I have jumped back into photography after a 20 year hiatus and wound up doing so in a pretty major way . . I purchased a D7200 and assorted lenses last year (14-24mm, 35mm, 85mm, 70-200 and the kit 18-140mm) and had a great time shooting and learning but never was quite satisfied with the quality of images of a variety of subjects and the printing quality of larger prints was just not . . . .

Being a past Hasselblad user as a commercial photographer in the 70"s, I understood the quality of and wanted larger files to work with, and have now stepped up to the FF D810 with the 24-70 and the 70-200 (using the 14-24 purchased with the D7200), so I have a full range of lens capabilities . . .

For landscape, architecture, animals (not wildlife) and low key portraiture, I purchased a refurbished D810 with a refurbished Nikon 24-120mm 1.4G ED thinking that would be the only lens I would need starting off as a "walk around" lens and then add as needs arose . . I soon found that the images were all "soft" and not as sharp as the D7200 with the 18-140 kit lens, even with using all adjustments in shooting and the D810 focusing adjustments, nothing changed, still not focusing sharp.

I felt disappointed in the results and on a valued suggestion, purchased the 24-70 1.2 (non VR), and the images from this lens is so sharp it would cut paper !!! Nothing changes, just the lens . . (also added the new Tamron 70-200 1.2 - what a gem!)

NOW, I am planning on returning the 24-120 (already have the RMA) BUT every time I pick up the D810 with the 24-70 lens, I realize the "walk around" feature is probably a thing of the past . . . the size and weight is enough to stop my gym membership for upper body strength conditioning! (of course the D7200 is still the "walk around" solution!)

I still have the 24-120 packed in the box waiting to return, but have not sealed it yet . . . any suggestions or comments on why this lens is not as sharp as the reviews say, AND what I should do with this $550 "investment", return it?

Thanks - I look forward to reading the responses!

Sam