Any user of 18-200, 55-200 & 55-300

[blive]

I used to have the D50 with kit lens and a 70-300G lens. When I got the 18-200 vr lens, it was the only lenses on the body as there is no further need to change lenses anymore, except for a 50mm f1.8 or the Tokina 12-24 for t low light and UWA.

It would depend on your shooting style and what you need to determine which lenses to get.

 

[cjtks]

I used to have the D50 with kit lens and a 70-300G lens. When I got the 18-200 vr lens, it was the only lenses on the body as there is no further need to change lenses anymore, except for a 50mm f1.8 or the Tokina 12-24 for t low light and UWA.

It would depend on your shooting style and what you need to determine which lenses to get.

Any diff in term of IQ between 70-300 & 18-200 ?

 

[rain5533]

Any diff in term of IQ between 70-300 & 18-200 ?

Please visit. www.kenrockwell.com and find up all the lenses review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

 

[Luminare]

Any diff in term of IQ between 70-300 & 18-200 ?

IMO,

For photographing wildlife, 200mm is most of the time still too short. If the intention is to be able to photograph birds and perhaps take photos of NDP or other events where the stand off distance is more than 30 meters, go for a minimum 300mm lens. In this case, on tighter budget with above average IQ, but a very worthwhile investment is the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED VR.

Do take note that he 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR is a FX lens so when used on DX, it is equivalent to 105-450mm. When trying to photograph objects with unpredicatable movements, accurate and FAST AF is critical. The 70-300mm VR version has quite a good reputation for its abilty to do so in its budget range. It has a very useful range for most wildlife and stadium style event related photography. VR will also be very important when shooting hand held at the longer end. This lens is also an IF and ED lens. And why this is important is that IF allows you to install a Polarising filter (CPL filter) to remove glare and give better color saturation although it reduces light by up to 1 F-stop. As for the ED, this in Nikon terms, means its ability to minimize chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range while ensuring high resolution and contrast. Otherwise, in more layman terms, better IQ. Personally, IF gives me an option in terms of versatility of being to use a CPL (Which can be very useful).

If you wanted to add range to photograph wildlife/large event portrait on a tighter budget, i do suggest getting the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR plus a good waist bag like the Lowepro Inverse 100 (est. S$65) that can fit a D5000/D5100 with lens attached or a good camera strap/carry system like Black Rapid / Spider Holster (either one is easily S$115 or more). Dont let the weight scare you away from getting a proper tool for your hobby because there are easily available cost effect options around.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Please visit. www.kenrockwell.com and find up all the lenses review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

Please take krw's review with a large table spoon of salt. www.bythom.com reviews are more trust worthy.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

IQ wise 18-200 is acceptable. 55-200 and 55-300 are better in the overlapping range.

Adv for 18-200 is pretty much everyone else have said - one lens do (almost) all. No need to change lens. Disadv - 2 major disadv, acceptable IQ and focal length breathing. At 200mm and closer focus distance it is more like 135mm, i.e. Nikon allows the lens to shorten its focal length to achieve its closer focus distance.

55-200 and 55-300 are almost the same in performance in the overlapping range. Both better by a fair margin than 18-200. 55-200 cheap and easily available used. 55-300 costs more (twice as much or more) has longer reach.

70-300 is another range to consider, you won't miss the 55-70 focal lengths. There are 3 versions, G, ED and VR. G is worth anything from $100-150 used, and has the poorest IQ of them all, to me barely acceptable. ED is worth maybe $180-250 depending on conditions. Likely to be old. IQ significantly better than G. Best is VR, likely $500 or more used. Best of the lot.

Oh the G and ED versions won't AF with your camera. You need AFS lens.

 

[Luminare]

Please visit. KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures and find up all the lenses review.

Ken Rockwell's Photography Updates

Read Ken Rockwell with with a pinch of salt and pepper , then go read other reviews like from Nasim Mansurovs, Brad Hill, Thom Hogan.

At least i know Ken Rockwell's review on the 28-300mm is totally out of wack.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Read Ken Rockwell with with a pinch of salt and pepper , then go read other reviews like from Nasim Mansurovs, Brad Hill, Thom Hogan.

At least i know Ken Rockwell's review on the 28-300mm is totally out of wack.

His review of 18-200 is, heavenly, as in he praised the 18-200 to the heavens. And he also praised the D40 to the heavens. He also praised 18-55 to the heavens. I no longer value his opinions.

 

[Luminare]

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it even if it's poisoning, LOL ! :bsmilie: I'm not a pro and only started DSLR usage in this Feb so a 70-300 is out for me now. However, at least now I knw how good it is !
Next, I dun br DSLR for overseas trip as I wanna travel lite so I br a compact cam. My DSLR is only for local usage (hobbies) and of non commercial purposes. However, I still prefer a better IQ lens and consider the fact that L lens are too much ($) for a beginner, that's why I shortlist the stated 3 as my targets. Looks like 55-200 is winning the race. Any more comments ?

@TS:

If your are 100% sure you'll never bring your D5100 for your travels, dont get an All-in-one lens like the 18-200mm or 18-300mm

These are more meant for traveling without having to change lens or use in conditions when lens changing is not a option.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

@TS:

If your are 100% sure you'll never bring your D5100 for your travels, dont get an All-in-one lens like the 18-200mm or 18-300mm

These are more meant for traveling without having to change lens or use in conditions when lens changing is not a option.

Yes yes.

 

[fmeeran]

Do take note that he 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR is a FX lens so when used on DX, it is equivalent to 105-450mm.

ALL lenses whether they be FX or DX show the same crop factor magnification. The 300mm max zoom on the 70-300mm FX lens on a crop body will give you the same field of view as the max zoom of the 18-300mm DX lens on a crop body , which will be the equivalent of 450mm on a full frame body.

 

[blive]

any reviews and website need to be read with the understanding that it's their opinion and user experience. You can choose to take it or not, and most times, people only choose to take what they would like to believe to justify their reasons for doing certain things.

which lenses or gear to use really depends on what you intend to use them for. know the limitations as no gear can be everything.

 

[Luminare]

ALL lenses whether they be FX or DX show the same crop factor magnification. The 300mm max zoom on the 70-300mm FX lens on a crop body will give you the same field of view as the max zoom of the 18-300mm DX lens on a crop body , which will be the equivalent of 450mm on a full frame body.

Touch up to provide easier understanding

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 22°50' - 5°20'
For 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 76°00' - 5°20'

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D700/D800: Angle of view is 34°20' - 8°10'

For a D700/D800 to see an Angle of view of 5°20', one would need to attach a 450mm equivalent lens on the D700/D800

Hope this helps

 

[fmeeran]

Touch up to provide easier understanding

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 22550' - 5220'
For 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 76000' - 5220'

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D700/D800: Angle of view is 34220' - 8110'

For a D700/D800 to see an Angle of view of 5220', one would need to attach a 450mm equivalent lens on the D700/D800

Hope this helps

Yes. This is a lot less confusing than what I wrote.

 

[cjtks]

Thanks...look like 70-300 which wasn't shortlisted by me is best recommended ! Next would be the 55-200. Ok I shd not think abt the 18-200. I juz gona be prepare of the trouble of chg lens and wont compromise on IQ. But I still appreciate more comments

 

[cjtks]

Touch up to provide easier understanding

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 22°50' - 5°20'
For 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR attached to D5100: Angle of view is 76°00' - 5°20'

For 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF ED VR attached to D700/D800: Angle of view is 34°20' - 8°10'

For a D700/D800 to see an Angle of view of 5°20', one would need to attach a 450mm equivalent lens on the D700/D800

Hope this helps

Pai seh...as a beginner, my question is, any lens (DX/ FX) on a crop body will be 1.5x ?

 

[fmeeran]

Pai seh...as a beginner, my question is, any lens (DX/ FX) on a crop body will be 1.5x ?

Yes.
The crop comes from the body. DX/FX on the lens only specify if the lens fills enough of the sensor.

 

[cjtks]

Yes.
The crop comes from the body. DX/FX on the lens only specify if the lens fills enough of the sensor.

Thanks for yr reply

 

[diediealsomustdive]

A few simple facts -
- FX/DX focal length the same on any camera body. Just DX has crop (view narrower), FX no crop (view wider).
- DX camera can use FX and DX lenses
- FX camera when used with DX lenses will have black borders, or must use DX crop (less MP)

So if you buy DX lenses recognize that if you go FX in future your lenses are good as useless.

70-300 is FX lens. All others you talked about are DX lenses.

OTOH if you are not going FX (FX cameras costs $3k upwards) then no harm getting DX lenses. High end DX cameras are very capable cameras.

 

[cjtks]

A few simple facts -
- FX/DX focal length the same on any camera body. Just DX has crop (view narrower), FX no crop (view wider).
- DX camera can use FX and DX lenses
- FX camera when used with DX lenses will have black borders, or must use DX crop (less MP)

So if you buy DX lenses recognize that if you go FX in future your lenses are good as useless.

70-300 is FX lens. All others you talked about are DX lenses.

OTOH if you are not going FX (FX cameras costs $3k upwards) then no harm getting DX lenses. High end DX cameras are very capable cameras.

Thanks for these info. For my case, I just started DSLR in Feb and wont be upgrading to FX Cam too early or maybe not at all unless I'm a pro or want a gd cam wif gd lens tat can gv me superior IQ. What I'm doing now is searching fo7 a zoom lens for my D5100. Of course, a better 1 among the ones I stated above. Haa...turns out tat the hot fav is 70-300 which wasn't even shortlisted ! Any more recommendation ?

Regards & thanks.