Sharpest Zoom for Nikon? I would like to hear opinions on what you may consider the sharpest zoom available for Nikon. I've grown unsatisfied with my 18-150 and 18-200 due to generally...

Ambrose Loc: North America

I would like to hear opinions on what you may consider the sharpest zoom available for Nikon. I've grown unsatisfied with my 18-150 and 18-200 due to generally soft results on my D7100.
I shoot mostly landscapes, so I would be looking at the wide end on the low side.
Thoughts?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

14-24, 24-70, 70-200

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The sharpest zoom is the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 in my opinion. You shouldn't be getting too soft with the 18-200 f/3.5 with the D7100. Your DOF may be off or your AF may be off for what you are trying to do. Try a single focus point with a wide DOF and a higher f stop and see it that helps. I like my 18-200 on the D7100. For really sharp landscapes, a 14-24 or a 24-70 would be good. Good luck.

Ambrose wrote:

I would like to hear opinions on what you may consider the sharpest zoom available for Nikon. I've grown unsatisfied with my 18-150 and 18-200 due to generally soft results on my D7100.
I shoot mostly landscapes, so I would be looking at the wide end on the low side.
Thoughts?

Ambrose Loc: North America

tradio wrote:

14-24, 24-70, 70-200

Thanks. I guess I'm looking for any specific brands or models folks have had solid experience with.

Ambrose Loc: North America

DavidPine wrote:

The sharpest zoom is the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 in my opinion. You shouldn't be getting too soft with the 18-200 f/3.5 with the D7100. Your DOF may be off or your AF may be off for what you are trying to do. Try a single focus point with a wide DOF and a higher f stop and see it that helps. I like my 18-200 on the D7100. For really sharp landscapes, a 14-24 or a 24-70 would be good. Good luck.

Good stuff - thanks

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I have a D800 and a D7100. My go to lens for landscapes is the 24-70. It simply is the best landscape lens I have ever used.

My holy trinity of lenses include the 24-70, the 70-200 and the 200-400. With those three I can capture anything with unmatched clarity and resolution. Period!!

Note: for my money (and I did spend it to back this up) the 24-70 makes the 18-200 look like it is shooting through sand.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

You don't mention your lens brand name and where they are soft, beginning of focal range or the start of it? Most lenses are a bit soft at the extreme ends. All lenses have a sweet spot, normally around F8.

If your photos are soft, I would find out why they are soft before purchasing a new lens, or you may get the same softness and be disappointed.

However, I like the 70-300 f2.8. I have a friend who had the Nikor, and I rented a Sigma, shot the same shots with both, threw them into LR and could not tell the difference. So for the $800 cost savings I went with Sigma, and have not looked back.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

If you go to dxomark.com there is a section on lens comparison. You can even have it filter for your specific camera, different brands, zooms,primes etc. I was surprised to see that the Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 out performed their Nikon equivalents and cost hundreds less. After more research on the web that agreed with those findings I purchased the Tamrons and am thrilled with them. I never thought I'd buy anything but Nikon.

I am planning a future purchase of the D610 and according to Dxomark these lenses are still the better choice for that camera also.

Ambrose Loc: North America

Capture48 wrote:

You don't mention your lens brand name and where they are soft, beginning of focal range or the start of it?

Good point. These are Nikons. While there is a sweet spot, I guess I'd rather have a "sweet range" that is larger than what I'm getting. Thanks!

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

Look at the Sigma 18-35 1.8 Art. Crazy sharp lens. $800. I also like the 24-105 f4 Art lens. The 18-35 is DX and the 24-105 is FF.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Sigma 24-105 f/4 Art lens, phenomenal, Nikon 16-35 f/4 both excellent lenses

Ambrose wrote:

I would like to hear opinions on what you may consider the sharpest zoom available for Nikon. I've grown unsatisfied with my 18-150 and 18-200 due to generally soft results on my D7100.
I shoot mostly landscapes, so I would be looking at the wide end on the low side.
Thoughts?

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Ambrose wrote:

I would like to hear opinions on what you may consider the sharpest zoom available for Nikon. I've grown unsatisfied with my 18-150 and 18-200 due to generally soft results on my D7100.
I shoot mostly landscapes, so I would be looking at the wide end on the low side.
Thoughts?

It's a DX lens, but take a look at the 17-55.

ktngrandma Loc: San Joaquin Valley, CA

I have a Nikon D7000 and am looking for a 70-200 F/2.8 lens primarily for photographing bands on a football day and night and for photographing band and colorguard groups indoors, generally in gymnasiums. I would probably go with Tamron because I like my 28-300 and the 28-75 F/2.8 I just bought (among others). For the price difference, is the vibration reduction or stabilization a must with this type of lens?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Good vs. Phenomenal. So many of us are amazed with "good."

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

The two sharpest zooms I use on my D7100 both happen to be Sigmas....17-50mm f2.8, & a 70-200mm f2.8. They are both razor sharp throughout their range, but the 17-50mm at 50mm & around f5.6 to f16 is an absolute tack driver.