AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF (Aspherical) FX Nikkor
Aug 21, 2019 10:34:47 #
Purchased Brand New! From a local Northern VA Camera Shop (old stock, never used)
Price Paid: 15% of the latest f/4 version of this stellar 24-120mm FX Lens
Epic build quality! Fabulous acuity… love this optic...
AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF (Aspherical) FX Nikkor
Release Date: 1996-01-01
Made in: Japan
15 Lens Elements in 11 Groups
This AF-D version has the same three aspherical elements as the newest AF-G version
Minimum Focus Distance: 18 inches (all focal lengths) same as the newest version
550g (measured lens only)
617g with Nikon HB-11 Hood and 72mm Nikon NC filter
Btw, the new version is 708g (lens only) which is 158g heavier than the AF-D version due to VR
The newest version is made Thailand (not Japan)
Will post a Lighting Test (Beauty Genre) with one of my favorite models with this lens.
The image below is of a Nikon D700 with the AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 IF Nikkor
The D700 combo was used for testing and speedlight calibration for a up coming assignment.
This first image was capture with a Nikon D7200 (Aperture Priority) 1/250 sec; F/8; Auto WB
Lens: Sigma 17-50mm AF f/2.8, DC, OS, EX, HSM, FL=50mm (75mm FX)
Illumination: On camera fill flash with a Nikon SB700 Speedlight (bounced).
Note: This image is straight out of camera (but downsized because of UHH size limits)
.
Price Paid: 15% of the latest f/4 version of this stellar 24-120mm FX Lens
Epic build quality! Fabulous acuity… love this optic...
AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF (Aspherical) FX Nikkor
Release Date: 1996-01-01
Made in: Japan
15 Lens Elements in 11 Groups
This AF-D version has the same three aspherical elements as the newest AF-G version
Minimum Focus Distance: 18 inches (all focal lengths) same as the newest version
550g (measured lens only)
617g with Nikon HB-11 Hood and 72mm Nikon NC filter
Btw, the new version is 708g (lens only) which is 158g heavier than the AF-D version due to VR
The newest version is made Thailand (not Japan)
Will post a Lighting Test (Beauty Genre) with one of my favorite models with this lens.
The image below is of a Nikon D700 with the AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 IF Nikkor
The D700 combo was used for testing and speedlight calibration for a up coming assignment.
This first image was capture with a Nikon D7200 (Aperture Priority) 1/250 sec; F/8; Auto WB
Lens: Sigma 17-50mm AF f/2.8, DC, OS, EX, HSM, FL=50mm (75mm FX)
Illumination: On camera fill flash with a Nikon SB700 Speedlight (bounced).
Note: This image is straight out of camera (but downsized because of UHH size limits)
.
Aug 21, 2019 10:37:53 #
Lighting Test (Beauty Genre) with one of my favorite models.
Nikon D700 (in HSS) Manual Mode; 1/400 sec; f/5.3; ISO 400; Auto WB
Lens: AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D, IF, FL=78mm
Illumination: On camera fill flash with a Nikon SB700 Speedlight (bounced)
Love this model and that lens!
Btw, this image is straight out of camera…
No skin smoothing (virtually impossible with Widow’s Veil over her face)
Please support your local camera shop(s)…
They are a vanishing breed i.e. endangered species
.
Nikon D700 (in HSS) Manual Mode; 1/400 sec; f/5.3; ISO 400; Auto WB
Lens: AF 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D, IF, FL=78mm
Illumination: On camera fill flash with a Nikon SB700 Speedlight (bounced)
Love this model and that lens!
Btw, this image is straight out of camera…
No skin smoothing (virtually impossible with Widow’s Veil over her face)
Please support your local camera shop(s)…
They are a vanishing breed i.e. endangered species
.
Aug 21, 2019 10:51:38 #
This is the lens that seems to fetch very negative reports in the Net. I had one years ago and it never failed to give me images that pleased me. Today, because of the negative reports the lens can be bought at bargain prices.
The only Nikon lens that did not please me was the 18-105 while many other photographers swear by it. Perhaps mine had a defect!
In general a lens will do its part if we do ours.
The only Nikon lens that did not please me was the 18-105 while many other photographers swear by it. Perhaps mine had a defect!
In general a lens will do its part if we do ours.
Aug 21, 2019 10:52:05 #
Don W-37
Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
Hi,
Great shots and congrats on your new lens. I have a D7100 & a D750 both made Thailand. Build quality meets Japanese standards. I also have a number of lenses built here. Thais can put out top quality when they want to do so. Oh, and lest I forget, my new Ford Ranger and my wife's Ford Focus were both built here. 👍
Enjoy your new lens!
Cheers,
Don
Great shots and congrats on your new lens. I have a D7100 & a D750 both made Thailand. Build quality meets Japanese standards. I also have a number of lenses built here. Thais can put out top quality when they want to do so. Oh, and lest I forget, my new Ford Ranger and my wife's Ford Focus were both built here. 👍
Enjoy your new lens!
Cheers,
Don
Aug 21, 2019 12:48:19 #
Thanks for your thoughtful reflections camerapapi
Yes I've noticed many of the negative reviews are from those testing this on a crop sensor...
However I dug deeper back into the late 1990's (before crop sensor digital) and on many photo forums of that era folks loved this lens... What I find astonishing is the precision of the zoom and focus gearing... firm and velvet smooth... This optic was certainly designed for commercial use... and it's build quality reflects this. You have to handle this optic to truly appreciate what it brings to the table.
That said for those who have an extra $975 by all means go for the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens at $1,096.95. It offers VR, Nano Crystal Coating and a constant f/4 aperture with 9 blades... otherwise the vintage AF-D version is optically the same... and you will be very hard pressed to notice any difference... other than it's 158g lighter which I certainly can appreciate.
I feel blessed to find a new version still in its original box with all the warranty papers...
A big shout out to Chris at Photo-60 for making this stellar optic available brand new for less than B&H is asking for it used... I have absolutely no problem paying Virginia Sales tax since I actually live here.
Yes I've noticed many of the negative reviews are from those testing this on a crop sensor...
However I dug deeper back into the late 1990's (before crop sensor digital) and on many photo forums of that era folks loved this lens... What I find astonishing is the precision of the zoom and focus gearing... firm and velvet smooth... This optic was certainly designed for commercial use... and it's build quality reflects this. You have to handle this optic to truly appreciate what it brings to the table.
That said for those who have an extra $975 by all means go for the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens at $1,096.95. It offers VR, Nano Crystal Coating and a constant f/4 aperture with 9 blades... otherwise the vintage AF-D version is optically the same... and you will be very hard pressed to notice any difference... other than it's 158g lighter which I certainly can appreciate.
I feel blessed to find a new version still in its original box with all the warranty papers...
A big shout out to Chris at Photo-60 for making this stellar optic available brand new for less than B&H is asking for it used... I have absolutely no problem paying Virginia Sales tax since I actually live here.
Aug 21, 2019 13:06:52 #
Don I appreciate your thoughts here... Yes I had the D7100 albeit didn't care much for the high ISO banding from the Toshiba sensor so I upgraded to the superb D7200 (Sony sensor) which I cherish... has the same Image Processing Engine (EXPEED 4) as my D810 which is a marked improvement over the EXPEED 3 in the D7100.
Food for thought Don, all Nikon's Pro Grade Cameras and Lens are still made in Japan... The Camera in the first image (Nikon D700) was made in Japan... As is my D3 and D3x... I certain can notice the quality difference especially for commercial work... btw, the D700, D3 and D3x were not subject to endless firmware "fixes" like the D750... in fact they only had a firmware upgrade to handle new pro lenses...
Yes my D7200 and D810 are doing stellar and each represent the end of a model product life... In time Nikon's factory in Thailand seems to get it right... love both of these wonderful cameras...
Interesting observation: The Nikon D700 is still heavily used by wedding shooters (I actually assist one)... and I prefer it's robust interface more than my D810... I can change most all critical settings on the fly (by feel) without taking my eye from the viewfinder. For those shooting events this is a major advantage!
I wish you well on your journey Don...
And best of luck with your D7100 and D750!
Food for thought Don, all Nikon's Pro Grade Cameras and Lens are still made in Japan... The Camera in the first image (Nikon D700) was made in Japan... As is my D3 and D3x... I certain can notice the quality difference especially for commercial work... btw, the D700, D3 and D3x were not subject to endless firmware "fixes" like the D750... in fact they only had a firmware upgrade to handle new pro lenses...
Yes my D7200 and D810 are doing stellar and each represent the end of a model product life... In time Nikon's factory in Thailand seems to get it right... love both of these wonderful cameras...
Interesting observation: The Nikon D700 is still heavily used by wedding shooters (I actually assist one)... and I prefer it's robust interface more than my D810... I can change most all critical settings on the fly (by feel) without taking my eye from the viewfinder. For those shooting events this is a major advantage!
I wish you well on your journey Don...
And best of luck with your D7100 and D750!
Aug 22, 2019 07:50:03 #
Congrats on your new lens! I used one for many years paired with a D3S shooting weddings, and had no complaints whatsoever. The range was ideal.
Aug 22, 2019 09:04:11 #
Nice Job Thomas and congratulations on that lens. It clearly has a lovely quality and get's the job done nicely. And thanks for all the research you provided for it; that's always a Bonus.
Aug 22, 2019 09:28:44 #
Was a great PJ lens for me in my film days. Now use a 24-105 Sigma ART. Have fun.
Aug 22, 2019 09:40:04 #
Many thanks for your thoughtful feedback yssirk123... yes I totally agree that the 24-120mm focal range is ideal for shooting events... and since I typically use speedlights the 3.5-5.6 aperture isn't an issue (even indoors) and on my D700 and D3 it focuses lighting fast! btw, your D3s is likely one of the most cherished of all Nikon's... it has held it's value far better than nearly all others...
I also truly enjoyed your stellar web portal.... you are truly a master of serene Landscape Photography... so very inspirational...
I also truly enjoyed your stellar web portal.... you are truly a master of serene Landscape Photography... so very inspirational...
Aug 22, 2019 09:44:18 #
Blair Shaw Jr thanks for taking the time to review and reflect... greatly appreciate your thoughtful words... And yes it renders with stellar aesthetic quality... and is a joy in the hand... likely one of the finest cost/value ratio I've ever found... totally loving it for what it brings to the table...
Aug 22, 2019 10:04:47 #
Chris thanks for your feedback here.... Yes my research back into the film era found this 24-120mm to be deeply appreciated by both photojournalist and event shooters... a legend in it's own time...
Totally understand why you have migrated to the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens... fabulous optic at a competitive price point... pretty much the same optical design as the vintage Nikkor with three aspherical elements to control spherical aberrations... and better light gathering at a constant f/4. My issue with this ART lens is it's weight at 885 g which is 1.6 times heavier than the vintage Nikkor... agreed that for short term use it's likely not a problem but for shooting an all day event it could be a limiting factor. also I'm not keen about an 85mm filter thread... that pushes the price up a tad higher...
That said... I'm a major fan of Sigma Glass... when they get it right it's stellar... thanks again for sharing...
Totally understand why you have migrated to the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens... fabulous optic at a competitive price point... pretty much the same optical design as the vintage Nikkor with three aspherical elements to control spherical aberrations... and better light gathering at a constant f/4. My issue with this ART lens is it's weight at 885 g which is 1.6 times heavier than the vintage Nikkor... agreed that for short term use it's likely not a problem but for shooting an all day event it could be a limiting factor. also I'm not keen about an 85mm filter thread... that pushes the price up a tad higher...
That said... I'm a major fan of Sigma Glass... when they get it right it's stellar... thanks again for sharing...
Aug 22, 2019 10:14:15 #
Thomas902 wrote:
Chris thanks for your feedback here.... Yes my res... (show quote)
One of the MAJOR reasons I just bought a Z6 w/24-70F4S for this type of work. Absolutely love it! Best of luck.
Aug 22, 2019 11:20:59 #
camerapapi wrote:
This is the lens that seems to fetch very negative reports in the Net. I had one years ago and it never failed to give me images that pleased me. Today, because of the negative reports the lens can be bought at bargain prices.
The only Nikon lens that did not please me was the 18-105 while many other photographers swear by it. Perhaps mine had a defect!
In general a lens will do its part if we do ours.
The only Nikon lens that did not please me was the 18-105 while many other photographers swear by it. Perhaps mine had a defect!
In general a lens will do its part if we do ours.
I have one also sits in the camera bag , I always heard it was supposed to be soft ,I used it on a d7100 with decent results on butterflies , since getting a d810 not one time as it is not reccomend not the new version either . Perhaps I shall try it ..
Aug 22, 2019 11:35:05 #
The lens that superseded yours has VR and according to all of the reports I have read about it it is not a good performer. Remember that your lens was made for film cameras and used with professional film it rendered beautiful, sharp images. I used mine with a D100 around 2002 if memory does not fail and even in that cropped sensor I was very happy with the images. I even photographed a wedding with it and the couple could not be happier.
This lens does not have the technologies of the f4 version and I agree with you that the new lens should perform much better with the new cameras. For someone in a budget this lens is good enough for a walk around lens.
Enjoy and post some images soon.
This lens does not have the technologies of the f4 version and I agree with you that the new lens should perform much better with the new cameras. For someone in a budget this lens is good enough for a walk around lens.
Enjoy and post some images soon.
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