Weight, speed, size, construction and optics.

Variable speed with soom

I have taken 3 rolls -- children outdoors on a dull day. I was extremely pleased by the sharpness and contrast. Shots at 24 and 85 were pleasing -- even wide open. It will be my all around lens instead of the 24-120, which I sold.

Customer Service

No problem yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 20-35, 35-70, 80-200 and 24-120

Excellent image quality
Quick internal AF
Expanded zoom range
Good construction

Lens extends when zooming

I was set to purchase a 28-70 or 28-105 zoom, as my general-purpose lens. However, I'd read about the new 24-85, and chose it instead. While I don't get the extra 20mm at the telephoto end, I do get a useful 4mm more at the wideangle end, and the lens is pretty "fast" with an aperture range of f2.8 to f4.

The pictures I took with this lens came out very sharp, compared to my 85mm f1.8 prime. I snapped photos using both zoom extremes with outstanding results.

Although I haven't used it yet, I do appreciate the macro capability of the lens. And while it isn't as quick as an AF-S, the IF is about the quickest focusing action I've witnessed. Too bad the lens has to extend when zooming in; that would have made it a more elegant design. Lastly, while not built like a tank (which my 80-200mm f2.8 zoom is), the lens looks and feels well-constructed, and the use of lighter materials makes it easier to handle and carry. It's a wonderful match even to a camera as robust as an F100.

Bottom Line? The new 24-85mm zoom is an outstanding balance of quality and value. If you plan to get only one general-purpose zoom, this should be high on your list. Highly recommended!

Similar Products Used:

None

Big aperture, faster,lighter,

None

The viewfinder is much clearer at f2.8 & 4 than my 24-120mm nikkor and focusing is faster. I've already sold my 24-120 mm. Will update further with its performance.

Customer Service

not yet

Similar Products Used:

24-120, 3.5-5.6 nikkor

2.8 aperture, nice feel

Severe barrel distortion at 24 mm, noticeable pincushion at 85mm

I will definitely return this lens and exchange it for the 28-105 and the 18-35 Nikkors. The barrel distortion at 24mm is much too noticeable, especially in the type of pictures I like to take. Some look like they were taken with a fisheye lens. Otherwise, the lens is quite nice, and the first roll of slides came out crisp and very sharp.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200
Nikon 28-85

Macro Capability, good all purpose lens, bright for zoom.

Pricy, 72mm filter size

I purchased the lens as a good all around lens. I was looking for a lens with these specs. It is a bit faster than most others I compared (ie. 24-120, 28-200, etc.) It is a bit pricy, but I think very much worth the money. Pictures are very good.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Used with N80
50mm 1.8 Nik
28-300mm Tamron

Relatively low rectilinear distortion at portrait distances. Noticeable barrel distortion at 24mm, slight at 28mm, and none at 35 or 50mm. Pincushion distortion is noticeable at 70mm and 85mm (again, at portrait distances). At infinity, there is slight, but visible, pincushion distortion at 85mm that may affect rectilinear subjects like buildings. This is an excellent performance for a zoom of this range; better than either the Nikon 28-85 or 24-120.

Field curvature is surprisingly flat (again, considering the type of lens). Stop down one stop to get the corners sharp - again, this beats the 24-120 which needed to be stopped down two or more stops to keep the corners sharp at portrait distances

Even illumination at infinity - about a 1/2-stop of light fall-off in the far corners (shows slightly, if you look for it, on a mounted slide, but not at all on a machine-printed 4x6) at 24mm wide open.

Sharp, sharp, sharp.

Phenomenal close focusing capabilities. At 85mm and 1:2, the subject is practically touching the lens shade. At this r/r, it ain't flat-field but it ain't bad either. Center is sharp even wide open, and corners are acceptable by f/8.

The non-rotating front permits the use of a scalloped hood for more-effective shading. Unlike other Nikon bayonet hoods, which friction-lock into place, the HB-25 has a detent lock. Rotate the hood until there is resistance, then turn it a bit more so it clicks into the locked position. The hood reverses, but does not lock in the reversed position.

Amazingly fast AF speed with my N90s. Amazingly, astonishingly, awesomely fast. Yet, even though the focusing ring throw is very short, I can easily manually focus it on my F3/T. I think this focusing ring is slightly but tangibly better-damped than previous Nikon AF lenses.

The polycarbonate body has a fake "titanium" texture to it, which feels nice and should wear well. Overall, there's a feeling of solidity to the lens.

Watch for flare, expecially around the cut-out parts of the scalloped lens shade. You may need to use your hand to shade the gap.

The macro mode takes some care to engage and disengage. You must be both (a) focused outside of the orange range and (b) zoomed to a focal length higher than 35mm before making the switch.

The hood is as thick as any other plastic Nikon hood (i.e.: hefty), but the "petals" still feel vulnerable.

I've now put about a dozen rolls of film behind this lens, in addition to my first two "test" rolls. It's a winner! One key point is that it's not just faster than the 24-120, it's also better faster. That is, the 24-120 really needed to be stopped down to f/8 or f/11 for the best results, where the 24-85 attains equally good results, edge-to-edge, at f/4-5.6 -- a two-stop advantage. The close focusing makes it even more useful as a single-lens, carry-it-everywhere solution. When the macro mode is engaged, you have a 35-85mm lens that focuses continuously from infinity to 1:2 - pretty cool!

I bought this lens because I typically used my 24-120 in the 24-85 range anyway (since the 24-120 is not the greatest between 85-120). What I gained, in addition to speed, is more-useful close-focusing, faster AF, and better handling. As a one-lens, all-purpose zoom, the Nikkor 24-85/2.8-4 offers tremendous performance and versatility at a good price.

Customer Service

Not needed, but here's a warning to those in the U.S. thinking about a grey-market lens: the serial number on mine (a U.S. lens) is preceded by "US."

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 24-120/3.4-5.6 D (sold to get the 24-85)
Nikkor 28-85/3.5-4.5 (YUK!)

A host of Nikkor primes (not really similar)

Weight and feel is good. Good zoom range. Hood included.

Must be careful engaging macro.

I could not figure out that the hood clicks in with detents while facing in or out until I read some of these reviews. I have only shot 3 rolls so far and have found the lens to be very sharp. I am no expert on the subject of barrel distortion or pincushion distortion but I did a few macro shots so far and found the center to be very sharp through a magnifier and softening gradually towards the outer edge. While out of macro setting, I am very pleased with overall quality thus far. While shooting some ice scenes, I find a little bit of flare that seemed to improve with the skylight filter removed. If the hood doesn't stop the glare, a well placed hand will. I am using a 601 body so unfortunately cannot take advantage of the IF feature. I would recommend this lens to anyone who will only carry a couple of lenses in their case. It will definitely be staying on my camera 90 percent of the time.

Customer Service

none needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 18-35
Nikon 70-210 4/5.6

Light, hood included, 24mm, range

not 2.8 all around, extends when zooming.

Great lens, shoot a few rolls, wow was impressed. the range is fantastic, and good match for 80-200. This lens is sharp and I feel very unrated. This lens is sleeper that will soon become very hot. I was surpised how good the contrast and sharp it was. Phot o quality similar to 80-200, if you cant afford the 28-70 af-s don't worry, this should be your next choice. Try like I did and you will not be disappointed. Good luck.

Customer Service

never had to use, hey it's a Nikon

Similar Products Used:

all nikon lenses

Very sharp image,fast focusing and zoom range
24mm for perspective scence to 85m for portraits-all in one

none

I reviewed and tested the 24-85, 24-120 and 28-105 for a month. I chosed the 24-85 because of f/2.8-4 and very sharp image. I am very very happy to have it.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF 50mm f/1.4D
Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED
Nikon F100
Nikon N65 QD

Sharp image & fast focusing. Very nice range. Good weight & feel. Barrel dosn't freeze up at -5 degrees like other lenes I've used.

Hood has a cheap feel and it must be
well protected at all times. Plenty of
barrel distortion between 24 & 35 mm
but only at short focus.

This is a great lens for travel/landscape. I packed it on the back of a snowmobile with an
F4 with temperatures ranging between -5 and +5 degrees on a very bumpy 110 mile ride through Yellowstone National Park. Both the F4 & lens performed flawlessly and I was
supprised that they surrived the journey. Couldn't ask for beter performace. This is a
great travel lens with very sharp images.

Customer Service

Not needed yet, hope it stays that way.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 28-70 F2.8
Nikor 70-300 F4.5-6.3
Nikor 20mm F2.8 AIS
Nikor 85mm F1.4 AIS
Nikon F4