D500 + 200-500 was superb for me*.
D850 + 28-70 & 200-500 is superb for me*.
Settings and holding stability can cause variations with the same equipment.
* There will always be ‘off days’!
don't get me rong the d500 200-500 is good enough especially for what ive paid for im more bothered the d850 24-70 doesn't really live up to what id hoped
Both of your cameras will be ridiculously sharp due to neither having an optical low pass filter.
I don’t know much about Nikon’s telephoto lenses to really comment, but at the wide end if you popped a Sigma 14-24 into your D500 you would be blown away. Effective FOV 21-36mm, a lens that I swear is made for larger than full frame image circle on dx so only using the centre of the glass anyway and being able to use wider aperture fit equivalent landscape depth of field giving faster shutter speeds will all result in pin sharp images.
I did look at the sigma 14-24 but went for the Nikon version which I never used so sold it so that would be too wide for me really but thanks
The first thing to check is ALWAYS user error.
Maybe your friend has better long lens technique than you.
I totally agree with that statement and I did doubt my self but from the same hide on the same shelf at the same time and same settings we both could see a slight difference but as someone else mentioned he might have the sharpness cracked up a bit
The 24-70mm f2.8 is one of those lenses that divides opinions tbh. I've had 3 copies and none were what I would class as really sharp, but they were 'sharp enough'. For me the 24-70mm is a workhorse of a lens, a dependable friend so to speak. It's built like a tank, has top notch AF and will last you a lifetime, never letting you down. However, judge the price tag purely on IQ and I think you'll be disappointed.
The 200-500mm is another one of those 'sharp enough' lenses but not outstanding. If you want a super tele zoom like this then you might be better off looking at the Sigma 150-600mm SPORT. Of course none of these are going to compare with a prime, but the Sport version of the Sigma is the best of the bunch of these super tele zooms. However, if you're happier with someone else's shots that has the same setup it either suggests user error/technique differences or something not quite right with the equipment.
The D850 is an incredible camera and has insane IQ/detail. However, this can and often will show up any flaws in IQ and/or technique, especially if you're a pixel peeper.
I found the Nikon 18-35mm G to be sharper for landscapes and on the whole have been very happy with it. Yes there's some drop off in the corners but on the whole it performs very well.
I've actually been really surprised by the new 24-70mm f4 on the Z series, it performs much better than DXO would have you believe.
well I didn't really trust the 24-70 as I got ripped off by a "pro" wedding tog on Facebook filled me full of $$$$ ended up having to send it to Nikon and costing another £400 so it stands me a fortune so selling on and putting someone else in that position or trying another dud isn't an option at the minuet ill just have to accept its a sharp enough lens
The 200-500 situation is less of an issue more of an observation, I'm happy with it does what I need for what I paid for it itll do the job just sort of annoying that there can be a noticeable difference between kit and this is the first time ive seen it while comparing images probably because I know how the images are taken is identical
I have never calibrated any lens and they were very sharp as they were.
If you calibrated them with focal and your not happy then try resetting to default to compare.
Funny you say that I re-calibrated yesterday and the results are different to last time suggesting somthings not quite right or the adjustments have moved with being chucked around in my camera bag maybe
Just as a quick Bye the bye I have noticed on recalibrating the D810 to the AFS 24-70 f28 G non VR lens the calibration had altered a bit on the back of camera fine tune settings From +8 to +3. So I wonder if the temperature of the place the calibration was done in does alter the settings slightly over a period of a few months of checking
totally agree im sure the last time they were calibrated would have been February time which was cold outside but clear and still I done them yesterday and it was warm and all combinations needed adjusting I'm going to send an email to Focal and see what they recommend in terms of time or is it showing a fault
Stick some sigma ART primes on it. The 24-70g is decent stopped down but mine certainly works in a late 30s to early 60s sweet spot and out of that zone blurry corners and not so quite sharp centres are order of the day
With a baby on the way new kit or changing to primes is a no go for me just now but it is something ive thought of
I think the 24-70 is an okay lens. It's brilliant for events etc and I love it wide open for stuff like that but it doesn't blow me away for landscapes at all. Nothing much wrong with it but just a bit 'meh' as it were. As
@SFTPhotography says, you certainly notice a difference vs. good primes.
Do your friends photos look better as a finished result or just on the rear screen? Reason I ask, is that even if you're both shooting raw, the preview image you see on the rear screen has all the camera's in built jpeg settings applied. If your friends jpeg settings, have the sharpness cranked up, you'll see it on the rear screen even if it is irrelevant later on after import. Worth a check
yeah i thing ill jsut have to accept ts just an ok lens i mean the next time i go out of its soft or faulty ill maybe revisit and send the combo to nikon to test
UPDATE: so I recalibrated all my combinations that I use yesterday and they all needed a new AF value, (I had them all recorded from the last time) and from the 0 setting every lens at every focal length was noticeably sharper based on the little image focal gives you.... I'm going to get in touch with Focal and see what they recommend for how often they should be done and what could affect it
Thanks for all the input i think I just had high hopes for the D850 24-70 combo that im not going to get but because of the d850 that might be highlighting the weakness of the 24-70
I think all in all i should be grateful for what kit I've got cause its all excellent gear none of it rubbish maybe just not as sharp as i was hoping for
