JFleming Loc: Belchertown, Ma

Of the two Nikon DX 18-300 lenses offered, the f3.5 - 5.6 and the f3.5 - 6.3 is one better than the other? I'm looking for a good travel lens for a trip next year to Costa Rica where I may be limited as to the amount of photo gear I can take with me. The trip is with a group of ten people and it's primarily a birding trip so I think we may be limited with luggage etc.

Thanks for you help!

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

They are both very good lenses but you will get a little more light in the f3.5 to 5.6 in the upper zoom range.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

You will be in the rain forest for much of the time and under the tree canopy for much of the time. You will find that the max aperture of f/5.6 is limiting and you'll be pushing your ISO to compensate. I would seriously think about a AFS Nikkor 300mm f/4 or f/2.8. Rent either for the trip. If you want to travel light, take along a 18-55 for general use.

cthahn

They are both slow.

MtnMan Loc: ID

If you want light you might consider the new AF-P 70-300 VR. You can get a new gray market one on eBay for $159. It gets great reviews on image quality.

If you also want a shorter lens the suggested 18-55 or a f1.8 35mm will do that for a couple of hundred dollars...and you likely already have one.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

I used to have the 5.6 lens, currently have the 6.3. There is honestly not much practical difference in IQ between the two. And despite what some may try to tell you, the 5.6 is not going to be letting in a massive amount of light more than the 6.3. It is only about a third stop faster. You will however notice how much easier it is to carry the 6.3 lens around all day. And despite the suggestions for a faster, and much larger and heavy 300mm lens, it is not going to give you the versatility that you will get with an 18-300. If you are using a newer camera you can crank up the iso to compensate for more dimly lit shots. If you were on a photo safari where taking gallery quality photos was your priority, then go with better glass. But for what you are doing on this trip I think the 18-300 f3.5/6.3 is your best choice.

ELNikkor

the 3.5-6.3 weighs less, was designed more recently, and shoots at least as good as the older, heavier one. Get the 3.5-6.3, if the jungle gets a bit dim, just shoot at iso 800-1600. You'll get great photos, and enjoy the lightweight and versatility of that lens!

MtnMan Loc: ID

There may be an issue with the eBay one for $159. It hasn't arrived yet but I got a strange notification from eBay that they have removed the listing. If it doesn't arrive Saturday as promised in the purchase confirmation I might need to get eBay to refund the purchase price.

wicook Loc: Alberta, Canada

I love my 18-300 f3.5-6.3. It's light, versatile, and small. On my D7200, I've turned on the lens distortion and vignetting controls and am amazed at the photos I'm getting now compared to my old Canon T3i with a Tamron 16-300. The low light capability and high ISO capacity of the D7200 are amazing!