Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Nikon lenses
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
May 8, 2014 08:49:37   #
prebenson
 
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lenses for several weeks now and would like some input from people who know about it more than I.
I recently purchased a Nikon 7100 and I am very pleased with it thus far. I do a lot of foreign travel on bicycle so I was looking for one lens to carry that had zoom capability and was fairly light weight and compact. I settled on the Nikon DX Af-S 55-200 f 4-5.6. After a trip to India, I was pleased with the results, but now wondering if this lens is providing me with the best pictures since most of these tours are a one shot deal.
Many of you have talked about the Tamron 18-270 and the Nikon 18-200. According to DxO these are higher rated lenses but not by all that much.
So my question is (finally), will my pictures be that much better, i.e. sharper,etc. with a new lens? So much so that I could tell the difference? If not these lenses, what else would you recommend in an all in one?
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

Reply
May 8, 2014 09:30:13   #
drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY
 
prebenson wrote:
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lenses for several weeks now and would like some input from people who know about it more than I.
I recently purchased a Nikon 7100 and I am very pleased with it thus far. I do a lot of foreign travel on bicycle so I was looking for one lens to carry that had zoom capability and was fairly light weight and compact. I settled on the Nikon DX Af-S 55-200 f 4-5.6. After a trip to India, I was pleased with the results, but now wondering if this lens is providing me with the best pictures since most of these tours are a one shot deal.
Many of you have talked about the Tamron 18-270 and the Nikon 18-200. According to DxO these are higher rated lenses but not by all that much.
So my question is (finally), will my pictures be that much better, i.e. sharper,etc. with a new lens? So much so that I could tell the difference? If not these lenses, what else would you recommend in an all in one?
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lens... (show quote)

I would suggest the Nikon 18-200. It is a decent lens and gives you more on the wide end. Any distortion issues are easily corrected in pp. Enjoy!

Reply
May 8, 2014 09:52:37   #
onefofun Loc: Elk Grove CA
 
Everyone has their lens preferences. I too like the 18-200 Nikon. I have had good picture quality through out the zoom scale.
Do you have a fast 35mm or 50mm prime? They sure come in handy.

Reply
 
 
May 8, 2014 09:53:34   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
prebenson wrote:
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lenses for several weeks now and would like some input from people who know about it more than I.
I recently purchased a Nikon 7100 and I am very pleased with it thus far. I do a lot of foreign travel on bicycle so I was looking for one lens to carry that had zoom capability and was fairly light weight and compact. I settled on the Nikon DX Af-S 55-200 f 4-5.6. After a trip to India, I was pleased with the results, but now wondering if this lens is providing me with the best pictures since most of these tours are a one shot deal.
Many of you have talked about the Tamron 18-270 and the Nikon 18-200. According to DxO these are higher rated lenses but not by all that much.
So my question is (finally), will my pictures be that much better, i.e. sharper,etc. with a new lens? So much so that I could tell the difference? If not these lenses, what else would you recommend in an all in one?
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lens... (show quote)


The AF-S 55-200mm is a "kit" lens, meaning plastic lensmount, its downfall is its durability but it provides very nice images at a low price. Either the Tamron or the Nikon will provide somewhat sharper images with less distortion, but the Nikon 18-200mm is the "toughest" of the three choices, plus its VR II is extremely good at stabilizing the image for you. Tamrons build quality, even though it has a metal lensmount, is not up to the standard of the Nikon, but it does add more range on the long end.

Reply
May 8, 2014 11:36:13   #
prebenson
 
Thank you for your input. I understand the durability issue- well taken. You feel the other two lenses would provide sharper images. I realize that this is an unfair question since so much goes into a great picture, but do you feel the image is that much shaper? That noticeable?

Thanks

Reply
May 8, 2014 11:41:32   #
Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
 
I can't imagine you'd have enough IQ differences to be able to notice unless maybe you're using a loupe. Considering you're on a bike I think the robust build that the Nikon 18-200mm offers would be best suited for your needs.

Reply
May 8, 2014 12:08:54   #
prebenson
 
My IQ is pretty low so .....

Thanks again

Reply
 
 
May 8, 2014 12:11:15   #
drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY
 
Pepper wrote:
I can't imagine you'd have enough IQ differences to be able to notice unless maybe you're using a loupe. Considering you're on a bike I think the robust build that the Nikon 18-200mm offers would be best suited for your needs.


:thumbup: :thumbup:

Reply
May 8, 2014 13:15:50   #
RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida
 
I use the Nikkor 18-200mm as my walk-a-round lens. It is sharp.

Having said that though, I suggest you invest in an editing program like Photoshop Elements (I use version 11) that offers sharpening tools.

You can also download Nikon's ViewNX2 for free. It offers some sharpening as well.

Try this before having to pony up for an expensive lens.

Reply
May 8, 2014 13:49:52   #
prebenson
 
Very good advice. Thanks

Reply
May 9, 2014 01:21:23   #
amehta Loc: Boston
 
prebenson wrote:
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lenses for several weeks now and would like some input from people who know about it more than I.
I recently purchased a Nikon 7100 and I am very pleased with it thus far. I do a lot of foreign travel on bicycle so I was looking for one lens to carry that had zoom capability and was fairly light weight and compact. I settled on the Nikon DX Af-S 55-200 f 4-5.6. After a trip to India, I was pleased with the results, but now wondering if this lens is providing me with the best pictures since most of these tours are a one shot deal.
Many of you have talked about the Tamron 18-270 and the Nikon 18-200. According to DxO these are higher rated lenses but not by all that much.
So my question is (finally), will my pictures be that much better, i.e. sharper,etc. with a new lens? So much so that I could tell the difference? If not these lenses, what else would you recommend in an all in one?
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lens... (show quote)

I like using DxOMark ratings to compare equipment. I do not think lenses with score differences of 0-2 points will have significantly different image quality.

For a D7100, I would not consider a 28-300mm an all-in-one, since it basically does not cover the wide angle range. The Nikon 18-140mm does seem to have the best DxOMark score for a lens starting at 18mm and going past 100mm, but the Nikon 18-300mm gets almost the same score.

Reply
 
 
May 9, 2014 06:08:47   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
prebenson wrote:
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lenses for several weeks now and would like some input from people who know about it more than I.
I recently purchased a Nikon 7100 and I am very pleased with it thus far. I do a lot of foreign travel on bicycle so I was looking for one lens to carry that had zoom capability and was fairly light weight and compact. I settled on the Nikon DX Af-S 55-200 f 4-5.6. After a trip to India, I was pleased with the results, but now wondering if this lens is providing me with the best pictures since most of these tours are a one shot deal.
Many of you have talked about the Tamron 18-270 and the Nikon 18-200. According to DxO these are higher rated lenses but not by all that much.
So my question is (finally), will my pictures be that much better, i.e. sharper,etc. with a new lens? So much so that I could tell the difference? If not these lenses, what else would you recommend in an all in one?
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
I have been following the discussion on Nikon lens... (show quote)


Under normal lighting conditions, you have lenses that will provide pro-quality sharpness (at F8). The one-lens-does-it-all category will definitely NOT give you better results. In fact they are not nearly as sharp and crisp as what you are currently using. To improve on what you have now, you would better served by looking at the expensive pro-quality lenses, like the 17-55, 70-200 F2.8 85 F1.4, 50 F1.4 etc. These are faster lenses that can be used in poor light to provide better images than what you have. If you don't mind buying older used lenses Nikon has many good AF-D lenses that you might want to take a look at - like the 80-200 F2.8, 70-210 F4-5.6, 60 F2.8 macro, 28-105 F3.5-4.5 and some of the older prime lenses - these will provide somewhat better results - especially the 80-200 - than what you are using now.

Reply
May 9, 2014 06:29:29   #
Joan DC Loc: Washington DC
 
I'm a professional and when I used DX (D200 and then D300), I bought the 18-200 zoom. Used it for everything. It's sharp as a tack, even at 200. I was told the 55-200 wasn't that good. In fact, I bought TWO 18-200 -- worked for everything!

Reply
May 9, 2014 06:30:00   #
Joan DC Loc: Washington DC
 
P.S.: I never needed another lens.

Reply
May 9, 2014 07:20:40   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
Modern lenses are of excellent quality regardless of the manufacturer. The same technical advances are available to all of them. The best corrected and built lenses are the most expensive ones.
I have never used the Tamron 18-270 but heard good things about it. I have used the Nikon 18-200 VR and I believe it is a great lens for what it is.
As you grow in photography you will eventually learn that rather than camera or lens it is the photographer who will make the picture.

Reply
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.