Jump to content

Welcome to NikonForums.com
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Photo

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR for D3400


  • Please log in to reply
11 replies to this topic

#1
DavidWell

DavidWell

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

Nikon currently has the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR marked down to $1,099.95. 

Would that be a good choice of a telephoto lens for a D3400? I will probably eventually upgrade to a FX. That is one consideration. I realize "good choice" is not much to go on. I would probably get more use out of a zoom lens but still would like to have a telephoto for taking shots of birds and other animals. 

Can anyone comment on the picture quality and compatibility with a D3400? Any pros or cons you'd like to mention? I'm still a newbie with digital SLRs.

Thanks for any comments.

 

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lenses | Nikon

 

 

Edit: Meant to ask about the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E. I can't edit the topic. I would also like any comments on the 24-120 or any other zoom. Might as well, since that is what I asked. I'm really interested in both zoom and telephoto.



#2
Jerry_

Jerry_

    Nikonian

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,524 posts
  • Country Flag
The current 24-120/4 is a good lens that you will enjoy on your DX camera.

It was my first FX lens when I was using my old D5100 - and it id still my walk around lens on my FX bodies (D610, D850). Thus, if you intend to go in some time for FX, that’s a good way to go.

If you would stay with DX you might also look for the 16-80/2.8-4, which is less heavier, but has only a max focal length of 80 vs 120mm.

However I would not really call the 24-120 a telezoom, especially if you look for taking captures of birds. For birds and other animals I would look for a lens like the 70-200/2.8 (there are also good offers from Tamron and Sigma) or with even longer focal lengths.
  • DavidWell likes this

#3
DavidWell

DavidWell

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

Thanks, Jerry.

I messed up and copied & pasted the wrong lens and link. I had meant to ask about the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E listed for $1,199.95. I'll welcome any comments on that lens.

 

But I am planning on getting the 24-120/4 and have also considered 16-80/2.8-4. I would definitely get more use out of the zoom

 

Thanks for recommending the 70-200/2.8. I'll read up on that.

 

I asked about a zoom lens in an earlier question on this forum. I really messed up asking again.



#4
Ron

Ron

    Nikonian

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,255 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationMagic City

Then, there's this Black Friday deal from B&H.

 

https://www.bhphotov...amera_with.html

 

--Ron


  • DavidWell likes this

#5
DavidWell

DavidWell

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

Then, there's this Black Friday deal from B&H.

 

https://www.bhphotov...amera_with.html

 

 

That would be a camera upgrade for me.


  • Ron likes this

#6
Merco_61

Merco_61

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 10,589 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationUppsala, Sweden

Site Supporter

The 200-500 is a good lens, but they often need some slight autofocus fine tune. As the D3400 lacks that feature, a Tamron 150-600 G2 or a Sigma 150-600 C that can be finetuned using a docking solution independent from the body are better matched to that camera.


  • TBonz and DavidWell like this

#7
Ron

Ron

    Nikonian

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,255 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationMagic City

That would be a camera upgrade for me.

Sorry, when I posted my comment I thought you were still looking for the 24-120. My bad!

 

--Ron



#8
DavidWell

DavidWell

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

Sorry, when I posted my comment I thought you were still looking for the 24-120. My bad!

 

--Ron

No. It's my bad. Thanks. That is a good deal. I'll probably go with the 24-120 first.


The 200-500 is a good lens, but they often need some slight autofocus fine tune. As the D3400 lacks that feature, a Tamron 150-600 G2 or a Sigma 150-600 C that can be finetuned using a docking solution independent from the body are better matched to that camera.

 

Thank you. That information is helpful. I will look into those lens. I will also read up on "using a docking solution independent..." since I don't know much about that.  I'm thinking I might be better off upgrading my camera before getting the telephoto. But, I can probably use those lens with another camera.  We'll see. Too many decisions to make.



#9
Merco_61

Merco_61

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 10,589 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationUppsala, Sweden

Site Supporter

Sigma's Dock or Tamron's Tap-in console make it possible to build your own focus correction curve where you finetune the AF at more than one distance and, in the case of zooms, more than one focal length. As these consumer lenses are not built to the same tight tolerances as the pro-grade optics to meet an affordable price point, they usually need some tweaking to perform at their best. This calibration is better than what is available in even the best bodies. The docking solution lets you control some other parameters as well, like assigning lens buttons to functions, moving focus limit settings to suit your own preferences for action photography etc.

 

I use my Sigma 150-600 S on D300, D700, D7200 and D750 using the same calibration I did on the D7200 when I found out that I needed it. That lens is a heavy beast and more expensive than the others in its class, but it suits my use best.

 

To do the calibration, you need a target. As I am a DIY-er since I was a child, I have made my own. I posted about it here.


  • TBonz and DavidWell like this

#10
DavidWell

DavidWell

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

 

To do the calibration, you need a target. As I am a DIY-er since I was a child, I have made my own. I posted about it here.

I might try something like that in the near future. Thanks for pointing me to the thread.


  • Merco_61 likes this

#11
SL500

SL500

    New Member

  • Forum Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationGreat Smoky Mountains - Tennessee

I use that lens on my D610 and it does an amazing job for most of my landscape photography. It will be fine on your DX camera until, and if, you decide to go to an FX format camera.

 

I was used to using a DX lens, the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens on my D300, and in certain smaller object photography, such as scale model cars and vintage firearms, it yieided apertures of down to f/36; great, on a tripod with self timer. 

 

The 24-120, however, is only capable of f/22. If that is a factor it is something more to consider.



#12
krag96

krag96

    Nikonian

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,319 posts
  • Country Flag

Site Supporter

Concerning the 24-120 f4, it's becoming a favorite of mine on my D700 as a general walk around and event lens.  It's very versatile on an FX body, but remember, on a DX body you'll have a 36-180mm lens due to the crop factor.  I haven't tried it yet on my D5500, so I can't comment on it on a DX camera. 

 

Unless you're planning on moving to a FX body, my opinion is you would be better off with a Nikkor/Nikon 16-80mm VR 1: 2.8-4E ED for the same money new or used and it will behave like the 24-120 f4 for FX cameras on your DX body.