Help with D7100 and lens choices

spraynpray

I think it is fair to say that 'kit' type lenses are more individual in terms of IQ than the more expensive lenses with the top 'pro' grade lenses having the narrowest band of variation in IQ. I had an 18-105 which was good. When it needed service, it came back very good. I changed it for a 16-85 and that was before service - we'll see what it is like after service now. Biggest surprise was the 18-55VR my wife has - that is a sharp lil' sucker.

It is likely therefore that some people above had a good copy of the 18-70 which doesn't stand out as particularly good in other peoples experience.

DaveyJ

I have used both the 18-55 and the 18-70VR and they were both good. I use the 18-55 a lot and for what that lens costs it is amazing. My 18-70 spent 33 days underwater in an Alaskan river or I'd still be using it today. I do think the D7100 will push a lens to its limits. But to be honest I am not sure what the greatest Nikkor you could own for that body is. And since we are out in the field everyday we still use a lot of lens. I do like the 70-300VR as another team lens. I still want the 80-400VR but cannot justify it right now.

Photobug

I also love my 17 - 55. It's really sharp and has never let me down. I tend to use the lens shade if there are a lot of people around, so they bump the shade and not the UV filter.
Sorry about the typo..the original message said 18-55.

PB_PM

I had a 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G and frankly I wasn't overly impressed. It was fine on lower resolution cameras like the D70 and D80 it was kitted with, but on the newer bodies I found it lacking in terms of resolution.

Compared to which lense ?

I would say that the 18-105mm VR is sharper than the 18-70. Heck, IMO the 18-55mm VR is sharper from the ones that I've used on friends low end bodies.

I have used both the 18-55 and the 18-70VR

Too bad there is no such thing as the 18-70mm VR. There is a AF-S 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G ED, but no VR version. Maybe you mean the 16-85mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR?

spraynpray

Build quality wise, the 16-85 is in a different class to the other DX kit lenses, but performance wise, it isn't any better IME. It needs refreshing into a f2.8 VR3 or at least an f4. I wish it were built and performed like like my Tokina 11-16 f2.8.