Summary: Bad Quality Control - Nikon 24mm-70mm f2.8

Comment: According to other reviewers this is one of Nikon's best lenses ever. My first impression does not echo that sentiment. I just opened the box I received from Amazon and the first thing I noticed was that the zoom did not feel smooth and there was a sound of metal rubbing against metal when zooming from 24mm to 35mm. If the lens is rotated so that the focus switch is facing downward toward the ground, the metal grinding sound goes away, but the zoom operation still feels rough.

When zoomed wide the part of the lens that extends has excessive play, focus seems to work but there is something inside the lens that is not tightened down properly. This is a Pro series lens and for the price I expect better quality control than this. I have read other reviews reporting metal shavings and debris causing distortions. I am new to Nikon equipment, but so far I am not impressed with Nikon's quality control.

Since this is a quality control issue I am not rating the quality of the glass at this time, I have not had the time to fully test it and I don't want to waste my time with a defective product as my results may not be accurate. However, if a product can't be assembled reliably, with consistent results it cannot be rated as the best ever. I give this lens a 3 star rating because of bad quality control. An obvious defect as this should not have passed QC.


About Amazon Customer Service:

I understand that sometimes things go wrong, which is why we have "Customer Service". Amazon does not publish a customer service number to call and talk to a live person nor an email address to write to them. One is forced to go through their online return process with fixed and limited options. I requested a replacement and got an automated email response telling me to read the manual and contact the manufacturer, with a note saying: "Please note: this e-mail was sent from an address that cannot accept incoming e-mail." Aaaahhh! How frustrating!

I paid for expedited shipping and ended up with a defective product that I cannot use and Amazon tells me that any returns are at my cost. I usually purchase my camera equipment from a local camera store, B&H or Adorama who have real people in customer service that can rectify errors and replace parts.

Amazon gets a "1 Star" rating for customer service.

Summary: This is why we love Nikon optics

Comment: This is clearly why I'm stick to Nikon regime.
Sometimes, I guess I'm not the only one, tempted to the wide range of Canon L lens product, however
this lens came to be clear reason why I should use Nikon photography gears.

I bought this lens for my trip to Hearst Castle, and results are simply the very best.
Very sharp and clear even at wide open 2.8 and color rendition is just magic.

Sometimes it is even better than the image I look through my eyes!

Yes, it's heavy but it is also true that this lens is the best lens you can get with all the latest technology.
I use this lens for serious photo taking and light AF-S 24-85 for daily family shot.

Summary: Very nice lens

Comment: Sharp, fast, and silent. This lens should be in the bag of every wedding and portrait photographer, as well as photojournalist. Highly recommended.

Summary: Sharp lens

Comment: I received this lens from Amazon. This is the 2nd pro lens I have ordered from them and I am baffled at how flimsy the packaging is for shipping such an expensive product. There were 2 plastic air bags both of which were deflated when I received the lens.

As for the lens, it is tack-sharp even wide open at f/2.8. It is a little heavy, but that is to be expected with a lens of this caliber. I took some incredible night shots at ISO 1250, handheld with the D700 and this lens at f/2.8. As soon as I saw the shots, I knew I made the right decision.

Summary: Worth the expense

Comment: Have owned it for a week and have now shot about 5,000 images with this lens, on a Nikon D700, over the course of two weddings and a three-day workshop.

It's the best zoom lens I've ever used. Fast, sharp, detailed, great build, heavy-duty hood.

Colors are gorgeous, a tiny bit oversaturated (hmm, maybe 'rich' is the more apt word here) but I like that -- and if you don't, you can just choose another tone curve in your camera. My Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 (which despite many positive characteristics can turn grass and foliage quite nuclear/psychedelic) sadly doesn't hold up.

I'm entirely satisfied except for the fact that this lens, as pricey as it is, has no VR (vibration reduction). I'll be a bit miffed if Nikon introduces a VR version next year at close to the same price. But by then I will have put this lens to fantastic use for tens of thousands of shots, so I'll live...