Lens Opinion / Advice

bbg404

bbg404

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Afternoon all I currently have a Nikon D3200 18-55 55-200 and 55-300 so I'm going to sell my 55-290 as it's never used to fund a new lens!

Now mostly I like Landscape Phototography and some general picture taking bit of alrounder

I normally always carry and use the 18-55 but a couple of times I've noticed me needing that extra zoom so I've looked and found the 16-85

Is the 16-85 a good choice / upgrade?? Does any one reconnect this lens???

Thanks
 
I've owned a couple of the 18-55 lenses and for a basic kit lens they do well enough, but the 16-85 is a step up and is noticeable too. Better made, better VR, faster af, instant manual override and better IQ, wider at the wide end and useful boost in zoom too. 2mm may not seem much, but in practice it can be quite useful. They are a tad expensive, particularly new, but unless you need fast glass it is an excellent upgrade.

You have two lenses doing much the same thing, so it makes sense to sell on, the 55-300 covers the same zoom range as the 55-200 and gives a bit extra reach so I'd stick with that one, there is very little if anything to choose between them in iq terms. If you get the 16-85 then also sell the 18-55 as you won't have a use for it.
 
I used to own a 16-85mm before I upgraded to the 24-70mm, The 16-85 is a good lens overall and for general walk about photography it is good, But a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 that are around £360 brand new are far better lens if you ask me...
 
Well to be honest I've had the Sigma 10-20 and sold it as I never used it felt heavy and didn't give enough zoom range

Just felt the 16-85 was slightly wider and longer zoom than the 18-55 and apparently better optics so would be a better upgrade :| maybe I'm wrong
 
PaulButler said:
I've owned a couple of the 18-55 lenses and for a basic kit lens they do well enough, but the 16-85 is a step up and is noticeable too. Better made, better VR, faster af, instant manual override and better IQ, wider at the wide end and useful boost in zoom too. 2mm may not seem much, but in practice it can be quite useful. They are a tad expensive, particularly new, but unless you need fast glass it is an excellent upgrade.

You have two lenses doing much the same thing, so it makes sense to sell on, the 55-300 covers the same zoom range as the 55-200 and gives a bit extra reach so I'd stick with that one, there is very little if anything to choose between them in iq terms. If you get the 16-85 then also sell the 18-55 as you won't have a use for it.
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This was my thinking exactly ;) thanks
 
Joeturner11 said:
I used to own a 16-85mm before I upgraded to the 24-70mm, The 16-85 is a good lens overall and for general walk about photography it is good, But a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 that are around £360 brand new are far better lens if you ask me...
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Thanks for the input but I think unless I need a fast lens I'd be shooting my self in the foot as I'd loose width and length getting the Tamron
 
bbg404 said:
Thanks for the input but I think unless I need a fast lens I'd be shooting my self in the foot as I'd loose width and length getting the Tamron
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There is a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 but then again you would be losing wideness, The nikon 18-200mm mite be a good lens that has wide angle and alot of reach...
 
How about the Sigma 17-70 contemporary, lovely sharp lens and gives you a little extra at both ends.
 
bbg404 said:
Well to be honest I've had the Sigma 10-20 and sold it as I never used it felt heavy and didn't give enough zoom range

Just felt the 16-85 was slightly wider and longer zoom than the 18-55 and apparently better optics so would be a better upgrade :| maybe I'm wrong
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No, you're not. :)

And the 2mm wider is a l-o-t wider! The 30mm longer is even more lots!


24/28 to something is in my book way to long for DX. Will definitely need another lens for the wide bit, whereas the 16-85 is perfect for a one-lens only solution!

Can only give it a 100% recommendation.
 
Jan K. said:
No, you're not. :)

And the 2mm wider is a l-o-t wider! The 30mm longer is even more lots!


24/28 to something is in my book way to long for DX. Will definitely need another lens for the wide bit, whereas the 16-85 is perfect for a one-lens only solution!

Can only give it a 100% recommendation.
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The 2mm between 18 & 16 isn't a lot, come on let's be honest. 10 or 12mm is something to ponder but 16 from 18...it's nothing.
 
I guess, it depends on the scenes, you're trying to shoot?

When I replaced the 18-70 with the 16-85, it made a big difference.
For the first time I was able to get the entire oil rig tower fully framed, when standing on same pier. Impossible to do with the 18-70 without panoshooting...

It may only be ~8 degree, but if you're used to 18mm, it *is* a big difference. At least in the viewfinder.
 
Jan K. said:
I guess, it depends on the scenes, you're trying to shoot?

When I replaced the 18-70 with the 16-85, it made a big difference.
For the first time I was able to get the entire oil rig tower fully framed, when standing on same pier. Impossible to do with the 18-70 without panoshooting...

It may only be ~8 degree, but if you're used to 18mm, it *is* a big difference. At least in the viewfinder.
Click to expand...

Yeah I had to agree with everything you've said I've been thing quite abit reading and Ken Rockwell has a sample image of the 18-55 vs 16-85 vs 10-20 and the 16-85 is wider than I thought it would be obviously he opts for the 10-20 but as I mentioned this lens isn't for me

So the 16-85 hunt starts ;)
 
MPB Photographic has the 16-85 used. About £265 if I remember. They will also take in a couple of your old lenses in Part Ex. I don't think Ebay is any cheaper, and MPB will give you a 6 month guarantee. Would be worth a look?
I was looking at the 16-85 as an upgrade but went for a used Sigma 17-70 as it was about a hundred quid cheaper!! Means I can now look for other stuff with the money I saved :-)
 
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