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

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Sample Photos

Wideangle | 1/800 sec | f/4.0 | 24.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	Telephoto | 1/160 sec | f/11.0 | 85.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res
Close focus is 38cm | 1/125 sec | f/8.0 | 85.0 mm | ISO 3200 High-Res	Barrel distortion at 24mm may cause issues when shooting architecture | 1/1600 sec | f/4.0 | 24.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res
1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 28.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	1/125 sec | f/4.2 | 52.0 mm | ISO 320 High-Res
1/320 sec | f/8.0 | 26.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	1/320 sec | f/8.0 | 44.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res

Value for Money

This 24-85mm lens costs around £520, has a maximum aperture of f/3.5-4.5, VRII and internal, silent focusing with full time manual override. The price and compact size should make this lens the ideal choice for those looking for a quality lens, who don't require a constant f/2.8 aperture, or the build quality and resulting weight of a professional lens.

By comparison, Nikon's high-end 24-70mm lens is more bulky, has a weather sealed build, lacks VR and costs around £1300. However it does have a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. Their 24-120mm is slightly longer at the telephoto end and is also more bulky as a result. However it sports a constant maximum aperture of f/4, otherwise it is similarly specified and costs around £830.

Third-party manufacturers tend to only offer lenses with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture in this focal range. Sigma's 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM costs around £600 and includes silent, internal focusing with full time manual focus override but lacks stabilisation. Tamron's 24-70mm f/2.8 is similarly specified of the Sigma, except it includes stabilisation and costs around £995. Finally, Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 is the most basic lens of these. It lacks silent focusing and stabilisation, but is available for around £350.

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