Nikon 24-70 2.8 issue

pete4130

I got my Nikon 24-70 2.8 about a month ago in NY and I don't really shoot that much between 24-70. If I do it's usually 50mm 1.4. I decided to use it exclusively over the weekend and my suspicions were confirmed. The odd time I'd played around with it, I was never really in awe or impressed by it's sharpness. On one hand I thought it was down to me but on the other hand I never had problems with longer lenses at slower shutter speeds that only cost a fraction of the 24-70. This was shot at 70mm, f/4, ISO 400 and 1/800s.
Long story short is I got a dud copy that front focuses and isn't sharp at all no matter what aperture. The good news is its worldwide warranty so no problems to get it repaired.

Here's a sample image and a 100% crop on the focus point. Terrible huh!

melekalikimaka

jasus thats balls

mumof2

Thank god for world wide warranty!:eek:

Phototoxin

my eyes !! I need acid to cleanse them !!

Calina

that's very disappointing pete. I'd be gutted I must say.

Arciphel

Pete, have you tried doing a test with a focus chart to confirm this? the only reason I ask is that there doesn't look to be anything really in focus on that image, i'd say one of the internal lens elements is messed up or something. Have you a UV filter on it?

pete4130

There is a UV filter on it. Nothing is really in focus because it doesn't really focus on anything. I do think an element is out of alignment andd thats causing the problems. I've tried it with and without the UV filter. Even at f/8 its softer than any other lens I have wide open at 1.4 or 2.8.

I dropped into Gunnes just to get a 2nd opinion and they were horrified/shocked at how bad the lens was.

I am gutted. Just have to send it off now and wait for the (hopefully) good news.

RoryW

I came across this focus test chart today and remembered this thread (mainly because since it was posted it has made me paranoid about whether I have a problem with my own 24-70 lens :eek:)

http://www.focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf

pete4130

Rory,

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at it!

Pete.

RichyX

I've found those focus charts to be a bit of a balls myself.
My Pentax 35mm f/2 seems to back focus badly, but the focus chart makes it seem ok, whatever that suggests.