Nikon 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR

The Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR is a low-cost, everyday zoom lens for both FX- and DX-sensor cameras. Key features include:

• Four-stop vibration resistance

• Fast, nearly silent autofocus

• Great for portrait shooting

• DX and FX compatible

Four-Stop Vibration Reduction. The Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR’s aperture range gives you plenty of speed for shooting in daylight conditions, while, according to Nikon, the built-in VR II stabilization allows you to handhold shots up to four f-stops lower.

High-Quality Optics. By using three aspherical elements and one ED elements, the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 provides high image quality with minimum optical aberrations. A seven-blade rounded aperture provides smooth, blurred backgrounds, making this lens especially useful for portrait shooting.

Fast, Quiet Autofocus. This is an internal-focusing lens that also allows for the 1.25-foot close-focusing distance. The the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor, providing silent operation during both still and video shooting. When you don’t need autofocus, the 24-85mm has an AF/MF switch for quick manual focus adjustments.

I know what you’re thinking: Roger’s going to trash another $600 Nikon variable aperture zoom. Not so fast! In this case, I’m actually going to praise it a bit. First of all, this one will cover …

I know what you’re thinking: Roger’s going to trash another $600 Nikon variable aperture zoom. Not so fast! In this case, I’m actually going to praise it a bit. First of all, this one will cover an FX as well as a DX lens. It’s also quite sharp in the center, so it makes nice portraits and street shots with centered subjects. And stopped down to f/8, it’s actually good in DX corners and adequate on an FX. Plus, the VR is good enough that you can stop down and still get sharp hand-held images. Given all that, along with a nice zoom range, it’s a pretty good choice for a walk-around lens and a big step up from a kit lens.
May, 2013