Instruct: Classify the given review as either positive or negative.
Query: Great images, poor value

I went ahead and spent the extra $500 bucks based on the Nikon reputation for a reliable quality product which could be used in the field for years to come. After a little over 6 months of pampered use, the autofocus on this lens just stopped working altogether for no apparent reason. Being the first Nikon product I have owned, I was not impressed. The image quality however was quite nice and very wide at 12mm. I never experienced any vignetting, but lots of flare when pointed anywhere near the sun. I got the auto focus fixed under warranty and ended up trading it in for a little over $500 dollars considered in EX+ condition. So I'm learning. I'm done wasting my money on overpriced equipment. Unless you are independently wealthy or get free gear from Nikon I would get a Tokina or Sigma instead. If anything good comes out of this, it is that I used this lens in trade toward a Mamiya RB67 body and back, which looks like is going to be a lot of fun :) enjoy.