Nikon 24-85 AFS vs 24-85 ED

1) Do you believe everything Ken Rockwell says?
No, but I did own a 24-120VR for a while and it was the softest lens I have ever owned...yuk. Sold it on eBay and got my money back.
2) You set the price limits, you have to live with the results.
wow...are you Einstein?
Anthony
Ken Rockwell says that 24-120 VR is the worst lens ever made by Nikon!!!
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check out my blog at http://anthonyonphotography.blogspot.com
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Mikael
 
Dude, go back and read the original post:

"2- Any other mid range zoom would you guys recommend for D700 that is not more than $500 and has VR?"

Now, I could easily recommend lenses more than $500, but I answered exactly what he was asking about. If he (or you) don't like the freakin' answer, there's no need to insult me. Really classy webfr asse.

Anthony
2) You set the price limits, you have to live with the results.
wow...are you Einstein?
 
You should take Ken's reviews with a grain of salt. Some are good; some only seem good; and some are just flat out unbelievable. The problem is that in order to figure out which ones are which, you have to pick up some photographic knowledge and experience.

The 14-24mm is a superb lens and yes, the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is expensive but worth it. You can try to get a cheap midrange zoom for under $500, but you won't like the results compared to the 24-70mm f/2.8 (which is 3x more but worth it), which is why I have a 24-70mm f/2.8 on my D3 and not a 24-85mm, a 24-120mm VR, or some other midrange zoom.

Anthony
I know Ken Rockwell only from his reviews online and these reviews
seem to be very good.
After buying the 14-24mm a few days ago, there is no need for me to
look after 24-70mm for a while. Ofcourse there is no price limit for
quality but you don't want get some inferior quality for the same
money you pay.

Thanks for your coment though!

J.M.
--
check out my blog at http://anthonyonphotography.blogspot.com
 
And your smartass reply was exactly what?

If you followed the thread I have answered his original question. A wise crack like yours added zero. Exactly ZERO!
Now, I could easily recommend lenses more than $500, but I answered
exactly what he was asking about. If he (or you) don't like the
freakin' answer, there's no need to insult me. Really classy webfr
asse.

Anthony
2) You set the price limits, you have to live with the results.
wow...are you Einstein?
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Mikael
 
Hey, take it easy guys.

We are all professionals and are just trying to exchange some ideas. There is no need to insult some one or be rude!
Have a glass of fine wine and listen to Miles Davis for a few minutes.

If you found a place I could get the 24-70 for a bargain, I appreciate if you let me know.
Thanks,

J.M.
 
J.M. Hello!

I purchased the 24-85mm AF-s version of this lens instead of the 2.8-4. I like it a great deal. When I want to travel lite I take off my 24-70 and MB-D10 and pop on my 24-85g. I am very impressed with the color, contrast and sharpness. If it wasn't sharp I would not have kept it.

http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/nikon/35mm-zoom/PRD_135716_3128crx.aspx

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2485afs.htm

http://www.bythom.com/2485lens.htm

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

Reviews are possitive and I like the lens. There are times I just don't want to haul around my 24-70 even though it is a superb lens in every way.

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Regards,

Jeff Morris / Homecinemaman

Adams, Gutmann, Steichen, Snoopy, Stigletz, Weston. they lead by example.

I hunt, I peck, I squint, all on a Dell M1210 12.1' laptop. So don't laugh, I'm happy there aren't more typo's!
 
I've just recently upgraded to D700, and plan to use primes mostly (waiting for my Zeiss 25/2.8 to be delivered today, God help me).

However, I looked for one convenient and compact zoom for going out and about with family/kids, etc., and ran into the AFS version in my local shop. This lens is light and compact, has a smooth zoom ring (for this type of lens), and its picture quality is shockingly good. This version is no longer easy to find, but it seems to live up to the positive reviews from Thom and others.

The D700's ISO versatility means that this lens is a compact all-rounder with excellent performance as long as you don't need shallower DOF.

I don't have any picture quality experience with the 2.8-4 version of the lens.

Good luck with your decision.

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Suvo Mitra
http://suvomitra.smugmug.com
 
I got my AF-S 24-85/3,5-4,5 ED on ebay for less than 300 Euros in mint condition - and I like it on my D700. Sharpness and speed are more than enough regarding the price of this lens. I think it was discontinued for not cannibalizing the later (and worse) 24-120 VR. Btw: Fred Miranda LOVES this lens.

Greetz, Hans
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Never care about equipment - care about the LIGHT
 
I have a D700 and looking for a midrange zoom for all day purposses.
I came across 24-85 f/2.8 AFS that has good reviews and cost about
$550. There is also a 24-85 f/3.5 ED for half as the price. My
question for you experts;

1- What is the difference between these two?
2- Any other mid range zoom would you guys recommend for D700 that is
not more than $500 and has VR?

Thanks a lot,

J.M.
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You should take a look at the Tamron 28-75 it is a very reasonable lens with 2.8! to. I was torn like you about what was a "reasonable" all day lens. I really wanted to go with the Nikon 24-120 VR ( Brand name, VR, range ). I shot it side by side against the Tamron. Tamron wins even in lowlight hand holding wide open compared to the Nikon + VR. My quick experiment wide open says you will do better cropped 75 on the Tamron then you will 120 wide open on the Nikon for snapshots 4x6.

Now if I can only decide on what fast zoom to get.....

Good luck
 
...the ED version is still in production while the AF-S isn't. That
alone should tell you about which performs better on current and
future DSLRs.
And the 70-210AFS is still in production but the 80-200AFS is not. So I guess it tells us nothing about the performance.
 
I only used the 24-85 F2.8-4. Eventhough sharpness was outstanding ...
distortion of this lens ruined it completely...

If you look for a really good performer for little money on the D700, try the 28-105F3.5-4.5. I published a comparison test on my website:
http://www.fotografie.fr/n3-test3-e.htm

--
I like better one good picture in a day than 10 bad ones in a second..
Kindest regards to everybody, whatever camera you own.
Stany Buyle
http://fotografie.fr/
 
When I got the D700, I had to reach out to my old FX lenses.

I was very surprised with the results. If it was not for the indoor gym sports for my daughter I would not consider an upgrade to f/2.8 fixed zoom.

But I am not a very good photographer and I do not have anything better FX to compare except my 50 f1.8...
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Daniel Oh

ps. I truly believe photography as a hobby is defined by the pleasure you get from the activity. It does not matter what equipment or results. I am a hobbyist and a very awful photographer (snapshooter is a better name) but a very happy one.
 
When I was using an F100, the 24-85mm f/2.8-4 was my walk-around lens. Now I'm mostly using a D700 and 24-70mm f/2.8. The 24-85 is still a good choice for hiking, because of its relatively light weight and macro/close-focus capability.

But be aware that this lens has rather lousy bokeh. Check the comparison shots in this gallery:

http://julianv.zenfolio.com/p665177606
 

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