Specific lens question: Nikkor AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0

Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Hermiston Oregon USA

After a good while searching the internet and agonizing over the one lens does all category, I am interested in the Nikon Nikkor AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0. This will be used on the D50.

Does anybody feel this is the best choice in its price range, or is there anything out there that will work better? Perhaps more than one fixed mm lens?

I think the price range is $550 USD, and I would like to explore landscape, macro and portrait/candid photography, in that order.

Premium Member Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 2020

You might consider the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical. It's a constant f/2.8 and having used it for quite some time, I feel very comfortable recommending it.

Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 63

I second Singlemalts recommendation of the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical. I got mine this week to use with my D50 and its quite nice and sharp. The new price at Adorama is only $360. I got a Demo unit for $300. I liked the wide aperture of my 50MM 1.8, but I wanted some ability to zoom on occasion, and this fills that need nicely.

Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Hermiston Oregon USA

As I have much more time than money, I have been reading all reviews of this lens I can find on the 'net.

Those who like the lens rave about it, and they are in the majority. They don't just like it a little; they are head over heels for it.

The others cite a problem with focusing, and some claim they tried out more than one individual lens before purchace. The remander of unhappy people say they sent the lens back to the manufacturer for "calibration".

Do you feel QC is an issue with Tamron, or this lens in particular? I will be buying this long distance, and would much prefer to get it right the first time!

I am 99% convinced this is the lens I need, but this issue concerns me. Perhaps the unhappy customers were expecting too much?

Premium Member Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 2020

scottowl wrote:

As I have much more time than money, I have been reading all reviews of this lens I can find on the 'net.

Those who like the lens rave about it, and they are in the majority. They don't just like it a little; they are head over heels for it.

The others cite a problem with focusing, and some claim they tried out more than one individual lens before purchace. The remander of unhappy people say they sent the lens back to the manufacturer for "calibration".

Do you feel QC is an issue with Tamron, or this lens in particular? I will be buying this long distance, and would much prefer to get it right the first time!

I am 99% convinced this is the lens I need, but this issue concerns me. Perhaps the unhappy customers were expecting too much?

Buy through a reputable dealer like B&H and you won't have a problem.

The 28-75 is a superb value. I use mine frequently with no troubles.

Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 63

On my Demo lens, Adorama has given me a 2 week "no questions asked" return period. This has given me a chance to do quite a bit of testing.

Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Hermiston Oregon USA

I ordered it from Adorama, and had no problems with them whatsoever. I have got 200 or so shots on it, and it is so much an improvement in image quality over the kit lens I had been using. I especially like the light gathering ability at twilight. The close up sharpness is good as well.

The only negative so far is that it illustrates how shaky I am when I need a long shutter speed, but goes back to years of hard livin', and is not exactly the lens at fault!

Thanks again for the great suggestion of lens and vendor!

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:01 am

I have this lens and use it on my F5 as well as my FM2n. I find it is the lens I keep on the camera most of the time. It is an excellent lens with good macro capabilities. I would highly recommend it.

I have not seen or tried the Tamron lens so I can't comment on it.