Nikon's newest AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR isn't any ordinary lens. Aside from the obvious addition of VR, the lens features a number of other features, including a new 82mm filter size and increased weight. While it's hard to consider those last two qualities "features," if you thought it was a bit odd, you were right. There's a reason behind everything -- and the reasons behind the design changes prove this might be a lens to think on more than you otherwise would. It also starts making that hefty price tag feel a whole lot cheaper.
Before we're able to get our hands on one to see for ourselves, we knew something special had to make this lens better than anything else out there. And while time will tell once tests do come out, this Nikon-produced video finally explains some of the aspects of lens design that makes this new 24-70mm f/2.8E so great.
First, the silent wave motor (SWM; also signified by "AF-S" in the lens title) is what enables fast, silent, and accurate autofocus. While the insignia does not change with respect to the included lens technology, here, the SWM in this new lens is completely redesigned. It is 50 percent faster thanks to a smaller and more powerful design. There's no doubt that this new SWM will start appearing in other lenses in time, especially given the relatively massive jump in AF performance, making the new lens one of the fastest-performing lenses on the market (check out the example in the video -- it's fairly remarkable when you consider professionals need every last ounce of performance out of their equipment).
The decreased size of the SWM is also what allows the lens to remain relatively small. At 82mm, the filter thread isn't small by any means. But when considering how big it could have been to increase optical quality while at the same time including vibration reduction (VR), it's quite a feat to keep the lens so similarly sized to its predecessor.
Special attention to detail with respect to the exact thickness, shape, and size of the barrel was made to ensure a more ergonomic grip and shooting comfort, too, as the lens could have been much longer and wider.
Finally, new technologies already discussed in other articles such as the electromagnetic diaphragm (the "E" in "f/2.8E") for increased exposure accuracy at rapid frame rates; the water-, dirt-, and oil-repelling fluorine coatings for cleaner glass; and four-stop VR technologies all start to make this lens feel like a bargain at $2,396.95.
It's too early to tell exactly how much of a difference this completely new design will make in real-world image quality, but it doesn't seem premature to say it's certainly out to be the best in its class yet. The never-ending megapixel war might also give us some insight into the capabilities of this lens as higher resolution cameras begin to push current optics to their limits.
This looks just like a japanese version of an Apple design video with Jonny Ive lol....
People are asking for lighter equipment, Nikon makes a bigger and heavier lens lol. The MTF charts better be out of this world.
Michael, people have been asking for a VR version of this lens, and Nikon delivered. Pro lenses have always been heavy. Unless you know how to bend light with something other than glass, there's always going to be weight. They're not magicians. They're bound by the same laws of physics as everyone else.
well, they made a 1kg lighter 400 2.8
They did that because they had an opportunity to turn some extremely large and heavy glass elements into lighter-weight fluorite ones... You can only do so much when you don't have as much glass to switch to fluorite...
Nikon really took their time to make it. Can't tell yet how good it will be. But I trust the Samurai!
With weight and size, I always expect most high grade lenses will always be heavy and bulky than usual.
"feel like a bargain at $2,396.95." ?
Has anyone else had issues with the "zoom" ring on the current 24-70mm? We had the rubber fall off both and the zoom became very stiff and even started grinding on one of our lenses.
Fall off of mine too :(
Yes, the grinding... and then after it was "fixed" under warranty, the slightest lateral tap anywhere on the barrel brought the grinding back. It's a complex design... too complex for me to use daily. You just keep wondering, "is the grinding okay, is my focus out of whack now, are plastic and metal bits flying into my glass every time I move around 35mm mark"?
I likened it to a Rolex, and it doesn't sound like the new design is any less complex. Once I used the Tamron, I never looked back. 14 months now, and it's working just as good as it did out of the box. If I ever had to send it in... I could just buy another, and still be under the $2.4k of the Nikkor. For me, the Tamron is as good as a standard zoom needs to be.
I've had the same two issues.
I've owned two copies of the existing 24-70G, and although I agree it's a competent and versatile lens, both my copies have back-focused to the point of me getting rid completely - I now use 35/58 primes. I do accept the body used has a part to play in focusing issues.
The lens IMO was also wild and unruly to handle when comparing to the Canon 24-70ii (which I've also owned - and loved). I for one, was hoping for something similar in terms of weight and size. I think the new version has a tall order to fill to be able to be as successful and desirable - to me at least.
The Canon's AF is remarkable, same with the 70-200 ii
A bargain at almost $2400? It seems like someone drank the Nikon kool-aid. It's not a bargain. For years Nikon and Canon were the only two players in the game giving consumers a quality lens for their cameras. Sigma has shown us they can match and beat the two giants at a fraction of the price. We have been paying for the brand name not the technology.
How I see future.
That's what Nikon's engineers WANT to be able to/allowed to do, but that they know they can't or we'd REALLY throw a fit... :-)