jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Definitely!

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes, many of us enjoy it for its versatility. But its image quality is only so-so. I do not think it compares to the Canon L series or the Nikon f2.8 24-70.

Any lens with zoom factor above about 3 isn't going to be as sharp. Generally lenses with variable maximum aperture aren't going to be premium quality.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

At Nikon, all of their "professional" grade lenses are FX. Also, look for Nanocrystal and or ED lenses. If you go to nikonusa and search lenses for professional there will be a list. http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/camera-lenses/all-lenses/index.page


Having said that, Nikon has 2 lenses 50mm that are considered professional or advanced amateur (which they consider the same). these are the 50mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/1.2. If you look at pricing in the list, it is easy to determine "professional" vs. amateur. The amateur/entry level are much less expensive (in the area of 'under $300) vs the "professional" 50mm which are roughly between $400 and $750. I managed to find a used (and in excellent shape E+ rating) 50mm Nikkor f1.2 lens at Adorama for $70 and I love it.. (Yes it is autofocusing and auto aperture). So, don't be afraid to search the used gear. I also got an 80-400mm Nikkor VR1 with AF and AE with ED glass for $600 at KEH (it has the extra long Kirk tripod foot) but was missing the bayonet mount lens hood (which I purchased from B&H for $40). Yes this is the older version of the lens but it works well and is definitely a professional grade lens. My point is to search the REPUTIBLE used dealers for good deals on high grade lenses.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Perfect - that the answer I was looking for !!

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

The 18-200 is a DX lens. Yes, she should be looking for FX lens such as the 28-300.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

She is chasing 11 children, I bet the 28-300 would be more practical. THANKS so much everyone

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Gold ring and the 'Nano' (Nano Crystal Coating) marked on the lens.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

This brand jargon thing is in reality a bunch of marketing nonsense. I wish (yeah I know it's a fantasy) all the stupid names for the various thingys would somehow be standardized. Who cares if it is IS, VR, or what ever. Who cares if if it is L or Art Or super duper. A car has an engine, not an ABC, Or a Transmision not a power transfer machine. Gimmie a break. BTW we just listed our home on Long Island. Is there a real estate section?

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Most of Nikon's newer pro lenses are full frame lenses (FX designation) and usually have an "N" designation on them. Some of the older pro lenses contain an "ED" on them. The "N" designation is starting to make it's way onto their high end "DX" lenses used on their crop sensor bodies.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The Nikon D610, a very good camera in my humble opinion, uses FX lenses or full frame lenses. If your friend is just starting a zoom like the 24-120 f4 or the 28-300 f3.5-5.6 could be all she could need. Right now the 24-120 f4 refurb sells at Adorama for about $600 and it is said to be a very good and sharp lens.
The lens I use with my camera as a walk around is the old 28-105 f3.5-4.5 AF-D that can be bought today at a bargain. Nikon has many lenses and a visit to their website offers enough information to potential buyers.

tomcat

This "friend" needs to identify her shooting preferences. There are 3 choices here: The 24-120mm lens or the 28-300mm lens for all around shooting. My personal "1 lens-for-walking-around" while on vacation is the 18-35mm. It covers all street scenes and is great for kids shots on vacation. So there is no one real answer to this question. And by the way, any Nikon lens can fit any Nikon camera. They were wise enough to never change the mount. But as others have suggested, make sure you get the FX lenses. Go to Nikonusa.com to see what's available.

tomcat

This "friend" needs to identify her shooting preferences. There are 3 choices here: The 24-120mm lens or the 28-300mm lens for all around shooting. My personal "1 lens-for-walking-around" while on vacation is the 18-35mm. It covers all street scenes and is great for kids shots on vacation. So there is no one real answer to this question. And by the way, any Nikon lens can fit any Nikon camera. They were wise enough to never change the mount. But as others have suggested, make sure you get the FX lenses. Go to Nikonusa.com to see what's available.

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

For family photos I don't think it really matters how good the lens is. Just about any 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens will be able to turn out good work.

As an experiment I picked up a used Tamron 28-300 for about $125 for my D600 and was pleasantly surprised at the quality I was able to get out of such a cheap lens. When I pixel peek I can see the difference between the cheap lens and my prime lenses, but when I look at images on my 23" monitor I can't see any discernible difference in quality.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

"FX" versus "DX" is not useful to distinguish "high end" from "low end", "entry level" or "budget/kit lens". For example, a Nikkor 10-24mm is sort of mid-grade build, while their 12-24mm is more pro-quality build... and both of those are DX lenses. But, that also doesn't mean squat when it comes to price versus performance. For example, at roughly half the price of those Nikkors, either Tokina "ATX Pro" 11-20mm f2.8 or 12-28mm f4 offer as good or better image quality, as good or better build quality and roughly equal general performance. Incidentally, Tokina uses the same "DX" and "FX" terminology as Nikon, and both the Tokina lenses mentioned are DX models.

It's similar with Canon... there are both high-end and low-end EF-S lenses... but there are no L-series EF-S and never will be. That's merely because one of Canon's criteria defining "L-series" is that they must be compatible with and usable on all EOS cameras past, present and future. That's not the case with EF-S lenses, which can only be used on APS-C format Canon DSLRs. Therefore, no EF-S will ever be "graced" with a red stripe or the L label.

Yet, there are some EF-S lenses that rival L-series for image quality and in most performance characteristics.... such as the EF-S 10-22mm, EF-S 17-55/2.8 and EF-S 15-85mm.

Things that might distinguish "high end" Nikkors:

- Larger apertures
- Non-variable aperture
- IF or "Internal Focusing" design
- APO, ED, UD or FL glass
- AF-S... i.e., a focus motor built into the lens
- SWM or "Silent Wave Motor" focus drive
- VR or "Vibration Reduction" image stabilization
- Gold ring
- Nano coatings

You'll generally find several of these factors on the higher end lenses.

AF-S lenses are typically newer models. There are high-end AF-D lenses, too (without built in focus motors), but those tend to be older models. Nikon has gradually been converting their lens line-up to AF-S.

Not all AF-S lenses are high end... there are also lots of entry-level models. So, by itself, AF-S only indicates it's probably a relatively recent model (however, the earliest AF-S were introduced almost 20 years ago).

And, of course, price is one more thing that might give you a clue!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Look for FX compatibility, ED (Extended Definition), Nanocrystal Coated for flare resistance, and a gold ring. And just ask your dealer!

Also look for a price tag that says, "I'm expensive as hell," compared to the cheap version of the same focal length or range. If it costs like an L lens, it's most probably similar. It's going to be weather-sealed, have a wicked-fast focus motor, exotic glass...

Most pro lenses also have wider apertures, and CONSTANT f/2.8 apertures if they are wide to medium tele range zooms (i.e.; 14-24, 24-70, 70-200).