Fred Whitlock wrote in message <01bcfec4$48d82060$0ce440ce@utcpoqki>...
>Neuman - Ruether
><65vj5o$5v0@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu>...
>> Mark Sisson wrote in message <3482FF3E.40F1@okway.okstate.edu>...
>> David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
[most deleted...]
>Assuming David doesn't mind my adding to his response I can tell you that
>the AF 35~70 f3.3-4.5 N is a terrific little lens with little distortion
>and more contrast than the models you asked about. It can be had on the
>used market for between $100 and $200 depending upon condition. This
>little lens isn't as good as the 35~70 f2.8 but for the money it's a great
>value. I've owned one for many years and, even though I own many
>sophisticated Nikkors as does David, I've kept this little zoom and I enjoy
>using it. My experience is that it outperforms the lenses you asked about
>above. I also have a good amount of experience with the AF 35~105 f3.5-4.5
>D and it is significantly improved optically from the manual version which
>I used for almost 10 years. I can recommend that one to you as well. I
>own the 24~120 as well and I'm not as enthusiastic about it as David is
>mostly because of its small maximum aperture at the longer end of the zoom
>range. If you use fast film or shoot in bright available light conditions
>or want a terrific lens for flash photography, then the 24~120 is worth the
>asking price. It is exceptional optically for an extreme 5X zoom. Take a
>look at David's web site. He's spent many years testing Nikkors and knows
>them as well as anyone I know. Good shooting.
T'enks fer d' kom-mentz...! (Just after posting my comments, I thought of
that sometimes-gem, the 35-70 f3.3-4.5 Nikkor [though there is noticeable
sample variation with this lens, it is less than with the MF 35-105 {which
*can* be one of the best of zooms in a good sample, but most samples
unfortunately aren't
wide-open - a rarety with short FL zooms>}]). On the 24-120, I think
it is best thought of as a very good 24-85 zoom that has the capability
of going out to 120mm when needed [and practical]...;-).
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether