Nikon AF-S 2470mm f/2.8E ED VR
With all the technology that Nikon can throw at it, this new zoom lens is anything but ‘standard’
Standard zooms aim to combine wide-angle to short telephoto zoom versatility with a fairly fast constant aperture, without compromising image quality. The best don’t come cheap, though – Nikon’s classic 24-70mm f/2.8G ED will set you back £1200/$1900. Tamron’s superb 24-70mm f/2.8, meanwhile, sells for just £700/$1300, and unlike the Nikon, it includes optical stabilisation.
Nikon’s new 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, however, gives you the best of everything – including Vibration Reduction. Exotic glass includes a newly developed aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, as well as three regular aspherical elements, two further ED elements and an High Refractive Index element. Suffice it to say that the main focus, so to speak, is on outstanding image quality throughout the aperture and zoom ranges, coupled with a minimum of unwanted aberrations. Nano crystal coatings are used to reduce ghosting and flare, and fluorine coatings are applied to the front and rear elements to repel water and muck while enabling easier cleaning. To maintain image quality, the latest generation of VR provides a four-stop benefit in fending off camera shake, as confirmed by CIPA testing. An electromagnetically controlled diaphragm ensures accurate exposures during fast bursts, and the autofocus system has been revamped to give a claimed 50 per cent speed increase compared with Nikon’s older 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
And yes, everything’s wrapped up in a weather-sealed exterior that’s designed to take professional levels of use. The lens is no lightweight at 1.07 kilograms, and it’s chunky, measuring 88x155mm, but it’s a perfect fit for Nikon’s expert-level and pro-grade full-frame bodies, and a significant upgrade from the older Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A state-of-the-art lens, this new VR version of a Nikon classic looks like it could be the world’s best standard zoom.