Advice on 24-120VR

[Jeff]

HI
This lens seems to be a good walk around lens.I have the chance to pick one up from a friend who is upgradeing. Is this a good lens for general shots and what is a fair price for one in good condition.

Thanks Jeff

[gstark]

Jeff,

What price?

This is a great lens as a walkaround (it's what I use) and great value, even new, provided you keep in mind what you can buy it for through our resources.

[Jeff]

Thanks Gary, I don't know the price yet being a friend Iwant to pay a fair price. I looked at Lens Lust new price so will just have to wait to see what he wants

Jeff

[Raskill]

Jeff, let me know if you get this lens and what you think of it, I'm very keen on one also.

Cheers,

Ras.

[MATT]

This lens lives on my d70, The extra reach and the VR is what made me upgrade from the kit lens.

The price was also a factor.

Oh and now I own a VR lens .

Wouldnt say its super sharp but for the price fits the bill . Dont think you'll be disappointed.

Also its a not a dx lens so I also use it on my F65 film camera which is a bonus.


MATT

[swilk]

Wouldnt say its super sharp but for the price fits the bill . Dont think you'll be disappointed.

Agreed! My mate has one of these. We did some extensive testing of the 24-120 vs the 18-70 kit lens on both a D100 and a D70. The 24-120mm was no sharper than the 18-70 but showed slightly less flare.

It will be interesting to see how the new 18-200mm VR performs as it could replace both of them.

Steve

[LOZ]

After stuffing my kit lens by dropping it down a flight of steps and after I cooled down my first thought wow now theirs a good excuse to purchase a 24-120 VR.. At the time of the dropping I was within 500meters of the biggest camera shop in the WORLD . Fantastic great what an excuse to spend some Yen that had been burning a hole in my pocket .This store is HUGE every camera from CANON NIKON ect that is currently made was on display . EVERY accessary and lens were also their .MY GOD I thought I have found MECA. Well to cut it short a 24 120 VR followed be out the door and after 4 hours play with it and viewing my pic that night on the plane I was soon searching to find a open window at 400000 feet and throw the basted out YES im disappointed . Soft is how I would describe this over rated plastic Pespi bottle .If any one wishes to part with their kit lens good luck and PM me as I now wish to replace mine . My 22 year old 70- 210 mm puts the 24 -120 VR to shame LOZ

[MATT]

Well that does not sound to good Loz.

Mine isnt that bad I would have thought.

But if you want a Kit lens , I would happily swap my Kit lens for your 24-120VR


MATT

[stubbsy]

Loz

Very odd. The shots below were taken with my 24-120 VR and I have to say I find it a very acceptable lens. Of course I won't pretend it's my sharpest lens, but it's the one I tend to use the most because it has a great range for a walkaround. Click a pic for a large version.

[spada]

Hi Laurie

Stop down a bit it will be OK , most lens soft @ wide open.

Regards
spada

[petermmc]

Read Thom Hogan's account of this lens. I think he does it justice and he rates it at different focal lenghts and apertures. I agree with a few comments in that you have to get used to this baby. It is excellent for portraits at F8-11 and tends to be a bit soft at the other end. Remember also that at 120 it is quite a powerful lens and you may need a tripod or higher speeds even though it has VR.

I have had it for about three months and am getting used to its strenghts and weaknesses. Put it in perspective, for not much more than you could pay in the shop for a 70-300D you can get this lens from Birdy with VR and much wider than the 70-300. When you consider what a 28-70 Nik costs...this is not a bad deal...on the other hand you may have a bad apple.

All the best.

Peter Mc

[dooda]

I think it sort of depends on your purpose. If you need super sharpness because of clients etc, and you can't afford or bother with primes, or high dollar zooms, then perhaps not. For most other purposes, I'd imagine that you won't be that disappointed, unless you've always been an extreme sharpness junkie. Probably comparing it to the kit lens would be fair. The 18-200 should be interesting though. I'm very interested on what it will look like on the wide end, because I'd gladly sell my 70-300 ED and kit to finance one of them badboys if it isn't completely soft on the wide end.