Alternative to Nikon 18-135mm

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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At the moment I use the above as my walkabout lens and to be fair optically its very good, but I've always felt its a bit, well.....plasticky.
I've had a good old root about the web and I can't seem to see anything in the same focal range (I like 18mm for landscapes and 135mm is long enough generally) except for the Nikon 24-120mm.

So the question is twofold a) Is the 24-120mm a more robust yet optically matching lens and b) is there any other lens/manufacturer out there that I've missed?

Cheers

Andy
 
It's not really addressing your question but I currently have the same 18-135 lens and i'm looking to replace it. My biggest gripe with it isn't the build quality but the distortion at the wider end. It's a very versatile and great value lens though.

Personally, I'm looking to swap to either a Sigma 18-50 2.8 or a 17-50 2.8 OS. I'm sacrificing a bit (ok a lot) of range for a faster, sharper lens.

It's maybe worth taking a look at the Nikon 18-200 VR. It seems well made and should perform at least as well as the 18-135 and of course it has a lit of extra length and VR. Used ones are around the £300+ mark.
 
Thanks Graham, the 18-200mm was in the back of my mind but I'm not sure I want to pay quite that much nor that the IQ is as good as the 18-135mm. Worth another look though.

Andy
 
Anyone else have any suggestions? Is the Nikon 16-85mm a better option?

Andy
 
The 16-85 is a very good lens but expensive, the 18-70 is a cracker - it has a metal mount, instant focus over ride and a distance gauge plus it's f3.5-4.5 not the usual f3.5-5.6. All that for around £100! only downside is lack of VR...
 
I did have an 18-70 a while back and it was good......just a bit concerned it lacks a little length.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
Anyone else have any suggestions? Is the Nikon 16-85mm a better option?

Andy
Click to expand...
I love my 16-85, it has become my walkabout lens. I've never found the 85mm long end limiting, despite spending quite a while with the 55-200 on my camera. I find the 16mm wide end far more useful than the long end, but obviously that's just me and my likes! It's very solidly made - metal mount, metal trumpets and what feels like metal internals, I recently got an 18-105VR and there's no comparison build-wise, the 18-105 is a plastic kit lens and feels like it, probably much like your 18-135. The 16-85 feels absolutely solid to me, and I like this.

I've had a go with the 18-200 and although I liked the convenience, I did feel that IQ suffered, although I'd like to spend longer with the 18-200 to really compare. Incidentally the construction feels identical to the 16-85.

So the 16-85 is great IMHO, but admittely pricey for a variable aperture lens. I'd say give one a try :)
 
Thanks guys, I have had another look around and my research suggests that the 16-85mm might be the one to go for. Despite its convenience the 18-200 maybe just a bit too much of a compromise IQ wise.

Andy
 
They do seem in short supply.

Andy
 
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