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Trying to decide on a lens based on the "f"
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Aug 20, 2019 20:42:38   #
bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
 
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") notice the difference between f 5.6 (on a Nikkor 18-200mm at full zoom) VERSUS f6.3 (on a Tamron or Sigma 18-200mm at full zoom)? Is the difference "huge", "moderate", or "not that significant except for a Pro"?

Details of lenses forming background for this question...
Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910
OR
Sigma DC 18-200MM 1:32.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens for Nikon DSLR
VERSUS
Nikon NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR ED M/A Lens

NOTE: My camera Nikon D3500

Reply
Aug 20, 2019 20:47:56   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Basically, when shooting film, an f-stop could make a big difference. Now, with being able to adjust the ISO for a shot or two, that one stop doesn't make as significant a difference.
--Bob
bellgamin wrote:
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") notice the difference between f 5.6 (on a Nikkor 18-200mm at full zoom) VERSUS f6.3 (on a Tamron 18-200mm at full zoom)? Is the difference "huge", "moderate", or "not that significant except for a Pro"?

Details of lenses forming background for this question...
Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910
Nikon NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR ED M/A Lens
My camera Nikon D3500

Reply
Aug 20, 2019 20:51:23   #
bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
 
Thanks Bob. I understand.

Follow-up question: Will the Tamron or Sigma lenses work as well with my Nikon D3500 as would the Nikkor?

Reply
 
 
Aug 20, 2019 21:06:18   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
To answer that, I'll refer back to information shared during a Nikon seminar. The lens "recipes" are unique to Nikkor lenses. Each element within the lens assembly may or may not contain the exact same recipe for the glass making up that element. Each element is custom-tuned to its place within the assembly for which it's made. The other lens manufacturers don't go to that extent. Thus, Nikkor lenses do a lot better job of focusing, removing aberrations, etc. than their competitors. So, my approach has always been Nikon glass for my Nikon cameras.
--Bob
bellgamin wrote:
Thanks Bob. I understand.

Follow-up question: Will the Tamron or Sigma lenses work as well with my Nikon D3500 as would the Nikkor?

Reply
Aug 20, 2019 21:18:18   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
Simply stated, when you buy lenses specifically designed by a manufacturer for its own cameras, you generally come out ahead. When I haven't been able to afford OEM, and bought others, they have done decent service, but have always been replaced when I could afford the brand name lens. That over more decades than I care to think about. Disclaimer: I have had some OEM I disliked and sold, but not many.

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Aug 20, 2019 21:30:53   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
bellgamin wrote:
"not that significant except for a Pro"?


Yes.

The build quality, speed and accuracy of AF and resale value will be better with the Nikkor -IF- that matters. And, of course, other Nikon shooters will be more impressed !
.

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Aug 20, 2019 21:49:49   #
BebuLamar
 
f/5.6 to f/6.3 that is 1/3 stop different or the smallest adjustment possible on most current cameras.

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Aug 20, 2019 22:31:22   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
I think that you will find more of a differance in you pocketbook than in the final images. If you don't print larger than 8x10 or mostly just view on your laptop or send to friends via email you will be hard pressed to see any difference. Made by and for will 99% of the time work better and cost more than a 3rd party lens...There are exceptions...like Zeiss pricy and very very good.

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Aug 20, 2019 23:04:40   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
Have Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron glass used on both DX and FX bodies. My best advice is IF you are willing to tune your lenses, which can be challenging and can take a lot of time, you can get great results and save a lot of money with 3rd party glass. If not, buy Nikon glass.

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Aug 20, 2019 23:53:48   #
bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
 
Well, I barely lost the bidding for a used Nikkor lens. The most interesting alternative as of now is the *pre-owned* Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910. It's on sale at EBAY by Roberts Camera for $135 (or best offer), free shipping. Roberts rates the condition as "EXCELLENT This item is rated in Excellent condition. That means that this item is between 90-96% of original condition. This item shows little to no cosmetic blemishes and is tested as fully operational."

What do you think? Should I go for the Tamron right now, or save up several months to buy a new Nikkor?

Reply
Aug 21, 2019 05:50:46   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
bellgamin wrote:
Well, I barely lost the bidding for a used Nikkor lens. The most interesting alternative as of now is the *pre-owned* Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910. It's on sale at EBAY by Roberts Camera for $135 (or best offer), free shipping. Roberts rates the condition as "EXCELLENT This item is rated in Excellent condition. That means that this item is between 90-96% of original condition. This item shows little to no cosmetic blemishes and is tested as fully operational."

What do you think? Should I go for the Tamron right now, or save up several months to buy a new Nikkor?
Well, I barely lost the bidding for a used Nikkor ... (show quote)


I think you'll find that entire class of lenses - the 10X or greater zoom range - to be a mixed bag. There are 18-200, 18-300. 18-400, 16-300. With the exception of the Nikkor 18-200 F3.5-5.6 which actually pretty decent from 18mm to around 150mm, the rest have narrow ranges where the are good, usually at the wider end, and are weakest at the long end. If you are getting the lens with the hopes of shooting birds and wildlife, then you may want to get an 18-135 or an 18-140, which are pretty good throughout the focal length range. Center sharpness is usually good to excellent, and corner/edge sharpness is average to good.

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Aug 21, 2019 06:35:06   #
Collhar Loc: New York City.
 
Gene51 wrote:
I think you'll find that entire class of lenses - the 10X or greater zoom range - to be a mixed bag. There are 18-200, 18-300. 18-400, 16-300. With the exception of the Nikkor 18-200 F3.5-5.6 which actually pretty decent from 18mm to around 150mm, the rest have narrow ranges where the are good, usually at the wider end, and are weakest at the long end. If you are getting the lens with the hopes of shooting birds and wildlife, then you may want to get an 18-135 or an 18-140, which are pretty good throughout the focal length range. Center sharpness is usually good to excellent, and corner/edge sharpness is average to good.
I think you'll find that entire class of lenses - ... (show quote)


I had a D90 with a Nikon 18-200 for years. I was never disappointed.

Reply
Aug 21, 2019 06:44:18   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
bellgamin wrote:
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") notice the difference between f 5.6 (on a Nikkor 18-200mm at full zoom) VERSUS f6.3 (on a Tamron or Sigma 18-200mm at full zoom)? Is the difference "huge", "moderate", or "not that significant except for a Pro"?

Details of lenses forming background for this question...
Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910
OR
Sigma DC 18-200MM 1:32.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens for Nikon DSLR
VERSUS
Nikon NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR ED M/A Lens

NOTE: My camera Nikon D3500
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") not... (show quote)


It's like a 1/3 of a stop, I doubt you will notice any difference.

Reply
Aug 21, 2019 07:56:57   #
geezer76 Loc: Prineville, Oregon
 
rmalarz wrote:
To answer that, I'll refer back to information shared during a Nikon seminar. The lens "recipes" are unique to Nikkor lenses. Each element within the lens assembly may or may not contain the exact same recipe for the glass making up that element. Each element is custom-tuned to its place within the assembly for which it's made. The other lens manufacturers don't go to that extent. Thus, Nikkor lenses do a lot better job of focusing, removing aberrations, etc. than their competitors. So, my approach has always been Nikon glass for my Nikon cameras.
--Bob
To answer that, I'll refer back to information sha... (show quote)



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Aug 21, 2019 09:08:20   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
bellgamin wrote:
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") notice the difference between f 5.6 (on a Nikkor 18-200mm at full zoom) VERSUS f6.3 (on a Tamron or Sigma 18-200mm at full zoom)? Is the difference "huge", "moderate", or "not that significant except for a Pro"?

Details of lenses forming background for this question...
Tamron A14 AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro Lens Nikon #910
OR
Sigma DC 18-200MM 1:32.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens for Nikon DSLR
VERSUS
Nikon NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR ED M/A Lens

NOTE: My camera Nikon D3500
How much will a non-Pro (VERY "non") not... (show quote)


I was encouraged when starting my DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY journey was to try and use the same brand of lens that match's the Camera you own. I bought a used Nikon D3300, and presently have 4 Used Nikon Lens.
Nothing against other brands, just a personal choice for myself.

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