f5.6 vs f6.3: My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range...

DMF

My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range drops from 3.5-5.6 to 3.5-6.3; this does not appear to be much of a change, would like your input. DMF

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Not enuff difference. As you posted "she loves the existing lens". Enjoy it.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

DMF wrote:

My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range drops from 3.5-5.6 to 3.5-6.3; this does not appear to be much of a change, would like your input. DMF

It might be a very critical, even though small, difference. Older cameras have AF the works up to f/5.6, while newer models work fine at f/8. Which suggests that f/6.3 will be okay with any newer model but it is possible that some of the older models will have trouble or may refuse to AF at all.

Check the manual for your camera, and if it says f/5.6 for AF be sure to actually try the newer lens before buying.

DMF

Thank you, will do. I would never have thought of this. DMF

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

DMF wrote:

My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range drops from 3.5-5.6 to 3.5-6.3; this does not appear to be much of a change, would like your input. DMF

The new version is 1/2 the weight of the old one? What other differences are you NOT telling us about? Is you wife going on long "shoots" and leaving you @ home? Did Nikon reduce the weight on the inside of the lens, or the outside? You are hiding the real story here. If you can't trust your photographer friends, who can you trust? Which camera is on your radar? C'mon, tell us! :lol: :lol: :lol:

DMF

The only differences that I can identify, except material, lens elements drop 19 to 16 and groups drop 14 - 12. As I do not know the value of either, I am not sure what this means regarding the quality or performance of the lens. I do not know the material of construction.

MarkD Loc: NYC

The difference between f/5.6 and 6.3 is about a third of a stop which isn't very much. The difference in weight between the two can be significant.

I've used f/6.3 lenses with several Nikons including a D5200 and D3100 without a problem.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

MarkD wrote:

I've used f/6.3 lenses with several Nikons including a D5200 and D3100 without a problem.

Both of those are specified to work with f/5.6 or wider lenses, and may or may not work with any given f/6.3 lens.

The issue can be cloudy too, for instance Sigma has been known to have lenses with a maximum aperture of f/6.3 report to the camera as f/5.6 to allow AF to work. It may not be too hot in very low light, but in good light they'll AF just fine.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

davidrb wrote:

The new version is 1/2 the weight of the old one? What other differences are you NOT telling us about? Is you wife going on long "shoots" and leaving you @ home? Did Nikon reduce the weight on the inside of the lens, or the outside? You are hiding the real story here. If you can't trust your photographer friends, who can you trust? Which camera is on your radar? C'mon, tell us! :lol: :lol: :lol:

:?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

DMF wrote:

My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range drops from 3.5-5.6 to 3.5-6.3; this does not appear to be much of a change, would like your input. DMF

1/3 f/stop is all the difference; have her stay with the lens she trusts!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

DMF wrote:

My wife currently uses Nikon's 18 - 300 lens, while it is heavy, she loves it. Nikon now offers a new 18 - 300 lens that is about 50% lighter. However, the fstop range drops from 3.5-5.6 to 3.5-6.3; this does not appear to be much of a change, would like your input. DMF

it isn't much.

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

Apaflo wrote:

It might be a very critical, even though small, difference. Older cameras have AF the works up to f/5.6, while newer models work fine at f/8. Which suggests that f/6.3 will be okay with any newer model but it is possible that some of the older models will have trouble or may refuse to AF at all.

Check the manual for your camera, and if it says f/5.6 for AF be sure to actually try the newer lens before buying.

I'm not fully knowlegeable on the issue, but from what I have read, I think the issue deals with the use of older lens (non-CPU) that make use of an aperture ring. Don't think there is an issue with more modern lens.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

PCity wrote:

I'm not fully knowlegeable on the issue, but from what I have read, I think the issue deals with the use of older lens (non-CPU) that make use of an aperture ring. Don't think there is an issue with more modern lens.

That's a different problem.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

I have the newer version-It is the only DX lens I currently own. (I mainly shoot full frame.)

I love the lens. 1/3 stop can easily be overcome with a higher ISO. The difference in depth of field will not be noticeable. The weight difference will.

If her camera is capable of autofocus at F/6.3, there should be no noticeable problems, unless she is a full time pro.

But, if she's happy with the old lens, spend the money elsewhere.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

DMF wrote:

The only differences that I can identify, except material, lens elements drop 19 to 16 and groups drop 14 - 12. As I do not know the value of either, I am not sure what this means regarding the quality or performance of the lens. I do not know the material of construction.

DMF,

Are they going from glass lens to plastic? That would explain the weight difference. Be sure you research image quality (IQ) before you spend the big bucks.

Things you will want to check:
Focus creep when the lens is vertical.
Focus sharpness near max zoom range.
Auto Focus throughout the entire zoom range.
Chromatic Aberration between dark objects and bright objects.

Plastic lenses can introduce all of the above.

Michael G