Nikon 24-120 AFS VR or 24-85 AFS?

Kaprikon · 18th February 2004

As above, between the 2 which will you chose and why?

coke21 · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by Kaprikon

As above, between the 2 which will you chose and why?

In my opinion, both are great lenses with good optics, able to produce sharp pictures. If cost is a factor, then get the 24-85. Its really value for money.

If its not, you may want to consider the 24-120mm. Its an all rounder lens with zoom all the way to 120mm. So this makes it a really good travel lens. Not to mention that is has VF also is a plus point.

In terms of build quality, the 24-120 is better built then the 24-85. You tend to get dust inside the 24-85. So if you can;t stand it, don't get it. The dust does NOT affect the picture in anyway.

munwei · 18th February 2004

Hi,

I had the 24-85 AFS. Sold it and am now using the 24-120 VR on my S2pro.

The VR lens has better contrast and the VR is pretty useful. Of course, the longer zoom gives greater flexibility in shot composition.

MW

Kaprikon · 18th February 2004

Quote:

In my opinion, both are great lenses with good optics, able to produce sharp pictures. If cost is a factor, then get the 24-85. Its really value for money.

If its not, you may want to consider the 24-120mm. Its an all rounder lens with zoom all the way to 120mm. So this makes it a really good travel lens. Not to mention that is has VF also is a plus point.

In terms of build quality, the 24-120 is better built then the 24-85. You tend to get dust inside the 24-85. So if you can;t stand it, don't get it. The dust does NOT affect the picture in anyway.

I'm aware of the performance of both lens. Its just that to produce sharp pics on the 24-120, you are advised to stop down the aperture. Its a lens which benefit greatly from stopping down wherease the 24-85 is still sharp wide open! Let's say if cost is not really a problem, any reason why the 24-85 should be considered over the 24-120?

Kaprikon · 18th February 2004

Quote:

Hi,

I had the 24-85 AFS. Sold it and am now using the 24-120 VR on my S2pro.

The VR lens has better contrast and the VR is pretty useful. Of course, the longer zoom gives greater flexibility in shot composition.

MW

Hi, any idea abt the performance on full frame? or anyone can help?

KNIGHT ONG · 18th February 2004

Hmmm .. the VR 24-120mm is on my wish list.

Kaprikon · 18th February 2004

Quote:

Hmmm .. the VR 24-120mm is on my wish list.

Hehe...then BUY BUY BUY!

KNIGHT ONG · 18th February 2004

Ya, going to but now broke liao.

Just brought the VR 70-200mmf2.8G, and the next on line is 12-24mmf4, the 24-120mm will try to target by year end liao ...hehehe

UY79 · 18th February 2004

BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!
BUY BUY BUY!!!

espn · 18th February 2004

The 24-120VR covers a good range for film and digital users, I've taken some shots at 24mm on film, looks pretty sharp and good on the negs, but yet to print the shots to see the details clearer. On digital however, I'm very pleased with the results that the lense can produce and the speed of focusing and of course the range. Initially was contemplating over the 28-135 and the 24-120VR, with the FLM in concern, the 24-120VR was a clear winner for me, costing a few hundred dollars more. In return I get 36-180, compared to 42-202.5 (I am concerned about the wideness). Also the VR is something good to have esp during events or low light shooting, it *is* very useful.

The 24-85 focusing is very fast, that's something good about the lense, image and quality I believe both are on par. The lense is lighter than the 24-120VR as well, I love the focusing, almost instantaneous lock on. Image quality I've no complaints as well.

If you really want to compare, I'd say the major deciding factor is the range, and the VR module, the VR module makes the 24-120 ideal for events indoors/outdoors esp when running or walking you need to brake hard and turn around to take some quick shots, the VR is very useful.

Both the AF-S 24-120VR and the AF-S 24-85 are good lenses, you won't go wrong with either of them.

If you ask me, I'd choose back the very same 24-120VR over and over. It's worth every bit of the dollar you pay for.

One quick link towards the decision, posted by Matrix quite some time back, took my decision after reading too - http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ghlight=24-120

KNIGHT ONG · 18th February 2004

It is clear that most of us will tends to choose 24-120mm VR ....

Ender · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by coke21

In my opinion, both are great lenses with good optics, able to produce sharp pictures. If cost is a factor, then get the 24-85. Its really value for money.

If its not, you may want to consider the 24-120mm. Its an all rounder lens with zoom all the way to 120mm. So this makes it a really good travel lens. Not to mention that is has VF also is a plus point.

In terms of build quality, the 24-120 is better built then the 24-85. You tend to get dust inside the 24-85. So if you can;t stand it, don't get it. The dust does NOT affect the picture in anyway.

Does the 24-120 length extend during zooming?

espn · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by Ender

Does the 24-120 length extend during zooming?

Yes, it does, in the lenses that does not, the lens' barrel is extended to cover the protruding parts when zooming.

coke21 · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by espn

Yes, it does, in the lenses that does not, the lens' barrel is extended to cover the protruding parts when zooming.

Yup and also the front does not rotate.

Kaprikon · 18th February 2004

espn -> doesnt this lens vignetts easily? i mean i came across a review which mentions abt vignetting occuring even at 120mm?!?!

Find it abit hard to believe...wonder if the fellow mistaken light falloff for vignetting.Below is the portion i extract from the article.

Quote:

Vignetting wasn't a big problem, but was evident at 24mm wide open, as the first shot shows. It is gone by F5.6. There is also moderate vingetting wide open at 120mm, but it is also gone when stopped down to F8. I haven't had a chance to test the lens for flare, but will do so soon.

Zerstorer · 18th February 2004

The above quote has obviously confused vignetting with light falloff. Light falloff is present in varying degrees in almost every lens when used wide open. As long as it disappears when stepped down, it cannot be termed vignetting.

showtime · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by Kaprikon

I'm aware of the performance of both lens. Its just that to produce sharp pics on the 24-120, you are advised to stop down the aperture. Its a lens which benefit greatly from stopping down wherease the 24-85 is still sharp wide open! Let's say if cost is not really a problem, any reason why the 24-85 should be considered over the 24-120?

the wide open sharpness would be the reason...

18th February 2004	#1
Kaprikon Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 94	Nikon 24-120 AFS VR or 24-85 AFS? As above, between the 2 which will you chose and why?

18th February 2004	#6
KNIGHT ONG Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Snow Mountain Posts: 5,747	Hmmm .. the VR 24-120mm is on my wish list. __________________ AMPA * Studio * J team

18th February 2004	#8
KNIGHT ONG Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Snow Mountain Posts: 5,747	Ya, going to but now broke liao. Just brought the VR 70-200mmf2.8G, and the next on line is 12-24mmf4, the 24-120mm will try to target by year end liao ...hehehe __________________ AMPA * Studio * J team

18th February 2004	#10
espn Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Planet Nikon Posts: 22,045	The 24-120VR covers a good range for film and digital users, I've taken some shots at 24mm on film, looks pretty sharp and good on the negs, but yet to print the shots to see the details clearer. On digital however, I'm very pleased with the results that the lense can produce and the speed of focusing and of course the range. Initially was contemplating over the 28-135 and the 24-120VR, with the FLM in concern, the 24-120VR was a clear winner for me, costing a few hundred dollars more. In return I get 36-180, compared to 42-202.5 (I am concerned about the wideness). Also the VR is something good to have esp during events or low light shooting, it is very useful. The 24-85 focusing is very fast, that's something good about the lense, image and quality I believe both are on par. The lense is lighter than the 24-120VR as well, I love the focusing, almost instantaneous lock on. Image quality I've no complaints as well. If you really want to compare, I'd say the major deciding factor is the range, and the VR module, the VR module makes the 24-120 ideal for events indoors/outdoors esp when running or walking you need to brake hard and turn around to take some quick shots, the VR is very useful. Both the AF-S 24-120VR and the AF-S 24-85 are good lenses, you won't go wrong with either of them. If you ask me, I'd choose back the very same 24-120VR over and over. It's worth every bit of the dollar you pay for. One quick link towards the decision, posted by Matrix quite some time back, took my decision after reading too - http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ghlight=24-120 Last edited by espn; 18th February 2004 at 10:02 AM.

18th February 2004	#11
KNIGHT ONG Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Snow Mountain Posts: 5,747	It is clear that most of us will tends to choose 24-120mm VR .... __________________ AMPA * Studio * J team

18th February 2004	#3
munwei Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 300	Hi, I had the 24-85 AFS. Sold it and am now using the 24-120 VR on my S2pro. The VR lens has better contrast and the VR is pretty useful. Of course, the longer zoom gives greater flexibility in shot composition. MW

18th February 2004	#9
UY79 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bedok Posts: 995	BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!! BUY BUY BUY!!!

18th February 2004	#16
Zerstorer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,610	The above quote has obviously confused vignetting with light falloff. Light falloff is present in varying degrees in almost every lens when used wide open. As long as it disappears when stepped down, it cannot be termed vignetting.