jimpitt

Hello Photography Friends;
I have a Nikkor 28-300 FX zoom which is wonderful !
However, I would like to supplement with a wider format zoom.
Am looking at the 16-35 FX for $1,000. Option is the 16-80 DX for same price.
Am trading-in a 16-85 DX which I am very displeased with. (I was told by the store that it was, for less money, as good as the 16-80 DX which turns out from this website comments is not true.)
Using on a D500.
I have heard on this site that FX glass on a DX body is "never wasted." But however ... I want the best pairing compatibility.
Any suggestions on which is a better choice ? The Nikon narrative on the 16-35 FX is very impressive and convincing, and currently on sale $100.00 off.
Thanks.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The Nikon 16-35mm F4 lens is pretty good, but for about $100 more you can get the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 VC lens that literally blows the Nikon away. I made that very switch almost 3 years ago and have never regretted that decision.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Nikon 16-80mm is the excellent kit lens for the D500. I know about the FX 28-300mm. A friend has that on a DX D7100. Fortunately, you have many options on a wide angle zoom lens. You can purchase the inexpensive Nikon AF-P 10-20mm VR, the Tokina 11-16mm, and one recommended by the MT Shooter is the Tamron 15-30mm f2.8. It is fairly expensive at about $1200. It has great reviews too. The Tamron 15-30mm is one I would love to own. Shop around and see what other lenses are available in third party selections. Good luck.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Fx lenses, since they are intended for Professional grade camera bodies, cost more than their Dx cousins. So, unless you have near term plans to upgrade to a Full Frame camera, why spend the extra $$, since you won't get the advantages with Fx glass on a Dx body.

The Nikon 16-35 is an awesome lens on an Fx body. But for a D500, please look at the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It is the best, IMHO medium wide angle lens for a crop sensor camera.
Currently selling in the $800 range. When I had a D7100, it was my goto lens.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Look into Nikon's 18-300 DX. It works pretty good on my D500

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have the 28-300, nice lens, not as nice as my Canon 28-300 (also way less expensive, smaller and lighter) but I like its performance. As for the 16-80, I got mine with my D500 and in my opinion it is an excellent lens. I use it on my D7200 far more than on my D500.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I just purchased a Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4.0 DX for my D7200. So new to me that I do not have a firm opinion but like what I see, so far. They are available in factory refurbished condition from Cameta Camera for $779 and Cameta extends the warranty to 1 year. Regarded highly by Thom Hogan, David Busch, and Ken Rockwell.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

👍👍👍👍

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like the Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8. Nice lens for a nice price.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

[quote= But for a D500, please look at the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It is the best, IMHO medium wide angle lens for a crop sensor camera.
Currently selling in the $800 range. When I had a D7100, it was my goto lens.[/quote]

I see a problem here. Once you start using this lens you won't be happy with the 28-300.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I am very happy with the performance of the 16-35 on my Nikon D800e!

grtday Loc: Houston, TX

Stay with the Nikon glass. With Nikon glass, you always know what you are getting and what to expect. You will never go wrong and their service is top notch.
I've tried to save a buckortwo by buying the other brands....Always came back to Nikon glass and never looked back.
If you buy the best, you only have to cry once!

jimpitt

I absolutely agree. I am a purist like you and was never considering discounted glass. I feel the same about batteries and filters. Your encouragment is appreciated.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

FX glass itself may not be a "waste"... But your money buying more expensive FX lenses and effort carrying around bigger and heavier FX lenses may be, since yours is a DX camera that will never use all the FX lens' image.

Since you have and like a 28-300mm, why wouldn't you want an ultrawide that has less overlap than a 16-80 or even 16-35mm? A 10-24mm Nikkor DX, Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 DX, Tokina 12-28mm f/4 DX all might be a better choice.... wider, no overlapping focal lengths... and less money, too! In some case A WHOLE LOT less $.

Focal length overlap isn't necessarily a bad thing... But since you appear to have few lenses, it makes more sense to me to go for as much range as possible, minimizing overlap. 16mm is wide on an DX camera, but not especially so on. 10 or 11 or 12mm is SIGNIFICANTLY wider. Or, if you don't feel the need for such a wide lens, there's the Tokina 14-20mm f/2 (bigger and heavier than the 16-35mm Nikkor, but $300 less expensive and two full stops faster).

Sounds to me as if you've talked yourself into an FX lens, even it means higher price, less capabilities, and no benefit on your DX camera.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Which is an FX camera... so that's not much help to a D500 user.