Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Lens

I am entertaining the idea in getting the lighter weight Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Lens as a walk-around lens during day time and for travel. I'm seeing a couple of post from people who have upgraded to a better lens (just my assumption).

I appreciate any feedback about its optical quality and what you do not like about the lens.

Is this worth getting? Thank you.

I have heard good things about the 24-85 Glenn - another good one lens is the old 28-105 3.5-4.5 it even has Macro works like a charm on my D4 & D800. Best part is they can be had for around $200 or less.

Sambr said:

I have heard good things about the 24-85 Glenn - another good one lens is the old 28-105 3.5-4.5 it even has Macro works like a charm on my D4 & D800. Best part is they can be had for around $200 or less.

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Ok that was easy. I just ordered the 24-85mm VR. I won't be shooting a lot with it but I think it would be nice as a walk-around lens.

Glenn,

I like it. I picked it up with my 600 and keep it in my bag all the time for when I need it. I use it for close up shots and for wide shots. I mean it's no 2.8, but with the right light/flash it produces some nice results.

It's a decent lens, why not use your 24-120?

gqtuazon said:

Ok that was easy. I just ordered the 24-85mm VR. I won't be shooting a lot with it but I think it would be nice as a walk-around lens.

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Congrats let us known what you think of it

Krs_2007 said:

Glenn,

I like it. I picked it up with my 600 and keep it in my bag all the time for when I need it. I use it for close up shots and for wide shots. I mean it's no 2.8, but with the right light/flash it produces some nice results.

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Thanks for the feedback Kevin. Would you say it becomes sharper at f5.6? Is wide open acceptable?

Rick M said:

It's a decent lens, why not use your 24-120?

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Rick - I sold my Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR two years ago along with my D700 in order to fund my D800E. I kinda miss that lens since it is a versatile lens with good light. Since I shoot mostly indoors, I ended up keeping the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 for that reason.

I will say I haven't put it through its paces. But I haven't noticed any IQ issues at this point. If we can finally get some sunshine I want to start taking some wide shots. I'll look tomorrow and see if I have any examples on my computer.

i will say I don't regret buying the lens.

Sambr said:

Congrats let us known what you think of it

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I'm going to the Philippines for a short vacation and to celebrate my dad's 85th birthday. I'm trying to minimize the number of lenses that I would like to bring and I think this will be the perfect lens without spending too much cash.

gqtuazon said:

I'm going to the Philippines for a short vacation and to celebrate my dad's 85th birthday. I'm trying to minimize the number of lenses that I would like to bring and I think this will be the perfect lens without spending too much cash.

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Very cool, are you taking the D3s? When I went on holidays last I took my D800 & 24-120VR and a 50mm 1.4 I was amazed with the D800 if I needed more reach with the 24-120 simply switch to DX. Another trick I shot JPEG for everything other than low light or indoor without flash. The D800 is an amazing travel camera(without the grip its lighter & smaller)

Sambr said:

Very cool, are you taking the D3s? When I went on holidays last I took my D800 & 24-120VR and a 50mm 1.4 I was amazed with the D800 if I needed more reach with the 24-120 simply switch to DX. Another trick I shot JPEG for everything other than low light or indoor without flash. The D800 is an amazing travel camera(without the grip its lighter & smaller)

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I know what you mean Sam and I do miss the 24-120mm f4 VR lens. It is a perfect travel companion. I have 64gb and 32gb CF cards that I originally intended for my D800E. Since the D800E is not here yet, I think these cards will be more than sufficient. I still have my old 8 gb CF cards that I used to use for my D700. 12gb should be easier to manage with the D3s.

Re: DX or 1.2X crop mode. Funny you mentioned this. I normally do this with my 28mm f1.8G lens. It becomes my medium range zoom lens at f1.8.

I use the 24-85 a lot. I find the sharpness to be very reasonable for its price. I shoot a lot from around f8-f16 and up to f22. Actually almost all the shots I have posted from the D610 have been with this lens. For the price I think it is a great.

Deezey said:

I use the 24-85 a lot. I find the sharpness to be very reasonable for its price. I shoot a lot from around f8-f16 and up to f22. Actually almost all the shots I have posted from the D610 have been with this lens. For the price I think it is a great.

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Thanks for the feedback Doug. I just bought a barely "used" lens for $260 USD. I think that is a fair price. I am suspecting that it will be sharp enough at f5.6 to f8. I'm not sure if you can create some artsy fartsy stuff with this lens at that aperture.

Any comment on the distortion?

I obviously can't influence the decision, but I suspect you'll find it a great buy for the buck. Not as sharp as the 24-120mm, which I now use all the time, but only by a touch. It's not as heavy either, and is actually quite fine wide open across the range - though nothing like what you're used to with 24-70mm f/2.8.

Here are links to some Flickr shots all taken with the lens wide open. Click to open up the full-res shot.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9878077473_d08efba5f2_o.jpg
[url]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/9805460174_0d361d7f6c_o.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9771846845_c116533eef_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/9502062993_c6b0f6445a_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/8864222935_f2198ceb15_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8622380377_9d57a0a7a6_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8565175583_86c54f3962_o.jpg
[/URL]

I've got no beef with the sharpness. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything at 24mm wide open.

BackdoorHippie said:

Here are links to some Flickr shots all taken with the lens wide open. Click to open up the full-res shot.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9878077473_d08efba5f2_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/9805460174_0d361d7f6c_o.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9771846845_c116533eef_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/9502062993_c6b0f6445a_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/8864222935_f2198ceb15_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8622380377_9d57a0a7a6_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8565175583_86c54f3962_o.jpg


I've got no beef with the sharpness. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything at 24mm wide open.

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Thanks for the sharing the links Jake. The images are definitely acceptable especially for a walk-around lens. Bokeh is a little nervous on the mail box shot (last one) but it is not bad at all. The bee shot is awesome.

gqtuazon said:

Thanks for the feedback Doug. I just bought a barely "used" lens for $260 USD. I think that is a fair price. I am suspecting that it will be sharp enough at f5.6 to f8. I'm not sure if you can create some artsy fartsy stuff with this lens at that aperture.

Any comment on the distortion?

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The lens is loaded with distortion, however the software in the D600 removes this distortion without fail. I am not sure about the D800. I tested this using the distortion grid in LR 4.4. Ken Rockwell claims this lens is as sharp as the 24-120mm, and he did his own testing. The weight is ideal for a walkaround lens.

jrleo33 said:

The lens is loaded with distortion, however the software in the D600 removes this distortion without fail. I am not sure about the D800. I tested this using the distortion grid in LR 4.4. Ken Rockwell claims this lens is as sharp as the 24-120mm, and he did his own testing. The weight is ideal for a walkaround lens.

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Ken Rockwell claims a lot of things. LOL

I use the lens profile correction in Lightroom for all my images (except where I want it left in) and they clean up fine. I don't necessarily agree with the "as sharp as the 24-120mm" assessment, but the differences aren't worth crowing about.

Jake,

Beautiful shots! Is that Muriel Anderson playing the guitar?
@Glenn,

I was looking at the 24-85 a while back for the same reason, I noticed they could be bought on ebay for a good price.

Rich