Wide range, light and convenient. Nikon contrast and colours.

Some corner softness at certain focal length/aperture combinations. A little overpriced (Does Nikon make anything that isn''t?)

I have owned my 24-120 for about 2 years now. I use it on my F5 and take it with me on holiday, or when I simply can’t be bothered to carry a heavy trek bag filled with lenses. Reading these reviews, some of you are way too hung up on test results and seem to be missing the point of this lense. A lense like this enables you to get the shot, perfectly framed without messing about, in situations where the ultimate sharpness is less important than getting the image itself. While it may not be the sharpest or the fastest lense that Nikon make, it is still a good lense. Shots taken with this have the usual Nikon contrast and colour that is streets ahead of the Tamron or Sigma competition that I have tried. It has a slightly earthy character which I really like. In terms of sharpness, some shots I have taken with it have proved to be good enough to sell, but more importantly to me, some of my favourite photos have been taken with it.

Customer Service

Not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Most of the Nikon range as well as Tamron and Sigma Zooms (yuck!)

quality construction, equal to the best in the industry.

Optically no more impressive than an entry-level lens

I bought this lens on the strength of the review in Popular Photography mag. The lens was said to be "optically superior to anything in it''s class". Initial impressions were: this lens is a high quality built lens. (metal construction, finish, features). I was particularly impressed with the manual focus ring and the ease in switching from auto-focus to manual(compared to Nikon''s flimsy manual focus ring). After reading these reviews, I was concerned that quality control might be a problem and was prepared to return the lens a couple of times to get a good one. I compared the lens with pictures taken from a Nikon 35-70 2.8($600) and a Tamron 28-80 3.5-5.6($200). The Nikon was visably sharper, the Tamron was equal to or possibly sharper as well. I haven''t decided if I will send it back for another sample or just buy something else. Fit and finish is so amazing on this lens, I am dissappointed that the glass didn''t measure up. I''d buy the Nikon but have no interest in the limited 35-70 focal length and can''t afford Nikon''s AFS version. I''m probably going to try the Nikon 24-120 3.5-5.6 next.

Customer Service

Didn''t try.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-80 3.5-5.6, Nikon 80-200 4.5-5.6

The focal range is good - in fact I recently had to shoot with a friend''s 35-105mm zoom and realized just how spoiled I''ve been with the 24-120mm range.

The corners tend to go a little soft at certain apertures and focal lengths, and the rubber ring around the barrel stretches and becomes loose after a while. The AF performance tends to slow down a little in very dim lighting.

I used to have a Tamron 28-200mm, but had to replace it after a year of heavy use. I noticed that a lot of colleagues in the industry were using this lens and decided to purchase one. I use this lens whenever I shoot PR events or weddings. It''s and excellent general purpose lens.

Customer Service

I haven''t needed it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Various Nikon zoom lenses.

Close focusing distance, versatility

The slow f5.6 at 120mm... a fixed appeture would be amazing on this lens

You''re going to hear a lot of mixed reviews on this lens. Much of the critism usually comes from photographers who haven''t even tried the lens. People are turned off by its large range (5x--which usually denotes a reduction in quality) and floating appeture (f3.5-5.6). Actually using the lens will give you a much different impression. I have used this lens extensively for the past 5 years or so and I must say that this is a truly great lens. It is ideal for landscapes and travel use. I mostly shoot Velvia (the majority at the lens'' 24mm-28mm range), and I couldn''t be happier with the results. Most of my successful prints (commercially and personally)were produced with this lens. The lens is also very handy for close-ups, with its close-focusing distance. I have had absolutely no problems with sharpness or contrast. You are probably not going to want to use this lens for professional portraits though, mostly because the max. appeture at 120mm is f5.6, and you could get much better results with the 85mm f1.4, or 105mm f2.8 for example. Visit my website for lots of photos taken with this lens: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/stefand

Similar Products Used:

28-70 af-s,24mm

Covers a wide range of focal lengths which I find valuable for travel. It is bulky, but better than carrying a bunch of lenses. My particular lens is sharp and performs well.

Slow speed, but I carry a 50mm f1.4 as well for those low-light situations.

After reading the reviews posted so far, I am surprised to see the variability in the responses, particularly concerning sharpness. My particular lens performs remarkably well optically (the focusing mechanism failed, but was repaired free by Nikon) and I wonder why there are such discrepancies in individual experiences. I have quite a few nikon bodies and lenses, but when I have to travel light, this lens on an N90 plus a 50mm 1.4 is all need.

Customer Service

The focusing mechanism on my lens failed 20 months after I bought it. Nikon repaired it at no cost, but it raises a question of durability.

Similar Products Used:

None

Focal length makes this lens a great travel lens. Sharpness wise, it is quite impressive specially from 24-85. If you close down the lens to 8 and smaller, the long end produces sharp pictures.

Filter size.

Again, for travel and everyday shooting this is a great lens. I also use this lens as a portrait lens and have not been disappointed. Sometimes, I have a difficult time understading why one would compare the sharpness quality to primes (though this lens hold up to most primes). The bottom line is that the versatility of this lens has given me pictures worth keeping that I might have otherwise missed.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

none

GREAT TRAVEL LENS

NONE

ANYONE WHO GIVES THIS LENS A POOR RATING IS A MEATHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU WANT PERFECTION YOU SHOULD'NT BE WORKING WITH ZOOMS ANYWAY. FOR THE RANGE, THIS LENS IS EXCELLENT!

Customer Service

NOT NEEDED

Similar Products Used:

ALL NIKON LENSES

The best zoom range
high contrast
Nikon color balance

a little slow at the long end

This lens is perfect for quick, street photography when I really don't have time to change my lens or worry about reframing. Picture quality is one thing, but being able to get my shot is the most important thing. Not that this lens isn't technically good, it is surprisingly good, much better than a popular 3rd party zoom I was using and even one of Nikon's largeX zoom lenses. Its fast focussing helps me everytime, even when I'm in my car and need to snap quickly. I can't tell you how much having a 24mm is indispensible for street use. Also, in a pinch, if you need more hand holdable speed you can safely zoom wide to salvage the shot. The lens hood is so big- too obvious. The lens by itself is very compact when at 24, but sticks out quite prominently/erectly at 120. I can't believe that they have so many elements in there. I know that people say at 120, the images are soft, but I have plenty of shots at 120 (f8) that are sharp and pleasing. I have used faster zoom lenses with constant max aperature and this lens has that same snap into focus feature. Most (crummy) zoom lenses don't snap-not on the film either. I have a manual 24 AI f2.8 which is a bit flatter and sharper, but the 24-120 is still quite sharp and has just a little less contrast. Admittedly, many Nikon primes will surpass the performance of this lens, but as each lens has different characteristics, I cannot say that the images from this lens are any worse (?does this make sense) In the end result, my shots have not suffered any and might have improved good shot percentage due to quick ability to recompose, fast autofocussing, not having to switch lenses, and high quality glass/coatings end-to-end. Worth it every time when I see the images.

Similar Products Used:

many zooms

extensive zoom range

heavy, not sharp at full range, slow expensive front filter size

This lens was a major dissapointment. Perhaps I am too used to prime lenses. but this lens just didn't deliver the sharpness that I have come to expect from Nikon, expecially at the long end of the zoom. And buying filters gets very expensive and your bag is filled with step down rings so you use them on other lenses. How anyone can say this lens is sharp is beyond me, I was dissapointed time and time again. It might offer a whole bunch of zoom ranges but what good is it if it not sharp and it is very heavy to carry on your camera all day long. I wished I had gone for a more narrow zoom range. And 5.6 at the far end is way too slow to be usefull unless your shooting with flash or a lot of sunshine. It is very expensive for what it is.

Customer Service

never had to use it

Similar Products Used:

I own the 20 2.8, 80-200 2.8, 50 1.4, 300 f4 cameras include F5, FE, G20 plus more

Nikkor glass....nothing more to say.

HEAVY!

Great lens for the range...wonderful crisp shots. Heavy for travel, even though the range makes it a 1-lens operation.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 35-120 IS USM; Sigma 28-200.