jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Here are my current specs: Nikon D5300 w/Tamron 16-300mmf/3.5-6.3 VR model B016 lens. Was original to my camera.

Pictures like to do: landscape, macro, portraits and general photography. Rarely do wildlife/birds, etc.

I don't use the "extreme" W/A or Telephoto settings very often, but I do use them.

Not very happy with the sharpness even when mounted on the tripod, but the results are acceptable up to 8 x 10. Beyond that they start to pixelate (I print on a Canon Pro 100 using Luster finish paper). Also at the extreme ranges, there seems to be a fair amount of distortion (pin cushion, barrel, etc.). I realize that is the way these zooms work and deal with it. Will fix in PP as best I can.

In the days of film, I used a Asanuma (spelling is probably way off!) 35-105mm lens, and the range was great as was the detail.

So now I'm thinking of "downgrading", so to speak, with a Nikon lens in the same range as in the days of old.

Why Nikon you ask? In the D5300 there is a distortion control function that seems to offer another way to control the picture that might eliminate some PP. Doesn't work with other lens.

Looked up on the Nikon website and saw the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

Thoughts on this lens or something similair. Like I said, would like to stay with the Nikon line.

Thanks

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

What???? What----

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

What is your question? What???? What----

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

If you are not happy with your sharpness, what is the addition to slow zoom lenses? A high end Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 (DX) or consider a FX version for highest IQ.

You get that much distortion with your lens, that is an indication of a cheapo model, sorry? So, if it has to be a zoom, again get a f/2.8 FX something if you don't want distortion (what distortions?). Vintage (film) Nikkors should work on a D5300 fine.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are serious about image quality, you will want a low ratio zoom - like the Sigma 17-70 - but it is not in the "Nikon line"....18-140 is better than 16-300 but not as good as 17-70 ect. I believe Nikon has a 18-105 you can look at.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I borrowed the 18-105 once from a friend.
Not a bad lens...a bit soft in the corners at 18 but it was ok..
Great range.
The part that turns me off is the plastic lens mount.
My friend broke his a few weeks after I used it.

I'd certainly look at the Sigma 17-70.
I think it's better built.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

No focus motor in the 5300 .....

JPL

The Nikon 18-140 is probably your best choice. I have the older version, 18-135 and it is ok but not a favorite. It is light weight and easy to use, I would have liked it to be sharper. The 18-140 is said to be much better in every way and sharp enough.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

My first question is about your tripod - is it a very sturdy one, that will not contribute to camera shake? Have you tried using a wired remote shutter release? Even on a tripod you can get a blurry image if you unknowingly jar the camera when pushing the shutter button. Just wanted to throw that in as another element besides the lens that can cause problems.

One of the problems with the long zoom "all-in-one" lenses is that it is difficult to manufacture one that will be sharp over its entire focal length range. Some of the newer lenses have dealt with this better than in the past, but it is still a good principal to keep in mind. The shorter the focal length range, the easier it is to produce a lens with sharpness throughout more of that range. The parts that are not as sharp will still be sharp, but with some "softness", and many people won't even notice. It all depends on what is important for each individual

Since sharpness seems to be your concern, then you would be better off with a zoom lens with a shorter focal length range. Also, if you want better light-gathering ability, you may want to look at lenses with largest maximum aperture of f/2.8, if that is within your budget. For what you describe [except macro], a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 would be a great lens. It is not as wide, and not as long, but is very good as an all-around lens. It is an FX lens, and you have to take the crop factor into consideration when using it on a DX camera. I used it on my D7000 with good results for about a year until I got a D810. Now it seldom is off that camera!

There are also DX lenses that are excellent that would be a good choice. You will have to consider recommendations from others, since I have not used very many of them.

Just wanted to give you something to think about.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

I shoot a d5300 and my 18-140 and tamron 70-300 is very sharp on it. I walk around
with the 18-140 90% of the time. Make sure you have vr off when on a tripod or your
images may not be sharp.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

Check www.lenstip.com for reviews.

The 18-105 or the 18-135 or the 18-140 are good options.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Zooms are not the best option for macro images. A true macro lens will give better results. Are you cropping the images before enlarging them? That could explain the pixelation... With your camera, you need a lens with a built-in focus motor in order to have autofocus. That limits your lens selection options...

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

Here is the Dxomark test on your current lens, mounted on a Nikon D5300.
It gets an overall score of 14 (more or less out of 50).

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Tamron/Tamron-16-300mm-F35-63-Di-II-VC-PZD-MACRO-Model-B016-Nikon-mounted-on-Nikon-D5300__919

This is the result of the Sharpness test for your current lens-
it is only sharp from f4 to f8 at a focal length of 16 to about 40 mm.
At all other settings, it is pitiful.

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Tamron/Tamron-16-300mm-F35-63-Di-II-VC-PZD-MACRO-Model-B016-Nikon-mounted-on-Nikon-D5300---Measurements__919

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

Here is the Dxomark test on the Nikon 18-140 mounted on a Nikon D5300.
It gets an overall score of 16, which is an inconsequential improvement over your current lens.

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-140mm-F35-56G-ED-VR-mounted-on-Nikon-D5300__919

This is the Sharpness test on the Nikon 18-140mm.
As long as you don't go about f8 it is actually better than your current lens.

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-140mm-F35-56G-ED-VR-mounted-on-Nikon-D5300---Measurements__919