New travel lens: Hello everyone, I'm FOB to this forum, you can call me Los, I'm planning a trip in the near future, so I'm contemplating a new Nikon 18 300 mm f/3.5

Los Loc: California

Hello everyone, I'm FOB to this forum, you can call me Los, I'm planning a trip in the near future, so I'm contemplating a new Nikon 18 300 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 DX I'm using a D7200, don't want to be carrying multiple lenses. Have read about other lenses, but for some reason I keep getting back to this one, I know the price is a bit high. Would this be the right lens over other choices?

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Welcome to UHH.
I believe the AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G lens has been discontinued and replaced by
the AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G.
I use the the f/3.5-6.3 version on my D7200 with no complaints.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Can't help you with the lens but welcome to the forum.

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

I also use the Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G on a D7200 with no complaints. It's a very nice lens.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Great question, because you will generate many differing opinions. I am going through the same analysis for my D3400 “travel camera.”

I have used the 18-300 f/3.5-6.3 as my main lens in the past and have been satisfied. It has since gone to live on my wife’s camera, and she loves it. However, you will read statements from others, including Thom Hogan, who dismiss this lens as not being good enough for high megapixel cameras. I am willing to accept the fact that the lens is not perfect, but no one has offered a better alternative with the same focal range. The Nikon version does seem to score better than similar 3rd party lenses.

One thing you might try, however, is to review the pictures you have taken on previous similar trips to see what focal lengths you actually use. If you rarely shoot over 200mm, for example, then you would not need the extended range.

I’m looking forward to the others responses as much as you are.

CO

If you get the Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G get ready to correct some significant barrel and pincushion distortion. The lens correction profiles should take care of it. See this bench testing.

https://www.lenstip.com/426.6-Lens_review-Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_DX_18-300_mm_f_3.5-6.3G_ED_VR_Distortion.html

Silverrails

Los wrote:

Hello everyone, I'm FOB to this forum, you can call me Los, I'm planning a trip in the near future, so I'm contemplating a new Nikon 18 300 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 DX I'm using a D7200, don't want to be carrying multiple lenses. Have read about other lenses, but for some reason I keep getting back to this one, I know the price is a bit high. Would this be the right lens over other choices?

I do not own this lens nor am I familiar with this mentioned Nikon lens. Although I have read opinions that stated it is a Heavy Lens, and also tends to have "Lens Creep" when carried on Camera in a Vertical position, so if either of these two possible suspected aspects of this lens concern you, I would suggest a further investigation on your part.
Now, I myself own the Nikon 18-140mm 3.5-5.6 lens, very nice lens, although not as much reach, although when you factor in the "Crop-Sensor" F.O.V. of 1.5 for Nikon lens, the furthest F.O.V. = approximately 210mm.
So, do your research and investigation before you make your important decision.

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

Los wrote:

Hello everyone, I'm FOB to this forum, you can call me Los, I'm planning a trip in the near future, so I'm contemplating a new Nikon 18 300 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 DX I'm using a D7200, don't want to be carrying multiple lenses. Have read about other lenses, but for some reason I keep getting back to this one, I know the price is a bit high. Would this be the right lens over other choices?

That lens is one heavy sucker and may be a challenge to carry around all day. My favorite travel lens for the D7200 is the Nikon 18-200 VRII lens. You should be able to get it off ebay mint in the box for a good price. Make sure you get the VRII lens and not the VR lens.

AGO

I agree with billnikon regarding the 18-200mm lens. I travel extensively and that is the lens I use 95% of the time. The other 5% of the time I use a 10-20mm Sigma. I also own a Nikon 70-300mm that I hardly ever use. What you need depends on where you will be traveling. I travel mostly to Europe where the 300mm reach is not needed, but the option of using my 10-20 to go a little wider is helpful. I did use the 70-300 on a trip to the canyons. Another lens you might consider is the Sigma 18-250mm. I also own this and am quite happy with it.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

While you’re at it, check out the Tamron 18-400. Less $$$ and lighter yet still good quality.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

My wife's D7200 with an 18-400 Tamron is our go-to grab-and-run/travel camera. We LOVE the 18-400. Take care & ...

pila

Los wrote:

Hello everyone, I'm FOB to this forum, you can call me Los, I'm planning a trip in the near future, so I'm contemplating a new Nikon 18 300 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 DX I'm using a D7200, don't want to be carrying multiple lenses. Have read about other lenses, but for some reason I keep getting back to this one, I know the price is a bit high. Would this be the right lens over other choices?

The latest version has vibration reduction. Price is reasonable. Good resale. All in all, looks like a great choice.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I must say that I don't like wide range zooms as they do nothing well. I might consider one for use in a dusty location.

Think about the photos that you are taking. What are your likely focal lengths? For travel I mostly use my Nikon 16-80mm lens. I even have a micro 4/3 lens that is its equivalent (Panasonic 12-60mm). Other lens to consider are the Nikon 16-85mm and 18-140 mm. A nice (and Cheap lens) is the 55-200mm lens should you go to a place where extra reach is necessary.

As a general rule if you can get closer to your subject you will have more interesting pictures. Of course there are subjects that you cannot get close to. There are also subjects the the compressed perspective is desirable.

Harp Loc: Albany, GA

You can't go wrong with the 18-300! Beat all around lens for DX.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Mac wrote:

Welcome to UHH.
I believe the AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G lens has been discontinued and replaced by
the AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G.
I use the the f/3.5-6.3 version on my D7200 with no complaints.

My husband uses the 18-300/3.5-6.3 as his ONLY lens. I preferred the 18-140 but sold it because he never used it.

Recently, we took a trip to California and the only lens I took was the 24-105/4 on a full-frame camera. It was all I needed for landscape and family shots.

Hope this helps.