Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR review

The Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR is an sometimes overlooked standard zoom for Nikon full-frame DSLRs

Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
(Image: © Nikon)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Historically sold as a kit lens with cameras including the D610 and D750, this Nikkor is also an attractive buy on its own. It’s fairly compact and lightweight yet matches the widest viewing angle of 24-70mm zooms, while stretching further into telephoto territory. It has a variable rather than constant aperture rating but is none too slow at f/3.5-4.5. Old-school ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and mechanical aperture control make it compatible with older Nikon DSLRs.

Pros

  • +

    Useful zoom range

  • +

    Good overall performance

  • +

    4-stop Vibration Reduction

Cons

  • -

    Lackluster edge-sharpness

  • -

    Noticeable color fringing

  • -

    Barrel and pincushion distortions

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The Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR isn’t the most obvious choice as an own-brand standard zoom for FX (full-frame) DSLRs. Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8 and 24-120mm f/4 lenses hog the limelight but this one is a good compromise in terms of zoom range, as well as being much less expensive to buy at around a third to half the price of the other two.

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.