[Leica] Nikon forum advice (OT!)

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

This guy, DOUGLAS DIETIKER for landscapes tested it out and couldn't figure
out what all the fuss was about it worked for him perfectly.
http://theuntamedlandscape.blogspot.com/2010/11/nikon-24-120-review-for-land
scape.html or
http://tinyurl.com/7p56ako
Its a rather involved test. He uses the lens now and carries around less
glass on a shoot as a result.

- - from my iRabs.
Mark Rabiner
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/


> From: Aram Langhans <leica_r8 at hotmail.com>
> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 16:05:23 -0700
> To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Nikon forum advice (OT!)
> 
> I have been using the 24-120/4 for about 11 months now.  I can't say I am
> thrilled with the results, though I like the reach.  I was experiencing 
> some
> mechanical problems with the lens.  If I grabbed the front ring and wobbled
> it, there was a lot of play and it did not improve it I racked the lens in
> to the 24mm position.  And while walking around, the lens developed quite a
> bit of creep from when I first got it. I sent it to Nikon for a look.   I
> also had them look at the focus, because it does not behave like any Zoom
> lens I have ever had.  If I am in focus at 24mm, and I zoom out to some
> other focal length, the focus shifts.  And vice versa.  It was terribly
> frustrating in Yosemite a few months ago when shooting the moonbow at
> midnight.  I could never get the focus correct, so I slapped on the Leica
> 35-70, set it to infinity, and the day was saved, albeit at a shorter focal
> length.
> 
>  I sent the lens back to Nikon and just got it back a few weeks ago. They
> said everything was just fine.  No problems.  The must have lubed it a bit,
> as the lens barrel does not wobble or creep as much as it did.  I suspect
> that will return as I break it in again.  It still focus shifts 
> dramatically
> when you zoom in or out.  I guess it is designed that way.  An old variable
> focus design in a new lens.
> 
> As far as image quality, it is OK, but not what I would expect from a $1200
> lens.  Been spoiled by my 35-70/4 Leica R zoom.  that lens is a very nice
> lens.  Of course, it is a 2x zoom vs a 5x zoom, so I would expect it to be
> better.  But it also is in focus at whatever the focusing ring says, and if
> you zoom in and out the focus does not change.  A true, high quality zoom.
> 
> Aram
> 
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Frank Dernie" <Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 11:08 AM
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Nikon forum advice (OT!)
> 
>> I understand the new f4 version of the 24-120 is no better quality than
>> its predecessor the f3.5-f5.6 which you dislike so much, though I have not
>> tried one myself (I was put off by so many disappointed owners posting on
>> the 'net). How many really disappointing pictures did you take with your
>> f3.5-f5.6 before coming to the conclusion it was rubbish?
>> I -know- that half-wit Rockwell slags it off, but most of what he writes
>> is a load of old tosh, so that means nothing to me.
>> Frank D
>> 
>> On 9 Jul, 2012, at 08:31, Mark Rabiner wrote:
>> 
>>> I think more pros well use the 24-85 but plenty will use the 24-120.
>>> Depending on their needs.
>>> If they need a more conservative better corrected optic they'll get that
>>> one.
>>> If they are just shooting people and like the range they'll get the
>>> 24-120.
>>> I wont know till the time comes but I like 600 bucks  for a better
>>> corrected
>>> lens better than 1300 for a less corrected.
>>> The former is just out and I'd forgotten about it.
>>> 
>>> I will say one thing
>>> I'd gotten quite used to using a 24-85 on a D200 DX body and I liked the
>>> reach. Now that I'm using it on a full frame D700 I'm no longer getting
>>> that
>>> reach. The 24-120 gives it back to me. Plus on the wide side two more
>>> focal
>>> lenghs. That sound real good to me. But not the weight and the bulk. And
>>> the
>>> price.
>>> I'd like to try one in hand first. See if it likes me. Which one.
>>> 
>>> - - from my iRabs.
>>> Mark Rabiner
>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/
>> 
>> 
> 
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