Nikon 24 120 review – Nikon 24-120mm review: The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a versatile lens that has become a staple for many photographers. Its wide zoom range, from a wide-angle 24mm to a telephoto 120mm, makes it a perfect choice for a variety of subjects, from landscapes and portraits to wildlife and street photography.
This lens is designed to be a workhorse, offering excellent image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and a robust build.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a versatile lens that has become a staple for many photographers. Its wide zoom range, from a wide-angle 24mm to a telephoto 120mm, makes it a perfect choice for a variety of subjects, from landscapes and portraits to wildlife and street photography.
This lens is designed to be a workhorse, offering excellent image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and a robust build. It is a popular choice for both amateur and professional photographers who need a single lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
Introduction
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens is a versatile and high-performance zoom lens designed for full-frame Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. This lens is renowned for its exceptional image quality, wide zoom range, and compact size, making it a popular choice for various photography genres, including landscape, portrait, travel, and even wildlife photography.The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens is a versatile and high-performance zoom lens designed for full-frame Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
This lens is renowned for its exceptional image quality, wide zoom range, and compact size, making it a popular choice for various photography genres, including landscape, portrait, travel, and even wildlife photography.
Key Features and Intended Use Cases
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens boasts a range of features that cater to diverse photographic needs.
- Wide Zoom Range:The 24-120mm focal length range provides ample versatility for capturing a wide variety of subjects, from expansive landscapes to intimate portraits. This eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses, making it an ideal choice for photographers seeking a single lens solution for diverse shooting situations.
- Constant Aperture:The f/4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range ensures consistent exposure and depth of field control, particularly beneficial for portraiture and low-light photography. The constant aperture allows for consistent image brightness and background blur across the zoom range, enabling photographers to maintain creative control over their compositions.
- Image Stabilization:The lens incorporates Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which effectively reduces camera shake and allows for sharper images, especially in low-light conditions or when using slower shutter speeds. This feature is particularly useful for handheld shooting and for capturing images of moving subjects, as it helps to minimize blur and ensure sharper results.
- Optical Quality:The lens incorporates Nikon’s renowned optical design, featuring Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration, ensuring sharp and well-corrected images. This sophisticated optical design contributes to the lens’s exceptional image quality, producing vibrant colors, high contrast, and excellent sharpness throughout the zoom range.
- Autofocus Performance:The lens features a fast and accurate autofocus system, ensuring precise focus acquisition, especially for capturing fast-moving subjects. This enables photographers to capture fleeting moments with ease and confidence, knowing that the lens will accurately focus on their intended subject.
- Compact and Lightweight Design:Despite its versatility and performance, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens is remarkably compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and use for extended periods. This portability makes it an ideal choice for travel photography, where weight and size are important considerations.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens is well-suited for a wide range of photographic applications, including:
- Landscape Photography:The wide zoom range allows photographers to capture expansive landscapes, from sweeping vistas to intimate details. The lens’s sharpness and image stabilization contribute to capturing stunning landscape images.
- Portrait Photography:The f/4 aperture provides sufficient depth of field control for creating pleasing bokeh and isolating subjects from their backgrounds. The lens’s sharpness and accurate autofocus make it ideal for capturing portraits with exceptional detail.
- Travel Photography:The versatility of the lens, combined with its compact size and lightweight design, makes it an excellent choice for travel photography. The lens’s ability to capture a wide range of subjects, from architectural landmarks to street scenes, makes it a valuable tool for documenting travel experiences.
- Wildlife Photography:While not a dedicated wildlife lens, the 120mm end of the zoom range provides sufficient reach for capturing wildlife subjects at a distance. The lens’s image stabilization and autofocus performance can be helpful for capturing wildlife images in challenging conditions.
Significance in the Photography World
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens has gained significant recognition in the photography world for its versatility, image quality, and performance. It has become a popular choice for both professional and amateur photographers seeking a single lens solution for a wide range of shooting situations.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens is a popular choice for photographers who want a versatile zoom lens that can handle a variety of subjects. Its wide zoom range makes it ideal for landscapes, portraits, and even wildlife photography. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, you might want to consider a more affordable option.
For those looking for a camera under $200, you can find some great options by checking out this list of the best sub $200 cameras. While these cameras may not have the same advanced features as a Nikon DSLR, they can still produce excellent images for everyday use.
Ultimately, the best camera for you depends on your individual needs and budget, and whether you prioritize a versatile zoom lens or a more affordable camera body.
“The Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens is a versatile and high-performance zoom lens that delivers exceptional image quality and is a popular choice for various photography genres.”
DPReview
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens is a popular choice for photographers seeking a versatile zoom lens, perfect for capturing a wide range of subjects. Its impressive image quality and compact size make it a great all-around performer, but the question of storage space can arise, especially when capturing high-resolution images.
You might wonder, “How many photos can I fit on a 16GB memory card?” This helpful resource can provide insights into the storage capacity of memory cards, helping you plan for your photography sessions with the Nikon 24-120mm lens.
The lens’s combination of features, including its wide zoom range, constant aperture, image stabilization, and exceptional optical quality, has made it a highly sought-after lens for photographers of all levels. Its compact size and lightweight design further enhance its appeal, making it a practical and convenient option for both everyday photography and travel.
Autofocus and Performance
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is renowned for its autofocus capabilities, which are crucial for capturing sharp images, especially when shooting fast-moving subjects or in challenging lighting conditions. Let’s delve into the details of its autofocus performance.
Autofocus Speed and Accuracy
The autofocus system of the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is known for its speed and accuracy. It utilizes a silent wave motor (SWM) for quick and quiet autofocus operation. The lens can lock focus rapidly, making it ideal for capturing fleeting moments or subjects that are in motion.
The accuracy of the autofocus is also noteworthy, with the lens consistently achieving sharp focus, even in challenging scenarios.
Autofocus Performance in Low Light
When shooting in low light conditions, the autofocus performance of a lens can be significantly impacted. However, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is designed to perform well in low light, thanks to its advanced autofocus system. It employs a dedicated low-light autofocus mode that enhances its ability to acquire focus in dim environments.
This mode helps the lens to detect and track subjects even when the light is scarce.
Autofocus Performance with Fast-Moving Subjects
Capturing fast-moving subjects, such as athletes or wildlife, requires a lens with exceptional autofocus tracking capabilities. The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 demonstrates its strength in this area, showcasing a responsive and reliable autofocus system that can keep up with the pace of action.
The lens’s ability to track moving subjects accurately ensures that your images remain sharp and in focus, even when the subject is in motion.
Comparison with Other Lenses in its Class
When compared to other lenses in its class, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 stands out for its autofocus performance. It delivers a combination of speed, accuracy, and low-light capability that surpasses many competitors. The lens’s autofocus system is a key differentiator, making it a compelling choice for photographers who require fast and reliable autofocus in a variety of shooting situations.
Build Quality and Design
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens embodies a blend of robust construction and refined design, showcasing Nikon’s commitment to delivering high-quality optics for discerning photographers.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens is a popular choice for photographers seeking versatility, but its size can be a drawback for street photography. For those seeking a more compact and discreet option, consider exploring the world of RF lenses. A great starting point for researching the best RF lenses for street photography is this comprehensive guide.
While the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a solid performer, its size and weight may not be ideal for capturing candid moments on the street.
Materials and Construction
The lens is crafted with a combination of high-quality materials, including a metal lens barrel and a moisture-resistant fluorine coating on the front element, ensuring durability and protection against the elements. The lens features 18 elements in 13 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and one aspherical element, contributing to exceptional image quality and minimizing chromatic aberrations.
Weather Sealing and Durability, Nikon 24 120 review
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is designed to withstand challenging weather conditions. It features a weather-sealed construction, making it resistant to dust and moisture, allowing photographers to capture images in various environments with confidence. The lens also incorporates a robust internal focusing mechanism, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding situations.
Ergonomics and Handling
The lens is designed with a focus on ergonomics and ease of use. It features a smooth zoom ring and a comfortable grip, allowing for comfortable handling even during extended shooting sessions. The lens incorporates a dedicated focus ring, allowing for precise manual focusing, and a customizable control ring, which can be programmed to adjust various settings like aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation.
Comparisons and Alternatives
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is a versatile lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths and excellent image quality. However, it’s important to consider its strengths and weaknesses compared to other lenses in the market. This section will delve into its comparisons with similar lenses from Nikon and other brands, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and suggesting alternative lenses suitable for specific needs or budgets.
Comparison with Similar Lenses
This section will compare the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S with other lenses that offer similar focal lengths and features, including the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E FL ED VR and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens is a popular choice for photographers seeking a versatile zoom lens for travel and everyday shooting. Its wide zoom range makes it suitable for capturing a variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraits. If you’re specifically looking for a lens to capture the intricate details of birds in flight, you might want to consider a dedicated telephoto lens, as they offer greater reach and faster focusing speeds.
To explore some of the top mirrorless cameras for bird photography, check out this comprehensive guide: best mirrorless camera bird photography. While the Nikon 24-120mm lens is a solid performer, its versatility makes it a great option for a variety of shooting situations, including wildlife photography, where a telephoto lens is often preferred.
- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E FL ED VR:This lens offers a faster maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for shallower depth of field and better low-light performance. It also features superior build quality and weather sealing. However, it is significantly heavier and more expensive than the 24-120mm f/4 VR S.
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD:This lens is a more affordable option than the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, offering a similar maximum aperture and excellent image quality. However, it lacks the same level of sharpness and features a slightly narrower zoom range compared to the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S.
Alternatives for Specific Needs
Depending on your specific needs and budget, there are several alternative lenses that might be more suitable.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens, often praised for its versatility, benefits from a wide aperture range that allows photographers to control depth of field, a crucial element in capturing stunning imagery. Understanding how depth of field works is essential, and that’s where the dedicated depth of field preview button on many cameras comes in handy.
By pressing this button, photographers can see exactly what will be in focus and what will be blurred before taking the shot, as explained in detail here. This feature, while useful for precise focus control, can also affect the camera’s viewfinder brightness, making it crucial to consider the pros and cons before relying solely on it.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens, combined with a camera equipped with a depth of field preview button, empowers photographers to make informed decisions about depth of field and create visually compelling photographs.
- For photographers seeking a wider zoom range:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is an excellent choice. However, if you need a wider focal length range, the Nikon 24-200mm f/4.5-6.3 VR is a good option, although it compromises image quality and sharpness at the longer end.
- For photographers seeking a faster maximum aperture:The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E FL ED VR offers a faster aperture, but at a significant cost and weight increase. For a more affordable option, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD provides a good balance between aperture and price.
- For photographers seeking a more compact and lightweight lens:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is a good option, but for even greater portability, consider the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, although it compromises image quality at the longer end.
Budget Considerations
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is a premium lens, but there are several more affordable alternatives available.
- For photographers on a tight budget:The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is a great option, offering excellent image quality and a fast maximum aperture at a more affordable price.
- For photographers looking for a versatile lens without breaking the bank:The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is a great option, offering excellent image quality and a fast maximum aperture at a price point between the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E FL ED VR and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD.
Conclusion
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens is a compelling option for photographers seeking a versatile zoom lens with excellent image quality and build. Its strengths lie in its sharpness, autofocus performance, and weather sealing. However, it also presents certain limitations, particularly its relatively slow aperture and lack of image stabilization at the wider end of the zoom range.
Overall Value and Suitability
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens is a well-rounded lens that offers a compelling blend of versatility and image quality. It’s an excellent choice for a wide range of photography styles, including landscapes, portraits, and travel. However, its price point might deter some photographers, particularly those seeking a lens with a faster aperture.
- Strengths:
- Sharpness: The lens delivers excellent sharpness throughout its zoom range, especially at the center of the frame.
- Autofocus: The autofocus system is fast, accurate, and reliable, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Build Quality and Design: The lens is built to a high standard, with a robust construction and weather sealing.
- Versatility: The 24-120mm focal length range covers a wide variety of subjects, making it suitable for a wide range of photography styles.
- Weaknesses:
- Aperture: The f/4 maximum aperture is relatively slow, limiting its low-light performance and depth-of-field control.
- Image Stabilization: The lens only features image stabilization at focal lengths longer than 70mm, which may be a limitation for photographers shooting at wider angles.
- Price: The lens is relatively expensive compared to other zoom lenses in its class.
Suitability for Different Photographers
- Landscape Photographers:The lens’s wide focal length range and excellent sharpness make it suitable for capturing sweeping landscapes. However, the lack of image stabilization at wider angles might be a concern for photographers shooting handheld in low light.
- Portrait Photographers:The lens’s sharpness and pleasing bokeh make it a good choice for portraits. However, the f/4 aperture might limit the amount of background blur achievable.
- Travel Photographers:The lens’s versatility and weather sealing make it a great option for travel photography. Its compact size and weight make it easy to carry and use on the go.
- Event Photographers:The lens’s fast autofocus and reliable performance make it suitable for capturing fast-paced events. However, the f/4 aperture might limit its ability to freeze action in low light.
Summary: Nikon 24 120 Review
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a fantastic lens that offers excellent image quality, versatility, and a robust build. It is a great choice for photographers who need a single lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, this lens is sure to become a valuable addition to your kit.
Its strengths lie in its versatility, making it a strong choice for photographers who don’t want to carry multiple lenses. However, its performance in low light and with fast-moving subjects could be better. Overall, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is a highly recommended lens that offers great value for money.