Difficulty Choosing Travel Superzoom/Walkabout Telephoto

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BrawlerO

Senior Member
Hi All,

I'm a long time lurker to the site and have seen a few other questions along similar lines but hoping someone can help me reach a conclusion re possible purchase of the above. I have a D7100 DX body with a D7000 as back-up and no plans for a move to FX.

I'm pretty happy with the various lenses I have for specific jobs.
For taking pictures of Birds/Sports/Airshows etc I reach for my Tamron 150-600 (or if I want to be more discreet/travel lighter I'll use my older Nikon 55-300)
At the wide end and for Landscapes/Buildings etc I've got my Tokina 12-24 f/4
For indoors/low light and portraits I have my Nikon 35 and 50 f/1.8 primes
For Macro I have a 100 f/2.8 Tokina
So all in all I am lucky I have so many cool toys to play with! :)

The area where I feel I am lacking in my current arsenal is a general, mid-range telephoto zoom for times when you just don't know what you will end up doing but want to have your DSLR on hand. I've tried using my 12-24, 18-55 and 35/50mm primes as general 'walkabout' lenses but they just don't have the range required. I really don't like changing lenses while out and about and would really like a decent medium tele zoom for this purpose and when travelling. On normal holidays I would take this lens plus maybe a prime in my pocket. On 'specific' holidays like a safari I have planned in March, I would take the right tool for the job. I know these lenses will all be a compromise in some form which I accept due to the convenience they bring.

So anyway, I have researched the Nikon 16-85, 18-105, 18-140 and 18-200 lenses but none seem to be the stand out favourite.
None of these lenses are particularly cheap in the UK (except maybe the 18-105 although the plastic mount is a turn-off) so wonder if the forum members can help with my decision. Anyone able to share their experiences? Thanks, Rob
 
Eduard

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
You might want to check out this thread on the Tamron 16-300. The Tamron site is pretty informative. There is a rebate until the end of October in the US - not sure if there is something similar in the UK.

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E

Englischdude

Senior Member
since purchasing the 18-200 it seems to have grown onto my D7100! I have both the 18-55 and 18-200 and I feel they are both great lenses. If the weight is not an issue then its the 18-200, if I am travelling however and want something light I take the 18-55 and 35mm 1.8 prime.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
I love my 18-140 on my D7100.
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That's the lens I would suggest as well. It's been a great addition.

That being said, I think it's a good idea to get away from the whole idea lenses having specific functions. I'll put my Tokina 11-16mm on for a month and shoot with nothing else; or an 85mm prime and do the same thing. It's about learning to stop asking, "What lens do I need to get the shot I want?" and starting to ask, "How do I get the shot I want with the lens I have?"

....
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Horoscope Fish said:
That's the lens I would suggest as well. It's been a great addition.

That being said, I think it's a good idea to get away from the whole idea lenses having specific functions. I'll put my Tokina 11-16mm on for a month and shoot with nothing else; or an 85mm prime and do the same thing. It's about learning to stop asking, "What lens do I need to get the shot I want?" and starting to ask, "How do I get the shot I want with the lens I have?"

....
Click to expand...

With my health problems over the last year I have not been able to carry my back pack with the extra lenses. When I decide to go shooting I decide before I leave what lens to carry with me. I generally rotate lenses so they all get used. 11-16 one day, 18-140 2 or 3 days and the 70-300 one day. This makes me work harder to get interesting photographs.
 
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BrawlerO

Senior Member
Thanks to all for the quick responses. I did consider the Tamron 16-300 (as I really love my 150-600) but figured IQ would be better with a smaller focal range? Or has technology just progressed recently?
 
B

boris2

New member
I have the Tamron 18-270, and I have been very impressed with it's image quality and all-around usefulness. If this is any indication of Tamron's ability to get good quality from a super zoom I would think the 16-300 should be pretty good.
 
Michael J.

Michael J.

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
With my health problems over the last year I have not been able to carry my back pack with the extra lenses. When I decide to go shooting I decide before I leave what lens to carry with me. I generally rotate lenses so they all get used. 11-16 one day, 18-140 2 or 3 days and the 70-300 one day. This makes me work harder to get interesting photographs.
Click to expand...

I don't have healthy problems so far but I do it the same way as Don. Use all my lenses in rotation. When I am on holiday with my family, I take a small bag together. (From my previous buying of Cameras I got Bags as well) there is my 55-300 inside an don the cam is my great 16-85mm. In th ecar I hav emy big bag. So if really need another lens I can change it easily. But was no need so far to do so.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
siamthai1 said:
I don't have healthy problems so far but I do it the same way as Don. Use all my lenses in rotation. When I am on holiday with my family, I take a small bag together. (From my previous buying of Cameras I got Bags as well) there is my 55-300 inside an don the cam is my great 16-85mm. In th ecar I hav emy big bag. So if really need another lens I can change it easily. But was no need so far to do so.
Click to expand...

When my wife and I go shooting for the weekend I carry everything in my pelican case and it is I the car when we need something
 
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