caponumen's Full Review: Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF Lens
The Nikon IF AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D Zoom is not razor sharp at any focal length with the sample I own, but the contrast and color correction are both excellent and internal reflections are not excessive. The out of focus image quality is excellent across the entire aperture range.
As far as overall distortion I see nothing alarming at any focal length; but allowable distortion is extremely subjective and skewed by ones own point of view and the particulars of the subject matter. Personally I find pin cushion distortion much less unacceptable than barrel distortion.
Auto focus operation is very fast and accurate on the F5 and F100 bodies and has little trouble tracking focus at 8 fps.
The plastic construction is not a major problem but the lens barrel does droop near its extension extreme. I’m sure this has an effect on image quality near the 85mm setting.
The low weight of this lens is a plus and possibly the right direction in Nikon lens development.
However I *MUCH* prefer image quality over weight and I like to see metal in critical components where stiffness really counts. I don’t care what Canon says there are no polycarbonate composites that compare gram to gram with Al or Mg in dimensional stability and overall durability. It is clear Nikon understands this and the F100 body is (partial) proof. This lens is somewhat lesser in proof and I suspect temperature extremes may not bring entirely happy results.
I haven’t really tested this lens at it’s 24mm setting so I won’t comment on that part of it’s range, but at 35mm it *SEEMS* acceptable.
I have done some testing at macro distances and the full 1:2 reproduction ratio.
I am happy to say the image quality (again stopped WAY own) is good to excellent. Chromatic aberration is getting out of hand off center at 85mm however.
I am only able to test to ~ 80 lines/mm and this lens can and does exceed that.
As far as I am concerned this lens should be considered f/8-11 for any use except snap shots
where image quality is not paramount. This is not to say the wider apertures are useless, in fact they are great for low light composition and auto-focus operation.
I use this lens mainly for exterior scenes so with the use of a tripod I can achieve good to excellent image quality under most conditions.
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