Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens review: Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens

By Matthew Fitzgerald

June 10, 2008 11:13 PM PDT

For those looking to go beyond what a kit lens has to offer their Nikon dSLR, there's Nikon's AF-S DX 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR. Compatible with all Nikon DX digital SLRs including the D300, D60, and

AF-S	Autofocus
DX	Designed and optimized for Nikon's digital SLRs, which use the DX-aspect CCD
G	No aperture ring
ED	Extra-low dispersion glass for improved contrast and reduced chromatic aberration
VR	Vibration Reduction. Optical stabilizer to minimize blur from camera shake.

Providing the 35mm-equivalent angle of view of a 24-127.5mm lens, it delivers a useful zoom range, and its features make it a great everyday lens capable of scenics as well as portraits. Given that it has a rather narrow maximum aperture of f3.5, though, its near-$600 price tag seems relatively hefty.

Design
Solid construction with a quality feel to it, including a black crinkle finish with a metal lens mount and base for added durability.
Weighs 17.2 ounces, measures 3.3 inches long with a 2.8 inch diameter, and accepts 67mm screw-on filters. The filter does not rotate while focusing.
Knurled wide rubber zoom ring at the front of the lens, with a smaller but very useable manual focus ring toward the base of the lens.
Large, easy-to-read zoom markings at 16mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 85mm. Distance scale window that reads in meters and feet, good to have when setting focus manually.