Looking for advice (Page 2): What Joer said. "Most consumer zoom lenses are softer at the long end. A little sharpening in PP will take care of it." It's a zoom lens at full extension...

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

jradose wrote:

Do you find your photos are soft at the 200 mm end with your 18-200 mm lens?

What Joer said. "Most consumer zoom lenses are softer at the long end. A little sharpening in PP will take care of it."

It's a zoom lens at full extension so it's a little soft but not too soft. Stopping down a bit also helps.

Below is on a D7100 straight out of camera. 200mm hand held, 1/750 sec, f/8, ISO 400.

If I really needed more detail, I'd get closer.

From bottom corner where it should be the worst.

Works for me. :)

Toolking Loc: Pacific Northwest

Were I doing it I'd buy the 7100 with the 18-140 and leave the 18-55 home.

After an extensive Euro trip I did a summary of the FL's I shot at the most and which lens. 60+% was shot with my 18-135 holdover kit lens from my D80. ^0% of that wa at fl's less that 100. For Alaska that will most likely be just the opposite. You might want to add in a 1.4 35mm DX prime for low light and in IMHO your good to go.

I have Tenba camera/computer backpack for carrying every thing and a Tamrac slingback for day use.

Also get a CPL.

My thoughts

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Robin54 wrote:

I have Nikon D40 with 18-55 mm lens and 55-200 mm lens. I am going on a trip in August to San Francisco..Sonoma valley taking Amtrak to Seattle then Alaskan tour...I am considering up grading to Nikon 7100 .. My question what lens..the lens I have are they interchangeable with 7100 if so I don't want to purchase bundle with same lens...for the trip would the 18-200 be enough plus not too heavy..that way I would not have to worry about changing. Thanks in advance for your comments!!

I have the Nikon d-7100, just bought a 18-140 refurbished lens from B & H for about 210.00 instead of a brand new one for 500.00. The lens works just beautiful. Enclosed a photo sample of the lens. Good luck.

(Download)

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

If you decide to get a used or refurbished Nikon 18-200 make sure that it is the 'VR II' version.

Robin54

Well the trip involves a cruise with stops so I'm sure our view of Alaska will be limited..however this will be my first experience so who knows maybe I will be adventurous and return on my own sometime.Abe's of Maine has 7100 body for 619 which from what I have seen is good price and I'm going to check out the sigma 18-250. Since this is tour I am limited in luggage so the one DSLR and P&S will be all I have room for!

Robin54

Great pics..

Toolking Loc: Pacific Northwest

Robin54 wrote:

Well the trip involves a cruise with stops so I'm sure our view of Alaska will be limited..however this will be my first experience so who knows maybe I will be adventurous and return on my own sometime.Abe's of Maine has 7100 body for 619 which from what I have seen is good price and I'm going to check out the sigma 18-250. Since this is tour I am limited in luggage so the one DSLR and P&S will be all I have room for!

Check Adorama $896 new refurb for less than 700. Link follows. A lot of folks here buy from them. Also I have a lot of refurb glass and have never had a problem.

http://www.adorama.com/l/Cameras/Digital-SLR-Cameras?sel=Model_Nikon-D7100&adver=new

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

PhotoPhred wrote:

I agree that a refurb d7100 is a great choice. I would also check out the Sigma 18-250 macro lens. At $350.00 it is hard to beat. That is my favorite "walk around" setup. Have a great trip and looking forward to seeing some of your photos.

I have both the Nikon 18-200 and the Sigma 18-250 which have been used with the D200 and D300s. I prefer the Nikon lens because it is not as heavy or bulky as the Sigma lens and I thought the results with the Sigma were much softer than the Nikon lens. The Sigma must be turned in the opposite direction to extend the lens compared to Nikon lens.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

Robin54 wrote:

Well the trip involves a cruise with stops so I'm sure our view of Alaska will be limited..however this will be my first experience so who knows maybe I will be adventurous and return on my own sometime.Abe's of Maine has 7100 body for 619 which from what I have seen is good price and I'm going to check out the sigma 18-250. Since this is tour I am limited in luggage so the one DSLR and P&S will be all I have room for!

Robin check out Abe's of Maine before you purchase.There has been some bad reviews here on the hog about them and also on the net.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Robin54 wrote:

Well the trip involves a cruise with stops so I'm sure our view of Alaska will be limited..however this will be my first experience so who knows maybe I will be adventurous and return on my own sometime.Abe's of Maine has 7100 body for 619 which from what I have seen is good price and I'm going to check out the sigma 18-250. Since this is tour I am limited in luggage so the one DSLR and P&S will be all I have room for!

Alaska is wonderful for photography whichever lens you choose. The Nikon 18-140 as you can see is clear as a bell.

MarkD Loc: NYC

The D7100 is a great camera, but if you want to save some weight without giving up image quality consider a D5300 or D5500. When it comes to all-in-one lenses (also called superzooms), some love them, others hate them. Some complain that they are not as sharp as using two good lower ratio zooms. Others say they are sharp enough.

I now use a Sigma 18-300 Macro and I'm very happy with it. Lighter and less expensive is the Sigma 18-200 Macro. I have one of them too, and if 200mm is enough, it's a very good choice. I had a Nikon 18-200 VR, and both Sigmas are sharper especially at the long end.