larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I was in another discussion last week. Similar topic to this one. It ended up getting me interested in a lens with a little more versatility and a little less weight than the 17-55mm f2.8 DX that is the lens normally on my D500. It is a great lens that produces great results, but it is really heavy. So...I got the notion of looking for an alternative, and in the process looked at some choices that I had not considered before. I learned that my local camera store does not stock the Nikkor 16-80mm variable aperture zoom. Apparently those who have bought it find that it is too mediocre for the $1100 price tag and end up either returning it or unhappily keeping it. Used, it is still $600-700. I ended up deciding on a used 24-120mm f4 G with VR, which was indistinguishable from a new one and cost only $499.

That was yesterday, and I've only taken some test shots, but it seems to be a good choice so far. It's a little bit longer than the 16-80, is very well built (even though it contains a lot of composite & plastic), and looks like it will be a great choice for the D500. I use my full frame bodies for wide angle, so starting at 36mm equivalent is not a problem for me, and the option of going to 180mm equivalent us really a plus when shooting railroads. A big plus is that it is a full frame lens and can also serve a an alternative choice for the heavier 24-70 f2.8. I'm going to give it a workout on a D850 today, since the D500 is at Nikon for repair.

Bottom line here...lots of folks appear to be very happy with the 16-80 lens. But my research indicates that it should be considered very carefully and with a critical eye and mind. There might be other good choices.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm sure you'll get a variety of replies from good to horrible. I have that lens and have produced wonderful photographs with it. I have no complaints regarding the one I use.
--Bob

willy6419

The variety can be helpful,

Bob, is your lens the 28-300 g, or the one of the alternatives

Thanks

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Willy, it's an 'AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 G'. That's right from the lens barrel.
--Bob

willy6419

Thanks

There were a lot of different lenses mentioned

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Gene always bashes this lens. I wouldn't put it on a D850, but it's great on my D7000 and even my D800. The only reason to switch lenses is the occasion when you might want a wide angle shot, so I purchased a Tamron 10-24mm, which I use on the D7000. Now, I'm an amateur. Gene may be an advance amateur or even a pro. Take that for what it is. If you're an amateur....it's a really great lens. Go on vacation with it and it's very versatile. 70-300? You'll be switching lenses all the time.

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Yes. I have the 28-300 on my D850 and my D700 and get good results. Sure, it's not perfect, but I can capture 95% of what I am exposed to without lens regret. If I thought the trinity 2.8 would suite my needs better than the 28-300, I would own them. Not the case with me. Until something better is introduced from Nikon, I'm happy with what I have. Just my opinion as a user.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Many of the very experienced shooters on here have stated their like or dislikes for the lens. I have it in my bag because of the focal range it offers. Having the other "good glass" (trifecta), IMHO it often comes down to the application of photographic technique. I have personally had some great shots using the 28-300VR. But I regret having not taken those same shots with the better glass because it would have potentially made a good photo even sharper and crisper with better bokeh in some situations.

ChrisRL

I've owned a 24-120, 24-70, 28-200, 28-300, plus more.
Which to use depends on a) FX or DX and b) lighting and subject conditions.
I grew up using 35mm Nikons and a street sweeper (24-120). I still have a D version of the street sweeper. Had the modern one, very nice lens, couldn't justify keeping it (not cheap).
The 24-70 is used all the time, but not in travel.
In travel right now I'm using a 28-200 with a D810. That's enough pixels to do a decent crop out to 300mm and not give up much in the process.
I'm shooting FX cameras, of course. In DX I have an 18-200 but no more DX cameras so I use that one for digital video mostly.

Here's the thing:
On all of these lenses, the first things I did were a) fine tune each lens's AF to the camera's AF system. b) find out each lens's sweet spot both in zoom and in best aperture. c) mark that down on a label and stick it on the lens's lens cap.

So even my old 70-210D lens yields superb shots - if I keep it at f/6.3 and at 200mm, and hold it steady enough at whatever shutter speed and ISO's are available to me.

That's about the trick of it.

They'll all yield great to excellent results if used in this way. There's no real magic bullet for it. Just decide if you want to use the lenses wide open or at their sweet spots. That decision will drive which lens to buy, and which lens to put on the camera for what use.

Me, traveling as I do, I use a 28-200 cos it's small, but sometimes I'll leave that at home and take my 24-120, mainly because I know that lens so well it's a no-brainer if I'm shooting in daylight and in a place where that extra 4mm on the wide side might make a difference.

However, with picture panorama and stacking these days, there's always workarounds to be had.

I'd say start with a larger sensor camera for the longer end of things (i.e. crop in post). Since there will be less vibration and camera movement on a 200 or even a 120mm, the crop will often end up sharper off of a D8xx series camera, for instance, than a 300mm or longer on a DX camera if there's not VF etc involved, and maybe even if there is.

At that point I'd also take something 35mm ish (FX) and fast for low-light and/or night/interior situations where the zoom won't be fast enough and high ISO won't work either.

JM2c of course, and definitely YMMV on this one.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've put that lens on my D700, D800e, and D850. I photographed the same scene with each camera. Visually the photos looked identical.
--Bob

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

Brilliant wedding lens ..used it on dozens of weddings on D810 and D850 without problem ..always shoot at f8 in the summer and 5.6 in the winter and no problem .( ensure camera sharp is set at +9 or any pic with any lens will be crap) Loved by Rockwell on his D850

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I agree. It’s a capable lens in good light, not so much in low light. I’ve used it for a while, but gave it to a niece. She’s very happy with it for family shots and kids playing sports. As long as you recognize it’s limitations, it’s fine.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Here's one taken in low light. I'd say it was pretty good.
--Bob

(Download)

willy6419

Excellent photo

And lots of helpful comments

Limitations and benefits

Like most

Thanks all

Harry13

I shoot often from horseback (I participate in the sport of field trials and we all ride.) and don't like to change lens on HB. A lens of this type (there are several) keeps me from doing that so I'll put up with a somewhat lesser quality to avoid the possibility of dropping a lens from that height.