AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR

Roughly the same size of 18-140mm (@18mm) kit lens, This great COMPACT lens is must have for traveling, I had so much fun with this huge zoom range. Now I want to go even further and buy the new 200-500mm lens, 200-500mm lens gives crazy 300-750mm zoom on my D5500 camera!
With these two lenses on DX camera you have astounding 18 to 750mm zoom range, combine with 24MP sensor and high ISO performance (almost noise-free at ISO 3200) and you´ll get impressive photography experience with this great system.
I shifted to Nikon two years ago and I´m very satisfied, Nikon engineers are doing great!

I´ve had opportunity to study both lenses and how they are best for various shooters: I have sold Nikon products as a ´´Mom and Pop Dealer´´ for 20 years. All-in-one lenses are convenient. They aren´t the best choice for everyone. To describe them as only for amateurs or professionals is a little too simple.

Nikon gives us many lenses to choose from: sometimes we sacrifice cash and extra weight and reap tremendous benefits! A host of fast prime lenses is ideal for some, but for many, a single lens that can handle almost everything -- this is terrific! Nikon offering 18-200 and 18-300, has added another 18-300 which may replace the former, but is not equal. I point to $100 price drop, smaller filter: 67 replaces 77mm, and 10 ounces of weight lost.

I´ve found the worse change to be the A/M switch replacing the earlier AM/M switch. On the newer lens, I must switch to Manual to over-ride or tweak the AF. Many of my customers rarely use AF, when they do, they want to tweak it. Imagine shooting through Spanish moss or a fence or enclosures at Zoo... We had to deal with this for years! It´s just odd that they didn´t keep the tweaking switch for the upgrade.

Depending what you shoot, the light loss#6.3 vs. 5.6 max aperture at 300mm# should be minor. f5.6 to f8 is one stop- -f6.3 is only a 1/3 stop loss. In most situations, the compromise on ISO or shutter speed wouldn´t force a choice of one lens over the other. There is less glass... smaller elements: of course less light... but they limited the loss to 1/3 stop! That is amazing.

The 18-300 range is great for ANYONE needing to jump all over that range within a short period of time... Weddings, family portraits, sports, quick jumps between nature close-ups and landscapes... There is nothing more frustrating than to be shooting the family group shots and miss some spontaneity because you´ve got the 24-70 and would have to change to the 70-200! Of course you will shoot it and crop later!

Which compromise? Cropping to get the shot means a compromise in quality; bumping the ISO; slowing shutter speed; stopping to change lenses... or spending the extra bucks for a second camera... or additional shooter...

the 18-300 range for DX shooters and 28-300 range for FX shooters offers convenience... with other compromises.

Most serious shooters have more than one camera and are able to set up the two cameras so they can quickly shift between camera/lenses. It is still more simple in many situations to have one lens/camera able to do it all. Why would someone buy a 300 2.8 upwards of $6K, if they could get equal quality for less than $1,000! Likewise, after spending $6K, one doesn´t expect to take a group shot with that lens... unless it´s a group connecting on the 50 yard line! we make choices- -compromise on one or more points.

In film days, shifts included jumping from slide film to color or BW negatives. Digital imaging has minimized those shifts. New things to consider. The fragile nature of sensors makes changing lenses on the fly - -potentially dangerous with the looming possibility of introducing contaminants #like Dust, pollen# into the mirror box, rear of lens and potentially onto the sensor. Shooting at the beach? Shooting a horse show? Shooting farmers in action, shooting bees, hummingbirds, or butterflies? These are not good places to change lenses.

So many things are relative. The original 18-300 weighs in at 29 ounces: the newer #2216 knocks off 10 ounces and drops the size a bit with smaller filter size.

Early 35mm film cameras were considered light and small- -compared to bulky predecessors like speed graphics! DSLRs are relatively light and small compared to similar film cameras. As we get used to taking pictures with our phones, even the smallest, mirror-less, DSLR seems huge!

I am thoroughly enjoying this lense. Many times I am carrying both my 24-70mm and 70-300mm in my bag. Amongst other equipment. This lense lightens the should load. I was surprised of the accuracy and speed of
this lense. Pretty sharp too.

Not as sharp as a prime lens, but good throughout the range. Great for closeups with its 18´´ minimum focus range. Fast focusing in good light, slower in low light. Small size and light weight are great for all day use. This lens rarely leaves my D7000 (now updated to a D7200).

Great lens! I was hesitant at first because it seemed slow on the long end, and relatively compact. I coupled this with a D7100 and the results are absolutely fantastic. My concern about the 6.3 aperture proved to be a moot point; the images in low light are virtually noise free up to 3200 and quite usable at 6400. The VR is fantastic and allows me to produce images I would have needed a tripod for a decade ago. The color rendition is excellent and it is sharp at all focal lengths and at all apertures. However, please don´t compare it to a prime or 2.8 constant aperture zoom and vent your frustration that an all-in-one did not deliver the exact same quality for half the price. It is not attempting to be the aforementioned lenses, but rather an alternative to bringing several lenses. For travel, this one lens covers 95% of my requirements; small, light, sharp, and I do not need to take a bag full of lenses with me. It is great for what it is, and I am quite pleased with the image quality.

Thought that I would stick with all things Nikon since is just switched from another manufacturer, but in retrospect it was a bad idea! From 18 to 35 mm the lens is fine but after that point it will not hold position when pointed down and suffers from SEVERE lens creep! Nikon was kind enough to check it out but says that the lens is within specifications! Someone needs to take a serious look at the specifications if this is what is deemed a quality product! Just EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!!!

I just bought this lens (18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR) from Singapore and bring back to my home (Jakarta-Indonesia). At the beginning I was really excited and shot my pictures. Previously I have one AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. I try to compare the result on 300mm focal length and I doubt the result of the 18-300, the image is not so close as the result of the 70-300mm. Why the image is not the same?
regards,
agustan
Jakarta-Indonesia

I bought this lens primarily for my daughters soccer games. I need the 300 to get across the field and 18 for when the girls run up to me at the sidelines. In theory, it sounds like a great idea; however the quality isn´t good for sports. When zoomed even to a 200, the photos are distorted and shaky. I have also noticed the Continuous Shooting Speed has slowed down, which has prevented some of those OMG did you see that moments. I will return it and go back to my 55-200 for now. :-(

As for an all in one (still shots), it is good as long as you don´t mind spending the money.

I wanted a lens to replace my kit lens (18-55) and the zoom lens (55-200) I had purchased with my D5000 . On our trip to Hawaii, the 55-200 didn´t have quite enough reach. I wished I would have had this lens. Not only will it replace 2 lenses, but also it takes awesome pictures!!! I would use a tripod when shooting at the longest focal length. I am amazed that this lens is so short and can get so close! Also, it has a 67mm diameter, compared to a 52mm diameter of my other 2 lenses. I decided to keep the kit lens, but I traded in the other zoom lens.