Richard Murdey
Senior Member
Having VR is a definite plus on a slow standard consumer zoom, but the old non-VR version can be found really cheap. I'm assuming the optical performance is about the same, so weigh the cost/value equation as appropriate.
The 24-85 G (non VR) is a relatively compact and lightweight lens while still feeling substantial and well built. Ergonomics are fine without being exceptional.
Immediately on using this lens, I was aware of the pincushion >35 mm and barrel <35 mm distortion. My advice: don't fight it, just turn on the automatic correction in camera and don't look back. Turn on the automatic vignetting correction too: Once on the software correction boat one might as well commit to it. The 24-85mm is the kind of lens where nothing is really lost by processing the results in this way.
The secret bonus is the semi-macro feature. The minimum focus distance is 38 cm over the entire zoom range, even 85 mm. That's surprisingly close for a standard zoom.
Autofocus feels a little sluggish, but it's quiet and lens movements are all internal.
Sharpness is okay. Rendering is okay. In line with what you might reasonably expect, perhaps a little better.
Note that compared to the 18-55 DX lenses, which are 3.5-5.6, you have an effective 1~1.5 stop advantage to work with. I find this a substantial practical difference.
Essentially this is a quick-and-dirty little lens for the times where you need to zoom from wide to short tele on FX and (for the non VR) have good light to work with. It's not a lens I'd keep on my D750 as a default - in struggles indoors and the DOF options are limited - but for casual daytime grab shots it gets the job done.
(3.5 star rating is based on performance before software correction was applied, to be consistent with my other reviews. Considering I picked up this lens for $110 US I am more than pleased with what I got.)
The 24-85 G (non VR) is a relatively compact and lightweight lens while still feeling substantial and well built. Ergonomics are fine without being exceptional.
Immediately on using this lens, I was aware of the pincushion >35 mm and barrel <35 mm distortion. My advice: don't fight it, just turn on the automatic correction in camera and don't look back. Turn on the automatic vignetting correction too: Once on the software correction boat one might as well commit to it. The 24-85mm is the kind of lens where nothing is really lost by processing the results in this way.
The secret bonus is the semi-macro feature. The minimum focus distance is 38 cm over the entire zoom range, even 85 mm. That's surprisingly close for a standard zoom.
Autofocus feels a little sluggish, but it's quiet and lens movements are all internal.
Sharpness is okay. Rendering is okay. In line with what you might reasonably expect, perhaps a little better.
Note that compared to the 18-55 DX lenses, which are 3.5-5.6, you have an effective 1~1.5 stop advantage to work with. I find this a substantial practical difference.
Essentially this is a quick-and-dirty little lens for the times where you need to zoom from wide to short tele on FX and (for the non VR) have good light to work with. It's not a lens I'd keep on my D750 as a default - in struggles indoors and the DOF options are limited - but for casual daytime grab shots it gets the job done.
(3.5 star rating is based on performance before software correction was applied, to be consistent with my other reviews. Considering I picked up this lens for $110 US I am more than pleased with what I got.)
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