Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm , ED

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is the sort of lens you put on your camera in the morning and don't feel much need to take off.

Covering everything from wide 24mm shots through to 70mm portraits, it's a wonderfully useful focal range for everyday photography. Travel, events, street photography, portraits or just wandering around with a camera, there's very little this lens can't comfortably handle.

The constant f/2.8 aperture is what makes it particularly appealing. You get more flexibility in lower light, better control over background blur and the same maximum aperture whether you're shooting wide or zoomed all the way in.

Nikon's Silent Wave Motor keeps autofocus quick and quiet, while the ED glass and Nano Crystal Coat help deliver clear, detailed photographs with good contrast.

This is the original G-series version of Nikon's professional 24-70mm, built before the later VR model arrived. It's a solid, substantial lens, but one that has earned its reputation as an everyday workhorse.

If you're looking for one dependable zoom to cover a lot of ground, this is a very good place to start.

Best for

Portraits, events, travel, street photography, everyday shooting, low-light situations and Nikon photographers looking for a versatile standard zoom.

What to expect

The 24-70mm range covers some of the most useful focal lengths in photography.

At 24mm, you've got a wide view that's great for landscapes, architecture and photographing people in their surroundings. Around 50mm, things start to feel more natural and familiar. At 70mm, you've got a lovely focal length for portraits and tighter compositions.

The constant f/2.8 aperture makes it particularly useful when you're working indoors or want to separate your subject from the background.

This is a professional-grade lens, so it's noticeably larger and heavier than a typical kit zoom. It also doesn't have built-in vibration reduction, something worth keeping in mind when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.

On Nikon DX cameras, it provides an approximately 36-105mm equivalent field of view.

It can also be used with compatible Nikon film SLRs, although G-series aperture control and autofocus compatibility depend on the camera body.