Wide range, solid older push pull zoom design, sharp/contrasty when stopped 1+,slightly faster than comparable zooms (every stop counts), has macro mode (manual) that focusses down to less than 2 feet.

Flare prone, soft wide open especially at longer end, slow focussing, heavy and fairly larger (older design, close focus is far (5feet)

At first, if you don't stop it down a little, results are unimpressive, low contrast, low resolution. When stopped down, especially from 35-100 (?around there, no marking) and using faster films 200+, the results are suprisingly very good. Color balance and contrast is excellent here.(This lense doesn't get the spotlight like the 24-120 nor the 28-105- these, too are okay, but need to be stopped down also) F4.5 at the long end may seem slow, but many zooms are even slower- every stop counts and may dictate a diffent film even with 1 stop difference (relative perspective: from bad to worse). Be sure to use a hood or shield the front element (not recessed) from direct stray light- this one is prone to flare. Very low distortion at either end- very flat. I keep thinking that a 24-120 would more convenient, but I already have a distortion free 24-50 that is very sharp, has nice contrast and is small, light. Overall a good value, since it is inexpensive when used.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

24-120,24-50,180,20,24,35-80

I have all of necessary range focal length. It's suitable for a travel trip

The sharpness is so-so quality and a bit of heavy

If you are on budget, it's a good one for you

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None

Nice range, sharp from 5.6 down, good people photography lens if you want to keep your kit down

1.5m min focus is a killer. I find the trombone action goofy, prefer to old two touch design that is again popular with the newer lenses 24-120 & 80-200. Macro only on 35 focal length

The rating is based on a nikon scale, not against other manufacturers. This is still a great lens optically, as long as you play by the zoom rules. I just cant get over that min. focus distance...back to primes we go.

Customer Service

After 15 years never tried, never needed - thats why i use nikon

Similar Products Used:

24-120 (5.6!!ouch!!)

Versatility
Sharp
Zoom Range

Size and weight

This is probably my favorite lens. Not only do I use it, I see a lot of wedding photographers use it as the primary. It goes exclusively on my N8008s/MF-21 combo.

Similar Products Used:

None

Sharp, easy to use

Doesn`t balance well, minimum focus distance to far.

This lens is excellent. I`ve used it at Englishtown (Drag Racing) and Pocono (Motorcycles). Never a problem, well made,focuses "right now" and is smooth. Recently purchased Tokina`s new lens 24-200mm 3.5-5.6 I needed something wider (car shows)and something with a little further reach. The Nikon 24-120 and the Tokina lens "balance" much better since their closer to the camera body.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

TOKINA 24-200

love the range. You have to be carefull shooting people with a 28mm setting.Not the case at 35mm.135 end seems to be just right for me.

would prefer a 2 touch design over push-pull.doesn't focus close enough,but good 95% 0f the time

I use it for wedding services, all the candids,and have done quite a few portraits with it. Have always used the factory hood and shoot mainly at f8 or f11. Great bang for the buck. Look at the reviews. The 24-120 & 28-200 nikons are awefully expensive for those types of ratings.Have fun!

Customer Service

just dropped it 2 feet in my van. now focus is stiff and only goes from 50-135mm.phoned nikon & the guy was a jerk on the phone so am sending to vancam.

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tamron 35-80,lots of primes

wide range
v. good at f8,16

heavy, long, uses lots of torque

much of the hoopla in wide range zooms is the 24-x. in the early days, 35-135 was the wacko 28-300 range type of lens. if you are not crazy about the wide angle look, then this give you all the non distorted focal lengths. wide open, the lens has lowered contrast, but stop down to f8 and everything gets contrasty and sharpened. the sharpness is not of the pinpoint, sharp line edginess. this is apparent in anything longer than 50mm. i still see many a wedding photographer and a studio photographer use this lens. it definetely has a smooth look. the long (5feet) minimum focus ruined it for me- I wasn't able to shoot anything indoors or any small subjects. it does have a macro funtion, but that is only manual focus. the af of the lens is slow and seems to use a lot of battery from my n70-killing my lithiums easily. the 62mm filter size is great, not like the 72/77 that is nikon common. a great value for a nikon lens and most used ones are in decent condition. i no longer have the lens, but in all honesty, i wanted a 28 or 24 wide angle (mostly for nature and travelling) and didn't want to switch lenses. the long end stopped down is sharper than the 24-120 stopped down. are we getting lazy? too lazy to switch lenses or what. pretty soon there will be just one fat lens on the body- non detachable- someone will offer it sooner or later. oh, wait, olympus already did it with their IS line...

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None

Wide field range

Push pull zoom
non-D for new Nikon SLRs

Borrowed this lens as backup for wedding photo shoot on N90. Results were better than expected. Used wide open without flash on tripod at 135mm in church sanctuary and results were very good in center, a bit soft at edges but still very acceptable. Some barrel distortion visible at edges at 35mm, but I had vertical lines in picture to emphasize the distortion. Was not visible in other settings. With flash and at f/8, results were very good to excellent at all zoom ranges. Range of zoom perfect for weddings and groups. Film used: Kodak Provera 400. Color rendition excellent. Would recommend lens for general purpose use, knowing that it will not produce the same results as a prime lens. Only disadvantage is that it is non-D for the newer Nikon SLRs.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-70 AF-D
Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF

You can't find a fast 3.5 zoom of this quality anymore without much money. For the price, this lens is a steal, if you can find one, take it!

Old style glass and metal chassis, but hey, who's complainin'? They dont make them like this anymore!

If you can only have one lens on your camera all the time, this it IT. 35mm with no distortion, 135mm with crisp colors and fast aperture! Great lens for hand held operation, comparable image quality to primes (also hand held, of course), if using a tripod, then go to a prime, but for action use this great lens!!!

Customer Service

Not needed if handled in a loving way.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AFs, Canon FDs, Pentax SMCs