Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR (Renewed)

I’ve been looking for a decent wide/zoom lens to photograph weddings and senior portraits. I own the kit lens that came with the Nikon D600, but felt the lens had limited zoom range. I did some research on the Internet as well as visit my local camera shop. While at the camera shop, I mentioned my lens needs for range and weight and of course, price. The sales rep recommended the Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 suggesting I would get decent results without spending a lot of money (as in the 28-70mm f/2.8 lens that I was eyeing). I took advantage of the Nikon rebate event earlier this year and purchased the Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 lens. I initially had buyer’s remorse and wondered if I made the right decision with this lens. I spent several weeks testing the lens out and concluded I made the right purchase. It wasn’t until I booked a wedding that I realized the potential of this lens. It’s a wonderful lens that produced beautiful results. The zoom range at 120mm was perfect for me in capturing those special moments. I no longer had to move/walk closer (as with my 24-85mm kit lens) to my subjects. I really like the idea of zooming all the way out and using f/4. I’m happy with the bokeh this lens produces. I enjoy the results I’m also getting from a portrait perspective. This is a fast lens! Focusing is fast. Initially, I had to get used to the heavier weight in my hands. There is a nice balance between this lens and my Nikon D600. Once I got used to this combination, it feels like the two were made for each other. Now, I don’t notice the weight at all. I attribute that to also using the Crumpler’s Industry Disgrace strap with the camera. This is now my go-to lens and permanently resides on my D600 for about 85% of the time. Other times, I’m using my Nikkor 85mm portrait lens (beautiful bokeh) or my Nikkor 60mm Micro lens for close-ups. ** My Bag Notes (System: Nikon D600 and Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 lens) ** Tamrac Evolution 8: This is a well-designed and functional backpack/sling bag. I use this bag to store my camera system when not in use. Besides storage, I use this bag if I need to take everything or the “kitchen sink” with me to a photo event. Note: once this bag is filled (including laptop), it can get pretty heavy. Tamrac Aria 6: This is a soft and lightweight messenger bag. I actually use this bag primarily for photographing weddings and church events. If I know I will be shooting for several hours, this is the bag I take with me. I can carry my camera system along with an extra lens (e.g. Nikkor 85mm) and my Nikon SB-700 flash. I can also throw in my iPad or Kindle HD Fire into the bag. Lowepro Slingshot 102: This is one tiny bag. It’s also a nice non-bulky and lightweight bag. I gutted out the main camera compartment (removed the padded dividers). This bag will hold my camera system with the lens hood extended! I have to place the camera in sideways with the grip side facing the side opening. This bag will hold my camera system plus my SB-700 flash (stored folded in the top area). I use this bag for short trips and traveling when I don’t need to bring my “kitchen sink”. I imagine this would be a great bag for short hikes. One of the features I like about this bag is the ability to swing it from my back to the front and take out my camera for photo ops.

I will not bash this lens just because it's a zoom, but I won't heap praise on it either. As far as zoom lenses go, this one is a fairly decent one, and in only one aspect is it better than its predecessor: constant aperture. Otherwise, I must say that this lens is a noble idea: a nice, vast range of focal lengths in one single package does the trick for traveling. And the lens itself isn't too heavy either! In fact, compared to other travel zoom lenses, this one strikes a decent compromise. It's lighter than the AFS 24-70 (but slower), and a bit heavier than its predecessor, the AF-S VRI 24-120 of variable aperture, and also heavier than it's cousin, the plasticky AF-S 24-85. Besides, the zoom rings are in the "wrong" position (the zoom ring is closer to the camera in the 24-70, while this one has it farther from the body) and this can make for some awkwardness while getting used to the lens (like trying to zoom with the focusing ring, for instance). However, this indecision in Nikon lenses is something I had to get used to, as there seems to be no standard regarding where the focusing and zoom rings will go in a lens. Since I purchased this lens shortly before a trip, I can report that the lens is remarkably tough, and that the lens hood comes in handy as an equally tough accessory. I don't know how many times the hood hit doors and walls (not too hard, admittedly), thus protecting the front lens element, but every time it happened, I was glad. I may update this review in regards to the distortion this lens may cause at its wide end (whether it appears), because it's something we must expect from it. However, all in all, despite it's being a tad slow (aperture starts at f4), this lens makes for an excellent and versatile travel companion. I have an upcoming stay in Spain, and I'm seriously considering taking this lens instead of my AF-S 24-70 because of its size and zoom range. However, let's see about distortion before making any further decisions. In the meanwhile, I should say it's worth a try and the price and conditions under which I bought my copy couldn't be beat (who would say not to buying this lens and paying it in about 24 interest-free installments with the Amazon store card?). Hence, it has my recommendation! EDIT: I write this only to confirm a statement I made in the text, about this lens being lighter than the AF-S 24-70. In fact, it's lighter enough to consider it the perfect travel lens. However, my experience has been odd: while in Chile, I took long walks with my D700 and this lens and I returned exhausted to my place because of what I thought was the heft of this lens (combined with the camera and battery pack). Much later, in Spain, I also walked a lot with my AF-S 24-70 (which I took with because it's faster), but I was not as dilapidated whenever I came back from my excursions as I was when I walked with the 24-120. In short... go figure. All in all, this is a very decent lens that shows no discernible barrel distortion at the wide end. At least, I didn't encounter any in the photos I made with this lens. Go ahead and try it!

I’m happy with this product. Good quality and worth the money. Would recommend.

Every lens has some sort of compromise, especially in the zoom range. However, I am happy to report that this is one of the better zoom lens from Nikon! It is extremely sharp (even wide open) with excellent contrast and has a very useful zoom range to boot! I debated between the 24-70mm and this lens. The picture quality to my eyes is virtually equal other than the difference of one aperture stop. I'm sure the 24-70mm owners will disagree with this, but that is my finding. The biggest pro for the 24-70mm is the extra 1 stop of light, slightly quicker autofocus speed, and of course the corresponding softer bokeh due to the 1 stop aperture opening. However, the cons are numerous: it's heavier, has a shorter focal range, is more expensive, and has no VR. The first and last cons is what pushes over to the 24-120mm side, but the extra focal range and $500 less is nothing to sneeze at. When I take pictures with low light at 1/30 with rear-curtain flash sync, the VR is a godsend. There are absolute uses for VR beyond shaky hands! When taking landscape pictures, I stop the lens down to 8-11 and I cannot tell the difference between this and the 24-70mm. Furthermore, I use primes when I need the wider aperture. The biggest issue with this zoom (and the 24-70mm) is the high distortion. With Lightroom, this issue is virtually eliminated with the lens correction profile. I'm happy to report that this and the 50mm 1.8G (for in-doors and portraiture, soon to be replaced by the 85mm 1.8G) are the only two lens I bring with me on vacation. Check out my 3 recent pictures taken with this lens. Alas, I must return this lens for now. There is a small dust spec right in the middle of the lens below the outer glass. This can only be fixed by sending to Nikon. That is shoddy QA for a $1300 lens. I will return and re-order when it comes back in stock.

This is a workhorse lens. Its rather great at that actually. If you're interested in upgrading to better lens, and you shoot on a DX camera, I don't recommend this lens. Any DX lens will actually be sharper on your camera. If you really want an upgrade for a DX body, I'd recommend the Nikkor 16-80mm f2.8-4E. This has the same relative focal range, but is much sharper on a DX body. It comes with the nano-crystal coating, as well. Like I said earlier, this is a work horse. if you shoot full frame, and you want a solid, reliable, and consistent lens, this is for you. I call it a work horse, because if you're an event photographer, and need something solid, this lens has robust build quality, and VR II vibration reduction for shooting in low light situations, witch works quite well. A good way to put it is this: this lens delivers adequate optical performance for a professional photographer, and a nice focal range. its great for this. You put it on your camera, and it works. Remember, this isn't a particularly artistic lens. I would highly recommend investing in a few mid-grade primes if that's the route you want to go. A cheap prime will typically be sharper than an expensive zoom. Basically for the price of this lens, you could buy a good set of primes( 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and one or two others). these would give you superior sharpness, and bokeh, as well as better color transmission, etc.. this lens doesn't try to pretend its something its not. And as I said before, if you need a work horse, as a professional photographer, this lens is great. I give it 4 stars, because I wish it was just a little bit sharper. Granted I'm shooting on a D800, with 36MP, so its very evident, but other than that, its a solid lens.

Lens arrived in great condition, and looks like new. Preliminary test shots are very sharp and the zoom is silky smooth. The wrong size lens hood was sent and I contacted the seller, who sent the correct one out that I just received today.

This is a very good lens. UPDATED: I have now shot with the lens on my D3. In the center of the frame it is almost identical to my 24-70 2.8. Excellent center sharpness. It is a bit less sharp in the corners, but I am very impressed. Final verdict: It is a little bit too expensive, but I have upgraded it to five stars instead of four stars based on its center sharpness. I consider it a low five, high four... depending on your camera, your other lenses, and the size of your wallet. Initial impressions: Thus far I have been able to test it on my D90, which is a DX-sensor camera (as opposed to the full-frame pro cameras such as the D3). Please note that this lens is designed mainly for FX shooters. I plan to test it on my D3 camera later. When compared to the well-made 18-55mm kit lens, this lens shows somewhat better sharpness at the same aperture. Overall I would conclude that this lens is sharp, but not "perfectly" sharp. Combined with the fact that it collects more light (f4 vs f5.6), the fact that it has Vibration Reduction II, and the fact that it zooms to 120mm, this lens offers a lot of features as a "go to" general purpose lens for FX shooters (and DX shooters as well). For DX shooters, the 24mm wide-end will not always be wide enough. For FX shooters, the 120mm long-end will likewise not be close enough. The f4 max aperture is good, but again, some shooters will need or want f2.8 or faster. This is a lens that makes a lot of compromises and does so intelligently. It is not the perfect lens for any situation. But it is a lens that will take very good, even marketable pictures in a wide variety of situations. Pros shooting for money will usually bring a bag of pro lens, and this lens will not change that reality. But vacationers, pros who cannot always bring a huge bag, and photo enthusiasts would be well serviced by this lens.

Where do I begin?! LOVE this lens! As a professional photographer, I am always looking for a versatile lens with great quality at a good price. Very hard to come by. For the past couple years I was heavily using the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, but I wanted something with more range. I shoot indoor and outdoor lifestyle sessions in natural lighting, as well as birth photography, so I needed something wide, sharp, fast and could handle unique lighting situations and this lens does all of that for me for a great price! I also shoot a lot of families with active children so it's nice to be able to go from a wide angle family shot and quickly zoom in to the child's face for an individual shot without even moving and missing my shot. It's quite heavy on my Nikon D750, but you get used to it. It's not very loud and it finds focus quite fast. I micro-adjusted this lens and it's almost as tack sharp as any of my primes which says a lot for a wide range zoom. Great build, solid and smooth focus rings. I definitely recommend this lens for any level photographer :) As you can see from the images below taken at a recent maternity session: without the mom or I having to move, I was able to get a nice wide angle and close up in just 5 seconds with the tilt of her head.