Best Normal Range Zoom for Nikon DX Camera (Page 3): It's a great lens for the buck, I have it on my D200. It was the kit lens for the D80. The built is much better than the new...

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

dandi wrote:

Older lens 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G is a good lens.

From Thom Hogan page http://www.bythom.com/1870lens.htm :

"I alluded to it before, so let's cut to the chase: on almost every performance parameter this is an excellent lens. The lone exception is vignetting. "

You can find good used copy for around $100.

It's a great lens for the buck, I have it on my D200. It was the kit lens for the D80. The built is much better than the new 18-55mm kit lens.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

WayneT wrote:

I have the 18-55, the 18-140 and the 55-300. If I were to re-buy I would go with the 18-300 AF-X DX If I was going to stay with a DX Body. If you plan on moving to a FX body anytime soon go with the 28-300mm FX lens and use your 18-55 for wider angle shots until you move up to FX.

I have the 18-300 (bought before coming here) and if I had it to do over again (from reading posts here) I would have opted for the 18-140 ...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use the Nikon 18-200 kit lens on my D7000. It's a fine lens for the price which means it's a good value to me.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

fetzler wrote:

Nikon makes a number of zoom lenses that cover the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. The simplest is the 18-55mm kit lens. And the most expensive is the 16-80 f2.8 -4.

I am most interested in the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. I have telephoto zoom lenses that come out once in awhile.

What is the best? What is the best for the buck? Does it really matter?

Only you can determine what matters.
I use Canon but will say that with Nikon lenses you really can't go wrong. Look at your budget and how wide and how long you want to go.
If a FF camera is a possibility you might consider the 24-120mm for a versatile lens. granted it is not as wide as some but is well built. But the lens mentioned covers wide to moderate telephoto.

aprildawn Loc: Annville, PA

I purchased a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 and haven't taken it off my camera since. It's fantastic!!! Very fast, clean and great in low light, it's normally close to $700 but it's got an instant rebate going which drops it just below $400.

https://www.adorama.com/sg1750nk.html

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

I was looking for the same thing and after tons of research including fellow Hoggers I got the 18-140 and it is excellent so far. I combine that with a 35mm 1.8 and 75-300mm.

Patriot66 Loc: Minnesota

WayneT wrote:

I have the 18-55, the 18-140 and the 55-300. If I were to re-buy I would go with the 18-300 AF-X DX If I was going to stay with a DX Body. If you plan on moving to a FX body anytime soon go with the 28-300mm FX lens and use your 18-55 for wider angle shots until you move up to FX.

I bought the 28-300 to put on a D750, it is now with Nikon trying to recalibrate it, but find it is no where as sharp as the 70-200 2.8. I understand the difference in cost $ 950 vrs +$ 2,000 but you get what you pay for. The only DX lens I have left is the 18-300 on my D7100 and that seems like very good lens on that body. I have not seen any appreciable difference between the 18-300 and the 28-300, but that might just be these old eyes - good luck on whatever you choose.

MtnMan Loc: ID

fetzler wrote:

Nikon makes a number of zoom lenses that cover the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. The simplest is the 18-55mm kit lens. And the most expensive is the 16-80 f2.8 -4.

I am most interested in the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. I have telephoto zoom lenses that come out once in awhile.

What is the best? What is the best for the buck? Does it really matter?

Sigma 17-50 f2.8. Has great OS and CP thread. The other lenses I use on it are the 55-300, 28-300, and 200-500. The 35mm and 10-24 collect dust because I use the D800 for landscape.

My wife hates changing lenses so is happy with her 18-300 full time.

Both on D5300s.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

MT Shooter wrote:

I have found the best bang for the buck in replacing the "kit" lens to be the Nikon DX 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR if you stay with DX lenses.

I have the same lens, and I agree that it is quite good. It is also much less expensive than it's faster brother. However, I do think I am going to get the faster version when I upgrade to a however, I do think I am going to get the faster version when I upgrade to way D500.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I love the 16-80mm lens and stand by it at all focal lengths. For me, it is a pretty fantastic piece of glass. I use it every time I make photos.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

I have the 18-200 & 18-300 for use on my D7000 & D7100 and have found both good travel and walk around lenses. I prefer the 18-300 over the 200 but I just may have a good copy. I would not attempt to compare them with my Nikon 70-200, Sigma Art 24-105 f/4 & 24-35 f/2 lens that I use on FX but they are good and very handy.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

CO wrote:

I have two of the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses. It's sharp, and has great build quality. It's just as good as the 16-80mm f/2.8-4 just with a little slower maximum aperture. The 16-80mm f/2.8-4 is way overpriced. I had one. I ended up returning it. It had a severe back focusing issue on all of my Nikon DSLR bodies. It needed to be a lot better for 1 grand.

Another fan of the 16-85. One of the best decisions I made was to eschew the "kit" lens when I bought my D300. I've since "graduated" to a D7100. I use my macro most-- but this one would be first for pretty much the rest of what I do.

StevenBrownPhoto Loc: Excelsior, MN

You did not mention which Nikon you are using, but when I purchased a new D500 last summer they offered up the 16-80mm f2.8-4 for a mere $525 extra. It seems to work perfectly. CO mentioned having severe back focusing issues with his copy. I haven't had any problem with mine. If you are not in the market for a new body, the 16-85mm would be a much better value.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

fetzler wrote:

Nikon makes a number of zoom lenses that cover the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. The simplest is the 18-55mm kit lens. And the most expensive is the 16-80 f2.8 -4.

I am most interested in the wide angle to moderate telephoto range. I have telephoto zoom lenses that come out once in awhile.

What is the best? What is the best for the buck? Does it really matter?

Best for the buck = SIGMA 17-70 2.8-4 C - you need faster apertures with a crop frame sensor !

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

I will have to add to the praise of the Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8. In addition to shooting weddings, I've used it to shoot college theater performances.