Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF Lens

A good all round lens - benefits from rapid and quiet silent wave focus - ed lens element - pinsharp - good build quality in the main except it lacks the same degree of sealing of some of the other lenses and as such is prone to needing regular cleaning as dust can get onto the internal elements.

I had to have one cleaned under warranty and ended up using its replacement more and in the few occasions I have within two years following it has build up a few more dust deposits and is in for cleaning again.

Another advantage of chosing this lens is that it is not a DX model so is not specifically dedicated to the 2/3 format digital but can equally well be used of the F series film and the FX series full frame digitals - I have hooked it up onto a D3 and it is performing well especially as 24mm is now a true wide angle. To get this degree of cover on a fx camera you would require the 18-55DX

If you are looking for one for pro / semi pro use it might be worth investing in a VR lens especially if you are in low light , however, if you have the funds available the f2.8 version of this lens has a far superior preformance and being f2.8 all the way through goes some way to the advantages of the VR which is as f5.6 at full zoom reducing depth of field, and if your work is that critical using a tripod would not be an issue.

For ny personal use I attatchesd an f2.8 to a D3 recently and put the camera in DX mode to get the extra burst rate and turned up the film speed to gain the extra shutter speed to photograph motor cycles at our local track to good efect , repeated using the lens reviewed and the only difference I could critisize was a small loss of definition at the edges when in FX (Full frame) but was lost in DX (Digital 1.5) mode.

Small light and great performance, some have soft corners but this one's good, considered 28-70 2.8 but cost/performance irreconcilable, get one if you can find