Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor

In the nomenclature of the company-manufacturer objective AF-S Nikkor 24-120 is carried to wide-angle zooms, but on solved problems it, of course, a normal objective. It also weighs only 575 ?, that should like those who does not like to carry a heavy bag.
Certainly, the objective with relative aperture f/3,5-5,6 cannot apply for the status professional which usually has f/2,8, but corresponding ?????????????? Nikkor with f/2,8 more hard, much more expensively and has a range of focuses only 28-70.
The first objective Nikkor supplied with the silent wave motor of a drive of an auto focus (Silent Wave Motor - SWM) and not concerning the pro-ruler, was AF-S Zoom Nikkor 24-85/2.8-4G IF-ED.
The novelty, besides presence SWM, possesses also the optical stabilizer of the image, allowing to use longer shutter at weak illumination - system VR (Vibration Reduction ), firm working out of company Nikon. After Canon, Nikon - the second firm in the market which began to introduce similar systems in the objectives (since 1999).
And here now owners of cameras Nikon can enjoy job with a "standard" zoom 24-120/3 IF-ED, supplied with system of clearing of fluctuations, which in the sizes even less than the predecessor without system VR. And an objective rather inexpensive.
System VR in any sense replaces high relative aperture - after all it is possible to remove at the maximum focal length of 120 mm even with endurance 1/8. I really tried it, and results have justified expectations. The system is intended not only to remove on completely open diaphragm, - she creates comprehensible depth of sharpness when conditions do not allow as it is necessary to "twirl" a diaphragm on a usual objective.

On quality of a picture the objective has made upon me sweet enough impression. Though some abuse him for "softness", but laboratory findings say, that rather low sharpness is across the field detected only on long focus, in gamuts from 28 to 85 mm it is sharp enough. Besides, I would not began to consider this feature of an objective as a minus because from it very decent portraits are gained. It is possible to tell, that "softness" in portraits is enough.
If you still do not have accessory lens and you only reflect, what of them to get, I would advise to begin with AF-S Nikkor 24-120/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED. It is suitable for many views of shooting and quite there matches to measure the price/quality, and system VR partly exchanges a relative aperture.
Certainly, it not the unique solution, after all depending on preferences of the photographer to its services is also another megazoom - Nikkor 28-200. So, if your interests are in telefield, you have a select. If your style demands wide spanning of space, 24-120 - for you. On the other hand, if you are engaged in a wide angle seriously think about something more the wide-angle is better, type 18-45 though such objective can be and second. Technically Nikkor 24-120 it is, of course, most perfect in the class.

The appreciable distortion on short focus which in an urban landscape should be masked somehow is a little unpleasant. (minimal focusing distance - 0,5m) the objective is not intended for macroshooting, and usual 18-55 mm are in this respect better. In general, an objective not for fans of wildlife, its niche - a city, travelings.
Be cautious, shoting from the built-in flash at focus of 24 mm, - there can be a shade from a lenshood. Without a blind the objective of a shade does not give neither at the full pulling out, nor on the shortest focus.
The objective refers to to the transitive generation and approaches any more to any Nikon filmSLR (there is no ring of diaphragms), but without restrictions "has a seat" on DSLR. But here there is a subtlety: if at competitors meet fullframe models all digital Nikon have an APS-format matrix, and, means, objectives give more "long-focus" picture. That is on DSLR this objective works approximately as 37-200 on a film. It, in blanket it is, enough, if to use 24-120 as a regular objective but if you are inclined to wider spanning this gamut can be already insufficient.

Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6
NIKON AF 28-105 mm f/3.5-4.5D IF
NIKON AF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF DX Zoom-Nikkor
NIKON AF 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor
SIGMA AF 17-70 mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO /HSM
SIGMA AF 18-50 mm f2.8 EX DC MACRO HSM

No

This lens really seems to get a vast variance of reviews....really good and really bad. Well, my experiance has been mostly very good.

I will not get into technical details, the techies can do that, my review is on real world usage.

I have taken over 10,000 images with this lens. It worked great on my F100. I purchased the lens to be used for mountaineering, my 17-35 was just too heavy and did not have the range that I needed, I tried the 18-35 briefly but the range was the real issue. I switched over to the 24-120VR as soon as it was released and have found it a joy. It has been on every mountain that I have climbed since I purchased it. It has been banged, dropped, sank, and lost...and it still keeps ticking. I am impressed with the range and the VR at 120. It can get very windy and cold at high elevations and the the VR helped me in situations that were marginal at best. It has worked fine at 25 below zero and at 110 degrees.

You can argue forever about the techical attributes of this optic but the 12x18's in my family room attest to the fact that this lens is plenty good enough for me.

I highly recommend it.

Versatility and range. Price. Lens cap.

Not the sharpest tack in the drawer but good enough for 95% of the folks on this planet.

Nikon 17-35, 18-38, 20-35

None

I purchased this lense for my D200, because I did not want to wait for Nikons 18-200, first off I love the VR system and the range of this lense quite a lot, eventhough I have other faster lenses, this the one that I keep on my D200 most of the times. It is an excellent lense and I no longer long for the 18-200

Sharp
light
excellent range
VR
good optics
Price

None, as long as you use this lense within its limitations 24-120mm

Nikion 18-35mm
Nikon 10.5mm
Nikon af 80-200mm
Tamron 28-75mm

this is a good compact lens and it hangs out uotdoor with me all the time. I use body Nikon D2H with this lens, and it give me more good photos. of cousre, the images quality cannot compare with my other 2.8 wide angle lens cost more than one thousands, but for who traveler or someone hang out all the time. this one is the good compact zoom from 24 up to 120. I laso love VR function. D2H is good camera in low light with this lens' VR.

Very solid compact, look nice design

none

more Nikon and Sigma lenses

none

An excellent mid-range lens, VR feature does help a lot under low light condition but not really good for action shots since people will be moving and blured out regardless of VR. Excellent contrast and edge sharpness compare to it's competitors. AF-s works like a charm - quite and fast, though not as fast as pro AF-s lens with 2.8 aperture.

VR works great, Relativly Compact Design, Excellent focus lens coverage (24mm to 120mm). Excellent contrast and sharpness in it's price range. Excellent value for the money.

72mm filter thread, distortion at wideangle, G design with no apeature ring.

AF-d 24-85mm F2.8-4

N/A