Chob

Wondering about anyone's experience using this lens as a single all around, relatively light weight travel lens versus taking two or three other lenses to cover the same range? I intend to mount this lens on Nikon Z50 with the FTZ adapter. My chief concern is image quality though I know that a super zoom like this will necessitate some compromise in this regard. I just don't want to spend $ on poor-fair lens and certainly can wait for the Z mount 24-200 full frame lens (which would be a 36-300mm lens on the Z50 crop sensor) coming out purportedly next month if nothing interferes with it's release. The 18-300 offers a better range, availability, similar weight and is ~1/2 the price and would be a good single lens solution for travel for me unless you Ugly Hedgehogs feel it is not worthy. Thanks for your comments and advice.

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

I carry this lens on a D500 and once in a while on a D7200.
I personally like it and have good results. I have made good
prints (12x18} using as little as 15 % of the original.

How it will work on the Z's, I don't know. Perhaps rent one
and try it.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Why not just get the Z mount 50-250 lens?
Always better to avoid adapters when possible.

Chob

I have the 16-50 and 50-250 Z mount lens but the 50-250 does not open enough for landscape and I have run into dust issues on my sensor (in the Middle East) occurring when changing lenses in the field. Still looking for the single lens solution for travel for those reasons. Thanks.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I recently read reviews on the Nikkor DX 18300mm and was intrigued, especially with the f/3.56.3G ED VR because of the weight. I have been using a Nikon D7000 with an AFS DX Nikkor 18-135mm lens and a Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55200mm supplementary lens. The DX 18300mm provides the range of zoom I desire and I thought it might allow me to carry only one lens (or only one camera), and would be light enough with the D7000 to carry about hours at a time. The purchase was a great decision. I find the lens very adequate for everything I do from flower close-ups to the maximum zoom levels I occasionally require. The lens is extremely sharp, even under relatively low-light. As a preference, I do not use a flash very often. I prefer to up the ISO, and even with bright background light, as through a window, I get very crisp detail in darker foreground subjects (even at ISO 3200) without any noise. The VR works exceptionally well I get surprisingly clear images with 1/10th of a second shutter speed, hand-held and at maximum zoom level. Another feature I also like very much is the 18mm Lock which keeps the lens stable during inadvertent movements and prevents it from sliding back and forth as you lift it, lower it, etc. I highly recommend this lens to those who want to carry a single camera, or who are tired of interrupting everything to change lenses, especially on windy, dusty or rainy days. Well worth the money, although it should come with a carrying pouch and a lens hood.

Temuna

I use it close to 100% of the time on the 7200. Generally pleased. If I want to sharpen a bit I can do it in processing. On a major trip I have always packed one back up lens - which I have never needed to use.

RoswellNM Loc: SW Indiana

Lives on a 7200. All zooms seem have compromises (nature of the beast) but this one’s are minor.

RoswellNM Loc: SW Indiana

Lives on a 7200. All zooms seem have compromises (nature of the beast) but this one’s are minor.

stogieboy Loc: Marlboro, NY

When I was using my D3200, this was the lens that was used most often. I captured landscapes, the kid's baseball games, and events with this one. It allowed me to get the shots I wanted, and I was always pleased with the results (from the lens, not always the case with my composition, etc).

Its a great lens, and I would recommend it, for sure. However, one of the previous posters suggested getting the Z-series version of this lens, and I'd agree with that. Adding an adapter could present results that are less than desireable. If you already have this lens and are making the move to the Z-series, see if you can borrow or rent the adapter to ensure you like the results. If you are buying a lens, I'd say go with the Z-series version.

Good luck!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I have this lens (18-300 DX VR) and concur, it is a great little lens, lightweight, quick, VR works. I use mine on D7200/7100 and D90, it never complains, and I rarely do.......

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I use the other one (f5.6) on my D5600. It takes great images. It is the only lens my wife used.

I expect it would perform the same on z50.

Eric Bornstein Loc: Toronto Canada

If the 18-300 lens has a motor drive, Autofocus will work with the adaptor on the Z cameras.

azi Loc: Columbia, Marylamd

I use the 18-300 for everything except macro where I use the nikon 105. Its light enough to carry everywhere without strain and provides the flexibility to get almost any image you want. The vr works really well ( I was able to get a really sharp photo of a grizzly bear with the lens at full extension while on a moving bus in Denali park) and I find it very useful for photographing kids from a distance so they don't start posing.

zacksoccer

I use this lens as my "urban shooter." Is crisp, focus responsive and works well on my D750 and D500 (with additional crop factor advantages). Have had no issues using on either DX or FX camera. Recommended as a general, "one lens" solution.

FM Loc: near Syracuse, NY

I recently bought the 18-300 and put it on my 7000 where I found it to be heavy when everyone else is mentioning that it is lighter. I previously used a Sigma 18-250 which wasn't as heavy, but still not a lightweight.
I guess its age in my case (everything is heavier!!!) I also expected better optics than the Sigma, and would say- slightly better, but not enough to write home about, although I found the Macro ability somewhat better. In retrospect, I wish I had started out with the 18-200 DX Nikkor- lighter and long enough for a walk around lens.To get truly sharp and "up close" shots one would be better off with the 200-500- but then time would need to be spent in the gym with the barbells, and I'm really too old for that!