Nikon New 18-300 Len

[cjtks]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

 

[kriegsketten]

Almost every new comer will want one, firstly they have practically no idea that the aperture size means (well, at most maybe just an inkling of it), secondly after hearing all the fanfare stories about Nikon being one of the few that makes the best glasses, they will take it that any lens that carries Nikon name will produce quality images anyway. I doubt any will be able to differentiate the different AF speeds in different lenses granted that they would assume all AF-S will have the same speed (unless they really do some research and dig deep). Also, almost all newbies put their faith on the DSLR bodies MORE than the glasses... "Oh, you've got the D90? Hurhurhur...Mine's the latest D7000, I win!"

Yes, I have to agree that there is bound to be someone who will be willing to plunk in top dollars for the super zooms. And some will stand by their image quality no matter how meager they are just because they've paid "top" dollars for it.

I'm for 70-300VR too! It's sharp. But it's long.... when extended (with hood on), it's longer than 70-200VRII + TC III combined!

I'd recommend 18-55VR + 70-300VR combo. As for the gap, well... just try to use "manual" zoom...

 

[kriegsketten]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

Well, glad that you rent it out first than actually buying one... My advice is, take a trip down to NSC and compare the glasses yourself... set your DSLR on a tripod and mount all zooms that has 300mm (ones that you can afford to spend on that is) on it and shoot at that focal length across the room (aim at some detailed object)... You'll be surprised how fast you'll reach a conclusion just on image quality (IQ) itself!

You'll also notice HOW FAST the AF speeds on each lens will be... Among all the Nikon consumer zoom lenses - 70-300VR will top it.

 

[Luminare]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

Firstly, i won't say good lens means its heavy. Weight depends on its construction material and how many elements go into the construction of the lens.

Modern day All-in-one lens are by historical data, heavier than most lens. At 830g, it is almost as heavy as the 28-300mm lens that weights in at 900g or there abouts.

There is always a trade off with such All-in-one lens. As it is, trade offs are also then weighted against usage.

Example
I know of photography instructors/professionals (As in met/chatted them in person) who buy All-in-lens beacuse they do not intent to lug around their other Prime or Heavy zooms while on vacation as their intent is enjoy the holiday and not photograph the images for sale at that point or if they are doing a survey of the place prior to photographing the place at a later time/season to sell their work later. They are very clear on what they want/use it for and willing to accept.

So it voices down intent of use and acceptance of trade-offs.

 

[Cowseye]

Really? As it stands, the 18-55mm VR and 24-85mm VR combo is priced at S$850 already. I am not sure what the street price of the 18-300mm is, but I have a feeling that the price is close for either method. Of course, one can go for a 18-105mm VR + 70-300mm VR combo.

Anyway, I'm not a fan of such super zoom lenses either. I'm just saying that if every manufacturer makes such lenses, it must be a pretty lucrative market and that there are consumers who want such lenses.

It's ard $750 a pc for 70-300mm VR.. which makes it about $1600.. close to or cheaper than the 18-300... Pretty sure 18-105mm with 70-300mm VR would be even cheaper... Could be slightly over $1k only...

 

[lloh108]

18-300mm is selling at $1,360.

 

[Luminare]

side note/off topic related to carrying heavy lens

Be prepared to also buy a good camera sling or carrying bag that is easy to access the camera and lens as carrying a 830g lens attached to any camera body will mean carrying a 1kg+ weight around your neck. 500g difference between Body + Kit lens vs. Body + 18-300mm (830g) may not mean much for 15mins ....... trying slinging 1kg around the back of your neck for more than 30mins and do a walk around and it is going to bite.

 

[Blur Shadow]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

You've never handled a 200mm f/2 or 300mm f/2.8 eh? Now those are good and massive lenses. Haha!

 

[cjtks]

...
I'd recommend 18-55VR + 70-300VR combo. As for the gap, well... just try to use "manual" zoom...

Hi, I'm using a D5100 (crop) so can this 70-300 be mounted on it ?

 

[Blur Shadow]

Hi, I'm using a D5100 (crop) so can this 70-300 be mounted on it ?

Yes. The Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF ED can be mounted on the Nikon D5100 dSLR, just like any F-mount Nikon lens.

 

[MacroMarlin]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

Errh... did you realise how much versatility you've got in an 18-300? I cannot say much with the IQ as I have not tried it out, but should not be that far off from those decent DX lenses like the 18-200. Personally, if you find it too heavy, you may opt for alternatives, like a 3rd party 2x converter with your kit lens (nikon TC20 don't fit) or a prosumer camera with a 30x zoom? ..... or if you're lucky, you may even still be able to get a 3rd party lens using some polycarbonates replacement instead of full glasses.... this is really light! But then, don't complain about poor IQ.:devil:

 

[GReddyZC76]

I just rented it last nite and my 1st touch was disappointing as it's HEAVY (830g) ! If mounted to my D5100 & wif a flash shooting for hours ! I'm a newbie and so used to the weight of my kit lens (265g) and even wif my prime lens (200g) packed in, it's lesser than 500g ! My standard packing is main lens wif prime lens but if I bought this 18 - 300, hmm...err...if
Ok after a long winded story, my question is whether weight of a lens is also your buying criteria ? Or a gd lens = heavy lens ? O ya, the auto focus speed is no slower or shd I say, the same as my kit lens.

imho if weight is a Concern, u problaby step into the wrong Foot, u shouldnt be lokking at dslr from the start.

 

[kriegsketten]

Hi, I'm using a D5100 (crop) so can this 70-300 be mounted on it ?

Yes you can mount this lens on your D5100. All current and legacy F-mount nikon lenses can mount on any current Nikon DSLR (whether each will be able auto focus or meter is another thing altogether). On crop, you're ultimately getting 105-450mm full-frame equivalent reach.

My kid (who lacks big biceps :bsmilie often complains that the D90 plus a f/2.8 tele zoom is way too heavy for him to handle, finds his D5000 + 70-300VR just perfect! With this setup, he managed to shoot car races and birds for long hours. If he (bordering on scrawny) has got no problem with this, I don't think any average adult has got any reason to complain.

To make the story short, 70-300VR works JUST fine with D5100. This lens isn't extremely heavy (745g) which is better balanced with the feather-weight DSLRs like D5000/D5100 than the heavier f/2.8 tele-zooms. D3100/3200 I'm not too sure as these bodies are much lighter, a 55-200 would be better suited to them...

70-300VR is also an AF-S lens (includes a built-in motor for AF), which means you do not need a motor screw on your DSLR to auto focus, and your D5100 does not have this motor if you haven't noticed.

Together with the 18-55VR kit lens, and maybe the 50mm 1.8G (although view is a bit tight on crop) for greater and affordable subject-isolation cream machine, I don't think you need anything else for the time being.

 

[kriegsketten]

imho if weight is a Concern, u problaby step into the wrong Foot, u shouldnt be lokking at dslr from the start.

Well, we shouldn't use sweeping statements like that! :bsmilie: Some people might have back problems (old and young), some just want to take care of their back with manageable weights...

If you've seen that Panaflex commercial on TV (videographer)... well, that's no fiction - it's closer to truth for some people in the profession. Try lugging around all three of the "holy trinities" for a full day you'll know what I mean... Do that for a full week!

 

[blueskye168]

Well, we shouldn't use sweeping statements like that! Some people might have back problems (old and young), some just want to take care of their back with manageable weights...

If you've seen that Panaflex commercial on TV (videographer)... well, that's no fiction - it's closer to truth for some people in the profession. Try lugging around all three of the "holy trinities" for a full day you'll know what I mean... Do that for a full week!

Well, fully agreed the whole of the/your above mentioned:thumbsup:...(...as I for one...with lower-back prob......can genuinely understand..., hence, a change of mind again after selling off my G1X to fund for my "Decided-liao/Intended" in fact, = AFS 300+TC1.4...but, after much much much of consideration = no buy liao...as my back can only withstand thereabout a 70-300mm lens+Body+V.Grip+Flash = More than enough..., plus, still need to walk under :sweat:hot sun+thick/uneven paths for hours, to shoot Birds+etc...see that...)...!!!

 

[cjtks]

Well, we shouldn't use sweeping statements like that! :bsmilie: Some people might have back problems (old and young), some just want to take care of their back with manageable weights...

If you've seen that Panaflex commercial on TV (videographer)... well, that's no fiction - it's closer to truth for some people in the profession. Try lugging around all three of the "holy trinities" for a full day you'll know what I mean... Do that for a full week!

Bingo n spot on as I have bk problem too ! Hence, weight is a concern. Haiz...IQ is also another concern...hmm...hard to be pleased, LOL...

 

[cjtks]

...
To make the story short, 70-300VR works JUST fine with D5100. This lens isn't extremely heavy (745g) which is better balanced with the feather-weight DSLRs like D5000/D5100 than the heavier f/2.8 tele-zooms. D3100/3200 I'm not too sure as these bodies are much lighter, a 55-200 would be better suited to them...
70-300VR is also an AF-S lens (includes a built-in motor for AF), which means you do not need a motor screw on your DSLR to auto focus, and your D5100 does not have this motor if you haven't noticed.
Together with the 18-55VR kit lens, and maybe the 50mm 1.8G (although view is a bit tight on crop) for greater and affordable subject-isolation cream machine, I don't think you need anything else for the time being.

Wow...u seems to have planned for me ! FYI, I'm having the 18-55mm & 35mm 1.8G. Perhaps the next shd be a 70-300mm ?!

 

[kriegsketten]

Wow...u seems to have planned for me ! FYI, I'm having the 18-55mm & 35mm 1.8G. Perhaps the next shd be a 70-300mm ?!

No no, different people have different needs. :bsmilie: I merely recommend something thats better value for $$$ than 18-300mm (IMO). To me, 55-200VR compliments your reach from the 18-55VR lens. Whereas, 70-300VR doesn't but extends your long reach even further. 70-300VR has a faster AF-S, good for irratic fast moving subjects. But the price is about 2 to 3-fold that of the 55-200VR.

If you have a back problem, my advice is to consider it carefully as the 70-300VR isn't super light either - can be quite substantial if you combine all the lenses together.

55-300VR is another alternative, but I'm not too sure of its IQ as compared to the 2.

Or, do what some people do... don't bring all your lenses out - consider what you'll be shooting for the day... if it's something for the longer reach, then bring a long zoom plus maybe a light prime. Then maybe 70-300VR is a choice to consider.

If die die must have all the lenses with you, 55-200VR... Ultimately, it boils down to personal habits and mindsets...

Btw, there are two 70-300s out there... one with VR, one without... normally known as the 70-300G, much cheaper and IQ does not match the VR version (I can't vouch for this but that's what I've read).

 

[kriegsketten]

Shot by my kid using the 70-300VR with D5000. Nothing fantastic, but just shows a kid can easily handle this setup.

Can't be me as I was on the f/2.8 zoom.

 

[Hacker]

You've never handled a 200mm f/2 or 300mm f/2.8 eh? Now those are good and massive lenses. Haha!

I love them to bits. But carrying them is a pain.