VR Fast & Quiet AF Good zoom range for general use

slight distortion

I used this mainly with my D100. It offers a convenient zoom range which is why I bought this. It replaces the old 28-80 f3.3/5.6G that came with my very first SLR camera. This is also my first experience with any image stabilization system (VR). I’ve become rather spoiled on the VR on this lens that I’m reluctant to change lenses sometime. You do get some distortion in the images which is why I mainly use this for more casual shooting when that would not matter much. The AF is fast and quiet with the SWM. Overall, this is a good general lens and is the one I keep on my camera most of the time now.

Customer Service

Never had to use it and that's the way I like it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-80 f/3.3-5.6G AF as well as other Nikon & Sigma lenses in other ranges

VR allows you to take images with slow shutter speed. Sharper than average lens at f8 or better. Sharper than any pro lens when shutter speed is slower than one over the focal length.

Soft in the corners at wide focal lengths, especially on the left at 24mm. Constrast is a little low for an ED glass lens. Somewhat pricey.

This lens has some big advantages over other lenses, but it's kind of tricky to use because it's performance varies in different situations. Against my pro level Nikon lenses this lens is not as sharp when on a tripod with VR off, but it is sharper than Nikon consumer and mid-level lenses EXCEPT at wider focal lengths. So disregarding VR, the optical results depend on the focal length and aperture shot. Hand-held is a different story. VR will truly give you 3 extra stops of usable images. In other words, at 120mm you can shoot at 1/15th and get decently sharp pictures. In fact at any shutter speed slower than one over the focal length, this lens will outperform any lens, pro or otherwise at the same shutter speed. If the shutter speed at proper exposure is faster than one over the focal length or if flash is used, pro lenses are produce better results. Additionally, if the shutter speed is better than one over the focal length, superior results are obtained by turning OFF the VR. Basically it comes down to this: in low light situations this lens kick butt. I purchased this lens in January 2004. I was hoping that Nikon had fixed all the problems that I had read about this lens, and maybe they improved on it, but this lens still exhibits some of the problems that earlier versions had.

Customer Service

Have not had to use Nikon customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 AF-D Tokina 28-70mm AT-X Pro II Nikon 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D Sigma 28-200mm

-VR VR VR VR!!! This lens' greatest strength by far is its production of great handheld photos at FAR slower than the old rule of 1/focal length for minimum shutter speed. At 120mm (this is like 180mm on a D100, my primary camera) I can shoot handheld as low as 1/8sec. At 1/30 there is no detectable camera shake. On a 180mm (equivalent) lens??? AMAZING! I never dreamed of this kind of luxury and I now find it virtually indispensable. -Takes low-light, non-flash photography without camera support to a whole new level. I like shooting in bars with friends at 1/8 to 1/15sec. (about 35-70mm), no flash and lots of neon lighting. Candlelight is also a new EASY (as in spontaneous.... ;) Heheh.)reality. -The AF-S focusing is super-fast, really accurate and silent. -The ability to manually focus while in autofocus mode is GREAT. -FANTASTIC zoom range. -Nice color and contrast, accurate tone. -Only lens I need to travel with. -Virtually eliminates need for tripod. -Relatively very inexpensive.

-f5.6 (at long end) wide open is kind of dark. Especially in low light where I like to use this lens. -G lenses don't have aperture rings and can't be used in manual exposure or aperture priority on older cameras like my N6006 or even a N90s (F90x). -AF-S lenses can't autofocus on older AF bodies. -Can't use it AT ALL on non-auto-exposure, manual focus cameras like my bomb-proof, always-there-for-me FM-2n. -Very plasticky. -My particular lens appears to be defective in that the focus ring is not smooth at all. "Ratchety." Fine MANUAL focusing is difficult to impossible. -Zoom ring is "jumpy." Precise zooming is difficult.

I have previously reveiwed this lens and felt I needed to update my review as this lens has really grown on me. In fact, to such a degree that my $1500 28-70mm f2.8D AF-S ED-IF sits on a shelf while this lens takes the pictures despite its drawbacks (listed in "Weaknesses"). This is a literally "decent and convenient" lens. Although I am not certain of this, I suspect this is one of the lenses manufactured for Nikon by Tamron. I compared it to my old (about 9 years old and very well-used) 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 AF macro Nikkor tripod-mounted with VR off on a D100 ISO 400, L-TIFF resolution. All exposures set at f8 and 1/800-1/1250 shutter speed with lens focused at very near infinity. What I noticed was that the 24-120 is actually not quite as sharp (but very close) as my 35-105 at any of the focal lengths (35,50,70,105). However, the color and contrast are noticeably superior in the 24-120. The 24-120 is a warmer (and more accurate in my opinion) tone and much more contrasty. After shooting about 20 frames to compare VR vs. non-VR hand-held shots, it became readily apparent that the VR DOES WORK WELL! Try sticking the camera out a car window with one hand and compare VR/non-VR shots. You WILL be surprised! My VR is ALWAYS on now. Seriously. I've shot about 2000 frames of all kinds of subjects under all kinds of conditions with the 24-120 VR now and I like it a lot because, although it may not be as contrasy or sharp as the 28-70 f2.8 AF-S, the VR is going to genrally yeild superior results in low-light situations where you don't want to use a flash or really high ISO. Not to mention that it's a lot smaller and lighter than the 28-70 and I don't have to BABY the heck out of it. Make no mistake, in bright sunlight or flash situations or with tripod, I'll take my 28-70 f2.8 or 80-200 f2.8 anyday over the 24-120.

Customer Service

During purchase, perfect. I have not sent the lens in for repair/replacement yet so I can't comment on that.

Similar Products Used:

28-70mm f2.8D AF-S ED-IF 35-105 f3.5-4.5 AF

- VR really works great - Build quality

- A NIKKOR HAVING DEFECTS AT SUCH HIGH QUANTITY IS UNBELIEVABLY DISAPPOINTING - nothing else but except optical quality what is a lens made for? It's own looks?...weight lifting?...Come ON NIKON!!

Bought this lens with great expectations. While waiting for it I used an used AF Nikkor 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 D lens provided by the salesman. I use a Fujifilm finepix S2 pro. Finally VR nikkor 24-120 arrived, I got mine, checked the samples while reading the reviews at this site and voila!! The users complaining about sample variation are right. Either all VR Nikkor 24-120s are bad optically and some can't see it, or there is sample variation. JUST THE SAME OF SOME REVIEWS HERE VR NIKKOR 24-120 HAS UNIPOLAR DISTORTION. Even my digital SLR has field of view crop factor of 1.56X (magnification 1.56X) the right side was UNACCEPTABLY blurry!! Think if it was a film SLR it probably would have been worse. The center OK, The left side OK for a zoom but most consumer lenses that are cheaper are better, And THE RIGHT IS AWFUL!! At the time I am writing this mine is packed and waiting for return to the store. CHECK YOURS BEFORE PURCHASE OR AVOID!!

Customer Service

They accepted to pay me back the difference and give an AFS G Nikkor 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 which is said to be better.

Similar Products Used:

28-70mm f3.5-4.5 Nikkor (honestly and sadly a better performer) 70-210 f4 ( I am a proud owner get an used one if you can)

Small and light weight compared to my many other Nikon lenses covering a good range for both close-up and distant photography.

The results of my phototaking of both large groups of people using sunlight and flash indoors and also outdoor scenery produced pictures that were soft and in some instances unclear.

I purchased the Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor recently because I thought it was a good size lens and one which gave a good range and portability.

Sharpness,Especially at long end. Contrast VR,good finish

none

Good contrast and sharpness wide open. Excellent sharpness and contrast at telephoto end.Use lens on F100 with MB15.Balances very well.VR is a bonus at long end.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

24-85 F/2.8-4 70-300 ED F/4-5.6 28-200 F/3.5-5.6 All Nikkor lenses

Sharp, fast, good range, VR (aperture is 3.5 and 5.6 at both ends, but you have VR so it bails you out in dim light)

none in mine!!!

I have seen a lot of complains about this lens and I will say that every case must be judge individually. In my case, this lens is a gem. I do not have the right corner non-sense that some people are complaining about. I guess I was lucky because my lens is sharp and contrasty at all apertures and on the entire frame. Color rendition is very good.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

nikon 17-35mm, 24-85 AFS, 80-400VR

Very versatile travelling lens. VR allowed available light photos never before possible without a tripod. Light weight. cheap

small aperture, especially on tele setting. Problems with right sided softness on group pictures especially using 30mm or wider. cannot even see the face of the persons standing on the right. Very noticeable. Lens now gone back to Nikon for checking. A bit disappointed on an otherwise a very good lens.

Bought this lens just before a one week trip to Australia, brought along the trusted 80-200/2.8D as well. Shot over 500 pictures. Left the heavy 28-70/2.8 and 17-35/2.8 at home. Contrast and focusing speed much better than the old 24-120 which I used for over 5 years. VR allowed 1/4 second handheld with good sharpness and with the D100 and variable ASA setting, I can just about shoot anything without bringing my flash gun. VR makes small apertures less noticeable.

Customer Service

at Nikon for ten days now and still waiting

Similar Products Used:

24-120 non-VR, 28-70/2.8 AFS, 35-70/2.5 Angennieux,

Everything it complements my 18-35 & 80-400VR perfectly

No aperture ring SWM & VR functions wont work with older AF cameras

Superb lens it is almost mounted on my S2pro permanently real pin sharp and it balances and handles well. I recently dropped this lens & S2pro body onto a concrete patio!I am pleased to let you know it survived ok with just a couple of scuff marks on theMB16 that I have fitted to the camera.

Customer Service

Never required

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AFD28-70, AF28-85,AFD28-105,AF35-70,AFD35-80,AFN70-210,AFN75-300,AFS80-200,AFD-VR80-400. Sigma AF28-70,AFD28-105,AFD70-300 apo. Tokina AF 20-35, ATX 20-35,ATX 28-70,ATX 80-200

Sharp, contrasty, very good on the short/wide end (although the distorion is above average at this end)and prime lens sharpness at the long/tele end.

For macro per Nikons admission the focal length of the lense is decreased (eg. you really get perhaps 85mm not 120mm)

I have had this lens for around 3 weeks. I love this lens; I have taken quite a few photo's with this lens already. All the photo's are sharp and contransty. I used to own the origional 24-120D lens couple of years ago and sold it (I was disappointed at its performance). I remember at the time that the reviews for the "D" version was very mixed too; I believe different samples produced drastically different results. This time I got a very good sample. Sharpness or the background blur (bokeh) is very uniform. I thought that I would never say this but this lens is even better than my 24-85ED.

Customer Service

I only used it once to complain about the old 24-120 D's performance. They were responsive but not willing to replace the lens (I know I have high expectations).

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 24-120 D AF, Nikon 24-85 ED, Nikon 70-210 AF, Nikon 74-300 AF, and a host of Canon FD prime lenses