I had to move fast so I couldn't reconsider, but I saw the lens was in stock at B&H and placed an order for it. Should be here by Tuesday... I'll give Nikon some time to release the D600 before I commit to a full frame camera. Now I am fully rounded out on glass... only thing I can see maybe doing is swapping the old 70-200 with the new one, but I do like the parfocal nature of the old lens, and that it doesn't reduce to ~130mm when focusing close at 200mm...

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Rx4Photo- VC is on the entire time during video, there is a switch on the lens to turn it on. I noticed even with photos, it stays on for a few seconds after the last picture, then shuts down. In live view it stays on constantly. You have to hold the lens close to your ear to hear it. I have surprisingly not seen much effect on battery life but certainly it must be less. The D4 battery has less capacity than the D3s, but so far, I have not seen a problem.

Hi Visumax,
Thanks for posting those videos. A couple of questions for you. Is VC operating the whole time that you're recording.? If so, are you applying constant pressure on the shutter release to achieve that and is there a signifiant drain on the battery while doing that? Thanks.

Very nice. I agree with Nikons 24-70 2.8. I tend not to use it for video. I just can't believe I am comtemplating selling my Nikon 24-70 2.8 and getting the Tamron instead! I never thought I would do something like that, but your videos make a great case for the quality of this lens.

Thanks for posting!

I have the Nikon 24-70 but it is not very good for video, even after recently sending it in for service, it is not parfocal so no zooming while shooting, and without VR you pretty much need a tripod/stabilizer. I would much prefer a Nikon product, but the 24-120 is f/4 and I really like 2.8. I have only used a D4 so cannot comment on a D800. The Tamron is very quiet and it is nice to go from photos to videos quickly. Here is another short video that is from camera to post with no enhancements to the file other than trimming the clips. I also own an Sony F3 video camera and although this is not quite in the same league, it seems rather pleasing to be able to hold the camera without any additional attachments and shoot video. This latest clip is completely hand held.

https://vimeo.com/45882367

Not fast enough....looking for 2.8 :)

nikon 24-120 with VR ?

I'm curious to find out if you or anyone else has used this lens with the D800. Currently I am in the market for a new lens that would be more ideal for shooting video than what I have now. I am trying to find a mid range zoom, 2.8, VR, and is very quiet while focusing. I am considering the 24-70 2.8 VC Tamron because it fits the bill...but I am open to other options.

Personally, I think Nikon is missing out on a huge market without having anything that meets these conditions. I suspect that in the years down the road, a quiet focusing lens with VR on it will become a standard for shooting video with DSLRs. I bet a bunch of lenses will get a revamp...hopefully sooner than later! (cough cough...Nikkor 24-70 2.8 VR...cough cough...)

In about 30 minutes I shot this short video with D4 and new Tamron 24-70 VC in both hand held and with monopod. The wide shots are full frame and close ups are crop mode (CX). Limited post processing and internal card only. Picture Control=Portrait. ISO 200 and autofocus-S 1/50 sec at f/2.8. Sound was Sennheiser G3 into camera (might be best part of the production). Edited on FCP X. During zoom shots I was basically holding the camera with one hand and zooming with the other, which added some wobble at times. I was impressed how the lens seems "parfocal" holding focus throughout the zoom range. Does not look too soft in full frame to me, what do you think?

https://vimeo.com/45784772

I ordered one last thursday and got it overnight and got it friday from sammys. i love the lens, it is extremely sharp

Did the Tamron lens specifically say that it was weather sealed?

Then it wouldn't be weather sealed.

I just received my copy of the Nikon version, seems fairly similar to the Nikon 24-70 but a little wider with more barrel distortion at 28 and slightly more vignetting. Very sharp with and without VC. It definitely helps video stability. Stills at 1/20 are way sharper with VC. It is parfocal, the Nikon is NOT, which is helpful for video. This is my first non-Nikon lens, but it seems well built with good optics.

My question/issue is that I noticed that when zoomed to 70 with the barrel extended, if you look at the end that attaches to the camera, a lot of circuitry is exposed around the optics. This looks like the stuff for the VC with circuit boards, ribbon cables, stuff you would see inside a computer. Could any dust, debris, etc. fall out of this area and into the sensor of my new D4 during heavy use? It looks clean, but there is stuff further back along the barrel that could potentially enter the camera. For this reason alone, I am considering returning it. All my Nikon lenses are sealed where they attach to the camera.

PB PM said:
That is an error, check Canon's website.

that is disappointing :(

anyways, When is nikon getting 24-70 VR??? i know its not gonna be any time soon, i just wanted to get the air out my chest.

That is an error, check Canon's website.

actually, the new canon 24-70mm F2.8L II is an IS lens. Dpreview " The new variants add Canon's latest 4-stop IS and ring-type USM."

PB PM said:
Umm, the new Canon 24-70mm F2.8L II is not an IS lens...

Umm, the new Canon 24-70mm F2.8L II is not an IS lens...

Both canon and Tamron got 24-70 2.8 VR . WHEN IS NIKON COMING OUT WITH THEIR 24-70 VR????????????????????

visumax said:
I just received my copy today, also from B&H and have been doing some tests/comparisons with the Nikkor 24-70 2.8. So far I am fairly impressed, the build quality is very nice, it seems parfocal and I have not found any real issues yet. I do not like the barrel distortion at 24 but it quickly disappears by 28. It also seems wider at 24 than the Nikon lens, so I think it is really like a 20-70.

I mainly wanted it for video with the D4 so that I could do some hand held short video shots, and it seems to work really well for that. On the photo side I could take 1/10 sec hand held and they are surprisingly sharp, turn off the VC and it is blurry as expected.

Will be very interested to learn what others find.

Thanks for the report Visumax. I'm interested to know if it's actually sharper than the Nikon 24-70. People over at DPR were comparing Canon version and saying that it wasn't too sharp compared to Canon's offering. There were pictures but that doesn't really prove anything as it depends on focus accuracy and perhaps micro adjustment etc too...

I'd be interested to know what your findings are in detail if possible.

I just received my copy today, also from B&H and have been doing some tests/comparisons with the Nikkor 24-70 2.8. So far I am fairly impressed, the build quality is very nice, it seems parfocal and I have not found any real issues yet. I do not like the barrel distortion at 24 but it quickly disappears by 28. It also seems wider at 24 than the Nikon lens, so I think it is really like a 20-70.

I mainly wanted it for video with the D4 so that I could do some hand held short video shots, and it seems to work really well for that. On the photo side I could take 1/10 sec hand held and they are surprisingly sharp, turn off the VC and it is blurry as expected.

Will be very interested to learn what others find.

I'm also interested to know, AquaCow. That is exactly the comparison I'd like to know about. Thanks!

Is that the one with VC ? I would be interested to hear your findings as I am thinking a 24-120 would be nice to pair with a D800. VC would help with video though.

Congrats! I had to cancel my preorder, because I wanted it for a Guatemala trip that was last week. Was going to just get the Nikkor 24-70, but wound up with the 85mm f/1.8G since I saw they were actually in stock. Satisfied with that lens, but I still need a midrange zoom... my Tokina 28-80 f/2.8D has such atrocious flare and ghosting that I really don't use it at all, except on old film cameras. I was contemplating a used Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8 or refurbished 24-120 f/4 VR earlier today, so I look forward to seeing your results!

Just received an email from B&H stating that my lens will be here on the 5th.

I'll have to take some pics and let you know how it performs.

Will be comparing it to my 24-120/4 mostly, since that is what would probably be replacing with this lens.

-- Dave