I took the plunge! Nikon 24-70 F/2.8 :)

[SpikeyJohnson]

I was up late on the KSL classifieds. Well I saw a Nikon 24-70 F/2.8 G ED for $1300 with the case, hood, caps, and a Hoya UV filter... I emptied my savings (I have been saving to buy a new one for a while) and went and picked it up. It's huge! I love it

 

[D-B-J]

Sweet DEAL!

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

It was an awesome deal. The lady I bought it from was a Wedding and Engagement photographer who has decided she likes primes more than The Holy Trinity. She is also selling her 70-200 for $1900. I wish I could have bought that as well but for now the 24-70 can become my go to portrait lens. I actually feel up to shooting peoples portraits now (they always ask and I say no because of my old gimpy 18-55). I'm super excited to get a few shots with it today as well

 

[sscarmack]

Awesome snag!

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

I have a feeling that my good ol 50mm 1.8 isn't gonna see much action now. This lens is SHARP! The only benefit of the 50 is the extra light but man.....

 

[Derrel]

Good for you, Spikey!!!! Quite a step up in terms of optics and aperture!

 

[hamlet]

I have a feeling that my good ol 50mm 1.8 isn't gonna see much action now. This lens is SHARP! The only benefit of the 50 is the extra light but man.....

Great news! You've lost some mobility, comfort and a stop of light. You can get that stop of light back in post, underexpose by a stop if you have to. Really great deal, hope we can see some awesome pictures with your new glass!

 

[goodguy]

Well I got mine for an even better price (sorry I just had too).
You are going to LOVE this lens!!! just as much as I love mine, its always on my camera.
In the beginning it felt big and heavy but since I have been using a lot my Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 my Nikon 24-70mm feels small and nimble.
I had a Nikon 50mm 1.4D which I sold when I got the 24-70mm because just like you I felt I will not need it but I found that in very low light cases I still need a fast 50mm so I went and bought a new 50mm 1.8D because of the price and very small size, I dont use it much but when I need it then I REALLY need it so my advice keep the 50mm.

Again congrats on an amazing lens

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

It's awesome. I have been shooting with it at work for some photos for the boss man. I brought it home after work and went out to the horses for a little bit. The shots are super super sharp!

 

[goodguy]

It's awesome. I have been shooting with it at work for some photos for the boss man. I brought it home after work and went out to the horses for a little bit. The shots are super super sharp!

Yep its my baby
Its a lens that will keep you always happy, I use it as low as 1/20 shutter speed but it did take me a while to control it to reach this slow shutter speed.

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

Here is a wonderful example of the beautiful light flare from a night shot with the 24-70. This was a 30 sec, f/10, ISO 640 shot. The stars from the lights are AMAZING. I have never seen that cool of a flare.

LightStars-1 by spikeyj37, on Flickr

 

[D-B-J]

Whoah that's a hella pointed star!

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

Isn't that crazy! I am amazed. I have never seen so many points branching out. If you look at the full size on flicker the white ones to the sides are even crazier.

 

[shadowlands]

Great score, man!!! You did well.

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

Thanks a bunch! I am loving the lens and it hasn't come off the camera since I got it!