Nikon's 24-85mm VR (D600 kit lens) - anyone using it?

C

crazyp

Suspended / Banned
Messages
291
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm about to go off travelling and though I love using prime lens, I have to admit when travelling I prefer not changing lens and so end up using zooms. Having acquired a D700 I want to take it along.

I have an old 35-105mm which is a cool lens, but I think it is simply not wide enough for travel. I also like to travel light, which may sound ironic given I'm taking a D700..... but looking out there and keeping weight in mind, the new 24-85mm should fit the bill has the perfect focal range for me. But there is not much meaningful discussion on the web. Anyone using this lens here (I'm guessing most likely D600 users) and can give me some feedback?
 
I bought one to use with a D700 on a road trip around California. Great for travel and the results not too bad for a holiday photo book. Down side is that in needs to be stopped down to achieve high quality output. VR helped in low light situations but not great quality. Have since revisited shots now lens is supported in LR4 and they clean up well.
All reviews in the mags have been a bit "ho hum" - it is a kit lens for the D600. For weight saving it is good but if you can put up with size and weight of the f2.8 24-70 your results will be much better as would be expected. Depends if you just want to record your trip but for "serious" shots you need to step up to the next level of IQ.
 
After a lot of consideration I ended up getting a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for a general lens for my D700.

It is as small and light as a variable aperture kit lens yet has the constant f/2.8 and is, by pretty much all accounts, very sharp too.

What's more, it's nice and cheap :)
 
Thanks for the comments....alas the 24-70 is not a consideration, its too freakin heavy. After a bit more digging, the market reaction does seem lukewarm and most people tend to prefer the 1:4 24-120mm - but given that is basically double the cost (as well as weight) i think that is an unfair comparison. I also question if people like to criticise a lens simply because it is a 'kit 'lens and the feel the need to justify their purchase of a more expensive lens :shrug:

The Tamron lens is a fair comparison, but my experience with Tamron has been a bit mixed so I am hesitant to try another one. Mainly my usage is to record my travel as well as potentially printing a few shots. It's a shame there are not many lens in this category - for travel I don't usually need very fast lens, simply light and convenient would be better.

I'm not wholly convinced with the Nikon 24-85mm, but I can't really think of much else.....
 
I still have the 18-70 kit lens which I got with my D70, all those years ago.
Great sharp lens, although I've never put it on my D700.
 
crazyp said:
for travel I don't usually need very fast lens, simply light and convenient would be better.

I'm not wholly convinced with the Nikon 24-85mm, but I can't really think of much else.....
Click to expand...

I have the 28-105 f3.5 / f4.5 AF D for my lightweight travel lens, you can pick them up used for around £100 ... absolute bargain.

The image quality is first rate, will work on full frame, for the money you cannot go wrong.
 
Martyn... said:
I have the 28-105 f3.5 / f4.5 AF D for my lightweight travel lens, you can pick them up used for around £100 ... absolute bargain.

The image quality is first rate, will work on full frame, for the money you cannot go wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip - older lens are very good and i have experienced that with the 35-105mm, shame that its also manual focus only. Is that one also with the macro mode too?
 
crazyp said:
Thanks for the tip - older lens are very good and i have experienced that with the 35-105mm, shame that its also manual focus only. Is that one also with the macro mode too?
Click to expand...

Yes the 28-105 has the "macro" setting.

You should be OK with manual focus glass on a D700, the confirmation dot is pretty accurate, I use a couple of MF lenses on mine without any problem.
 
Martyn... said:
Yes the 28-105 has the "macro" setting.

You should be OK with manual focus glass on a D700, the confirmation dot is pretty accurate, I use a couple of MF lenses on mine without any problem.
Click to expand...

Great thanks, by all accounts this seems a good lens. Would rather have liked the wide end to be 24mm, so may also look at the older 24-85mm as well. But for some of the macro stuff I play about with I think the decent macro mode may clinch it. Will have a hunt online and for the price of either it should be worth a punt.....
 
crazyp said:
Great thanks, by all accounts this seems a good lens. Would rather have liked the wide end to be 24mm, so may also look at the older 24-85mm as well. But for some of the macro stuff I play about with I think the decent macro mode may clinch it. Will have a hunt online and for the price of either it should be worth a punt.....
Click to expand...

28 is not so bad on a full frame, but the 24-85 is also a useful lens for the price.
 
I've had a 28-105 and it's a brilliant lens - only problem is it flares really badly in direct light. It does 1:2 macro though which is very nice to have.

An option would be to look out for the non VR AF-S 24-85, you can pick them up for under £200 and it got good reviews.
 
Nawty said:
I've had a 28-105 and it's a brilliant lens - only problem is it flares really badly in direct light. It does 1:2 macro though which is very nice to have.

An option would be to look out for the non VR AF-S 24-85, you can pick them up for under £200 and it got good reviews.
Click to expand...

Ned I agree about the 24-85, I have never had any issues with my 28-105 flaring, however I do always have a lens hood on it, and the sun behind me where possible.
 
Martyn... said:
Ned I agree about the 24-85, I have never had any issues with my 28-105 flaring, however I do always have a lens hood on it, and the sun behind me where possible.
Click to expand...

The flaring is a bit of a concern as I will be in Vietnam which will be hot and bright ;)

I don't think VR is a huge must to be honest for 24-85, I tend to think it becomes more handy above 100mm.

Will keep both in mind as they still represent a saving of over £200 over the new 24-85 VR version.

One question I have is on vignetting - I notice my 35-105 vignettes quite bad over 85mm, is this the same with the other older lenses?
 
crazyp said:
The flaring is a bit of a concern as I will be in Vietnam which will be hot and bright ;)

I don't think VR is a huge must to be honest for 24-85, I tend to think it becomes more handy above 100mm.

Will keep both in mind as they still represent a saving of over £200 over the new 24-85 VR version.

One question I have is on vignetting - I notice my 35-105 vignettes quite bad over 85mm, is this the same with the other older lenses?
Click to expand...

No vignetting with my 28-105, and it was bright and sunny in Italy where I had no issues with flaring or ghosting.

For £100 used it is a steal

Here is a snap shot, straight out of camera 28mm f7.1

Sept-2012_096.jpg
 
I think you've convinced me enough about the 28-105. As you said for the price can't really go wrong and regardless of lens I will likely need a hood anyway to control the flare. Seems AF also works pretty well with the D700.

Now to trawl the web for a bargain :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top