Best Nikon (or equivalent) zoom lens
Feb 25, 2017 14:47:04 #
I bought the Tamron 16/300 and will be in Alaska in August. Looking forward to seeing how it works out. I have found it to be a good all around lens for just walking about.
Feb 25, 2017 14:49:17 #
fourlocks wrote:
I have a Nikon D5500 with an 18 - 55 mm and a 55 -... (show quote)
Here are a couple of recent shots taken with a D7200 and 55-300, and a 18-55. IO think both lens are capable of taking great photos!
Feb 25, 2017 17:23:01 #
I have recently purchased the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens for my D7100. On a "crop sensor" camera, it is equivalent to Nikon's expensive 24-70mm f/2.8 (26-75mm) which is designed for "full frame" cameras. The Tamron provides beautifully sharp images, and excellent bokeh. I also shoot with a Tamron 18-270mm with vibration control and find it to be an excellent all around lens.
Feb 25, 2017 17:57:49 #
The Tamron 17-50mm is equal to the Nikon 24-70 only in its range. No way is it equal in any other respect.
pcolatide Joined: Oct 4, 2014 Posts: 5 Loc: Pensacola, FL
I have recently purchased the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens for my D7100. On a "crop sensor" camera, it is equivalent to Nikon's expensive 24-70mm f/2.8........
pcolatide Joined: Oct 4, 2014 Posts: 5 Loc: Pensacola, FL
I have recently purchased the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens for my D7100. On a "crop sensor" camera, it is equivalent to Nikon's expensive 24-70mm f/2.8........
Feb 25, 2017 18:26:38 #
On a crop sensor body, the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is just as good as the full frame 24-70mm. And please stop coming across as an arrogant POS!
Feb 25, 2017 19:45:35 #
I keep the 18-200mm Nikkor lens on my D7100 90% of the time. Really like this lens. You will not be disappointed.
Don
Don
Feb 25, 2017 19:54:27 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I have that 18-200 3.5 on my D7000 and it's pretty much my walk around lens. If I took photos for competition or sale I'd be very concerned about image quality, but I don't so I'm not. Regardless of specs, if I see reviews saying it's a very good lens for the price, then that's good enough for me. Got my Sigma 10-20 and Tokina 100 Macro on that basis and am happy with them. The resulting pictures are just what I expected.
Feb 25, 2017 19:54:43 #
DVZ
Loc: Littleton CO
I didn't read every single response here but I my first dslr was a D300 with the first rev. 18-200. Later when I bought the first Rev. Tamron 17-50 F/2.8, even I as a newbie easily saw the image difference, the Tamron being sharper through it's shorter zoom range. I also bought the reasonably priced 70-300 and later the more expensive 70-200, again easily saw the difference (yes, an unfair comparison $600 vs $2200). The point being the larger the zoom range the larger the design compromises, it's a fact of physics. Here is an excellent data based article from Lens Rental: https://www.dpreview.com/news/3990112367/lensrentals-prime-or-zoom-lens/1.
With that said I still have some very nice photos printed as large as 24"x36" from the 18-200 and a 12mpx camera, reminding me of the places I've been. Even though it was a convenient lens I have since retired it. I guess many times it's not so much about technical perfection as the warm fuzzies I feel when looking at memories in living color, or B&W if you prefer.
With that said I still have some very nice photos printed as large as 24"x36" from the 18-200 and a 12mpx camera, reminding me of the places I've been. Even though it was a convenient lens I have since retired it. I guess many times it's not so much about technical perfection as the warm fuzzies I feel when looking at memories in living color, or B&W if you prefer.
Feb 25, 2017 20:17:04 #
I love my Tamron 18-270 mm lens for an all around carry lens. That's the one I take when traveling. I have a super wide and a super tele, but the 18-270 stays on my camera about 90% of the time.
Feb 25, 2017 20:53:10 #
Dan Mc
Loc: NM
AK Grandpa wrote:
I love my Tamron 18-270 mm lens for an all around carry lens. That's the one I take when traveling. I have a super wide and a super tele, but the 18-270 stays on my camera about 90% of the time.
Feb 25, 2017 22:49:48 #
<fourlocks> I got the 18-55 and the 55-200 <-- I recently got the 200-500. i'm happy and set. maybe next year i'll go on the low end and get Tokina's 11-20. but for now w/ 3 lenses I go from 18-500. I think others are saying get the 18-200 ? my 2 cents, lol maybe since you already have the 18-55, get the next one from 55-200 or keep the 55-300. it's just 2 lenses and a good range. good luck in your decision and enjoy. :-) 
Feb 25, 2017 23:16:15 #
If you shoot wildlife, anything small or far away, a lens that tops out at 200mm will drive you crazy, even on a DX camera. You need at least 300mm. Once you see what the best lenses can do at 300mm, a superzoom that extends to 300mm will also drive you crazy -- not sharp enough.
Up to 100mm, Nikon's best consumer lens for DX is the 18 - 140 VR. Past 100mm it gets soft.
So what to do between 100 and 300mm? Now here's the shocker. Their new "entry level" 70 -300 mm DX AF-P f4.5 - f6.3 G VR ED lens, supposedly matched to the D3400 and D5500 level cameras, is much sharper than any of Nikon's previous 55-300 or 70-300 alternatives including the FX 70-300. Focuses faster. VR is better. Lighter. Works great on D7100 and D7200. Just be sure to turn Auto Distortion Correction off or you may get an error message in PP. It's design is many years newer than the alternatives. There are some drawbacks, but minor. Don't take my word for it. Check out the reviews.
Up to 100mm, Nikon's best consumer lens for DX is the 18 - 140 VR. Past 100mm it gets soft.
So what to do between 100 and 300mm? Now here's the shocker. Their new "entry level" 70 -300 mm DX AF-P f4.5 - f6.3 G VR ED lens, supposedly matched to the D3400 and D5500 level cameras, is much sharper than any of Nikon's previous 55-300 or 70-300 alternatives including the FX 70-300. Focuses faster. VR is better. Lighter. Works great on D7100 and D7200. Just be sure to turn Auto Distortion Correction off or you may get an error message in PP. It's design is many years newer than the alternatives. There are some drawbacks, but minor. Don't take my word for it. Check out the reviews.
Feb 25, 2017 23:21:11 #
ABJanes wrote:
I am very happy with my Nikon 18-140MM f3.5-5.6......sharp at 18MM, 140MM and everything in between. I believe it has better ratings than the 18-200 or the 18-300.
I have both the 18-140 and the 18-300. The 18-140 is my goto lens. Fantastic lens. I only use the 18-300 when i need longer reach, which is pretty rare.
The 18-140 is light, short, and very sharp at all focal lengths.
Feb 26, 2017 10:10:27 #
I have a Nikon18X300 zoom and there is absolutely no loss of quality even at 300mm. I have bird pictures using also a 2x multipier and enlarged crops to 13x19 with amazing results and clarity.
Feb 28, 2017 23:17:16 #
fourlocks wrote:
I have a Nikon D5500 with an 18 - 55 mm and a 55 -... (show quote)
The best DX lens is the Nikon 16-80 for a walk around. That's what I use on my D500. My second lens is the Nikon 70-200 f4... works great on my D500 or my D800 Sharp , Sharp And Sharp
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