Hi Moose, Your review is spot on. However the current crop (late 2015) of this lens doesn't wobble when fully extended. The lens is super-sharp. I bought it to replace my aging 35-70 F/2.8 Nikon and it is truly a lens I keep almost permanently on my Df. Even though it is one stop slower than my 35-70, it performed much better (faster AF, sharper, VR) in NYC night photography and it is clear how much Nikon optics have progressed. I almost feel like I'm cheating when I take handheld shots at night with this lens at 1/60 at 120 mm and when I use a monopod the results are even better. Thanks for sharing your pro insights with other photographers.
Great review as always Sold 28-70 2.8 and bought this No regrets - the only slight negative is missing the 70mm 2.8 bokeh ... but getting much longer range Yes it’s tack sharp
Moose! I didn't know you had TH-cam videos! I "grew up" so to speak following your work back from the Tokina days. I've got your Guide to Wildlife Photography as well as several Nikon System Handbooks of yours, so your recommendation of this lens pretty much sold me. I'm looking for a good Ariel photography lens for shooting out of a helicopter mostly to add to my primes. (I currently don't own a zoom) Good to see you and thanks for the review!
It's a great lens. I hardly use my 24-70mm f/2.8 any more. I can be shaking like a nudist in Antarctica, but the 24-120 never blurs. Can't say that with the 24-70, because it doesn't have VR. Nikon has the VR down to perfection in the 24-120.
Feels a great lens, will be using for the first time at work tomorrow December 29th) I’m a UK based rail/automotive photographer, looking forward to trying this out...
Thanks for the video. I'm thinking to get rid of my 18-300mm and get this lens instead. Would I be correct to assume that this lens would have better image quality than the 18-300 since it's the N type? By the way, I'm gonna be using it on a D7000.
Hey Moose really impressed with your review. I shoot with a D7000, I'm a product photographer primarily, but also an automotive and portrait photographer for fun. Its seems very crisp and sharp in comparison to my current setup. Is this something you would recommend on a D7000 body?
Thanks for the review. I have a D700 (an old but good equipment), so I ask you about using this lens with this body. The D700 is my firs full frame camera. Thanks in advance.
@@MoosePeterson Some lens work better on some camera models. The lens was made to be used in modern cameras like the D750 and not and old one like the D700.
@@danielrfunes if that's what you believe, then you should act on that. I use lenses made for the FTN on my D6, that's a film body lens on a digital body. I know of no such thing for Nikon lenses as you describe.
I just purchased a Nikon D610 body only no kit lens. I do not own any lenses so I am debating if I should buy this 24-120mm or the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di USD VC for a first lens? Price is the same give or take a few bucks so that is not an issue. The digital world tells me to buy the 2.8 but I'm thinking about the extra reach of the 120mm? Looking for a walk around, vacation, everyday high quality, sharp lens...Help me decide?
It's a no brainer. Buy the 120. I have the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 and it is a great lens. But, it is front end heavy and doesn't have the reach of the 120. Plus, the 120 is cheaper and has VR for shots under 1/125 sec. The 120 is great for travel.
Thanks, Moose. You shoot with the D810, correct? Even with that amount of pixels is the image that good after having it printed VERY big? Thanks again for the tip.
According to DxO labs which is considered by many the Consumer Reports of lens and sensor testing, the 28-300 is not as sharp. On a Nikon d750 like I have, the overall score for the 24-120 is 22, while it is 17 on the 28-300.
The 24-120 is very sturdy lens. I dropped it accidentally from a substantial height on to concrete and it survived without a scratch. The main drawback I see as Moose pointed out is it is not weather sealed, and hence collects lot of debris over the period of time if used in such conditions. Picture quality is generally very good. Wide end 24mm you would see some vignetting, but sharp till almost 105mm, and it looses some sharpness at full zoom.
As a matter of fact, VR only helps compensating the photographer's movements when shutter speeds are slow. When shutter speeds are fast (anything above 1/125 sec), switch off the VR, thus locking the moving parts inside the lens and getting sharper images. The same thing applies when your camera is on a tripod; just switch off the VR.
Jet Roc it is still as sharp if not sharper because it is only seeing the center of the lens, but that means that all focal lengths are multiplied by 1.5x so effectively it is a 36mm-180mm which means that it is not as wide but more telephoto on the long end
Hi Moose thanks for this. Does this lens underexposes by 1/3 to 1/2 stop compared to other lenses using the same settings? I've read some reviews regarding this issue.
Beautifully said Moose www.camerasdirect.com.au/camera-lenses/nikon-lenses/nikon-24-120mm-lenses for our Aussie viewers as there is another review here also.
Hi Moose, Your review is spot on. However the current crop (late 2015) of this lens doesn't wobble when fully extended. The lens is super-sharp. I bought it to replace my aging 35-70 F/2.8 Nikon and it is truly a lens I keep almost permanently on my Df. Even though it is one stop slower than my 35-70, it performed much better (faster AF, sharper, VR) in NYC night photography and it is clear how much Nikon optics have progressed. I almost feel like I'm cheating when I take handheld shots at night with this lens at 1/60 at 120 mm and when I use a monopod the results are even better. Thanks for sharing your pro insights with other photographers.
I just bought this lens on ebay almost 1/4 of the price of a new 24-120 z lens and love it!
Great review as always
Sold 28-70 2.8 and bought this
No regrets - the only slight negative is missing the 70mm 2.8 bokeh ... but getting much longer range
Yes it’s tack sharp
Been using this lens for a year and like you I love it!
I have this lens and it is excellent. There is nothing that I could recommend improvements on. This lens is on my D610 and works perfectly.
Moose! I didn't know you had TH-cam videos! I "grew up" so to speak following your work back from the Tokina days. I've got your Guide to Wildlife Photography as well as several Nikon System Handbooks of yours, so your recommendation of this lens pretty much sold me. I'm looking for a good Ariel photography lens for shooting out of a helicopter mostly to add to my primes. (I currently don't own a zoom) Good to see you and thanks for the review!
It's a great lens. I hardly use my 24-70mm f/2.8 any more. I can be shaking like a nudist in Antarctica, but the 24-120 never blurs. Can't say that with the 24-70, because it doesn't have VR. Nikon has the VR down to perfection in the 24-120.
Feels a great lens, will be using for the first time at work tomorrow December 29th) I’m a UK based rail/automotive photographer, looking forward to trying this out...
Thanks for the video.
I'm thinking to get rid of my 18-300mm and get this lens instead. Would I be correct to assume that this lens would have better image quality than the 18-300 since it's the N type?
By the way, I'm gonna be using it on a D7000.
Hey Moose really impressed with your review. I shoot with a D7000, I'm a product photographer primarily, but also an automotive and portrait photographer for fun. Its seems very crisp and sharp in comparison to my current setup. Is this something you would recommend on a D7000 body?
+drizzetsrevenge thanks .... would work great on any body!
Moose, Can you please tell me would you happen to know the sweet spot of this particular lens?📷
Sorry, I sure can't. Something I never figure out for myself.
@@MoosePeterson Moose, I did some tests on this lens which I absolutely love! The sweet spot is either f/8 or f/9!
Thanks for the review. I have a D700 (an old but good equipment), so I ask you about using this lens with this body. The D700 is my firs full frame camera. Thanks in advance.
not sure what you're asking. It works on any F Mount or Z Mount body the same
@@MoosePeterson Some lens work better on some camera models. The lens was made to be used in modern cameras like the D750 and not and old one like the D700.
@@danielrfunes if that's what you believe, then you should act on that. I use lenses made for the FTN on my D6, that's a film body lens on a digital body. I know of no such thing for Nikon lenses as you describe.
I just purchased a Nikon D610 body only no kit lens. I do not own any lenses so I am debating if I should buy this 24-120mm or the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di USD VC for a first lens? Price is the same give or take a few bucks so that is not an issue. The digital world tells me to buy the 2.8 but I'm thinking about the extra reach of the 120mm? Looking for a walk around, vacation, everyday high quality, sharp lens...Help me decide?
It's a no brainer. Buy the 120. I have the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 and it is a great lens. But, it is front end heavy and doesn't have the reach of the 120. Plus, the 120 is cheaper and has VR for shots under 1/125 sec. The 120 is great for travel.
Thanks, Moose. You shoot with the D810, correct? Even with that amount of pixels is the image that good after having it printed VERY big? Thanks again for the tip.
I like that you're out in the snow, we can see your breath and you're wearing short sleeves. I guess that's why your name is Moose. Eh?
Hey Mr Moose, is this lens sharp enough for a D810?
Greetings, a fan.
I would say yes, whatever you focus on will be very sharp. Thanks!
I use my Nikon 24-120 on my D810 and get superb results.
How this lens compares to Nikon 24-85 f3.5-4.5 ? Which one do you prefer for D610?
Will VR and AF work on a Nikon F80
Hey Moose, would you recommend the nikkor 17-55 f2.8G IF ED instead of this 24-120 f4G ED VR ?
not shot with it, so no clue
Is the Nikkor 28-300 as sharp as the 24-120?
I've never done a side by side comparison but have shot with both and have no hesitation recommending them
According to DxO labs which is considered by many the Consumer Reports of lens and sensor testing, the 28-300 is not as sharp. On a Nikon d750 like I have, the overall score for the 24-120 is 22, while it is 17 on the 28-300.
Thanks for the info Davis Durand!
I'm going for the 24-120mm on my D800
Cheers!
The 24-120 is very sturdy lens. I dropped it accidentally from a substantial height on to concrete and it survived without a scratch. The main drawback I see as Moose pointed out is it is not weather sealed, and hence collects lot of debris over the period of time if used in such conditions. Picture quality is generally very good. Wide end 24mm you would see some vignetting, but sharp till almost 105mm, and it looses some sharpness at full zoom.
Hi Moose, can I use this for Nikon DX D5200?
+Kev Magan Yes you can literally use it as in that it will be compatible with your body at the appropriate crop rate.
Do they have a weather protected version of this?
Not that I'm aware of, you'd need to go to the Nikon website for that answer.
Hi Moose, My images are blurry when VR is ON. In OFF mode I am getting sharpest images as with VR. Did you recognize same problem on that lens?
Branislav Coros sorry, I don't. You're not on a tripod are you?
As a matter of fact, VR only helps compensating the photographer's movements when shutter speeds are slow. When shutter speeds are fast (anything above 1/125 sec), switch off the VR, thus locking the moving parts inside the lens and getting sharper images. The same thing applies when your camera is on a tripod; just switch off the VR.
Nice info Eric.
Hi Moose! I'm using d7200. Can i use len 24-120f4 for it? give me your review. thanks Moose!
Jet Roc it is still as sharp if not sharper because it is only seeing the center of the lens, but that means that all focal lengths are multiplied by 1.5x so effectively it is a 36mm-180mm which means that it is not as wide but more telephoto on the long end
is this the same lens in the d750 kit? thanks
i believe so, yes
Yes, and it is not the typical kit lens. It's a great lens.
Is this 24-120 sharper than the 18-105?
I bought one used and the hood is stuck, help bro
I use this lens on a D7000 and love it, best lens I have!!!!!
Hi Moose thanks for this. Does this lens underexposes by 1/3 to 1/2 stop compared to other lenses using the same settings? I've read some reviews regarding this issue.
Beautifully said Moose www.camerasdirect.com.au/camera-lenses/nikon-lenses/nikon-24-120mm-lenses for our Aussie viewers as there is another review here also.
So you can’t use it in rain.
Cool !
would be my only lens except the zoom is incredibly noisy, need a prime or some better zoom lens for video
The camera helps tell the story 😂
is 24-120 can be used in d5100
you bet!
Will work but the focal length would be different since its cropped sensor.