Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR
11. Summary
- efficient image stabilization,
- very good image quality in the frame centre for the whole range of focal lengths,
- not bothersome distortion on the DX sensor,
- low astigmatism,
- negligible vignetting on the DX sensor and acceptable vignetting on full frame,
- good work against bright light,
- silent, quite quick and efficient autofocus.
Cons:
- very high chromatic aberration near the maximum relative aperture,
- low quality of image on the edge of full frame near the maximum relative aperture,
- significant distortion on full frame,
- noticeable coma.
The Nikkor AF-S 24–120 mm f/4G ED VR, despite several flaws, is a well-done lens for sure. I would sing the praises of it for several paragraphs if only the price was lower. Currently it costs about 1140 $ and it is really a significant amount of money. First and foremost it is much more expensive than its slower predecessor which can be still bought for the sum three times lower. I understand that the Nikkor AF-S 24–120 mm f/4G ED VR is supposed to compete with (or supersede) the well-done Canon 24-105 mm f/4.0L IS USM. Optically both lenses are very much alike. The problem is that the Canon, being noticeably cheaper, features also a superior build quality. It is, after all, an L series device produced in Japan. From the mechanical point of view the Thailand-produced Nikkor looks and behaves like a lens with a 300 – 600 $ price tag. A narrow manual focus ring with slacks or the inner tube with plastic elements in the 1140 price segment are simply inappropriate.
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Perhaps the steep price of the tested Nikkor stems from the fact that we deal with a novelty here. If it is true I would recommend postponing the purchase. There are really no reasons whatsoever why you should spend on this lens more than on the Canon 24–105 mm f/4.0L IS USM, which nowadays can be bought for a bit over 1000 $.
Sample shots
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.84 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 85 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.58 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1600 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.43 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 32 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.6 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 24 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.63 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 24 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.74 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 46 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1600 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.21 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1000 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.25 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 82 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.56 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/500 s, ISO 400 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.64 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1600 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.12 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/500 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.11 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 85 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/2000 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.44 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 85 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.71 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/1600 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.31 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 24 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.34 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 35 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1000 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.47 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.16 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.21 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 120 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.41 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 70 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.44 MB |
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Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 85 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 5.45 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 65 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.02 MB |
Camera: Nikon D3x Parameters: 24 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/6 s, ISO 800 File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 9.59 MB |
