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Nikon DX lenses.
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Mar 17, 2022 07:43:43   #
waynetgreen Loc: Florida
 
I use the Nikkor 16-85G. It's not fast, 3.5-5.6 but it's sharp and light.

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Mar 17, 2022 08:10:27   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
JohnR wrote:
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members find best suited to general photography i.e. bit of landscape, bit of portrait, bit of action and anything else which pops up in the viewfinder - those sometimes referred to as walk about lenses. I just sold my 18-300mm as I was finding it too heavy and I'm looking for something lighter maybe with better IQ. Checking the 20,000+ shots I've taken with various Nikon APS-C cameras over the last 23 years I find over 75% to be at less than 140mm (210mm 35mm Eq.) so I'm thinking smaller lenses anyway.
By the way I DO NOT want links to various web sites giving reviews. I can find those myself quite easily. I want real life opinions not paid for "reviews"
Cheers JohnR
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members fi... (show quote)


For years, I have used the 17-55mm f/2.8 zoom that has already been mentioned. It is a professional-grade lens and does a very nice job, but it is not lightweight. I still use it for critical applications. The 18-200 already mentioned can also be a decent choice.

About three years ago, I bought a used 24-120mm f/4 zoom for about $425. It has become my favorite lens on my D500. At the time, I was looking at the 16-80mm zoom but pretty quickly ruled it out. It turns out to be f/4 over almost its entire zoom range, costs $1100 new, and at the time was about $900 used. I have taken the 24-120 as my only lens for all kinds of outings (or innings), and it has worked perfectly for me. It's not quite as wide as the typical DX "utility" lens. That has not been a problem for me...I use a full frame camera and lens if I know I'm going to need a wide view. But it is something you would need to consider before going that same route. It is not a super lightweight lens, but I find it to be quite agile and manageable.

Good luck as you look and as you decide.

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Mar 17, 2022 08:47:52   #
Bayou
 
16-85 G for me. It's considerably smaller than the 18-200 and I really appreciate the extra 2mm at the wide end. It's my most used lens (out of 8).

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Mar 17, 2022 08:53:02   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
dsnoke wrote:
I chose the Nikon 16-80 mm f/2.8-4 DX lens as my choice for general use. It is quite sharp and covers the full-frame equivalent of 24-120 mm. For me, that is about 95% of what i shoot. I also have a Tamron 100-400 mm lens (that one is a FX lens but works just fine) and the Nikon 85 mm DX macro lens. If I have to choose just one, that is always the 16-80 mm lens.


I completely agree. The 16-80mm covers general photography very well.

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Mar 17, 2022 08:58:54   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
Boris77 wrote:
I have used Nikon 18-200 lenses (wore one out) for my festival photography for over ten years.
For a slightly higher quality file I carry the 16-85 when I am in more of a scenic mood. Both provide good 13x19" prints from my Canon printer when I do not crop much.
I have read that the 18-140 Nikkor has equal sharpness to the 16-85, but more distortion. It would seem perfect for you if you do not do much architectural photography.
I have numerous other lens for specific purposes, but use none of them for general carry.
Boris
I have used Nikon 18-200 lenses (wore one out) for... (show quote)


Looking for an "all around lens" I selected the 18-200mm lens for my D5500 because it has less distortion than the 18-300. Any zoom with a wide range will suffer some loss of clarity but the 18-200 seemed to be the most popular of the bunch. My friend put the 16-85mm lens on his D 7200 and although very slight, I'll admit his offers sharper results than mine. He did a lot of research to find the 16-85 is probably the sharpest of any zoom lens out there so if you're looking to take landscape shots, and don't need a 200 or 300mm reach, that would probably be your best bet.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:05:04   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
JohnR wrote:
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members find best suited to general photography i.e. bit of landscape, bit of portrait, bit of action and anything else which pops up in the viewfinder - those sometimes referred to as walk about lenses. I just sold my 18-300mm as I was finding it too heavy and I'm looking for something lighter maybe with better IQ. Checking the 20,000+ shots I've taken with various Nikon APS-C cameras over the last 23 years I find over 75% to be at less than 140mm (210mm 35mm Eq.) so I'm thinking smaller lenses anyway.
By the way I DO NOT want links to various web sites giving reviews. I can find those myself quite easily. I want real life opinions not paid for "reviews"
Cheers JohnR
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members fi... (show quote)


A few years ago, the general advice here was to use FX lenses for two reasons: they're better; when you switch to a full sensor camera, you'll have lenses for it. This isn't my idea, but, as I said, it was the general advice a few years ago.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:10:53   #
home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana
 
As I reread JohnR's post he said the 18 to 300 was too heavy. The lens weighs 19.2 oz. He wants a lighter lens that covers at least 210 in reach. Most of the lenses recommend by other Heghoggers where at least that weight.

I think what he wants does not exist. It seems to me he is concerned about weight and wants a does everything setup. Maybe it is time for a bridge camera like the Sone cyber shot dsc-rx10 IV weighing 2.41 lb, may be too heavy. But; has a 20.1 mp sensor and a lens that goes from 8.8 to 220 mm or 24-600 35 mm equivalent. But some B&H reviews are very negative; while most people seem to be happy.

I suggest John contacts someone like B&H and ask them what his choices are. He lives in Australia so that may complicate things.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:18:17   #
RKL349 Loc: Connecticut
 
The latest model 18-200mm lens was always affixed to my D7200 when I owned that body. Sharp and very versatile. Make sure you get the latest version - earlier versions suffered from lens creep.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:21:41   #
SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio
 
Not a Nikon lens but I loved my Tamron 18-400 which lived on my D7500 until I upgraded to mirrorless. It is now a favorite of my grandson who uses it on his D3500.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:22:07   #
DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA
 
JohnR wrote:
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members find best suited to general photography i.e. bit of landscape, bit of portrait, bit of action and anything else which pops up in the viewfinder - those sometimes referred to as walk about lenses. I just sold my 18-300mm as I was finding it too heavy and I'm looking for something lighter maybe with better IQ. Checking the 20,000+ shots I've taken with various Nikon APS-C cameras over the last 23 years I find over 75% to be at less than 140mm (210mm 35mm Eq.) so I'm thinking smaller lenses anyway.
By the way I DO NOT want links to various web sites giving reviews. I can find those myself quite easily. I want real life opinions not paid for "reviews"
Cheers JohnR
I'm interested in which Nikon DX lenses members fi... (show quote)


I have used the DX 16-80 f2.8/4 because it covers a good range and is lighter than FF alternatives. I am satisfied with my results. I have quite a few lenses to choose from, but this one is most frequently on my DX cameras.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:47:57   #
Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan
 
I use the 18-105mm Nikon on my D5600 as a walk around lens, I also use Nikons 18-300mm on my D500 with the added battery grip, it is big and heavy anyways.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:54:18   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
tdozier3 wrote:
FX lenses will work on your D5500.


Yes, but not give him the walk-around focal range he’s looking for.

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Mar 17, 2022 09:58:44   #
RoswellAlien
 
I’ve had both the 18-200 and 18-300 and sold the shorter one: wanted the extra length. Yes, as has been mentioned, stop it down at both ends, but it lives on a 500. Never considered it all that heavy and I’m on the high side of 75. Yes, it’s heavier and not a zoom, but I also use the FX 105 Macro on the 500 as well as on an 850. FWIW, I’ve always stuck with Nikon lenses even if heavier and $$$.
See if you can rent/borrow and try them out.

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Mar 17, 2022 10:04:30   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
I keep a Nikon 18-200 on my D7200 and a Sigma 10-30 on my D7000 for "just in case". Don’t always carry the D7000 though.

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Mar 17, 2022 10:07:38   #
Photec
 
I have to say the best I have found for DX is the Nikkor 18-200 for all around shooting. I have used it for many different bodies, and also bought one specifically dedicated to IR on a D7100. For general purpose photography it is a very hard DX lens to beat.

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