Customer Reviews

Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this lens new about six months ago to use on my D3, and have used it now for four weddings.

It is not quite as sharp as my 24-70mm f/2.8, when wide open, but when stopped down one stop, it is tach sharp. It is also much lighter which helps a lot at a long event, and it has more reach, making it great for parties and receptions.

It autofocuses very quickly with the screw drive in the camera, and I never miss any action shots due to focus lag. It won't focus on some of the low-end Nikon DSLRs because they lack the drive screw.

I don't recommend this lens for DX cameras, because 24mm is not usually wide enough on DX for many reception and party shots. In my opinion, the 16-85mm VR DX or even the 18-70 DX lens would be a better choice for a DX camera.

The 24-85mm is also a very nice light weight travel lens for an FX camera.

This is a very good lens for mid-range zooms. Those of us who kept the lens around from our SLR days can happily use it on digital equipment. It's meant for full-frame cameras, but it works on DX as well (though I am not sure 36 - 128 is a useful lens on DX). On my D700 for instance, it is a true 24 wide to 85 zoom.

The lens is fast and sharp. It renders colors well. I do find some lens flare apparent without a standard UV filter -- buy one. A tiffen UV filter, for example, will set you back 20 dollars, and is worth it. Note that the lens hood on this lens is pretty much useless. It doesn't stay latched, and is more bother than it is worth. I have long ago stopped using lens hoods on my lenses -- using your hand for shading the three times out of 1000 that you might need a hood does the trick just as well.

The fast 2.8 aperture speed allows for creative shots, and it's generally usable along it's entire 2.8 -4 low-end aperture range.

For Full-frame cameras, this is a dream lens. It is sharper and faster than the 24-120 VR kit lens, and it doesn't need the VR at these speeds. It is also light, and makes for a great travel lens. I do a lot of event shooting, and it's great to use this small lens -- while the 24-70 2.8 is the current top of the line standard zoom for Nikon, it also costs three times as much, does not have a Micro function (NIkon's name for macro) and weighs three times as much. The 24-85 is much better for extended walk-around shooting, be it landscapes, everyday shots, or events.

You will not be disappointed with this lens -- though you might still crave that 24-70 2.8 in the longrun.

I use Nikon since ~30 years. Last one a F801 (film, autofocus) for over 20 years. I used digital Sony W7 and Canon Elph etc. in parallel to the film camera F801. I ordered the D80 with a Tamron 28-75 /f2.8 on Feb 2008. First evening I shot about 200 images. Bottom line, the very old&cheap Nikon 35-70 mm f3.3-5.6 was in sharpness and contrast better then the Tamron (my taste). I returned the Tamron. I wanted a lense about that focus length. I read Ken Rockwell review and bought this one in May, made over 1500 images.

The sharpness, the contrast, the versility, the handling (no "turning front part"), the weight on the D80 body is perfect to me. It is exact what I was looking for and did not find with the Tamron. I am fully satisfied with this lense.

I HAVE HAD THIS LENS ON MY NIKON D300 AND IT IS THE BEST ALL AROUND LENS THAT I'VE EVER USED IN 30 YEARS. YOU CAN JUST LEAVE IT ON THE CAMERA AS IT HANDLES MOST OF YOU PICTURES FROM CLOSE UP MACRO WORK (WITH A FLIP OF A SWITCH) TO FULL BODY PORTRAITS TO LANDSCAPES. I PERSONALLY THINK THE BUILD QUALITY IS EXCELLENT WITHOUT GOING OVERBOARD. AT 20 OUNCES IT'S LIGHT ENOUGH TO CARRY AND STRONG ENOUGH TO LAST FOR YEARS. IT LOOKS LIKE A PRO LENS AND IT WORKS LIKE A PRO LENS AT LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FROM A LENS THAN FAST FOCUS, TACK SHARP, GREAT LOOKING, EASY TO USE, WELL BUILT AND PROPERLY PRICED. I'VE HAD THEM ALL, 18-55 AFS VR, 28-70 F/3.5-4.5 D, 28-85 F/3.5-4.5, AND THE EXCELLENT 24-85 F3.5-4.5 AFS G, 35 F1.8, 50 F1.4, 60 AFS G F/2.8 AND THIS IS THE BEST PROSUMER LENS OF THEM ALL. STOP READING ABOUT IT AND START SHOOTING WITH IT. YOU'LL BE THRILLED WITH THE PICTURES!!!

This lens received mixed revews everywhere I checked. Having used Nikon products for the past 37 years, and owning three Nikon lenses for my D80, I ordered it. Beach Camera's service was excellent and the lens arrived in factory fresh condition. In the past month I have used this lens shooting several indoor events, both available light and with my SB-600, with excellent results. Its performance as a Macro lens is also outstanding. For those of you who want to take this lens to a lab to find fault, have at it! It works for me!

I have used this lens for over 3000 photographs and it is sharp but...I use it on a Nikon D200 and the four auto focus sensors can cause much frustration--desired objects out of focus!-- when having to shoot moving objects, say in a parade especially under low light conditions. I am still thinking it is me so I continue to practice hoping to figure out which setting on the d200 to use. However, when the subject is not moving it works great. It is heavy but that is what you pay for to own a good quality lens. See Ken Rockwell's review for more technical aspects. I also concur that the lens hood, although it gives that pro look, does not seat well on the lens. Overall, I highly recommend it.

I use this lens on my D80 and I LOVE it. Great sharpness. The macro mode is a nice touch and an all around good time. Great all around lens. At this point, if I had to take one lens with me, this would be it.

I'm am very happy with this lens. With macro enabled, I can REAllY get up close to the subject matter, It rarely needs to hunt around much wit the auto-focus.

There are a few issues. First, I think this lens really could benefit from a UV filter, as I do notice some purple fringing. Also, in bright situations, some color seperation is apparent. Given the size of the lens, a good filter might cost something around $60, but thats just the breaks there. My biggest issue with the lens is the hood. It's always trying to fall off, or twist away, For the price, I would have expected some little type of button catch or something to keep it in place. I've hit the point where I rarely use it, and it just gets in the way in my bag.

Even with all that, this is the first lens I reach for, and it would be the one I keep on my camera to start with if it wasnt for the lack of protective filter, and the fact that the camera sits oddly in my bag with this lens attached.

Overall, I gave it 4 stars. The chromatic abberations may get to me if I start printing out my stuff really big, but by that point, I'll have the filter I need to help correct that.

So far, this lens has been fantastic. Just received this a couple days ago, took some macro photos of flowers this morning. Really great results.Very vivid, good control on my d300. Overall, good choice for people wanting to use it for the macro features. Be aware that in macro, it will not stop down to 2.8 at 24mm. It will stop down as low as f/3.2 I believe. In normal, no problem at f/2.8. Great lens, really good match for the d300 if you're unable to afford a 24-70 f/2.8.

I bought this with unrealistic expectations, hoping it would be "almost as good as" the more expensive 24-70mm f/2.8. It's really not. I've found this to be an excellent lens in bright light only. In low light (I photograph a lot of musicians performing in theaters or clubs), it's only especially good at 24mm and f/2.8. The more you zoom, the less sharp the pictures are. Not a bad lens, but not a great one either.