NIKON 24-85mm VR...... an excellent lens

T

TedG954

Senior Member
A couple of weeks ago, I was able to score a new yellow-boxed 24-85VR for $227. Right place at the right time.

This lens has really impressed me. It is easily becoming my favorite one-lens carry. With the recent special promotion of the D600/24-85, I believe that a fair amount of people will be selling the kit lens at good prices. Why they're not keeping them is beyond me. The lens has very favorable reviews and it works very well.

Some people think that you have to spend over $1000 to get a decent Nikon lens, and that is pure bunk. I've read about less expensive lenses having "distortion". Well, with today's software, if you don't know how to correct distortion, then you need to go back to the books. I've seen distortion in the top-of-the-line 24-70's and 12-24's. Sharpness is more a user problem than the lens.

If you want an excellent walk-around lens, at a fair price, check out the Nikon 24-85VR. You won't be disappointed.

24mm Not Wide Enough For You? Try stitching. This is probably a 2mm shot. Not much of a distortion problem.

View attachment 25823

As for clarity and sharpness for detail, here's a mutant mushroom and its 100% crop.

View attachment 25824

View attachment 25825

AND, the VR really works.


View attachment 25826

View attachment 25827





At $227, I don't have to talk down other lenses to justify my purchase.
 
Last edited:
I

Ironwood

Senior Member
Ive been looking at 2nd hand copies of this lens for a while now, you have just convinced me to take the plunge when I find a good one at the right price.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I love mine. With it and a trio of primes there's no need to spend the money on the 24-70mm f/2.8. It's very crisp and the perfect walk around. Lots of folks with a bag full of lenses jumped on the D600 deal in Nov/Dec figuring they could sell the lens and reduce the cost of the body another couple hundred (they were essentially giving the lens away), so they're out there to be had, and many "as new in box" (white box = from a kit).

I'm hoping the 18-35mm G they just announced is of equal quality. I know I'd like the extra 4mm of the 14-24mm but at the added cost I'm not sure how much it's really worth to me?
 
E

Epoc

Senior Member
I am wanting one of these lenses. Can't come close to $227 though. Add another $200. Looks like people have realised its value :(
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Perhaps just a little late to the party. Folks who bought the D600 kit must have taken what they could get for them or decided to keep them in the 2 months since purchase.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
TedG954 said:
A couple of weeks ago, I was able to score a new yellow-boxed 24-85VR for $227. Right place at the right time.

This lens has really impressed me. It is easily becoming my favorite one-lens carry. With the recent special promotion of the D600/24-85, I believe that a fair amount of people will be selling the kit lens at good prices. Why they're not keeping them is beyond me. The lens has very favorable reviews and it works very well.

Some people think that you have to spend over $1000 to get a decent Nikon lens, and that is pure bunk. I've read about less expensive lenses having "distortion". Well, with today's software, if you don't know how to correct distortion, then you need to go back to the books. I've seen distortion in the top-of-the-line 24-70's and 12-24's. Sharpness is more a user problem than the lens.

If you want an excellent walk-around lens, at a fair price, check out the Nikon 24-85VR. You won't be disappointed.

24mm Not Wide Enough For You? Try stitching. This is probably a 2mm shot. Not much of a distortion problem.

View attachment 25823

As for clarity and sharpness for detail, here's a mutant mushroom and its 100% crop.

View attachment 25824

View attachment 25825

AND, the VR really works.


View attachment 25826

View attachment 25827





At $227, I don't have to talk down other lenses to justify my purchase.
Click to expand...

Ted, thanks for the samples and impressions on this lens... Is that an AF-S?? (I will go look after I send this post) That would fit in just fine for me if I landed one at that price. I would probably then dump my 55-200 (I have a 55-300 for reach)

Again, thanks for sharing!

Pat in NH
 
E

Epoc

Senior Member
I was seriously contemplating the 24-120 F4, but I read quite a few reviews and it seems the 24-85 is really close in IQ. Since I didn't really need the extra reach, the price difference didn't weigh up for me.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Epoc said:
I was seriously contemplating the 24-120 F4, but I read quite a few reviews and it seems the 24-85 is really close in IQ. Since I didn't really need the extra reach, the price difference didn't weigh up for me.
Click to expand...

And given that you're talking f3.5-4.5 vs. fixed f4 it's not like you're buying a lot more light either.
 
E

Epoc

Senior Member
^^ EXACTLY Hippie. I'd love to see a real world IQ shoot out between the 2 lenses. I doubt there would be too much in it. I think the 24-85 could be one of the best "sleeper" lenses Nikon has made in recent times. I'm really keen to get my hands on mine to see its abilities. Standby for some images when mine arrives. :)
 
Last edited:
V

VectorZ

Senior Member
I will have one of these brand new if anybody is still interested in it. I'm exchanging my D600 at Costco for a third (!) one and it comes with this lens and the 70-300. Ideally I want to sell both of these and buy the 28-300 so I can drop one from my bag. I'll be asking $400 plus $15 for shipping. If anybody is interested reply to this thread or send me a PM. I can provide my feedback on E-bay where it's 100% since 2001. You can also check out my facebook or photography page to see I'm legit.
 
F

FLIGHTO

Senior Member
I just recvd mine as well. I got it off of ebay for a tick over $300......brand new separated from D600 kit...

I am using it on DX but it using it on DX has more pros than cons for me..... IQ is superb since I am only using the center of the lens. Minimal distortion & vignetting etc....

The 24mm wide end doesn't really bother me but I am going to look for a Tokina or Sigma Wide Angle for my HDR landscape work...

Very impressed..
 
Top