Lens comparison

[beyond the blue]

I'm thinking of changing my Nikon 18-105 D90 kit lens to a Nikon AF-S DX 16-85MM F3.5/5.6G ED VR. I've always thought the kit lens a bit low on optical and general quality compared to my 70-300 ED VR. Now having said this I am a newbie and I'm in the talk basic section. Can anyone with more Knowledge offer an opinion please?

 

[philthejuggler]

I'm a Canon man, but before you change lenses decide what you want to achieve with the new lens and what is lacking with the old one.

The change would leave you with a shorter telephoto end (but this is covered by your other lens when you have it with you) and a wider short end.

The proposed lens has the same maximum apertures as your current one. If you want to play with creative options I might be tempted to add a fast prime rather than swap one zoom for another.

A dark-side addict might shoot me down in flames and tell me the 16-85 is the best thing since digital sensors.

Phil

 

[madmardle]

Hi Neil,
I've just done almost the same thing although I changed to the 16-85 from the 18-135 and I did it mainly to get a slightly wider image and VR as I always found that I had better results from my 70-300VR, hope that helps.

 

[redhed17]

If you were choosing between them owning neither, then I would say the 16-85mm every time. It is slightly wider, which makes a surprising difference, and the build quality is a bit better, so I've read. Image quality is pretty similar, with the 16-85mm just shading it, again from what I have read.

If you already have a 18-105mm then I don't think it's worth changing.

If wanted something different, then you could consider the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4, or a 17-50mm f2.8. This would enable wider apertures for shallower depth of field effects, particularly with the 17-50mm which is f2.8 throughout the zoom range. It depends what you want out of the new lens. :shrug:


I pair my 16-85mm with the Nikon 70-300mm VR, and for me it is the perfect combination, and they overlap nicely.

 

[beyond the blue]

Hi Neil,
I've just done almost the same thing although I changed to the 16-85 from the 18-135 and I did it mainly to get a slightly wider image and VR as I always found that I had better results from my 70-300VR, hope that helps.

Since posting I've come across a couple of in-depth reviews that say on the plus side you are gaining a slightly wider view, but on the other hand, as the optics are only fractionally better it would not make sense to make the swap! So back to the drawing board for me I'm afraid.