Nikon 24 120mm vr review – The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens, often touted as a versatile workhorse, promises to be a reliable companion for photographers across a wide range of genres. This lens boasts a flexible zoom range, making it suitable for capturing landscapes, portraits, and even street photography.
But how does it perform in real-world scenarios? We delve into its image quality, autofocus capabilities, build, and overall versatility to discover if it truly lives up to its reputation.
From its sharp optics and effective vibration reduction system to its robust build and user-friendly controls, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens offers a compelling package for photographers seeking a lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations. But before you make a decision, let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses to see if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Introduction
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is a versatile lens designed for full-frame Nikon DSLR cameras. It’s a popular choice for photographers and videographers who need a lens that can handle a wide range of subjects and shooting situations. This lens is known for its exceptional image quality, sharp details, and impressive optical performance.
Its wide zoom range, coupled with its constant aperture, makes it a great choice for various photography styles, from landscape and portraiture to wildlife and travel photography.
Key Features
This lens incorporates a number of innovative features designed to enhance its versatility and performance. Here are some of the key aspects that make it stand out:
- Wide Zoom Range:The 24-120mm focal length range covers a broad spectrum of perspectives, allowing you to capture everything from expansive landscapes to intimate portraits. This eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses for different focal lengths.
- Constant Aperture:The f/4 aperture remains consistent throughout the entire zoom range, providing consistent exposure and depth of field control. This feature is particularly valuable for photographers who need to maintain a consistent look across their images.
- Vibration Reduction (VR):Nikon’s VR technology effectively reduces camera shake, allowing for sharper images, especially in low-light conditions or when shooting handheld. The VR system provides up to 4 stops of compensation, ensuring stability and clarity in various shooting scenarios.
- Autofocus Performance:The lens incorporates a silent wave motor (SWM) for fast, accurate, and near-silent autofocus. This feature is especially helpful for photographers who need to capture fleeting moments or work in environments where noise is a concern.
- Image Quality:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens is renowned for its excellent image quality. It delivers sharp details, vibrant colors, and minimal distortion throughout its zoom range. This ensures that your images are crisp and clear, even at the edges of the frame.
- Build Quality:This lens is constructed with high-quality materials and boasts a robust design that can withstand the rigors of everyday use. It’s weather-sealed to protect against dust and moisture, making it suitable for shooting in various environments.
Intended Use
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens is designed for photographers and videographers who need a versatile lens capable of handling various shooting situations. It’s a popular choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike, due to its wide zoom range, constant aperture, and excellent image quality.
Here are some of the most common applications for this lens:
- Landscape Photography:The wide zoom range and sharp details make this lens ideal for capturing breathtaking landscapes, from expansive vistas to close-up details.
- Portraiture:The lens’s versatile focal lengths and ability to create a pleasing bokeh effect are perfect for capturing stunning portraits, both indoors and outdoors.
- Wildlife Photography:While not a dedicated telephoto lens, the 120mm end of the zoom range allows for capturing wildlife subjects from a moderate distance, providing a good balance between reach and image quality.
- Travel Photography:This lens’s wide zoom range and compact size make it an excellent choice for travel photographers who need a versatile lens that can handle a variety of subjects and shooting situations.
- Videography:The smooth zoom and silent autofocus make this lens suitable for video recording, especially for documentaries, travel vlogs, and event coverage.
Autofocus and Stabilization
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is a versatile lens known for its impressive autofocus and image stabilization capabilities. It utilizes a sophisticated autofocus system and a powerful Vibration Reduction system to ensure sharp images even in challenging shooting conditions.
Autofocus Performance, Nikon 24 120mm vr review
The autofocus system in the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is exceptionally fast and accurate, thanks to its internal focusing mechanism and the use of a stepping motor. This combination allows for quick and precise focusing, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects.
The Nikon 24-120mm VR lens is a popular choice for photographers who want a versatile zoom lens that can handle a variety of subjects. It offers excellent image quality and a wide zoom range, making it ideal for travel, landscape, and portrait photography.
However, if you’re looking for a more compact and affordable option, you might want to consider a mirrorless camera like the Panasonic GX8 or GX85. The Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic GX85 comparison can help you decide which camera best suits your needs.
Once you’ve chosen your camera, you can then decide whether the Nikon 24-120mm VR lens is the right choice for your shooting style.
The lens’s autofocus performance is consistent across the entire zoom range, ensuring reliable focusing at both wide and telephoto focal lengths.The autofocus speed is particularly impressive in good lighting conditions, where the lens can lock focus almost instantaneously. In low light, the autofocus system remains reliable, although it may take a fraction of a second longer to acquire focus.
The lens’s ability to focus accurately in various lighting conditions makes it a valuable tool for photographers who work in diverse environments.The autofocus performance of the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is comparable to other high-end lenses in its class.
It can compete with lenses like the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM and the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS in terms of speed and accuracy.
Vibration Reduction Effectiveness
The VR (Vibration Reduction) system in the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S is highly effective at reducing camera shake and improving image sharpness. This system uses a sophisticated mechanism to compensate for camera movement, allowing photographers to capture sharp images at slower shutter speeds.The VR system is particularly useful in low-light situations, where it can help photographers avoid blurry images by allowing them to use slower shutter speeds without sacrificing sharpness.
It also proves beneficial when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths, where even minor camera shake can significantly affect image quality.The VR system in the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S offers up to 5 stops of shake reduction, which means that photographers can use shutter speeds that are up to 5 stops slower than they would normally be able to without introducing blur.
This capability significantly expands the lens’s versatility and allows for greater creative control.
Autofocus Performance Comparison
| Lens | Autofocus Speed | Accuracy ||—|—|—|| Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S | Very fast | Excellent || Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM | Fast | Good || Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS | Fast | Excellent |The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S stands out for its exceptionally fast and accurate autofocus, which is comparable to the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS and surpasses the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM.
The Nikon 24-120mm VR lens is a popular choice for photographers looking for a versatile zoom lens, offering a wide range of focal lengths suitable for various shooting scenarios. Its impressive image stabilization system helps to minimize camera shake, especially at longer focal lengths.
However, for photographers seeking the ultimate in image quality and dynamic range, the Sony a7S II with its ProRes RAW recording capability offers a compelling alternative. ProRes RAW captures a vast amount of data, enabling extensive post-processing flexibility, and allowing photographers to recover detail in highlights and shadows that would otherwise be lost.
While the Nikon 24-120mm VR lens provides excellent image quality, the a7S II with ProRes RAW offers an unparalleled level of control and creative potential for those demanding the absolute best from their images.
Build and Handling
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens is a well-built piece of optical equipment, reflecting Nikon’s commitment to quality craftsmanship. It’s constructed using a combination of materials that contribute to its durability and performance.The lens boasts a robust build quality, primarily due to its magnesium alloy construction.
This material, known for its lightweight yet strong properties, is commonly found in high-end lenses, making the 24-120mm VR S both sturdy and manageable. The lens barrel is sealed against dust and moisture, providing protection in challenging environments.
Size, Weight, and Balance
The 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens is a compact and relatively lightweight lens, especially considering its zoom range. Its size and weight make it an attractive option for photographers seeking a versatile lens without sacrificing portability. The lens measures approximately 84.5mm in diameter and 117.5mm in length.
It weighs around 630 grams, which is considered moderate for a lens of its capabilities. The lens’s weight distribution is well-balanced, making it comfortable to handle on various camera bodies, including full-frame and APS-C models.The lens’s weight distribution is designed to provide a balanced feel when mounted on different camera bodies.
It feels comfortable and secure on both full-frame and APS-C cameras, ensuring a stable shooting experience. The weight distribution also helps to minimize camera shake, especially when shooting at longer focal lengths.
Controls and Usability
The lens features a smooth and precise focusing ring, which provides tactile feedback and allows for accurate manual focusing. The focusing ring has a wide range of movement, making it easy to fine-tune focus adjustments. The zoom ring is also well-designed, providing a smooth and controlled zoom experience.
It’s textured for a secure grip, allowing for precise zoom adjustments, even with gloved hands.The lens features a dedicated focus mode switch, allowing photographers to choose between autofocus and manual focus. The switch is conveniently located on the lens barrel, making it easy to access.
The Nikon 24-120mm VR lens is a versatile choice for photographers who want a single lens to cover a wide range of focal lengths. Its image stabilization helps to ensure sharp images, even when shooting handheld. To keep your camera gear secure and comfortable, a high-quality harness is essential.
The dual camera harness leather offers a secure and stylish way to carry your Nikon 24-120mm VR lens and other camera equipment. This harness distributes weight evenly, reducing strain on your shoulders and back, making it perfect for long shooting sessions.
With the right support, you can fully utilize the Nikon 24-120mm VR lens’s capabilities and capture stunning images.
There’s also a customizable function button on the lens barrel, which can be programmed to control various camera functions, such as aperture, exposure compensation, or autofocus mode. This button allows for personalized control and workflow optimization.
- The lens features a dedicated focus mode switch, allowing for easy switching between autofocus and manual focus.
- A customizable function button on the lens barrel provides added control over various camera functions.
- The lens incorporates a smooth and precise focusing ring, enabling accurate manual focusing.
- The zoom ring is designed for smooth and controlled zooming, with a textured surface for a secure grip.
Versatility and Use Cases
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens, with its versatile focal range and exceptional optical quality, proves to be a valuable tool for a wide array of photographic genres. Its ability to capture both wide-angle perspectives and telephoto shots makes it an attractive option for various shooting situations, from landscape and portraiture to street photography and travel.
Landscape Photography
The wide-angle capabilities of the 24-120mm lens are particularly advantageous for capturing expansive landscapes. Its ability to capture a broad field of view allows photographers to encompass the grandeur of nature, showcasing the vastness of mountains, the sweeping curves of coastlines, or the intricate details of a forest.
The lens’s sharp rendering and minimal distortion ensure that the details of the scene are faithfully captured, resulting in stunning images with exceptional clarity.
Portrait Photography
While the 24-120mm lens may not be a traditional portrait lens, its versatility allows it to excel in portraiture as well. Its longer focal lengths provide the necessary separation and compression to create flattering portraits with pleasing background blur. The lens’s sharp rendition ensures that facial features are captured with precision, while its smooth bokeh helps to isolate the subject from the background, drawing the viewer’s attention to the individual.
Street Photography
The 24-120mm lens’s versatility extends to street photography, where its wide-angle perspective allows photographers to capture the energy and dynamism of urban environments. The lens’s fast aperture enables photographers to capture fleeting moments with sharp detail and pleasing bokeh, effectively isolating subjects from the surrounding chaos.
The lens’s compact size and relatively lightweight design make it a discreet and convenient option for navigating crowded streets.
Travel Photography
For travel photographers, the 24-120mm lens offers a compelling solution for capturing diverse subjects. Its versatility allows photographers to capture everything from sweeping vistas to intimate portraits, making it an ideal all-in-one lens for documenting their journeys. The lens’s compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry and use, while its weather-sealing ensures protection against the elements.
Wildlife Photography
The 24-120mm lens can also be a valuable tool for wildlife photography, particularly for capturing smaller animals or birds in their natural habitats. The lens’s telephoto reach allows photographers to get closer to their subjects without disturbing them, while its sharp rendering and minimal distortion ensure that the details of the animal’s features are captured with precision.
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens is a versatile choice for photographers, offering a wide zoom range ideal for capturing a variety of subjects. From expansive landscapes to intimate portraits, this lens can handle it all. Its versatility reminds us of the power of black and white photography, which often focuses on capturing the essence of a subject, as seen in iconic images like those found on famous black and white images.
These images, stripped of color, emphasize form, light, and shadow, much like the Nikon 24-120mm VR lens allows photographers to manipulate depth of field and composition to create compelling images.
However, for larger animals or distant subjects, a longer telephoto lens might be a more suitable option.
Other Use Cases
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR S lens’s versatility extends beyond the traditional photographic genres. Its sharp rendering and minimal distortion make it an excellent choice for architectural photography, capturing intricate details of buildings and structures. The lens’s fast aperture also makes it suitable for low-light photography, allowing photographers to capture stunning images in challenging lighting conditions.
Comparison with Competitors: Nikon 24 120mm Vr Review
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is a versatile lens that competes with other similar offerings from Nikon and other brands. Comparing it to its rivals helps understand its strengths and weaknesses and assess its value proposition.
Performance Comparison with Similar Lenses
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR faces competition from lenses like the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2, and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art.
- Image Quality:While the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR delivers good image quality with sharp details and minimal distortion, it falls slightly behind the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR in terms of sharpness and overall image quality. However, it surpasses the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art in sharpness at the longer end of the zoom range.
- Autofocus:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR’s autofocus is quick and accurate, comparable to the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. It outperforms the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art in terms of speed and accuracy, particularly when shooting fast-moving subjects.
- Stabilization:The VR (Vibration Reduction) system in the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is effective in reducing camera shake, providing up to 4 stops of compensation. It performs similarly to the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and outperforms the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art in terms of stabilization effectiveness.
- Build and Handling:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR has a solid build quality with a weather-sealed design, comparable to the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. It surpasses the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art in terms of build quality and weather resistance.
- Versatility:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR’s wide zoom range makes it versatile for various photography genres, from landscape and portraiture to street and wildlife photography. It offers a similar versatility to the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, while the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art provide a narrower zoom range, limiting their versatility.
Price and Value Proposition
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is priced competitively compared to its rivals. It offers a good value proposition for photographers seeking a versatile lens with good image quality, autofocus, and stabilization.
- Price Comparison:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR is typically priced lower than the Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, making it a more affordable option for photographers on a budget. It is also priced lower than the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, offering a more cost-effective solution for photographers who prioritize versatility over maximum aperture.
- Value Proposition:The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR offers a good balance of features and performance at its price point. It provides a wide zoom range, good image quality, accurate autofocus, and effective stabilization, making it a versatile and reliable lens for various photography needs.
Conclusion
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens stands as a highly versatile and capable option for photographers seeking a single lens solution for a wide range of shooting scenarios. Its impressive image quality, coupled with a practical zoom range, makes it a valuable tool for both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Strengths and Limitations
The lens’s strengths lie in its sharp image rendering across the zoom range, particularly at the wider end. Its robust build quality and weather sealing offer reassurance for demanding shooting conditions. The VR system effectively minimizes camera shake, allowing for handheld shooting in low light.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the lens’s f/4 maximum aperture limits its ability to gather light in low-light situations, potentially requiring higher ISOs or slower shutter speeds.
Recommendation
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens is a highly recommended option for photographers seeking a versatile, high-quality lens that can handle a wide range of shooting scenarios. Its sharp image quality, robust build, and effective VR system make it a valuable tool for both professionals and enthusiasts.
However, its f/4 maximum aperture may limit its performance in low-light conditions. Photographers who prioritize low-light performance may want to consider alternative lenses with wider maximum apertures.
Epilogue
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens proves to be a solid performer, offering excellent image quality, reliable autofocus, and a robust build. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool for photographers who need a single lens to handle a variety of shooting situations.
While it may not be the absolute sharpest lens in its class, its overall performance and ease of use make it a compelling choice for photographers seeking a dependable and versatile companion. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, portraits, or street scenes, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR lens delivers consistent results and a satisfying shooting experience.