Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Lens

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR is a compact, inexpensive zoom for full-frame shooters, but captures images with noticeable distortion.

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  Compact. Very sharp. Inexpensive. Full-frame coverage.

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  Loads of distortion.

Ten years ago, the old 24-85mm/f3.5-4.5 AF-S (without VR) was mainly popular among consumer AF film SLR users. Today, Nikon FX-format DSLRs include the D800 at $3000 and the D4 at $6000. For those who own higher-end DSLRs, they may still prefer the 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S due to its low-light capability.

Handling and features A standard zoom for FX format DSLRs covering wide angle to telephoto focal lengths without the size, weight or cost of f/2.8 equivalents. This lens costs around £520 and includes Nikon's second generation VR system and silent focusing with full time manual focus override.

Launched in June 2012 and now a kit lens for the Nikon D600, this full-frame 24–85mm f/3.5–4.5G AF-S ED VR ($597, street) is Nikon’s third version of its 24–85mm lens and the first with Vibration Reduction.

The Nikon 24-85mm Æ’/3.5-4.5 VR is a capable kit lens, offering very good results on a D800 and excellent results on a D7000. While it isn't the sharpest offering available for full-frame, it's the most economical, making it the go-to option for someone wanting to get a full-frame lens without...

The Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR leaves us with mixed impressions. Mechanically, there's not much to complain about. The built quality is good and in line with other current consumer-grade Nikkor lenses.

Merely comparing the cons and the pros list you can tell that the tested lens is not the best Nikon product. If you analyse the pros and cons in more detail you can conclude that the Nikkor AF-S 24–85 mm f/3.5–4.5G ED VR might be a good device for the APS-C/DX sensor but on full frame its...

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  good image quality in the frame centre,, decent image quality on the edge of APS-C/DX,, good correction of the longitudinal chromatic aberration,, not bothersome distortion on APS-C/DX sensor,, almost imperceptible coma on the smaller detector,, moderate vignetting on APS-C/DX,, silent and accurate...

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  slacks on the manual focus ring,, weak image quality on the edge of full frame,, very high lateral chromatic aberration and on both types of detectors to boot,, noticeable spherical aberration,, pronounced distortion at the ends of focal range on full frame,, high vignetting level on the bigger...

This new 24-85mm lens is ideal for those looking for a high quality standard zoom for a Nikon FX format DSLR, especially if the cost and bulk of other lenses on offer is off-putting.

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  Good sharpness in the centre throughout the zoom range, VRII stabilisation, Good build, Relatively compact and lightweight when compared to Nikon's other FX lenses

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  Distortion at both ends of the zoom range, Falloff of illumination towards the corners at maximum aperture

Added to this lens' versatility is its ability to take great close-ups. According to nikonusa.com, the minimum focus distance on the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85 f/3.5-4.5G ED VR is 0.38 m/1.25 ft (from focal plane). Which means only inches from the front of the lens to achieve sharp focus.

There's just something about this lens I really like. The best way I can put it is that it's "enough" for many types of photography. Compared to the pricey Nikon f/2.8 pro lenses, all of which I've owned or used, it's sharp enough, focuses quickly enough, and is much smaller and lighter.

reviews tend to be all over the place for this lens. I purchased an early release, and it proved to be a sharp lens with weak corners on my D800E. Others with this lens have found it disappointing, so it's worth testing before purchasing.

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  Light weight, inexpensive, very sharp (in the center), VR extremely effective, at its best shooting distance

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  Distortion, QC (IQ varies greatly between samples), horrible bokeh, weak corners, IQ falls off above 50mm

I'm still in process of migrating from DX to FX, I had no zoom in this range, except the 18-200 VR which is a DX lens, a bit heavier, a bit slower a bit less sharp, the only lens I had in this range is the 50mm f1.8 AFS, which I use on the D800 and I HAVE to shoot at 1/125 or I get blurry pictures,...

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  VR, Light, Small, Decent price compared to other FX nikon zooms, I can shoot by hand at slow speeds and get sharp images :)

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  The corners at 24 mm never get really sharp, if you pixel peep, they are soft, period., At 85 mm it is quite decent at f/8, Use the hood or a filter, the front lens is very exposed , it's easy to touch it accidentally , or even scratch, bumped against something

Obviously works with my d750. Just got both of them and I'm still experimenting with both. Wasn't thrilled with outdoor shots in very bright sunshine, but it's probably operator fault and not the lens.

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  Obviously works with my d750. Just got both of them and I'm still experimenting with both. Wasn't thrilled with outdoor shots in very bright sunshine, but it's probably operator fault and not the lens.

I had the 28-300mm lens for my D600. I purchased this 24-85mm for indoor. Both lens had good pictures

I've owned this lens before on a D610. I briefly flirted with downsizing to a mirrorless camera, but I now I'm back to DSLRs. I'm using this lens on a D750 and shoot mostly in aperture priority mode. I set the camera to auto ISO and f8.0. This lens performs beautifully at f8.0.