Looking for travel zoom

[JohnBrew]

Looking for a travel zoom for my D810. Through the always reliable Bjorn's lens site I've narrowed down my choice to one of the following: AF 28-105 f3.5-4.5, Ai 35-70 f3.5 62mm filter or Ais 50-135 f3.5. I've already checked with KEH and they have none of these. Does anyone know of a reliable dealer which stocks these older lenses?
The 24-120 was a candidate until I saw my friend's VR version. Is the older model smaller and lighter?
If I can't locate one of these I will stick with my Zeiss 50 Makro and 105 2.5 for my trip to Portugal in May.
Thanks for all replies.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

If a modern zoom lens is an option, do have a look at the 28-300 Nikkor. Quite useful optic and the VR feature is functional too.

[longzoom]

removed.

[golunvolo]

? That sounds weird...

[Roland Vink]

The 24-120 was a candidate until I saw my friend's VR version. Is the older model smaller and lighter?

I assume the 24-120 is too big for what you want, in which case the 28-300 is also too big.
Older 24-120 models are smaller but don't have terribly good reputations.

The only current mid-range zoom which is reasonably compact is the 24-85VR.

If you want one of the other lenses you mentioned, there are plenty on ebay. I'd probably try the 28-105 since it covers a useful range and has a decent macro mode, not sure how well it performs on the D810 though (it's probably ok stopped down a little). The 50-135 is a good lens but I'd want to pair it with a wider lens.

[OCD]

I assume the 24-120 is too big for what you want, in which case the 28-300 is also too big.
Older 24-120 models are smaller but don't have terribly good reputations.

The only current mid-range zoom which is reasonably compact is the 24-85VR.

If you want one of the other lenses you mentioned, there are plenty on ebay. I'd probably try the 28-105 since it covers a useful range and has a decent macro mode, not sure how well it performs on the D810 though (it's probably ok stopped down a little). The 50-135 is a good lens but I'd want to pair it with a wider lens.

+1 on the 24-85VR

I have a 24-85mm VR that I enjoy very much for travel.  Use it on a D750.  Weighs a pound and like Roland says is reasonably compact, and I like the images it produces...kind of an under-appreciated lens in my estimation, but then again so is the 28-300 (gotta be careful here to keep LZ happy!)

[JohnBrew]

Thanks for the replies. Not really interested in a WA or long lens so that is why I have limited my search. I'm really fine with the older lenses. In my experience the Ai and Ais lenses seem much more solid than the plastic fantastic newbies. Though I wish for a 24-70 f4! My 70-200 f4 is almost as sharp as my 55 Otus! I took my full kit to Italy last year and this time around I need a break!

[OCD]

This is a fun little lens

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/36931/?c3api=1876%2C52248989522%2C&gclid=CjwKCAjw4sLVBRAlEiwASblR-_sflkf7ltWLvL5MJc36_Ke4ibsniWISCIqaAZgT_I0M3PAFxEeLMxoCbNkQAvD_BwE

Really like your idea of a 24-70 f4.

[pluton]

My experience with the 50-135 (2 copies so far) is that there is a good chance that any copy today will need servicing in order for it to focus to infinity.  Nice lens...someday maybe I'll get a good one.
That 28-85 has an excellent zoom range, but I've not used one.

[Jack Dahlgren]

I have the 50-135 and find it a bit long for travel. I like to have 35mm or wider available if I’m in a city or anywhere closed in. I have it in my bag hoping to get some more use out of it, but am finding my 85mm more interesting for now.

[Kim Pilegaard]

How about the latest incarnation of the 28-200 f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED. It is extremely small and light (mainly plastic), but has a quite good reputation.

See eg.: https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-Zoom-Nikkor-28-200mm-f-3.5-5.6G-IF-ED

DXO actually scores it slightly higher than the 28-300, but of course it is not AF-S and there is no VR.

[David H. Hartman]

I like the 28-70/3.5-4.5D Nikkor. It's good enough for a D800. I can't test it on a D810. It's quite compact. It's decent wide open and quit nice one stop closed. That's f/5.0 to f/6.3 if light is good.

I have limited experience with the AF 28-105/3.5-4.5D. I'm guessing it's best one stop down also. I didn't like the zoom feel much on the 28-105. The zoom hung up between 28mm and 50mm. The 28-105mm is also bigger and bulkier with a 62mm v. 52mm filter size. It also flares more than the the 28-70. I had two samples. I returned one 28-105mm due to the distance feature being unreliable and I sold the second one as I liked the 28-70 better.

There is also an AF 35-105/3.5-4.5D Nikkor. It's a nice lens. As with the others I try to use f/5.0 to f/6.3. It focuses close for 105mm but the distance is the same for 35mm so it's often not as close as I'd like. It's quite well made. It has a one touch push-pull to zoom. I prefer a two touch like the AF 28-70/3.5-4.5D. The zoom on the 35-105 is smooth unlike the 28-105. The non-D version of the 35-105/3.5-4.5 doesn't have a hybrid aspheric element so should be avoided. All the others mentioned have a single hybrid aspheric element.

The AF 28-70/3.5-4.5D Nikkor might be paired with a 20/3.5 AI or AIS Nikkor or an AF 50/1.8D. I use an HN-3 hood with no filter. I have two of them. One I keep with my D800 and one with my D300s.

All that said the AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Nikkor with VR probably gives better image quality and extends shooting a little later in the late afternoon. VR is like a monopod with having to carry one. The 24-85mm is fat but not heavy. All or almost all D lenses have auto distortion correction in recent Nikon cameras firmware. The 24-85mm needs it. I had one for a few days. The VR was dead. It was a refirb. I'll never buy a refirb again. Anyway if shooting JPG or using software that corrects for distortion like CNX-D you probably get a 26-82mm lens. I'd have to try the AF 28-70/3.5-4.5D and AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR side by side but I think the 24-85mm would win.

That's my 2 cents,

Dave Hartman

[Pistnbroke]

I have two 28-300 and use them for all my wedding work (+15m Samyang)  Never any problems with sharpness on 810.
Also have the cheap and very sharp 24-85mm VR ( the older one is rubbish)  and its great particularly if you change the rather long lens hood for something shorter   cheap second hand and on DXO is green all the way. Keep away from any 24-120 had two of the latest and sold them..not sharp and terrible focus breathing .. ..the older ones are even worse.

[richardHaw]

If I were you i'd just take a DX camera and an 18-200 

[Fons Baerken]

If I were you i'd just take a DX camera and an 18-200 

18-140