best travel lens for FX body

[lenslust]

pardon me for my ignorance, i am not familiar with this series of older lens as i have never really used before, but sure looks like quite a gem!

whats the difference between such older AF lens and the newer AF-S models? is there any reason i should consider newer but much more expensive like 24-120 etc over this 24 105? i dont shoot sports at all, just still life, landscape, nature, portraits, people.

thanks very much in advance, hope my question is not too trivial, as it seriously looks good.

Thing is, you can hardly find the 28-105 AFD around these days, it was a good glass in it's (past) prime days. The 24-120VR came to supersede the 24-120 (3.5-5.6) - which in turn was to replace the 24-105 AFD (IMHO). At $400-500 for the 28-105, you add $500 for VR, $500 for SWM (AF-S) and additional 4mm wide + 15mm zoom (+$500), thus the price for 24-120VR f/4 @ $1999??

PWP with a D600 now, can get the glass at $1699 methinks.

The 24-120VR is a nice glass given it's price and tested on a D4, it doesn't seem to be as bad as what the reviews online have to say much about it. Got it when I got my 2nd D600, PWP. Worth the money, and much better than the 3.5-5.6 edition.

 

[markyen]

28-300 my choice light and Vr helps in low light. I may not bring my flash out at times.

 

[ageha]

AFD lenses focus using mechanical motors. AFS lenses are electronic motors. AFS focuses faster than AFD. but, IMO, AFD lenses are hardier than AFS lenses as they have less electronics. YMMV...

as to whether you want to get the AFS 24-120/f4VR or this... well, ask your wallet. ;p

Mechanical vs. electronic motors? Nice one...

 

[diediealsomustdive]

AFD lenses focus using mechanical motors. AFS lenses are electronic motors. AFS focuses faster than AFD. but, IMO, AFD lenses are hardier than AFS lenses as they have less electronics. YMMV...

as to whether you want to get the AFS 24-120/f4VR or this... well, ask your wallet. ;p

AFD lenses have no motor in the lens, just gears to allow in-camera motor to drive the focusing mechanism; AFS lenses draws current from camera to drive the in-lens motor, what Nikon calls SWM. Usually AFS lenses focuses faster than AFD especially when using lower spec camera, but not always.

Generally sturdier is correct, although there are a few that are terrible in build.

 

[lenslust]

I still like travelling with the 17-35. Light and good image quality.

 

[kcchew]

no one suggested this?

decent range. plus limited macro function. i wished nikon updated this lens tho.

I have that lens. I find that the corners are soft, even at f/8, which is a bit of a disappointment. However the center is pretty good even on a D800E, and the limited macro function is so useful that I didn't get a proper macro lens as I don't shoot close-ups often enough. For less than $300 it's quite a deal. And yes, it'll be good if Nikon updates it, but then again they'll just point us to the 24-120mm f/4, which is heavier, bulkier, more expensive and doesn't have that close focusing distance.

 

[bangchew86]

Just whack with the 24-70 tamron vc.. Its been my go to choice, not exactly light but still better than the 24-70 nikon and gets the job done all the time.. my 2cents..

 

[ATR76ers]

Just whack with the 24-70 tamron vc.. Its been my go to choice, not exactly light but still better than the 24-70 nikon and gets the job done all the time.. my 2cents..

Hi ...Mind sharing your experience with this lens as well as where and how much you got for it? I am also thinking of getting this, but have no idea where to buy from (cheapest).

Hope you will be able to share.

Thanks

 

[Kenneth Chen]

When ever I go on a trip abroad I am using the standard Nikon zoom lens 24-70mm f2.8 but its a bit heavy if you don't mind otherwise the cheaper version 24-85mm f3.5 which is light and compact is good enough. Price is reasonable too.

 

[An drew]

I would choose the 24-120. Now with discount from B&H at USD997 ($1250) excluding freight and gst.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Zoom Lens 2193 B&H Photo

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Shipping would cost how much? Roughly.

 

[An drew]

Shipping would cost how much? Roughly.

The last time I bought 2 lenses from them it cost me USD76 to ship directly to me. It might be cheaper with comgateway or vpost and lesser gst.

 

[Zaknafein]

i think the new nikkor 18-35 sounds interesting.
shud be its a good alternative to those who cant afford the more costly 16-35
just need to wait for it to be out in sg

 

[lenslust]

i think the new nikkor 18-35 sounds interesting.
shud be its a good alternative to those who cant afford the more costly 16-35
just need to wait for it to be out in sg

The predecessor was a good glass.

 

[nightwolf75]

AFD lenses have no motor in the lens, just gears to allow in-camera motor to drive the focusing mechanism; AFS lenses draws current from camera to drive the in-lens motor, what Nikon calls SWM. Usually AFS lenses focuses faster than AFD especially when using lower spec camera, but not always.

Generally sturdier is correct, although there are a few that are terrible in build.

my bad...

actually, i doubt they will update any more AFD lenses considering that more and more of nikon consumer models are built for AFS lenses rather than AFD. oh well...

 

[sjackal]

28-105mm f/3.5-f/5.6 AFD with 1:2 macro capability, light weight, versatile zoom range, cheap price, and sharp wide open. Had used it in expensive events shoot, corporate work, weddings and overseas work too.

At one point I wanted to sell it and replace with the new 24-120 with all the shebangs but people come and low ball my price which made me keep the lens and I am glad I did.

If Nikon makes an updated version of this baby I am sure they will make sure consumers pay a lot of money for it.

 

[sjackal]

Another good alternative is the older AFS 24-85mm f/3.5 to f/5.6G (Not the latest VR version) - another gem that is cheap, sharp, and versatile.

 

[Cheesecake]

28-105mm f/3.5-f/5.6 AFD with 1:2 macro capability, light weight, versatile zoom range, cheap price, and sharp wide open. Had used it in expensive events shoot, corporate work, weddings and overseas work too.

At one point I wanted to sell it and replace with the new 24-120 with all the shebangs but people come and low ball my price which made me keep the lens and I am glad I did.

If Nikon makes an updated version of this baby I am sure they will make sure consumers pay a lot of money for it.

Its actually, f3.5-4.5D.

 

[sjackal]

Yeah.

 

[daredevil123]

Another good alternative is the older AFS 24-85mm f/3.5 to f/5.6G (Not the latest VR version) - another gem that is cheap, sharp, and versatile.

and I sold mine for $250.. damn.