Is the Nikon 24-120 f4 a perfect versatile filming lens? - 1
It seems like it could be. On an FX camera I think I'd rarely want to go below f4 for filming (too thin DOF) and 24-120 is a very significant range, I think it'd probably be all I'd ever need. It has VR, which is always good. My only concern might be quality (or if there are better or better value alternatives). From what I've heard it's very sharp, but has a bit of distortion, which may or may not bother me depending on how noticeable it is. One thing that worries me is that I've heard one or two reviews mention a little bit of play in the focus ring. Is this found in all copies or did they maybe have faulty ones? Also, any filmographers out there, do you think this would be a major problem for filming?
Added (1). I want to use manual focus for filming, not autofocus.
Tests show more distortion than average for this zoom range, and much more vignette than average. Distortion is expected of any lens at the wide end anyway, so I think you're okay with it. Past 50mm distortion isn't much of an issue. It's a sharp lens, and is capable of fast autofocus which would be needed in filmography. I think it's a good choice.
Here's some specs: