Nikon MF 35-70 f/3.5, AF 28-85 f/3.5-4.5, AFS 24-85 f/3.5-4.5
After comparing Nikon’s manual focus 35-70 f/3.5, the AF 28-85 f/3.5 – 4.5 and the AFS 24-85 f/3.5 – 4.5, I was stunned at how poorly the AFS did. The oldest of the three, the 35-70, was clearly sharpest at the tested settings of 35mm, 50mm and 70mm. The 28-85 was a close second but the most modern lens, the AFS, was obviously much softer than the others.(Adorama and eBay are likely sources if you’re in the market for any of these lenses.)
The scene I chose for the test was the center part of this image:
You can just barely make out a soccer ball in the middle of the frame. That’s what I chose for the 100% crops. Just about all the reviews of the 24-85 I’ve found say it’s a remarkably good performer for its class so I’ve been wondering if I was missing something. It occurred to me that it’s possible this lens does better with closer subjects. So I tried a few shots of a poster on the wall, comparing the 24-85 at 35mm and 85mm to Nikon AF primes. So here are the results:
At 35mm and f/5.6, about four feet away:
Nikon AFD 35mm f/2 @f/5.6 and approximately 4 feet
Nikon AFS 24-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 @f/5.6 and approx. 4 feet
At about four feet away the prime is sharper and seems to have a bit more contrast but the difference seems much less significant than in the earlier tests.
Here they are at about eight feet:
Nikon AFD 35mm f/2 @f/5.6 and approx. 8 feet
Nikon AFS 24-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 @f/5.6 & 35mm, 8 feet
At eight feet I don’t see a whole lot of difference — the AFS color rendition seems a little warmer and maybe there’s a hair less contrast but it seems competitive with the prime.
Now for the 85mm range at about 4 feet:
Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8 @f/5.6 and approx. 4 feet
Nikon AFS 24-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 @f/5.6 & 85mm, 4 feet
At four feet the prime is much sharper, no question.
Here they are at about eight feet:
Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8 @f/5.6 and approx. 8 feet
Nikon AFS 24-85 f/3.5 - 4.5 @f/5.6 and approx. 8 feet
Now this is a little weird — the 85 looks slightly softer. I’m willing to chalk that up to a bit of focus error but the AFS seems to do quite well.
Just to refresh your memory, here are a couple of the comparisons from the earlier tests:
Nikon AFS 24-85mm f/3.5 - 4.5 @70mm & f5.6
Nikon MF 35-70mm f/3.5 @70mm & f/5.6
I want to like the AFS. I really do. With that bias in mind I’ll say I think it performs slightly better with closer subjects, well enough for use at events where it might help to soften faces a touch. It’s certainly a fine lens for family snapshots or tourist pics but it’s nobody’s idea of a landscape lens. At least, the sample I tested. So where does that leave me in my quest for lenses that won’t break my back while traveling, yet will produce publishable pictures? I’m still searching.
Adorama and eBay are likely sources if you’re in the market for any of these lenses.
