NIKON 24-70 F4 S REVIEW - A Landscape Photography Beast!

[@MD-qp8gj]

I have the 24-70 2.8 and I shoot wide open 90% for all around but for landscape it doesn't matter, get the F4 version. I've tried my old Nikon primes and this new Z glass just dominates in colours and resolution. We have enough Nikon haters out there, lets stick together.

[@SouravBanik90]

I have this and took me sometime to appreciate it. But now I love it!

[@Retirement_Life]

Exactly my critique process I use when I purchase camera gear. “Photography snobs”! Love it! 😂😂😂

[@JamesBrewphoto]

I hate Photography snobs....in fact snobs in general 😂

[@jimwlouavl]

Thank you for this fair and precisely worded review.

[@johnlinney8685]

I have the 24-200 for my z6 and z6 ii but have ordered this lens as it’s so compact. I rarely use the extra reach of the 24-200 but I’ll hold onto it for the moment as it’s so versatile. Great video 👍

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😮!

[@antonoat]

You summed up this lens perfectly James, I love mine. Seasons greetings to you and yours, hope you have a fantastic 2021.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thank you - all the best for 2021 🙂

[@greenmedic88]

Enjoyed using this lens after adding a Z6 to the inventory; worked so well for my needs, I really had to rationalize to start adding Z primes.

[@K4783]

Another real world review James. Here in the US, the cost for the S f/2.8 is $2,000 and the S f/4 currently $700 discounted from $900. Needless to say, a huge price difference. And, you are more than just a run of the mill landscape photographer. Looking forward to your next review.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks Jon - that is very kind of you to say

[@holgerschmitt2392]

perfect as always - thank you for providing this video - all the best for 2021 - health and happiness for you and all your friends

[@douglasritchie2836]

I couldn't have put it any better James, love the lens, I got it with my Z7 and it was a steal, sharper than my 24-70 2.8 F-mount. The pairing of the 14-30 and the 24-70 F4 is a delight both in optical quality and weight.

[@robbie154]

If the 24-70 2.8s wasn’t the sharpest and arguably best 24-70 ever I’d be completely happy with the 24-70f4. I do envy the size difference.

[@douglasritchie2836]

@@robbie154 Hi Robbie, the size difference when hauling a backpack up a hill makes a big difference, and again optically James said it all it is superb.

[@JeremyPayne]

Spot on mate, I also shoot landscape and probably never go under f/8. People said get the 2.8 at nearly twice the price, why? I shoot landscape and bits sharp as a butcher's knife.

[@annetivendale8616]

Thumbs up and just subscribed James.I got this lens with my Z611 and love it.Gorgeous images!

[@AE5X]

Well said, I agree 100%. I bought the Z6 thinking I would eventually upgrade the kit lens but I'm happier with it than I've been with any prior zoom and some primes.

[@csc-photo]

This 24-70 S goes EVERYWHERE with me. It's a must-have kit option (almost 1/2 price when purchased with a body!).

[@r1berto1]

This 24-70 S goes EVERYWHERE with me. Even though I now have a handful of the prime Zs.

[@Digmen1]

I got one of these with my ZX6ii two days ago, so I am very keen to watch your whole review, considergin that I am only a very casual photographer

[@gonzotravelling]

Exactly what I did. Picked it up second hand for £425. Tested it out on an editorial shoot for an artist today and the results are fantastic.

[@peterwu8471]

f4 is really good enough - really all the time. The bokeh is amazing... with high ISOs we no longer really need 2.8.

[@zantome]

Amazing! Thanks for your video. I´m from Brazil and I have a Nikon D750 that I use with the 24-120mm f/4 F Lens for landscapes photography. It´s very good, but I feel it's heavy. So I planning to buy Z6II with 24-70 S. I hope I enjoy!

[@r1berto1]

I agree totally. Mine came with the Z6. It was my only lens the first two months I had the camera until, I started buying Z prime lenses. I now own half a dozen of them. To this day, most of my best Z6 images have been created using this lens. As far as it not being a 2.8? (as you say) It does not bother me too much. Thanks for your post.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Zelda L brackets from 3 legged thing

[@jfphotography69]

Just ordered this lens from KEH. Bought it used "in excellent + condition" according to the seller for $430 US including tax and free shipping. Will be pairing it up with my Z9, I mostly shoot wildlife, but needed a lens for the occasional landscape, and other occasions where I need more real estate. Already own the tack sharp Z105mm f2.8 macro and the Z 50mm F1.2 which is one fantastic piece of glass.

[@scothowe539]

Thanks for sharing your opinion James. I’m hoping to get a Z5 next year and pick one of those up second hand. Wish there were an option to get it in a kit but I’ll be happy with a nice used one as most of my equipment has been preowned.

[@martinsarre]

I’ve got one I might be willing to sell. Perfect condition. I have not used it since buying the 24-200 because it’s as sharp on my z6.

[@scothowe539]

@@martinsarre Thanks Martin but I just started saving. Thanks for the offer though.

[@paulm8157]

Convincing post, cogent analysis and weighted categories. (Convict shirt style top - B&W horizontal lines - detract a tad😁). Misty makes a cameo - nice. Have a great holiday, James!

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks Paul! Not Misty...Monty, a new kitten to keep Misty company 😺

[@paulm8157]

@@JamesBrewphoto Ah, hope they get along. W/o name tags I’ll never be able to tell them apart.😁

[@user-markparker]

Just ordered one 👍

[@Francofoo]

I’m a beginner, brought zf with 24-70 f4 kit, after shoot a week, I find out I had to keep increasing the iso , ( I’m newbie ) and think about getting 2.8, thx for ur video that help me confirm , I didn’t choose a wrong lens .

[@patrikfager7796]

Great review, thanks!

[@mcdonaldinks00]

I have the Z7 body and the z24-70mm f/4 s, z50mm f/1.8 s, and the z85mm f/1.8s. The z24-70mm f/4 s is absolutely stunning outdoors, for portraits and landscape. Shooting indoors or outdoors with low light does not produce great results. I'm not a professional photographer, but I do understand the exposure triangle, and even with full open aperture, you must significantly lower shutter speed and/or significantly increase the iso. I have found that I can shoot up to iso 2000 without, what I would call, significant noise. For daytime outdoors walk-around shooting, it is a great lens. It is very possible I am not skilled enough to shoot lower light images without getting so much noise. Also, I have found that for portraits, I absolutely love the z85mm f/1.8 s.

[@echt114]

You exaggerate the 1-stop differnce between f/2.8 and f/4. Also, if you go down to 2.8, you're hit with a depth of field penalty.

[@martinsarre]

I have not used mine since purchasing the 24-200. I am happy the sharpness and picture quality on my Z6 and 6.3 is not a problem at the long end for me. The problem I thought I might get was chromatic aberration, but thankfully there is none. The extra reach is providing very useful out in the field.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

That looks like a great compact travel lens for sure - If I had a little more money I'd be tempted to get one myself for those days were I need to pack extra light 👍

[@ernieojeda]

That's what I want to get it for but I'm still nervous. But lately I've been practicing more landscapes and I shoot everything. No less than F5. I've been doing like f7 to f11 but I think if I do get the F4 that'll be great to even shoot at that aperture. Right now I just use my 35 mm for landscapes. That's all I have with the 85 until I build up my lens collection again

[@paulus0109]

Very usefull revieuw after using it for 8 mnds. Honest to.

[@cesarm8811]

Thanks James. I am hobbyist photographer and currently own the Nikon D7200 and the Z50. Most of shooting is while on vacation, grand kids, and some wildlife. I am thinking of upgrading my D7200 to a mirrorless camera. Looking at z6ii with this lens you reviewed (z7ii bit pricey for me). What you thoughts? Looking forward to your next video. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Cheers Cesar! I think the Z6II looks excellent. Don't discount the original Z6 either - I've just bought one for myself to shoot the video on this channel. Still a very good camera! All the best for 2021 and your move to the Z system

[@JasonLorette]

Cesar, I just went from the D7100 to the Z6II and it's fantastic (my channel has my thought process). For a long time I didn't want to go FF or as an extension of that to Mirrorless...but now, I'm in full bore. I agree the Z7II is way outside my budget (never mind the Z9, lol).

[@richardayres2949]

I agree, love the 24 to 70 f4 is great and although I have the 70 to 200 f2.8 I really hope they bring out a z 70 - 200 f4 as I’m sure it will be much lighter than the f2.8.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Yes me too - I feel it going to be 2022 or later until that happens though. I think the 24-105 & 100-400 could be a filler combo however

[@jackshepherd6276]

I got this lens as part of the kit and use it successfully for astro and aurora photography. I seriously doubt that it will be getting changed out for the F2.8, the performance is that good. This lens is a gem and I wouldn't hear a bad word about it.

[@edwardjmw]

The 24-105mm, as mentioned, came out as the 24-120mm S-lens and has good reviews. It's also not cheap.

[@bobwoolcock]

Nice images! Funny how people complain about the collapsible feature. You don’t have to use it. Just keep the lens at 24mm or wherever you last left it. The collapsible capability is there if you need it to fit in a case or whatever.

[@photoventureselp]

Great review, James! Having used the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 G2, how do you find the 24-70 f/4 s lens in comparison? Do you feel that the extreme distortion correction of this S lens that is baked into the raw files of the Z system cameras, subtracts focal length especially at 24mm? I mean, is the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 wider at 24mm than this lens? And something last. Do you find it tricky to change lenses on the Z mount camera, outside in the wild and in harsh conditions in terms of the sensor getting much easier dust in it than to a DSLR?

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks very much! I think the Nikon is the better lens. It's sharper! Difficult to say for sure how the 24mm compares without having both at the same time but I think any difference will be neglible. I don't really find it that difficult to changes lenses out in the field. Hope that helps :-)

[@photoventureselp]

@@JamesBrewphoto It helps for sure! Many thanks, James!

[@derekgillan7314]

Happy holidays.

[@callumjohnson9433]

Just wondering what lens your filming with? Appears to be mega sharp.

[@Markitosgm]

Looks like he's using the NIKKOR Z 35 mm f1.8 S. James has it listed on his vlogging gear list.

[@callumjohnson9433]

@@Markitosgm lol that will teach me to read the descriptions 🤣

[@Markitosgm]

@@callumjohnson9433 😄😎

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Nikon 35mm 1.8 S on a Z6 - its a superb video lens

[@callumjohnson9433]

@@JamesBrewphoto thankyou, happy new year!

[@gerryphilpott9766]

James, just found your site and subscribed. Very much like your take on products and the approach you take to photography. I just got the Z6ii as I sold all my Nikon equipment and am going all in on Z series. Based on your review and many others, I got the 14-30mm S lens. I have this lens from the kit (body only out of stock) but was going to sell it and get the 24-200 all in one lens as I don't have a telephoto and don't want to spend $$ on the 70-200mm 2.8. (I would then wait to see what they come out with in a year or so in medium price telephotos). Is this a good move?

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Thanks very much! I'd say that's a pretty wise move 👍

[@TheJoejoez]

I was planning on getting a 24mm prime lens for my Z kit, but after acquiring this, I don't feel like I need it. Very sharp stopped down for landscape.

[@colinbilbyphotography59]

saved me a fortune . Thank you .

[@KPAki1Ler]

The 2.8 weighs bugger all to be honest, I own it. I'm planning on getting the f4 S for a 2nd setup for rainy days where I'd keep it under my coat with a z6ii attached.

[@petercorbett1610]

Seems you like this lens James despite some of the negatives on-line. Tell me; when you changed from DSLR to mirrorless, did you try any of your F lenses on the Z7, and in particular the 18-35. I saw your review of this lens earlier; I too have this lens which I use on my D850. I am just about to go mirrorless (Z7) and am wondering how the latter lens performs on the Z?

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Hi Peter, I did not try the 18-35 on the Z7, I went straight for the native lens. I still feel the 18-35 is the best F mount wide angle but the 14-30 S is a superior lens in pretty much everyway. If you get the Z7 you absolutely should get the the 14-30 👍

[@richardwood6121]

Thanks for the vlog James, must say I agree with every word. I recently got the Z 70-200 f2.8 which is utterly fantastic but see no need to upgrade my faithful 24-70 f4. Merry Christmas!

[@davidice6860]

Great video James , On the Nikon 24-70 S4 , So this would be a great lens for landscape photography, would you take this lens over the Nikon 14 - 30? I have the 24-70, but I haven't tried it out on Landscaping yet. So far I really love this lens, Thank you for all your videos, I watched them all the time, I subscribed to your channel, Dave Ice

[@davidlr97]

what's the L bracket that you have on your camera? I've seen a lot of people using these to easily mount a camera in portrait orientation on a tripod, but I'm not sure where to get one or what tripods they're compatible with.

[@rudolffoldvary5654]

Nice review. I have been using 24 -120 f4 G lens with d750 and trying to resist mirrorles. You are not helping me at all! :)

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Give in to the dark side 😂

[@r1berto1]

I had accumulated a several Nikon DSLRs and lenses through the years. A year ago, I purchased a my first Z6, it came with the 24-70 4 /S. What a difference, I re-discovered photography all over again. As a result 99% of my DSLR camera and lens collection are gone. Get a Z camera as soon as you can, you won't regret it.

[@bbowles3]

I’m curious whether you might be willing to provide some samples?

[@JasonLorette]

I love that these lenses are getting lighter, and optically better at f4...and so does my back! :P

[@dblissmn]

I think you're actually underselling that lens. If there's one mirrorless product I'm envious of, it's that -- there is no truly strong compact mid-range zoom for SLR cameras in Nikon. You can get the 24-120 to do similar things but you have to work much harder at it and you have to stop down in situations where you need detail right across the frame....and I've found the segment from 85 to 120 doesn't really deliver for landscape anyway. The f2.8 glass, even in mirrorless, is on the heavy side for backcountry photography, and the f4 is close to the f2.8 optically and actually a touch ahead of the best f2.8 for DSLR in this class, Nikon's f2.8 VR for F-mount. The lack of built-in VR is also a benefit; with VR/IS lenses, if you forget and remove the lens without at least shutting off the VR first or turning off the camera altogether, weird things happen to the optics that can take some time to iron themselves out. This is one big reason for IBIS and it's pretty clear in full-frame mirrorless that Nikon are only continuing with in-lens VR where it delivers a clear benefit over IBIS, in other words with telephoto glass.

[@jurgenvanhest9913]

Hi there James, thanks for this helpful video. I need a new lens for my Z6 at this focallength. I have everything above 50mm, but not the wideangled lens as a 24-70. Somtimes, a maximum of 10 times a year, I photograph gigs at pretty dark venues (metal-scene). So it's occasional use at darker settings. Is this f4 the right lens for me at those occasional dark venues, or do I realy need f2.8 or faster?

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Hi Jurgen, it really depends on how occasional your dark location usage is. It may make sense to get the 24-70 f2.8 if its important to you, but if it really is a rare occurance, then maybe get a fast prime lens like a 35mm to accompany the 24-70 f4.

[@danielmcdonald9917]

Have you used the 24-200mm vr lens apparently that's the same as this I quality in the image

[@JamesBrewphoto]

I've not used. It won't be the same image quality as the 24-70 f4...otherwise that lens wouldn't exist. All in one lenses all make compromises - it does look like a very nice travel lens however.

[@iyot1020]

i got this from nikon refurb for $399 love it on my z50

[@MattisProbably]

It's really weird, on the one hand it's an excellent lens but on the other hand the regular retail price is way too high. Good thing this is really easy to find in like new condition on the used market. That's where I got mine and I love it!

[@petercorbett1610]

Do you use the 70-200 f4 with the FTZ by any chance?

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Yes I still use that lens as my telephoto 👍

[@BlueBull2604]

This or the 24-120mm F4 in a Z6ii kit?

[@rainbowtrash1625]

These are sub $400USD used all day. Insane value.

[@kln4450]

Would this lens work on a nikon d3100 camera?

[@RebeccaJayneHomer]

No as it's not a z series

[@Noksus]

Really the only requirements for a great landscape photography lens are great image quality, low weight and reliability.

[@Digmen1]

Yes the sooner people stop calling lenses kit lenses the better. There is no such thing as a kit lens. Prime or zoom telephoto eys But a kit lens is merely the lens a manufacturer chose to put in a box with the camera, often at a reduced price than buying them separately,

[@c141charlie]

I’ll take the contrarian view here. Maybe expensive glass is a placebo. You spend big money on F2.8 glass, and your pictures look amazing. Or at least that’s what you talk yourself into. Then the anti-placebo, thinking F4 glass is sub-par because it’s inexpensive and therefore must be lacking in some regard. Perhaps this explains why I’m not impressed with this, or the 14-30. While they both produce very sharp images, the rendering is too clear and lacks depth, and character. Or at least that’s what I’ve talked myself into. My only basis for comparison is Leica glass which is admittedly 4x the price, and Sony/Zeiss/Tamron F2.8 glass which is closer in price to Nikon. The photography community needs a website that provides blind taste tests of images shot with different glass. Real images, not test photos of some chart in a laboratory. I have a feeling many people would go for cheaper glass. To me this blind comparison is the only way to break the placebo effect’s grip on lens snobs.

[@JamesBrewphoto]

Very good points and a nice idea

[@SolamenteVees]

But Jared... jk Great review!

[@knoxyish]

i added a used one for my z6 for 250...... a totall bargain .

[@Digmen1]

Oops, I made a mistake, I got the 24-70 2.8 with my Nikon z6ii

[@Digmen1]

Oops I got confused again. I got the f4! in my kit!

[@JulianLane]

James, a nice review of a cracking lens. I've been one of your subscribers for a while but have seriously toyed with the idea of unfollowing you because of the way you pronounce the letters "TH". There are numerous examples in this video, as there are in most of your videos, of you using the words: free (should be three), fink (think), fousand (thousand) etc etc. I personally find it infuriating that you are unable to pronounce the English words correctly in what is clearly your mother tongue. TH should not be pronounced as an F. It must be confusing for your overseas followers, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it incredibly annoying to hear the English language incorrectly used. Apart from that, your videos are great, you give good practical opinions and I rate your views. Cheers

[@josecampos2127]

Are you joking? Any lens at f8 is sharp

[@ianwillis-bentley2086]

Ridiculous, banging on about sharpness, no IS, not f2.8, weight, size, what happened to getting out and shooting. My goodness people taking images have never had it so good, I started 29 years ago as a full time pro, and hell the kit we had back then.... it is not becoming about the photography anymore more like about the kit.