Wide Zoom: I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two kit lens, a 18-55mm and a 55-300mm. the 18-55mm lens actually seems to be a pretty good lens but I am sometimes a little...

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two kit lens, a 18-55mm and a 55-300mm. the 18-55mm lens actually seems to be a pretty good lens but I am sometimes a little disappointed with the 55-300mm. I am thinking of replacing them with a single lens such as the Tamron 16-300mm or the like. Any recommendations or do any of you have such a lens or experience with one? It sure would be nice to replace both of them with a quality single lens if there is such an animal. Anyone out there got some input on this or is this really an unrealistic goal. I have read some reviews on the Tamron and am not dead set on the Tamron. Something in the same price range or say maybe even a couple more hundred dollars wouldn't be an issue.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

DoyleY wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two... (show quote)

The 18-300mm Nikon, 18-300mm Sigma, and the 16-300mm Tamron will all give you comparable, if not better results to your two lens kit on your D7200. There may be some minor trade-offs at certain focal lengths, but you would have to be a SERIOUS pixel peeper to find any of them.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Yes, all of the mentioned lenses are very good lenses. However, I would purchase the Nikon 18-300mm over all of them.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

DoyleY wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two... (show quote)

Not sure why you aren't getting good results from your 55-300 Nikkor...I have the Tamron 16-300 and also the Nikkor 70-300mm...the 55-300 outdoes them both...Pretty well everyone on these pages that has a 55-300 reckons they're a pretty good performer. Having only one hand to use at the moment, these are a few pics I took at 300mm with the 55-300 just last week...it's nice and light and I managed it OK...
Cheers,
Ron.

(Download)

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have 2 Nikon bodies, a D7200 and a D500. Unless I'm shooting birds and other fauna, the 7200 has the Nikkor 16-80 mounted and the 500 has the Nikkor 28-300 mounted. Yes, I know the 28-300 is an FX lens, it works just fine. For that extra reach I use the Nikkor 200-500 with a Nikkor 1.4 extender. I have a couple few Sigma and Tamron lenses for my Nikons but they pretty much just occupy space in the cabinet now.
My point is, if you can afford the Nikkor lens, get it. It's specifically designed to work on your Nikon body and work it will. I'm not knocking the aftermarket lens manufacturers, both Tamron and Sigma make some pretty nice lenses, but the Nikkor lenses are made specifically for your Nikon body and they talk the same language.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

I agree with Ron. IMO, the 55-300mm is a very under rated lens. I also had a 16-300mm Tamron, & at 300mm, the kit lens leaves the Tamron for dead. My 55-300mm stays on my D7100 just about all the time. I do have several larger lenses, from 400 to 600mm, but unless I need the extra reach, the kit lens does most of the work. It is light & compact, but is just as sharp as my alternative lenses. JMO.

Earl.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DoyleY wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two... (show quote)

I used the 18-200mm and the Tokina 11-16mm when I had the D7xxx series.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

DOOK wrote:

I agree with Ron. IMO, the 55-300mm is a very under rated lens. I also had a 16-300mm Tamron, & at 300mm, the kit lens leaves the Tamron for dead. My 55-300mm stays on my D7100 just about all the time. I do have several larger lenses, from 400 to 600mm, but unless I need the extra reach, the kit lens does most of the work. It is light & compact, but is just as sharp as my alternative lenses. JMO.

Earl.

I have a D7000 and both the DX 18-105 and the DX 55-300. I rarely use the 55-300 because it is larger than the DX 18-105 which is what I use as my "walk-around" lens for the D7000. However, my 55-300 seems sharp at 300. I keep the 18-105 in place because I usually shoot under 120mm. ~FiddleMaker

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I use the 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR on a D7200 for my walk around lens with good results, it is a little heavy tho

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Thanks everyone for the replies but I don't think I am going to go down the road of the 18-300mm. While it is an attractive idea, in my rethinking of things I am considering different options. I believe I will replace the 18-55 with the 16-80 f/2.8-4 as a start.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

DoyleY wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two... (show quote)

If you are serious about the longer end, you will need something like the Nikon 70-300 ....

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Yes, my thinking, Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4, "The gap", Tamron 150-600mm G2, or maybe the Nikkor 200-500. Any recommendations on filling in the gap? I realize there are many variables and the answer may not be so simple. I am not looking for the Holy Grail, just suggestions.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

DoyleY wrote:

Yes, my thinking, Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4, "The gap", Tamron 150-600mm G2, or maybe the Nikkor 200-500. Any recommendations on filling in the gap? I realize there are many variables and the answer may not be so simple. I am not looking for the Holy Grail, just suggestions.

70-200mm F2.8, the "Natural" choice to fill the gap.

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Thank you very much, the three seem to be a well rounded choice for my style of shooting. A little overlap wouldn't hurt at all.

Robeng Loc: California

DoyleY wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. Right now I am using the two... (show quote)

Doyle,

I find for me, when I travel I prefer to leave all my fast glass at home and carry as few lenses as possible. I like the concept of carrying one lens that pretty much covers a huge range. I recommend if you can afford it get the Nikon 18mm-300mm. Its not heavy and covers the range of both your kit lenses. I use the 28mm-300mm on my full frames and love it.

Rob