Need help on Nikon lens purchase: I have been looking for a new lens for my D 7100. I have a Nikon 55-300 that I had purchased a few years back for my other camera (5100).I would like...

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

I have been looking for a new lens for my D 7100. I have a Nikon 55-300 that I had purchased a few years back for my other camera (5100).I would like to get a little better lens & was wondering what you experts have to say about Nikons super zoom 18-300 f/3.5-6.3 GED VR,would this lens be any better than the 55-300? I read Ken Rockwell's review on the 18-300 & am wondering if I should even bother purchasing it.I have the Sigma 150-500 & love it but would like something a little lighter to use as my all around lens.I love to take photos of birds in flight so need at least 300.thanks for any help you all can give.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Marilyng wrote:

I have been looking for a new lens for my D 7100. ... (show quote)

My wife loves her 18-300 on her D5100. I don't think the picture quality is noticeably better than the 55-300. I felt the 55-300 one of Nikon's best kit lenses. But having the range down to 18mm virtually eliminates the need to change lenses, something she appreciates.

I have the counterpart 28-300 on my FX camera. It is my workhorse but doesn't measure up to my 16-35 for wide angle or Sigma 15-500 for wildlife.

You might compare on DXOMark.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

MtnMan wrote:

My wife loves her 18-300 on her D5100. I don't think the picture quality is noticeably better than the 55-300. I felt the 55-300 one of Nikon's best kit lenses. But having the range down to 18mm virtually eliminates the need to change lenses, something she appreciates.

I have the counterpart 28-300 on my FX camera. It is my workhorse but doesn't measure up to my 16-35 for wide angle or Sigma 15-500 for wildlife.

You might compare on DXOMark.

Thanks for your reply.I did try & compare the two lenses on DXOMark but a little confusing for me,lol!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Marilyng wrote:

I have been looking for a new lens for my D 7100. ... (show quote)

Hi Marilyn,
The Nikon 18-300mm is probably my most popular DX rental lens as many people are looking for just what you want, a GOOD all purpose walk-around lens. And it is a very good one. About 1/3 of my rental customers end up buying one of them.
The two biggest drawbacks to this lens are its size, its pretty hefty, and it $1000 price. Tamron does offer a 16-300mm that is a very good little lens, lighter, and only $629. It is also a bit slower on the long end as well as a touch softer. Build quality of the Nikon is exemplary and cannot be matched.
Sigma is getting ready to announce a new 18-300mm "Contemporary" series lens in the next couple of weeks. I don't know specs or price yet but their Contemporary series of lenses have always been at the top of the food chain for quality images, and many of their features can be customized by you via their USB docking system and your home computer.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Marilyng wrote:

Thanks for your reply.I did try & compare the two lenses on DXOMark but a little confusing for me,lol!

Yes, DXOMark is difficult to navigate. If you work at it more be sure to compare the lenses on your camera. In many cases the camera substantially affects their measures of lens performance...sometimes substantially more than the lens itself.

MtnMan Loc: ID

MT Shooter wrote:

Hi Marilyn, br The Nikon 18-300mm is probably my m... (show quote)

Just to note if you are new here: MT Shooter's advice is the best you can get.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

MtnMan wrote:

My wife loves her 18-300 on her D5100. I don't think the picture quality is noticeably better than the 55-300. I felt the 55-300 one of Nikon's best kit lenses. But having the range down to 18mm virtually eliminates the need to change lenses, something she appreciates.

I have the counterpart 28-300 on my FX camera. It is my workhorse but doesn't measure up to my 16-35 for wide angle or Sigma 15-500 for wildlife.

You might compare on DXOMark.

28-300
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

MtnMan Loc: ID

warrior wrote:

28-300
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Only for FX cameras. The 18-300 is a better choice for the D7100.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

A fellow photographer uses a nikon 80-400 lens, and I have been amazed at his output with it. I would also suggest maybe renting the lenses on your short list and see for yourself which is best for you.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

MT Shooter wrote:

Hi Marilyn, br The Nikon 18-300mm is probably my m... (show quote)

Thank u so much for your input,I was hoping you would reply.I had a few Tamron lenses in the past & didn't care for them.My images never seemed as sharp as the ones taken with my Nikon or Sigma lenses.Thanks for the heads up on the Sigma,I will wait to see the specs & price on their 18-300.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

Moles wrote:

A fellow photographer uses a nikon 80-400 lens, and I have been amazed at his output with it. I would also suggest maybe renting the lenses on your short list and see for yourself which is best for you.

Oh yes, I would love that lens but I believe it is a little to high for my budget!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Marilyng wrote:

Thank u so much for your input,I was hoping you would reply.I had a few Tamron lenses in the past & didn't care for them.My images never seemed as sharp as the ones taken with my Nikon or Sigma lenses.Thanks for the heads up on the Sigma,I will wait to see the specs & price on their 18-300.

This is all the info available on it currently:
http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/09/sigma-18-300mm-f3-5-6-3-dc-os-hsm-macro-contemporary/

I do have both the Tamron 18-270mm and Sigma 18-250mm lenses in stock, and have to say I like the image quality better on the Sigma at the long end. Up to about 180mm they appear to be identical.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

KEH has a used one on Amazon for $710.

Marilyng wrote:

Oh yes, I would love that lens but I believe it is a little to high for my budget!

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

MT Shooter wrote:

This is all the info available on it currently:
http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/09/sigma-18-300mm-f3-5-6-3-dc-os-hsm-macro-contemporary/

I do have both the Tamron 18-270mm and Sigma 18-250mm lenses in stock, and have to say I like the image quality better on the Sigma at the long end. Up to about 180mm they appear to be identical.

Thanks so much for the link.The price is within my budget.Will you be selling this lens? I would consider buying it from you if you accept paypal !

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

For what it's worth, I also have the 55-300 and a Sigma 18-250 and the Sigma is on my camera most of the time. The Nikon has a little more reach and is sharper zoomed all the way. The sweet spot on the Sigma for my birds in flight is somewhere between 200 and 225mm. With a 24MP sensor, you can crop a fair amount and still have good detail. I get a lot of shots I might have missed changing lenses. Don't get me wrong, I still use the 55-300 a lot, but when I have no particular purpose in mind and am wandering aimlessly looking for the next cool image to come up and bite me, the Sigma has been a good thing. I'm also interest in how the new Sigma 18-300 will stack up. I like the price point a lot better than $1000.