Nikon 24-85vr vs primes

Nikon 24-85vr or 24mm f2.8d and 85mm f1.8g

  • Nikon 24-85mm vr

    Votes: 1 25.0%

  • 24mm f2.8d and 85mm f1.8g

    Votes: 3 75.0%
  • Total voters
    4
JJ!

JJ!

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So I am looking to cover 24-85mm (D750) and have been thinking long and hard about zoom vs primes but still not come to a conclusion.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have the 50mm f1.8g which will be staying either way.

I'm either looking at the 24-85mm VR or going for primes and getting the 24mm f2.8d and 85mm f1.8g.

Any newer 24mm primes are way out of my price range.

No issues with changing lenses or carrying 3 vs 1. Just interested to get peoples opinions.
 
The one thing that primes can do and zooms cannot, is very low f/numbers, like f/1.4.

If that's not of major interest, then you're better off with a zoom.
 
Had a 24-85vr and didn't love it. The quality of the 85 was outstanding however and I had so many more photos that I loved from that lens
 
It also depends if you have the time to faff about changing lenses or can you move enough to get the shot- zooming with your feet.
It depends on the situation.
Second camera body...
 
It's only a hobby, usually out and about on the move so changing lenses not a problem. Considered the 35mm but not sure it will be wide enough. However it is very cheap compared to the 24mm!

Think I might go try some shots at 24 and 35 and see how much of a difference it will be for my type of shooting.
 
Apart from the obvious convenience of a zoom, there is little comparison between the 24-85vr and almost any Nikon prime. It's an ok zoom. That's the best I can say. Many of the older d primes will be far better in terms of iq. And of course many are f/2 or better.
 
I'm not bothered about convenience I don't think! I like shooting with the 50 as its light and IQ is great. Yeah sometimes it's a challenge moving about but it is fun.

I have a 24-120vr that's new and unused and I'm not feeling the desire to pick it up and use it. Guess the appeal of photography has taken me down a different route than zooms
 
Three camera bodies!
 
JJ! said:
I'm not bothered about convenience I don't think! I like shooting with the 50 as its light and IQ is great. Yeah sometimes it's a challenge moving about but it is fun.

I have a 24-120vr that's new and unused and I'm not feeling the desire to pick it up and use it. Guess the appeal of photography has taken me down a different route than zooms
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I think you have answered your own ? :)
 
It's the old quality vs convenience factor.. the 24-85 isn't the best lens out there and a prime will certainly provide better IQ, they're not as convenient to use though.. your call!

Simon
 
I have the 35mm f2 and absolutely love it on my d750. I bought it originally to act as a 52mm on my d90 a few years ago and just didn't use it as much as planned but that has been safely put into the history books since the switch to full frame. Cracking lens, the motor is a little noisy compared to SWM lenses but I haven't been able to fault it aside from that. It has taken up almost permanent residence now on the d750 although once I get myself a 24-70 that will probably take over I suspect.
 
keeweeman said:
I have the 35mm f2 and absolutely love it on my d750. I bought it originally to act as a 52mm on my d90 a few years ago and just didn't use it as much as planned but that has been safely put into the history books since the switch to full frame. Cracking lens, the motor is a little noisy compared to SWM lenses but I haven't been able to fault it aside from that. It has taken up almost permanent residence now on the d750 although once I get myself a 24-70 that will probably take over I suspect.
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Interesting! Will take one of my old zooms out and see if I can live with a 35 rather than 24.

Thanks for peoples views!
 
If you can plan in advance what you're going to be shooting then primes are obviously better. OTOH if like me you you more of a travel shooter and can't always predict what's going to be in front of you whenever you turn a corner then zooms will work better. Then again I went to Rome and Venice with just a 50 and was really happy.
 
The 35mm f.8g FX seems to get good reviews.

But if I get the 35mm, does it make the 50mm redundant?

Anyone run with a 35 & 50?

Still, not sure whether to get an 85 as well as the 35 and 50, or if that's prime overload!!
 
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I've got a tamron 28-75 and also have 35/50/85 f1.8/f1.4 primes. Got to say the zoom isn't getting a look in. Although when I start doing studio shots again the zoom will be used!
 
Sir SR said:
I've got a tamron 28-75 and also have 35/50/85 f1.8/f1.4 primes. Got to say the zoom isn't getting a look in. Although when I start doing studio shots again the zoom will be used!
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I also have a Tamron that's been knocking around my camera bag for a year, just don't have the heart to sell it!

I might just copy your set up lol
 
JJ! said:
I also have a Tamron that's been knocking around my camera bag for a year, just don't have the heart to sell it!

I might just copy your set up lol
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I actually have two 85's.

Must get round to selling the samyang 85 f1.4. Had so many great shots with that beast!
 
Well I went for the 35, 50 and 85 1.8g trio. I'm not sure if I will get great use on all 3, but going to see how it pans out!
 
JJ! said:
Well I went for the 35, 50 and 85 1.8g trio. I'm not sure if I will get great use on all 3, but going to see how it pans out!
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Nice set there, I'm going to start working up my prime setup again as funds allow, currently have the 18-35 and 24-120 to cover most bases but the size and weight of a prime is great.

Probably go for 20 & 35 initially!
 
I'm looking forward to trying them all out! Never had a 35 before so going to take that out for a session first. In actual fact, all 3 will fit in my small bag!
 
JJ! said:
I'm looking forward to trying them all out! Never had a 35 before so going to take that out for a session first. In actual fact, all 3 will fit in my small bag!
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This was the thing for me. I can take 35/85/50 in a small bag together with my d800/sb900. I have a small karabiner attached which holds a pop up reflector. Really high quality set up but reasonably portable!!
 
Sir SR said:
This was the thing for me. I can take 35/85/50 in a small bag together with my d800/sb900. I have a small karabiner attached which holds a pop up reflector. Really high quality set up but reasonably portable!!
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I got myself a Thinktank Retrospective 5 - its pretty much perfect for going light. I have a thinktank back pack too, but its mainly used for storing everything at home rather than being on my back!
 
It was the IQ of affordable zooms set against the expense of high IQ primes that has finally decided me against FX.

The D750 + 24-85 has sadly been returned to WEX.

I did have for a very, very short while, the beauty that is the Tamron 24-70.
However It was as much as I could do to lift it with both hands....HEAVY.

I'll stick with my Oly M4/3 kit, zooms/primes all benefitting from IBIS.
 
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I tried the Tamron 24-70 on my D750 and fired it back to Amazon, I could have put up with the weight if the sharpness had been a bit better. A bit naughty I know but I got the Tamron, the Nikon 35mm 1.4, Nikon 35mm 1.8 and the Nikon 18-35 with a view to only keeping one of them. The Tamron was the first to go back, then the 35mm 1.4, a lovely lens with faultless build quality but not(imho) £900 better than the 35mm 1.8. I kept the 18-35 in the end as the useful zoom just outweighed the slightly better sharpness of the 35mm 1.8. I know sharpness is not everything but I do tend to pixel-peep these days when assessing a lens.
 
the Nikon 35 1.8 is amazing value for money, renders images beautifully and good sharpness as well for not much money at all
 
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