Nikon 16-80 vs 17-55 Lens
Jun 6, 2017 07:09:01 #
Skopperl
Loc: Coral Springs FL
Good morning,
I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon 16-80 or a 17-55 mm lens to use as a general walk around and travel lens. I will use it with my Nikon D500.
Is either a "better" sharper lens? Obviously the 16-80 mm has more reach but is either better at auto focus? I have other longer lenses so I can get the distance form the 28-300mm or the 80-400mm. Has anyone used both and can give me a good field report? I appreciate all recommendations.
Thanks
Sid
I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon 16-80 or a 17-55 mm lens to use as a general walk around and travel lens. I will use it with my Nikon D500.
Is either a "better" sharper lens? Obviously the 16-80 mm has more reach but is either better at auto focus? I have other longer lenses so I can get the distance form the 28-300mm or the 80-400mm. Has anyone used both and can give me a good field report? I appreciate all recommendations.
Thanks
Sid
Jun 6, 2017 07:10:48 #
Skopperl wrote:
Good morning, br I am thinking of purchasing eithe... (show quote)
Here are lots of lens comparison sites.
http://lensvslens.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.diyphotography.net/this-website-helps-you-choose-your-next-lens-based-on-the-photos-you-like/
https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/
http://lenshero.com/comparison/Nikon-AF-S-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-vs-Nikon-AF-S-200-500mm-f5.6E-ED-VR
Jun 6, 2017 07:37:11 #
Jun 6, 2017 08:18:13 #
Having owned the DX 17-55mm f/2.8 I can tell you that it is very prone to flare. Other than that, it is (was) a very well made lens.
Jun 6, 2017 09:20:25 #
I have the 16-80 for my D7200 and it is one of my favorite lens...especially as a walk around lens. Light, very sharp and excellent color and contrast. Have never used the 17-55 so can't comment on that one. 
Jun 6, 2017 09:27:09 #
Jun 6, 2017 18:17:34 #
The Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 is a pro level lens but it doesn't have vibration reduction. For a walk around lens I would definitely get one that has VR. I had the Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4 lens but ended up returning it. It had a severe back focusing issue on all of my Nikon DSLR cameras. That can be due to manufacturing tolerances so every copy may not be that way. I thought it was way overpriced. I now have two of the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses. I think the 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is just as good with just a slightly smaller max aperture.
Jun 6, 2017 19:08:30 #
Jun 6, 2017 19:11:53 #
Skopperl wrote:
Good morning, br I am thinking of purchasing eithe... (show quote)
You might want to check out the Sigma 17-50 f2.8. It has excellent OS (VR) and probably costs a fraction of the Nikon...and might make better images.
Jun 7, 2017 06:23:35 #
jederick wrote:
I have the 16-80 for my D7200 and it is one of my favorite lens...especially as a walk around lens. Light, very sharp and excellent color and contrast. Have never used the 17-55 so can't comment on that one.
That is my experience with the 16-80 also
Jun 7, 2017 06:48:59 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Skopperl wrote:
Good morning, br I am thinking of purchasing eithe... (show quote)
I own the Nikon 24-120 f4 lens for my D810, love that lens. Now I just took advantage of Nikon and got the D500 with battery grip and the Nikon 16-80, which, on the D500, is a 24-120. Love this lens too, just as sharp as my 24-120 f4. And you should check out the lens shade on this sucker, it is really cool, a great design.
Jun 7, 2017 07:09:39 #
Jun 7, 2017 07:39:18 #
StanRP
Loc: Ontario Canada
Skopperl wrote:
Good morning, br I am thinking of purchasing eithe... (show quote)
Has anyone used both and can give me a good field report?
Hi,
While prior to joining the Hog, I thought that a picture was worth a thousand words - there are times when a picture can do better:
This is a test photo Hand-Held using the 16-80mm lens on a D500. The lens is set to 16mm f/6.3 ISO 400 and Shutter 1/1600 Sec.
While the photo is the JPG direct from the D500. The crop from the end of the path was taken from the RAW file.
Due to my past problems uploading photo's I have combined the original and the crop into one picture file.
Jun 7, 2017 08:45:58 #
MtnMan wrote:
You might want to check out the Sigma 17-50 f2.8. It has excellent OS (VR) and probably costs a fraction of the Nikon...and might make better images.
Agree wholeheartedly with this!! I just got this Sigma 17-50 f2.8 lens last week for my D7100 and I am LOVING it!
Jun 7, 2017 09:31:34 #
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