Which Nikon lens for D610?

There's also a VR and Non-VR version of the 3.5-4.5.
both rated decently well for Dxomark's "Best lenses for the D610" chart--But the 2.8-4 rates above both them...All have trade offs.

Used the 2.8-4 can be had for ~$300-400. The 3.5-4.5 non-vr ~$225. The 3.5-4.5 VR ~$300-350

Best standard zoom lenses for the Nikon D610 - DxOMark
 
# 1 - I have the 24-85/2.8-4.0 IF screw drive focusing (the camera's in-body focus motor does the focusing duties).

For some the lens could be a bit clunky.
But it offers excellent range in a more compact unit and has a nice macro mode, though through a switch.

It's not as "svelte" as the more modern VR version but still a dependable lens. And as Braineack mentions, ranks pretty well against the competition. They still make or sell them as NEW but on the used market they are pretty cheap by comparison. But it seems that there's variance out there .. some good lenses, some not so good lenses when you read reviews.

# 3 - I've also had the 35-70 AF-D (there's also a AF version). Even though it was nice and sharp keep in mind it is a push-pull lens. To zoom in/out it pushes out/in. Which for some it can be annoying. I found it great in a studio environment but outside with the sun projected towards the lens created images that just were dull and required alot of PostProcessing. If the sun was at your back or side no problem. I sold mine as the 24-85 was more versatile for me.

I also had the 70-300 VRii ... I never liked it, focusing problems related to contrast detection for sports. General use it was okay. So I sold it.
 
So I ended up getting the 24-85mm 2.8-4 and the one I got is very blurry around the edges.
Here are a series of pics of the new lens compared with one of my DX lenses on my D610

24-85mm f/3.5
19760386224_45406911ab_k.jpg

18-55mm f/3.8
20389292221_285af3b648_k.jpg


24-85mm f/7.1
20195017370_df82f19ad2_k.jpg

18-55mm f/7.1
20195172018_808172d3a3_k.jpg


24-85mm f/13
19760426994_c64cdefdd1_k.jpg

18-55mm f/13
20374612952_54e8634b2a_k.jpg


So I think it's fair to say that I got a bad lens. At around f/13, the image clarity is more on par with that of the DX lens but any larger aperture, the DX is obviously clearer. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Try another 24-85mm 2.8-4 or maybe move to the 3.5-4.5?
 
are you shooting the 18-55 on the d600?

did you test at different focal lengths?

there is a 24-70 2.8 tamron FS here that could be interesting...
 
are you shooting the 18-55 on the d600?
A D610 but yes.

did you test at different focal lengths?
I didn't set up a tripod and switch lenses to get a very similar image on each lens but I did take shots around my yard at different focal lengths. Still the 18-55 did better.
 
if those aren't crops to DX, I'd just shoot that :p
 
The 2.8-4, is an older screw drive version, the newer one is f3.5-4.5 vr version with af-s motor. Just on specs alone I'd go with the newer one, but that's not a statement backed up by any experience so it's only worth the paper it's printed on

I do believe that the older ones have a macro mode also
 
Currently upgrading to the D610 and have a Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 G which I may upgrade but that remains to be seen. Which of the following would you recommend or do you have any other recommendations? I am on a budget.

Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4 VR
Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 VR or the f/3.5-5.6
Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 (since I can't afford the Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8)

I use the Tamron 24-70 vc really a great lens for the money and gives you f2,8
and VC
 

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