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Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4
AF-D NIKKOR (2000-)

© 2002-2012 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

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Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4

Nikon 24-85mm AF-D (FX, DX and 35mm coverage, 72mm filters, 19 oz./545 g, 0.5'/0.21 m close focus, about $742). I'd get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used lens. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

 

March 2018   More Nikon Reviews   Nikon Lenses   All Reviews

24-85mm AFS (2002-2006)

24-85mm VR (2012-)

 

Introduction         top

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Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Crutchfield

This lens was introduced in 2000 and obsolesced in 2003 by the less expensive and superior 24-85mm AFS.

Oddly, as of 2008,the newer and better 24-85mm AFS seems to have been discontinued already, while this older, crummier, more primitive and more expensive lens seems to have survived. Weird.

I was intrigued by the f/2.8 speed at 24mm, unfortunately I find the lens less sharp than I need at f/2.8. I much prefer the newest 24-85 AFS instead, which is also smaller, easier to use and costs less, too!

 

Specifications         top

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It's 3.1" (78mm) around and 3.2" (82mm) long and weighs 19 oz (545g).

Nikon 24-85mm AF-D diagram

It has 15 elements in 11 groups. Two of these are some sort of aspherical elements.

It has a 72mm plastic filter thread, which is a real blunder. You can use a 72->77mm step up ring to get it to accept the standard 77mm filters, but it will vignette a little at the wide end. Otherwise, this lens is not compatible with the standard 77mm filters used by professional Nikon and Canon lenses.

It can get to 1/2 life-size in the bothersome macro mode.

The filter attachment stays put during focusing and zooming. That's good.

It has a nice nine-bladed diaphragm stopping down to f/22

Nikon Product Number: 1929.

Price, USA:

$742, March 2018.

$670, July 2012.

Nikon 24-85mm AF-D MTF at 24mm
Nikon 24-85mm AF-D MTF at 85mm
MTF at 24mm, 10 and 30 cyc/mm
MTF at 85mm, 10 and 30 cyc/mm

 

Performance         top

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I've tried two different samples. Both were soft in the corners wide open at 24mm. This is worse than the 28-85AF and 24-85 AFS either of which I suggest over this lens. Of course most people don't care about sharpness in the corners wide open, but this is where and how you'll see any difference if you can between these lenses.

Distortion is as bad as the 24-85 AFS , which is strong barrel at 24mm and pincushion at 85mm.

Falloff happens at full aperture and is much better stopped down one stop.

The macro mode switch is a pain. You have to preset the lens to one focal length range in order to move the switch to the macro mode. You have to move the switch out of macro mode to get to shorter focal lengths than 50mm, but you can't do that until you have prefocussed the lens to beyond about 2 feet.

AF speed is pretty good. One turn of the AF screw brings the lens from infinity to 6 feet.

Here were the Panorama Tools coefficients for you math hounds.

 

Compared             top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

Nikon 24-85mm VR

Nikon 24-85mm AF-S G, 24-85mm VR and 28-300mm VR. enlarge.

I'd forget this 24-85mm f/2.8-4 AF-D, sold today and introduced in 2000. It was never very sharp, even on film, even though it has a great 9-bladed diaphragm and works on manual-focus 35mm cameras.

The original 24-85mm AF-S G (2002-2006) is a thoroughly modern lens, with astounding identical optical performance, but lacking VR. Otherwise, it's effectively the same lens but slightly smaller and much less expensive than the newest 24-85 VR.

The 24-120 f/4 VR and 28-300mm VR are bigger, heavier and more expensive. They're just as sharp and all these lenses distort like crazy. If you need the extra telephoto range, these other lenses are wonderful, but if 85mm is enough, you'll score a bargain with this superb 24-85 G.

Avoid the earlier 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, it's a dog optically.

The 16-85mm VR is a great lens, but only for DX, not FX.

 
Anni
2012-
2002-2006
2000-
2010-
2010-
Filter size
72mm
67mm
72mm
77mm
77mm
AF type
AF-S
AF-S
screw
AF-S
AF-S
Instant manual-focus override?
Yes
Yes
no
Yes
Yes
Close focus

1.25'

0.38m

1.2'

0.38m

0.5'

0.21m

1.3'

0.4m

1.6'

0.5m

Max. repro ratio
1:4.5
1:4.7
1:2
1:4.2
1:3.2
Sharpness
Excellent
fair
Distortion
Heinous
Heinous
Weight

16.2 oz.

460 g

14.5 oz.

412 g

19 oz.

545 g

25.0 oz.

708 g

28.1 oz.

796 g

Price, 7/2012
$300 used

 

Recommendations         top

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Just get the newer and far superior 24-85 AFS instead.

I find the older 24-85 bigger, clumsier, fuzzier and more expensive. I think the only advantages of the older lens are more diaphragm blades and maybe a closer macro mode compared.

I even prefer my 15 year old AF 28-85 better.

If you get a deal on one used by all means go for it, but if buying new go for the 24-85 AFS instead.

 

More Information         top

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Nikon's page on the 24-85 AF-D

 

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Mr. & Mrs. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.

 

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March 2018, July 2012