Nikkor 18-300 f3.5-6.3

heartyfisher

I have the 18-140 and the 18-200 .. I like them for what they are.. but recently my 18-200 kind of got sick( wont focus close) fixing would cost almost the price of a second hand 18-200. so I am thinking if the new 18-300 F6.3 would be worth getting. I already have the 18-140 and it is a nice little lense but I used my 18-200 on my CX camera and I have been thinking of upgrading it anyway..

So does anyone have experience with the 18-300 F6.3 version? there is such a lack of information and reviews of this lense on the web. There is more info on the 5.6 version but not so much on the 6.3 version.

BVS

I rented it for a weekend about a year ago or so. My recollection is that the build quality was decent, similar to the 18-140, good portability, VR worked well, AF was a bit leisurely so not so good for moving targets, image quality was decent in good light but a bit weak indoors/lower light.

Biggest problem is the focus breathing. At close range you get quite a bit less than 300mm. Also, the difference between 200mm and 300mm seemed marginal in many circumstances.

At the time the lens was $899 and I didn't feel it was worth that much. The current refurb price of $599 is not too bad though.

Personally, I'm also looking for something in the 300mm range to compliment my 18-140 and am curious to see what becomes of the rumored new 70-300.

DaveyJ

I used the 18-300. I did not like the lens! It tries to accomplish too much. I love the 16-80, use the 18-200 some, have about all the others.......70-300 is awesome for,what it is.....even like the 55-300 a lot....200-500 is very nice and heavy! But the 18-300... Could not bring myself to own it! I would check Thom Hogan'review though....as he researches everything way beyond what I do!

DaveyJ

Nobody I know has seen the new 70-300....I will buy one! can't afford not too!

heartyfisher

The thing is, there are a few 18-300 reviews.. unfortunately like the Thom Hogan review its for the F5.6 not the F6.3 version that I am interested in.

@DaveyJ Can I assume you are talking about the F5.6 version?

BVS

LensTip did a pretty thorough review a while back. Not sure if you've seen it or not:

lenstip.com/426.1-Lens_review-Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_DX_18-300_mm_f_3.5-6.3G_ED_VR_Introduction.html

Also PhotographyBlog:

photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_afs_dx_nikkor_18_300mm_f_35_63_g_ed_vr_review/

heartyfisher

Thanks @BVS i have seen the lensTip one but not the photographyblog :-) its not looking too bad for my intended use :-)

Looks better than the 18-200 .. and maybe even the 18-140. The nice thing for me is the centre sharpness as i liked to use my old 18-200 on my V1. This 18-300 looks like it could be quite nice on the V1 :-)

BVS

@heartyfisher one question though, does your D7000 have any f8 AF points? If not, I wonder if you'll have trouble with the long end?

heartyfisher

@bvs :-) I guess I need to update my sig.. I now have the D7200 so yes 6.3 should be fine.. it also has the 1.3 crop which would be nice with the centre sharpness ...

PS: Hmmm ... I cant change my sig ... Oh well ....

BVS

I rented this a year ago or so for a weekend. My recollection was that the build quality was decent - similar to the 18-140, good portability, sharpness was decent for what it was - good outdoors in good light but weak indoors/lower light, AF was a bit leisurely so probably not the best for action. Biggest problem with it is the focus breathing. At close range you get quite a bit less than 300mm. I also found the difference between 200mm and 300mm to be marginal at best, except at long range when you can get the full 300mm.

At the time, the price was $899 and I didn't feel it was worth that much. The current refurb price of $599 isn't too bad though.

Personally, I'm also looking for something in the 300mm range and am curious to see what becomes of the rumor of a new 70-300 on the horizon.

Ironheart

$54 for 6 days at lensrentals.

heartyfisher

Thanks @BVS for your views.. I see you have the 18-140 too, so how do they compare? I have the 18-140 too and its as you may say, its quite "decent".

Pistnbroke

The lens tip testing was useful but why an old D7000.....useless ...I find if I can compare on DXO at least I have a way to tell which is best....only problems is they don't test the lenses I am interested in Nik 200-500 for example and often third party not on Nikon but some junk canon.
I looked at the Tamron 16-300 on DXO which the review above said was better and cheaper..horrible over 85mm.
I still think you are better just using the 18-140 and cropping to 12 MP......