For candid pics a luncheon which lens is sharper: I am attending a semi-annual luncheon of aviators from 50 years ago. I am the duty photographer and will be photographing the guys...

Dave H2

I am attending a semi-annual luncheon of aviators from 50 years ago. I am the duty photographer and will be photographing the guys using a D7200. Which would be a better lens choice for candid shots, a Nikkor 55-300mm or an 18-200mm. I also have 35mm and 50mm prime lenses and an 18-105mm, all Nikkor.
Thanks, Dave

Haydon

I'm not sure you want sharper images of older people or should I say they may not. Depending on the lighting and background you might be better off with your 35/50 combination allowing more light on the sensor under limiting lighting conditions and remove unwelcome backgrounds when necessary. I'd bring a flash and bounce light when the conditions require it.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Dave H2 wrote:

I am attending a semi-annual luncheon of aviators from 50 years ago. I am the duty photographer and will be photographing the guys using a D7200. Which would be a better lens choice for candid shots, a Nikkor 55-300mm or an 18-200mm. I also have 35mm and 50mm prime lenses and an 18-105mm, all Nikkor.
Thanks, Dave

Yes, sharp(er) can be over rated for portraits of older people and even female models. Your D7200 is itself fine, but a D810 or D850 is overkill as who wants every minuscule blemish to show. Super high res cameras are great for landscapes and flower or insect macros.

If indoors, I'd go with your fastest lenses. From past events, how close are you when photographing the guys? That should give you an idea of the needed focal length.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The choice should be based on which is most practical for the occasion, particularly concerning focal length - not which is sharper! Generally, only photographers notice sharpness. Unless many of the aviators are avid photographers as well, I don't think lens sharpness should be a priority at all.

issa2006.

You will definitely need the wide angle of the 18. I do a lot of events and could not do without it. That lens should cover everything and you can use bounce clash if needed.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...18-105mm & 55mm

CO

LensTip.com does extensive lens testing. Here are their image resolution testing of some of the lenses.

The 18-105mm has better image resolution than the 18-200mm. They have charts for the lens edge sharpness as well. I'm not sure which 35mm and 50mm lenses you have so I couldn't look those up. They have tested different versions.

Nikon 18-105mm image resolution at lens center

Nikon 18-200mm image resolution at lens center

BebuLamar

I think the 18-105 is the sharpest of the 3 zooms. I don't see the need for lens longer than 105mm on the DX body at a luncheon. However, I think how much light you have will be the determining factor. Even if you use flash it also depends largely on how well you can light up the scene.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

I had both the Nikkor 18-200 and the 18-105, the 105 is better by far in that 40 to 80 mm sweet spot. Unfortunately, the focus motor and the VR both died on the 105 and so I gave to my buddy to use on his Sony A series bodies in manual. He loves it.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I do similar shoots and use the 18-105. I get great results and just enough range to cover about any situation.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’d say 18-105 for table shots and the 50 for other candids. I think the 35 would be ok too, depends on which you’re more comfortable with.

ELNikkor

Since you will be called upon to do table shots, as well as groups, plus some portraits, just take one lens; the 18-105.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Dave H2 wrote:

I am attending a semi-annual luncheon of aviators from 50 years ago. I am the duty photographer and will be photographing the guys using a D7200. Which would be a better lens choice for candid shots, a Nikkor 55-300mm or an 18-200mm. I also have 35mm and 50mm prime lenses and an 18-105mm, all Nikkor.
Thanks, Dave

Use any of your 5 Nikon lenses. Stop them down 3 to 4 stops from wide open. Hold your camera steady, use a high enough shutter speed and the lowest ISO that you can. Better yet, make sure to use fill flash.
Remember, it is NOT THE LENS, IT'S THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
I have gotten beautiful 20X30 prints from the 18-200. So, use the proper techniques and you will be fine.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Dave H2 wrote:

I am attending a semi-annual luncheon of aviators from 50 years ago. I am the duty photographer and will be photographing the guys using a D7200. Which would be a better lens choice for candid shots, a Nikkor 55-300mm or an 18-200mm. I also have 35mm and 50mm prime lenses and an 18-105mm, all Nikkor.
Thanks, Dave

18-105

Beyond that, your knowledge and experience are most important.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

I would use the 18-200 for that little extra reach...I have my 18-300 on my camera most of the time...I really like it for family gatherings where I can shoot across the room or get up close to someone...