Order the new 10-20 mm lens for my D7100?

I know there have been previous discussions about this new lens. And I know that my D7100 has no menu option to defeat the VR. I read a statement in the Nikon website forum that suggested there might be a firmware update at some point that will correct this. But in the meantime, I have seen some excellent images taken with the D7200. Other than the fact that there is no way to defeat the VR on my camera, is there any other reason why I should NOT purchase this lens? I'm considering ordering it today, and would appreciate some feedback.

I've always used my UWAs more than half the time on a tripod, so not being able to turn off the VR would be a deal breaker for me. If they aren't on the tripod, then it's a situation where there's plenty of light, so VR is not needed.

Of course, that's just my $.02 based on what I use them for.

Jim Hess said:

I know there have been previous discussions about this new lens. And I know that my D7100 has no menu option to defeat the VR. I read a statement in the Nikon website forum that suggested there might be a firmware update at some point that will correct this. But in the meantime, I have seen some excellent images taken with the D7200. Other than the fact that there is no way to defeat the VR on my camera, is there any other reason why I should NOT purchase this lens? I'm considering ordering it today, and would appreciate some feedback.

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probably because the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 is a better lens at only slightly higher cost ($320, B&H), and the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 is only $400. The f/4-5.6 is arguably the better value, and some say the better lens of the two. There is no VR on the Sigma, but frankly you don't need it on an UWA lens. The money not spent on VR goes into the glass in the Sigma.

You might not need VR on an UWA, but everyone's circumstances and needs are different. From my perspective, I feel this lens is better suited. I've ordered it. I'm glad you're happy with what you have. I'll see how this lens suits me. Thanks for the comments.

Jim Hess said:

You might not need VR on an UWA, but everyone's circumstances and needs are different. From my perspective, I feel this lens is better suited. I've ordered it. I'm glad you're happy with what you have. I'll see how this lens suits me. Thanks for the comments.

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Enjoy your lens, Jim.

Jim Hess said:

You might not need VR on an UWA, but everyone's circumstances and needs are different. From my perspective, I feel this lens is better suited. I've ordered it. I'm glad you're happy with what you have. I'll see how this lens suits me. Thanks for the comments.

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Absolutely! I just posted based on how I use them. Have fun with it, love to hear your feedback.

Haven't got the lens yet, of course. But I downloaded the "manual" from the Nikon website last night. Interesting point about the VR that caught my eye is that it is recommended that when shooting using a tripod the VR should be ON in most circumstances. That seems contrary to what I have understood from the past. So it is going to be interesting to experiment with this lens when it arrives. I'm not much of a photographer, so don't expect me to share any images. I might share some of my feelings, however.

Jim Hess said:

I know there have been previous discussions about this new lens. And I know that my D7100 has no menu option to defeat the VR. I read a statement in the Nikon website forum that suggested there might be a firmware update at some point that will correct this. But in the meantime, I have seen some excellent images taken with the D7200. Other than the fact that there is no way to defeat the VR on my camera, is there any other reason why I should NOT purchase this lens? I'm considering ordering it today, and would appreciate some feedback.

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There are 2 issues as it relates to a AF-P lens on a D7100. One is for VR to default to ON. THe second is the lack of a AF/MF switch. Not sure if you can AF the lens with a 1/2 press of the shutter then grab the focus ring to MF anytime you wish. If the focus ring does nothing you won't be able to focus at all without a firmware upgrade.

Jim Hess said:

You might not need VR on an UWA, but everyone's circumstances and needs are different.

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I agree. I've never needed VR on an UWA lens, even handholding to 1 sec, +, but far more importantly, there are also some other serious optical design flaws that are inherent in all PF lens'.

Astrophotography is far and away the most demanding task of any lens, and flaws that never show up in a detailed landscape, become hideous when your subject is just pinpoints of light.

There are multiple threads in the AP forum showing the the "Fresnel effect" on bright stars, causing a huge bright "halo" around them.


One comment out of many from the AP forum

" Phase fresnel lenses do produce flares around bright point like sources. The lenses should be avoided for astrophotography (the flaring is a part of the design of the lens).

The great advantage is a more compact and light weight lens, which generally can be very useful, but at the cost of excluding astro work.

So get the old fashioned bulky and heavy lenses for night time work..."


So if they are doing this at night, rest assured , there are better lens' for daylight use as well.

On the NikonUSA website there is a product forum specifically for this lens, as there is for most of their lenses and other products. One person asked a question about compatibility of this lens with the D7100 and D7200. This is an answer that appears to have been given by someone representing Nikon, and is one of the reasons why I finally decided to go ahead and purchase the lens:

"The Nikon D7100 and Nikon D7200 are both compatible with the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens and have the same limitation regarding the use of Vibration Reduction. Since this lens, like other AF-P lenses, does not have a VR ON/OFF switch, VR will default to ON when used on either camera. In addition, the focus ring on the lens cannot be disabled when in autofocus mode. Currently there is no update that will correct these issues. Updates, when they are released, will be available to download by using the following link: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.c..."

Notice that it was stated that "when" the updates are released. So I am expecting that they will be forthcoming at some point in the future. Also, as I mentioned previously, the manual for the lens indicates that it is recommended that VR SHOULD be used when using this lens on a tripod under most circumstances. That was quite a surprise to me, and contrary to what I have understood about using VR. It was also somewhat of a comfort to me because I frequently need to use a tripod with my photography. Not because of any special techniques or any special lighting or anything, but rather because of some of my own physical limitations. So we will see. There's a link to some sample images at the top of this forum that I thought were quite good. A few of them were taken with the new D7500, but more of them were taken with a D7200. It's under the heading of Sample Images or something like that right at the top of the forum. Go take a look and see what you think. For the D7200 images, I don't think they were too bad since they were taken by a camera that isn't fully compatible with the lens. Maybe I'm just too easily pleased.

Jim Hess said:

"...Updates, when they are released, will be available to download by using the following link: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.c..."

Notice that it was stated that "when" the updates are released. So I am expecting that they will be forthcoming at some point in the future.

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I'd read that comment as general advice about where you can get updates, not any suggestion that updates bringing full control of AF-P lens VR on existing bodies are planned for release.

In my experience NIkon almost never releases firmware updates to add features to existing bodies They have generally been only to correct flaws in the firmware to make the camera work to design specification as of its time of release.

At this time, only the D7500 and the most recent D5K/D3K bodies can be expected to be fully compatible with AF-P lenses.

mosswings said:

Jim Hess said:

"...Updates, when they are released, will be available to download by using the following link: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.c..."

Notice that it was stated that "when" the updates are released. So I am expecting that they will be forthcoming at some point in the future.

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I'd read that comment as general advice about where you can get updates, not any suggestion that updates bringing full control of AF-P lens VR on existing bodies are planned for release.

In my experience NIkon almost never releases firmware updates to add features to existing bodies They have generally been only to correct flaws in the firmware to make the camera work to design specification as of its time of release.

At this time, only the D7500 and the most recent D5K/D3K bodies can be expected to be fully compatible with AF-P lenses.

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I completely agree. Updating the D7100 (or even the D7200) to be fully compatible with AF-P lenses would not be consistent with Nikon's way of doing things, IMO.

I also agree with your earlier post about the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6. Even if it's not better, it is apparently more compatible with previous generations of Nikon bodies than AF-P lenses.

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

Judging from all the negative responses you have given me, I can see that you are all hoping that I'm going to really be disappointed with this lens. And, maybe you are all going to be right. It's kind of a moot this session right now though because I have ordered the lens against your advice. So I will now disappear into oblivion and suffer the consequences of my choices. Thanks for all the input.

Jim Hess said:

Judging from all the negative responses you have given me, I can see that you are all hoping that I'm going to really be disappointed with this lens. And, maybe you are all going to be right. It's kind of a moot this session right now though because I have ordered the lens against your advice. So I will now disappear into oblivion and suffer the consequences of my choices. Thanks for all the input.

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You asked us why you shouldn't buy the lens, and we responded in good faith and honestly. I am sure you will enjoy your new lens, but "safe harbor" is very much in play here: buy something for what it presently can offer you, not for what you might hope it can evolve into.

Actually, I did buy it for what it can offer me now. I want the VR. The Nikon website indicates that the lens is compatible with the D7100 now. The VR just cannot be shut off. I don't care. IF the firmware is updated down the line, fine. If it isn't I'll be able to live with it. So we will just have to wait and see. Have any of you taken the time to look at the sample images I have referred to? The D7200 has the same limitations as the D7100 as far as this lens goes. And I thought those images look pretty good.

Jim Hess said:

Actually, I did buy it for what it can offer me now. I want the VR. The Nikon website indicates that the lens is compatible with the D7100 now. The VR just cannot be shut off. I don't care. IF the firmware is updated down the line, fine. If it isn't I'll be able to live with it. So we will just have to wait and see. Have any of you taken the time to look at the sample images I have referred to? The D7200 has the same limitations as the D7100 as far as this lens goes. And I thought those images look pretty good.

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The images are fine, Jim, and in line with the target buyer for the lens. It's tough to get a truly bad lens these days. Since you wanted VR on your lens as your top priority, there was really no point in our commenting, and I wasn't aware that VR was a nonnegotiable for you. If I had known, I would have tempered my comments with that in mind. One can argue that the new Nikon has greater aberrations and poorer corner performance than the lens we have mentioned, but this is probably more nitpicking than serious limitation.

I don't have the 10-20 personally but have the 18-55. I have had no issues with VR on while on a tripod. I think the AF-P lenses have tripod detection which makes it a non issue in most cases.

Anyway, enjoy your lens!

Jim Hess said:

You might not need VR on an UWA, but everyone's circumstances and needs are different. From my perspective, I feel this lens is better suited. I've ordered it. I'm glad you're happy with what you have. I'll see how this lens suits me. Thanks for the comments.

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Jim, somehow I have the impression your post sought only endorsement of your purchase decision?

Well, there you have it. Enjoy the new toy - personally I would not need vibration reduction on an ultrawide, nor would I buy one of the new lenses to mount on anything but a new generation body. But there we go, we are all different.

Jim Hess said:

Actually, I did buy it for what it can offer me now. I want the VR. The Nikon website indicates that the lens is compatible with the D7100 now. The VR just cannot be shut off.

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As I understand it, you will also not have manual focus override on the D7100.

--

Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

Yeah, I'm aware of that restriction as well. I guess I'm kind of a rebel and don't really belong here. I'm retired and on a limited budget. The Sigma lens is only a little more money, but it's a "little" more than I wanted to spend. So I can't afford to follow the advice of the experts here. I apologize for that. I appreciate all the cautionary remarks I have been given. They will help me know what to watch out for as I venture into this new lens experience.