Nikon's professional standard zoom — the legendary AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED for Nikon F mount.
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED was released in 2007 as Nikon's flagship professional standard zoom, replacing the beloved 28-70mm f/2.8D. It quickly became the workhorse of Nikon professional shooters, covering the essential standard zoom range with a constant f/2.8 aperture. Paired with the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, it forms the core professional lens kit.
Optical performance is excellent. Sharpness is very good from f/2.8 across most of the frame, with outstanding centre performance. The ED element controls chromatic aberration effectively. Colour rendition has the warm, slightly golden Nikon character. AF-S silent wave motor is fast and accurate with full-time manual override. This lens set the standard for Nikon standard zooms.
Nikon F mount, full-frame. Filter thread is 77mm. Weight is approximately 900 grams. Build quality is professional with solid construction. No VR stabilisation — controversial at launch but Nikon felt it unnecessary for the focal range. The G designation means no aperture ring. The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is the mirrorless successor with improved optics.
Very common on the used market with good availability. Check AF accuracy, smooth zoom operation, and clean optics. The lack of VR is the main criticism, addressed by the 24-70mm f/2.8E VR successor. Despite being superseded, this lens remains a strong performer and excellent value for Nikon DSLR shooters.