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My D7500 came so now I have question about lenses
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Aug 16, 2018 14:08:20   #
survivaldealer Loc: NE Utah
 
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.

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Aug 16, 2018 14:21:45   #
neillaubenthal
 
I have the Nikkor 18-300 and use it for 95% of my D7500 shots. Great lens.

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Aug 16, 2018 14:43:18   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
That's the advantage the D7000 series DSLRs has over the D3000 and D5000 series DSLRs. They don't have the internal focus motor. However, you can overcome that by purchasing AF-S or AF-P lenses. The D3300 will accept AF-P lenses with a firmware update. But, now you own the D7500, and you can use AF-S lenses, and other Nikon lenses as well. Great.

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Aug 16, 2018 15:03:18   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
"G" designation doesn't necessarily mean a Nikkor doesn't have a built-in focusing motor. There are G-series with motors, as well as G-series Nikkors without one.

G-series just don't have a mechanical aperture control ring on the lens itself. "G" stands for "gelded" and means they rely upon the camera to control the aperture instead.

Your 70-300mm is probably an older "AF" lens, instead of "AF-S" or "AF-P". This is what indicates whether or not the lens has a built in focus motor.

AF lenses don't have a built in focusing motor and rely upon a motor built into the camera body itself to focus (sometimes called "screw drive"). As you know, your D7000-series has that. So do "higher" models. But lower D3000 and D5000-series don't.

It's possible that your current lens is an older design that's just not as sharp as a more modern version such as the current AF-S 70-300mm. From 2006 onward this lens also has "VR" or image stabilization, which can help make for sharper handheld shooting. (There are also cheaper "crop only/DX" versions of 70-300mm.... both more lightly built and using slower "AF-P" or stepper motor type focus drive. The cheapest version is often bundled in kit with more entry level cameras and lacks VR. A $50 more expensive version has VR. Neither of the DX versions are as sharp or well built as the AF-S version.)

In fact, I think there have actually been seven versions of Nikkor 70-300mm. In addition to those mentioned above, there are also "D" and "E" variants, as well as the newest which is an FX/full frame AF-P/G/VR version.

Tamron makes an 18-400mm "do everything" type zoom. There are also 16-300mm, 18-270mm and similar from them and other manufacturers. Nikon themselves make an "all in one" 18-300mm zoom.

Basically, these super wide ranging zooms have to compromise in a number of ways. Those with the widest ranger aren't exactly compact, so you have a fairly large lens on your camera all the time, and they all have fairly small maximum apertures that limits their use to shooting in good light. Autofocus may be slower and there may well be some compromise in image quality... sharpness, distortion, resistance to flare, quality of background blur, etc. Some also aren't very close focusing (in spite of having "macro" printed on them).

In general, if you're looking for best image quality and good performance, you'll be better off choosing zoom lenses with a 2X, 3X, 4X or maybe 5X zoom range... such as 16-35mm (approx. 2X), 24-70mm & 70-200mm (approx. 3X) or 70-300mm & 80-400mm (approx. 4.25X) or 24-120mm (5X). When it comes to zooms, generally speaking "the best" are those with the least extreme zoom range.

They may be more "convenient" (possibly even necessary when traveling and unable to carry add'l lenses), but zooms that are 10X (18-200mm approx.), 15X (18-270), and 20X (18-400mm) simply HAVE TO compromise in some ways. Be sure to research them extensively and shop carefully. If at all possible, try before you buy. Otherwise, you might be disappointed again!

EDIT: Be sure to give your current lens a fair test, too... before ditching it for "something better". For example, if you have a "protection" filter on it, take that off and do some test shots without it. I've seen more than a few lenses "ruined" by filters that were being used on them. Be sure to use the lens hood, too (does a better job "protecting", too, than a thin glass filter ever could). With a new camera, you may need to learn the AF system and practice with it, before you get consistently good results. And, especially if that's not a VR lens, when hand holding the lens be sure to use adequate shutter speed to prevent "camera shake blur". Some folks do better than others, but, for example, with a telephoto that doesn't have stabilization on a DX camera you may need to use 1/200 or faster at 70mm and 1/500 or faster at 300mm zoom setting. And I don't know if D7500 offers it, but you also may be able to fine tune focus accuracy of certain lenses on your particular camera, too.

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Aug 16, 2018 15:34:18   #
BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
 
survivaldealer wrote:
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm fo... (show quote)

May I respectfully suggest an FX lens. They are generally excellent lenses (YMMV) and, if you ever convert (no, I won't say upgrade) to FX, you already have a lens. I use several FX lenses with my D7100.

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Aug 16, 2018 16:37:30   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
survivaldealer wrote:
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm fo... (show quote)


You are referring to Tamron, and the latest generation is 18-400. Fro likes it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYe-Y6nkRk

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Aug 16, 2018 16:59:33   #
survivaldealer Loc: NE Utah
 
It was Fro's video I watched for an hour to setup my new D7500. Saved me a lot of time and explained things quickly.

Reply
 
 
Aug 17, 2018 08:09:55   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
survivaldealer wrote:
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm fo... (show quote)


In manual, you can set the aperture to what you want. I shoot a lot in Aperture priority, that way I can set the aperture to what ever I want, I can control the shutter speed using the ISO. One of the reasons G lenses were brought out was because when shooting at say 10 frames a second, not all the exposures were spot on due to the closing and reopening of the aperture, so, enter the electronic aperture, now at 10 frames a second all exposures are correct.

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Aug 17, 2018 08:19:24   #
phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York
 
survivaldealer wrote:
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm fo... (show quote)


I'm using the 16-80 and new 70-300 on a D7500 and love the combo.

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Aug 17, 2018 09:18:52   #
Leon S Loc: Minnesota
 
The Nikon 70-300 afs vr lens is a very good lens. From your above description, I don't think the one you bought is the same one. I have both, but it is obvious to me the afs/vr model is far superior then earlier models.

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Aug 17, 2018 09:19:08   #
shutterbob Loc: Tucson
 
If you have the spare $$$, Nikon's 16-80 f2.8/4 is a great lens. It lives on my D7500 most of the time. If you want/need something with a wider focal range, then a Nikon 18-300 or Tamron 16-300 both work just fine. Any of Nikon's new AF-P lenses also function perfectly on your 7500. Enjoy your new camera. In addition to my 7500 I also have a D5600 and a D750, but the 7500 gets more use than those two combined.

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Aug 17, 2018 13:10:04   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
I use the AF-P 70-300 FF lens on a D7100 and D500, it's fast focus and sharp.

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Aug 17, 2018 13:56:22   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
survivaldealer wrote:
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm for my D3300 I first bought a G lens that did not work because the D3300 did not have an internal motor for AF. So I bought another lens (Sigma) that did work and put the G lens aside for a manual spare or for later. So now I tried the Nikkor G lens on my D7500 and it works great. Although, great may not be the right word, although fully functional, I think I may end up getting something with a sharper focus. I have no complaints about the current focus, but there is a reason some lenses cost a thousand dollars more. So when I bought the Nikkor I did not even know what a G lens was and now that I know, I wonder if there is any major disadvantage to not being able to manually set the aperture, other than the obvious problem in full manual. Was the idea to save money by not including a focus motor or aperture ring? If so, were they able then to use better glass for the lens and still keep a low price point or is it just a cheap lens in general?

I am thinking about a 17-400mm or something similar that I can just use the same lens most of the time except for a few macros. So please recommend something. I'm not rich but I can scrape up a thousand bucks every once in a while.
A couple years ago when I was buying a 70-300mm fo... (show quote)


Some ideas -
See how many overlapping recommendations you get.

https://lensespro.org/best-lenses-for-nikon-d7500/
https://cameraears.com/best-lenses-for-nikon-d7500/
https://bestphotographygear.com/best-lenses-nikon-d7500/
http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/thoms-recommended-lenses.html
https://dslrcamerasearch.com/best-lenses-nikon-d7500/

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Aug 17, 2018 23:42:30   #
ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio
 
Bultaco wrote:
I use the AF-P 70-300 FF lens on a D7100 and D500, it's fast focus and sharp.


Does yours have VR?

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Aug 18, 2018 07:03:24   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
ronpier wrote:
Does yours have VR?


Yes

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