from f/2.8 to f/4, and from f/5.6 it can stand good comparison with the best, with an Excellent standard of sharpness across the frame.

There are no surprises in the aberrations department, with CAwell controlled at an average 4.4µ to rate Very Good. There’s barrel distortion of 1.7% at 24mm, turning through neutral at 35mm, and on to modest pincushion of 1.7% at 70mm, to rate Good overall. Vignetting is quite strong with 2.4EV at 24mm f/2.8, but it’s not an issue at any other settings, rating Good overall. The competition is tough in this class, and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 is up against some of the finest pro- grade zooms available. But the Sigma gives a very good account mid-range apertures at very reasonable cost.

Sigma has been grabbing the headlines recently with its new Art series of exceptionally fine lenses, but the DG 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX HSM is from a different era, launched in 2008. Its main appeal is a keen £600 price. Weighing 790g, this Sigma is the lightest of the current crop of 24‑70mm f/2.8 zooms, but only just. It’s also shorter by a noticeable but not significant amount. The outer barrel is all mechanical-grade plastic, although it’s very well made, with smooth zoom andmanual focus rings, that are both a little more heavily weighted than usual.