Nikon lenses: I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a...

Gandalf67

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a hobbiest, not a professional. I mostly use my camera while traveling and take a wide variety of pictures. Any help would be appreciated. I would be pairing the lenses with either a D5600 or a D7500. Thanks

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Gandalf67 wrote:

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a hobbiest, not a professional. I mostly use my camera while traveling and take a wide variety of pictures. Any help would be appreciated. I would be pairing the lenses with either a D5600 or a D7500. Thanks

Welcome aboard. I would go for the 18-300 just because many places it will not be convient to change lens like in Antelope Canyon, a beach, or any dusty/windy place

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

I bought the 18-300 several years back to replace the two kit lens that came
with my D7200 because I didn't want to replace lens in some of the humid
dusty, sandy (beach) conditions I am in most of the time.
It is currently my main lens on a D500 and is a good walk around, and general
photo lens. I have no problem with it, except for occasionally at wide angle.
this has been corrected in PP. I have used it for the street photography that
I do most, and for some shot range wildlife.
Long range wildlife I use a 200-500.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Gandalf67 wrote:

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a hobbiest, not a professional. I mostly use my camera while traveling and take a wide variety of pictures. Any help would be appreciated. I would be pairing the lenses with either a D5600 or a D7500. Thanks

The DX 18-55mm VR is a surprisingly good lens (for being 95% plastic and all), so you really can't go wrong with that. No experience with the 18-300mm, but reviews don't make it out to be all that hot. Trying to pack that wide a range into a single lens doesn't seem to work particularly well. Had a DX 18-200mm VR for a while but traded it off because it was really unimpressive. I have FX lenses that cover that range, and they're spectacular on my DX bodies (D5300 & D7200); the only problem I have with that really isn't a problem per se --I just have to remember to pull them out from my FX kits and bring them when I'm out with only a DX body.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

I bought a D5600 earlier in the year. I went kind of in the middle of the lenses that you list - an 18-140mm VR together with a 70-300mm VR. I generally go out with one or the other for very reason that Gandalf67 stated. As the zoom range increases the IQ usually diminishes.

For what they're worth Ken Rockwell has reviews for those lens.

If I read your post correctly, having the 18-55mm and the 55-300mm should give better IQ than the single 18-300mm. I am also just a hobbiest, the 18-300mm may be good enough. Rockwell's site usually shows quite a number of images taken at various focal lengths for the zoom lenses. Check it out.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55-300mm.htm

The D5600 is not environmentally sealed, while the D7500 (at about double the price) is. Changing a lens in a dusty place probably isn't a good idea with either or any DSLR.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I have a Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 that came with my D7200. I keep checking for a “normal” DX zoom with better Image Quality (IQ), but have not found one. It is a solid performer. I have a Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 and while it is OK in terms of IQ, auto focus hunts a bit at the 300mm end on the copy I have. I would recommend the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 before the Nikon 55-300mm, but I generally don’t recommend 3rd party lenses unless you are very experienced. An alternative would be the Nikon 70-300, which gets better reviews. If you are looking for some reach, then go with the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, but now you are into a lot of bulk and weight.

AnthonyBiss Loc: Toronto, Ontario

This is my best link on checking on Nikon lens that I need to purchase. He is the best - Angry Photographer
I never purchase a camera body or series of lenses for my Nikons without checking his vidoes,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0QfLkYIpY&feature=emb_logo

Dr.AlBiss

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I have to toss in my support for the 18-140. It was on my D7200 99% of the time. If you’re seriously considering a longer zoom and use it for a walkabout, daily lens, you might give the Tamron 18-400 a look. It came out a couple years ago, and by all the reports I’ve read on it, it’s a pretty decent lens, and reasonably price.

As for choosing either the D5600 or the D7500, I’d recommend the D7500. It’s a better built camera, has and better focusing, as well as a pentaprism viewfinder,giving it a sharper, brighter, and larger viewfinder image. You might also want to consider a refurbished D7200. It has a built in focusing motor that allows auto focusing with older Nikon legacy glass. And, if it’s important, it has two card slots. Just a thought.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Welcome to the UHH. Personally, I'd go with the two lens solution.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As mentioned by others, start with just the DX 18-140 VR. Let your interests and experience with this lens on the candidate camera determine later if you need anything longer or shorter.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

I went a completely different route. My walkaround lens is a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and I also have a Nikon 55-300mm tele zoom which I almost never use. The picture quality of the Tamron is almost as good as a prime lens and the f/2.8 max aperture is great for low light shots. The 24mp of these cameras is usually enough for a decent crop and you still wind up with great shots unless you are planning to print very large. A large zoom range or a telezoom is therefore not really all that important. Many times I just have the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens on my camera and I always come back with great shots. My suggestion would be to get a very good short midrange zoom (like the 17-50) and then add more specialized lenses (like a macro or portrait lens in the 60-100mm range for example) when the need arises.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I have all you mentioned. Great lenses for the money!

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

18-140

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

Gandalf67 wrote:

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a hobbiest, not a professional. I mostly use my camera while traveling and take a wide variety of pictures. Any help would be appreciated. I would be pairing the lenses with either a D5600 or a D7500. Thanks

The 18-55, 55-300 are considered kit lenses. But, that said, they are very sharp. Most lenses made in the past 20 years are sharp. A LOT depends on the photographer, not the lens.
The 18-300 is more expensive and heavier to carry around all day compared to the 55-300. There is a price to pay for more coverage with the 18-300.
You may really want to get the feel of both lenses on your D5600 to see what you think.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Gandalf67 wrote:

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon dx 18-55 vr and a 55-300 vr or an 18-300 vr. While I like the idea of one lens, I don’t want to sacrifice image quality. I am a hobbiest, not a professional. I mostly use my camera while traveling and take a wide variety of pictures. Any help would be appreciated. I would be pairing the lenses with either a D5600 or a D7500. Thanks

I have wrestled with this question, and I am sure that many others have as well. Yes, theoretically the 18-300 has compromises that we would prefer not to encounter. So, i have tried “walking around” locally and on overseas travels with both the excellent 16-80 (paired with the AF-P 70-300 DX VR) or the 18-140. I have come to the conclusion that i love the reach at 300mm, so i have somewhat reluctantly returned to the 18-300 as the one lens to use when i am uncertain about what I will be shooting. I did spring for a used copy the earlier version, which is heavier but faster. When i have a firm idea of where and what i will be shooting, of course I will try to bring a appropriate specialized lens if i have it. For “a wide variety of pictures,” the 18-300 would be my recommendation.

Do not spend a lot of time thinking about which camera body, get the D7500.

Have fun with whatever you end up with.