lenses for Nikon DSLR: When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20...

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

That’s a kit lens and you don’t need a UV filter with a DSLR. Not a bad lens. Came as the kit lens with my old D5000 in 2010.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

It's a kit lens but a good one.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

bobburk3 wrote:

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

I gave mine away when I bought the Nikon 18-140. Well worth the difference. My wife replaced that with the Tamron 18-400 and is quite pleased with the flexibility. I don't get to wrapped up on filters, let alone the "give-aways" included in kits. I do occasionally use quality filters.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

bobburk3 wrote:

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

It will work on a D7200: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

You might want to compare it to the AF-S version on DXOMark. They can be had very inexpensively.

I much prefer my f2.8 17-50 Sigma. It has OS (VR). But it is substantially more expensive and heavier. It would complement your D7200 nicely.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

bobburk3 wrote:

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

A 35mmf1.8 will fit nicely!

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Kit lenses are usually sold as a package with a DSLR camera. In the old days the kit lens was almost always a straight 50mm. Inexpensive "kit" zooms usually have a rather small variable aperture such as the 18-55 3.5-5.6 you describe. They are plenty sharp in most cases until they get used allot or get dropped. Their plastic components are inexpensive to produce and tend to wear out with rigorous use. Excellent images are possible with any lens though. Give kit lenses light use and they will last many years.

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

i would agree with DaveO about buying the 18-140mm instead of the 18-55mm. But, are you committed to staying with a DX sensor for the foreseeable future? If there is any chance you might be migrating to FX (and staying with Nikon), get a FX lens instead of spending more in DX format, as the FX lens will work great on your D7200, which is still a nice body. Since you've got the wide angle coverage with the Sigma 10-20, and the 55-300 for your telephoto, give some thought to buying a nice 35mm FX prime. Look at this review: https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-35mm-f1-8g-ed
Since this lens would have an effective focal distance of 52.5mm with the DX body, it would give you a nice "normal" lens that fill in the gap of your current lens set. Then, if you ever go to a FX body, you've got a nice wide-angle for landscapes.
Whatever you do, most everyone will advise you to invest in the best glass you can afford.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Ken Rockwell site will give you a detailed description of the physical characteristics of each lens reviewed.

ecurb1105

wingclui44 wrote:

A 35mmf1.8 will fit nicely!

Endorsed, a great small fast normal lens for a 7200!

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

bobburk3 wrote:

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

You can identify today's top end professional Nikon lenses by the gold pinstripe that encircles the lens.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

bobburk3 wrote:

When I am shopping for lenses for my Nikon 7200 DSLR, how can I tell if it is a "kit lens" plastic or a nice metal lens with glass for lenses? I have a 10-20 sigma and a nice Nikon 55-300 that i really like. i would like to have something between these two. What do you think of this lens (factory refurbished)--- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished with 3 UV/CPL/ND8 Filters + Hood + Kit?

Kit lenses are nice lenses and do not use plastic in their lens-elements!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I don't have anything against kit lenses, though I don't have any. My wife takes makes excellent use of them and specifically enjoys the typically lesser weight and useful focal length and does not care to switch lenses in the field. I was just thinking that the OP may get better use of the 18-140 as opposed to the 18-55.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

DaveO wrote:

I don't have anything against kit lenses, though I don't have any. My wife takes makes excellent use of them and specifically enjoys the typically lesser weight and useful focal length and does not care to switch lenses in the field. I was just thinking that the OP may get better use of the 18-140 as opposed to the 18-55.

I unloaded my kit 18-55 also, after I bought the 18-140. My personal version of the “holy trinity” is the 18-140 for walk around, the 35 f/1.8 as the fast nifty-fifty equivalent for DX, the 10-20 for landscapes and the 40mm micro-Nikkor for sharpness and closeups.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

drmike99 wrote:

I unloaded my kit 18-55 also, after I bought the 18-140. My personal version of the “holy trinity” is the 18-140 for walk around, the 35 f/1.8 as the fast nifty-fifty equivalent for DX, the 10-20 for landscapes and the 40mm micro-Nikkor for sharpness and closeups.

I got quickly sidetracked about a year into my hobby with wildlife and birds, so I had to make some different choices, but I am contemplating an FX ultrawide zoom that will fill the void below my 24-70.