Review: A Week with the 28-300 VR (D800)

[InTheMist]

Hi Everyone,

Questions about the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR seem to be very common here, so I thought I would write a mini-review.

I bought this lens because I have vacation coming up and I don't want to take the whole trilogy with me.

About Me

I'm just a normal photography enthusiast who found weaknesses with the D7000, which I love and still use as a backup for things like extreme sports where you don't want to be changing lenses. I always have a camera with me in case something interesting happens. I have about 8000 shutter activations on my D800 and take pictures every day. I don't print big often, but share photos that I consider art on my Flickr page, and print small 5x7 prints often. I'm not a prime snob, but I do own a 50 1.8 and 85 1.8 because I know when they're the best way to get the shot.

Sharpness

Sharpness is a common question, and we all know you need the best glass to make the D800 really shine. Lets get this out of the way, the 28-300 isn't a really sharp lens and the corners are mush. There is also a lot of coma.

However, as an every-day walkaround lens, it gets the job done, and can be pressed into more demanding service in an emergency. Obviously, one should get to know a new lens, so I took it last weekend along with my normal 70-200 VRII to test it out during some motorcross.









Focus Speed and Accuracy

Well, as you could see from the previous images, it works pretty good, surprisingly. Its not blindly fast, and it struggles in low-light. Its probably the only lens that I have that with the D800, it hunts and sometimes just gives up. Still, I was able to get some decent results when the light is decent.





Brightness
Yes, its dark. It vignettes and bokeh is kind of ugly.





Color
It seems OK, but there is really horrible coma.





Size and Mechanical Quality

I have to say, I'm not disappointed by the mechanical quality, but I would have liked to have a locking hood. Speaking of hood, it extends a LONG way at 300mm. And its a BIG lens. This is not a lightweight lens. Also, it has a lock at 28mm because if you leave it hanging on sling, it can extend on its own.

Vibration Reduction
Yep, this has modern, agressive VR - probably the best feature of this lens.

Some Positive Surprises

• It can focus quite close. I like that.
• It has both normal and active VR. I should have known, but I wasn't expecting that.

Conclusion

So, who is this lens for? In my opinion it is for someone who can have (or has chosen to have) only one camera on them for various reasons when you don't know what kind of shot you'll have: daily walkaround, vacation, grab and go.

• Would I take it with me if I had planned to go somewhere to shoot something particular? No. I would take something better: primes, f2.8 or f4 zoom in that case.
• Would I take it with me if I was going somewhere cool and maybe I would get a chance to shoot? Yes.
• Would I take it on vacation? Of course.
• Would I take it to a museum or concert or dance recital? No. Way too dark and slow to focus in poor light.
• Would I take it for my backup body if shooting outdoors? Yes.
• Would I take it on a casual photo walk around the neighborhood or on a hike? Yes, in the day time.

Unlike a certain guy with the initials KR, I do not believe that this should be your primary lens for the D800, but it is a great do-it-all lens when you can't, didn't, or won't take f1.4, f1.8, f2.8 or f4 main lenses, or changing lenses or bodies is not an option.

Is it lightweight, sharp, bright, flare and distortion free and fast to focus? Nope. Does it do what I expected and am I keeping it for times when a compromise is in order? Absolutely

Here are some more samples:

























--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[khaw]

Cool!

Thanks, K-H.

 

[sjprintz]

I have this lens too for my D800 and think this is a very fair and accurate review. I would add that at F8, the lens is quite sharp and it is much better and sharper than the 18-200mm. The 28-300mm is a very good all in one lens and quite useful for travel or vacations when you don't want to carry a lot of glass or change lenses.

Thanks for the review.

 

[John_I]

Neat review and photos. Thanks for sharing! I have been happy with the lens on D7000 and D700 and count on it as a lightweight carry anywhere lens with Tokina 11-16 in cropped mode or at 16 mm in full frame.

Here are just a few D800 shots (as I have been mainly shooting D800 with 70-200 VR II since buying the lens and coming almost at the same time to NorthWestern Ontario). Also included are shots with D7000 and D700.

http://jbipix.com/?s=28-300
--
John from Toronto
JBIPix Photoblog - http://jbipix.com

 

[Michael Harvey]

I don't disagree with any of your comments re: this camera/lens combo.

But, I was interested to read that your example of the lens is slow to focus and has even more problems in low light.

I guess it just goes to show the variables in the manufacturing process.

The 28-300 that I have is so quick to focus, I've never even given it a thought.

It rarely "hunts". In fact I can't remember the last time it happened. And it focuses in light so low I can barely see what I'm trying to shoot!

This 'variance' is amply demonstrated by the number of posts complaining about Left Autofocus, 'tinting' of the image in the LCD screen, etc. I'm sorry for their problems - but MY D800 performs perfectly.

Of course we have these variables in just about every mechanical product we buy.

Consumer Reports tells me that the last three vehicles I've bought are "unreliable" and can't be recommended. OK. All they've done is prove to me that their testing is NOT truly representative, as I've had absolutely no problems of ANY kind (and one of them has nearly 200,000 miles on it!).
--
Mike Harvey

 

[InTheMist]

@Michael H: I didn't mean to say that this lens focusing is bad or I wouldn't keep it. I hope I made it clear from my examples that it is fast enough just like its sharp enough and bright enough for many applications and like they always say: "The best camera you can have is the one you have with you". That said, even the Nikkor 85 f1.8 focuses faster.

Its just, I think most users of this camera have already f2.8 zooms who expect focusing speed approaching twice as fast (as indeed, my testing indicates).

I suppose if there is a moral to the story then it is if the alternative to shooting great photos with good enough lens or no photos at all, I would take the good enough IQ.

--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[curiousbikerider]

Great write-up - thanks!
Can anyone compare this lens to the 70-300 VR f/4.5? (which I have)

I know it's half the price, but I'm curious if I'd be better served from an IQ standpoint with the 28-300. Does anyone have (or tried) both?

Thanks.

 

[InTheMist]

Can anyone compare this lens to the 70-300 VR f/4.5? (which I have)

I don't have both, so I can't test it. But the 70-300 looks much better up until about 200mm and somewhat better at 300mm from this test:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=734&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=2&LensComp=622&CameraComp=614&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=2

--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[tashley]

That was a very useful read, thank you!

--
Gallery & Blog : http://www.timashley.com

 

[thomas2279f]

Agree..... very useful for vacations and took this lens and pair this up my D300s for recent holiday.

 

[CerberusCH]

Are you swiss?

I use this Lens with the D800E it is the perfect walk around lens. Enough range, not to heavy and an image quality which is also not bad.

 

[InTheMist]

Are you swiss?

No, I'm your biggest fan!

Actually, I'm from the US and I live here. (and work, and pay taxes!)

I use this Lens with the D800E it is the perfect walk around lens. Enough range, not to heavy and an image quality which is also not bad.

My feelings too.

I bet you don't get miore on your "E" with a lens this sharp...ish.

--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[CerberusCH]

No moiré is not a problem at all, even with my other lenses ( 105mm macro, 120-300 Sigma )

Yes Switzerland is a very nice country, I am living on the lake Lucerne.
May I ask you on which part of Switzerland are you living?

I could even print a flower at 35"x 54" and the result was appealing.

 

[InTheMist]

Yes Switzerland is a very nice country, I am living on the lake Lucerne.

What a coincidence. I went flying last weekend and I took the 28-300.
Maybe I can see your house from here!

The day was really unclear and I don't like the photo, but just for discussion's sake:

May I ask you on which part of Switzerland are you living?

Solothurn

--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist
-- Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
http://www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[Deemat90]

Michael Harvey wrote:

I don't disagree with any of your comments re: this camera/lens combo.

But, I was interested to read that your example of the lens is slow to focus and has even more problems in low light.

I guess it just goes to show the variables in the manufacturing process.

The 28-300 that I have is so quick to focus, I've never even given it a thought.

It rarely "hunts". In fact I can't remember the last time it happened. And it focuses in light so low I can barely see what I'm trying to shoot!

This 'variance' is amply demonstrated by the number of posts complaining about Left Autofocus, 'tinting' of the image in the LCD screen, etc. I'm sorry for their problems - but MY D800 performs perfectly.

Of course we have these variables in just about every mechanical product we buy.

Consumer Reports tells me that the last three vehicles I've bought are "unreliable" and can't be recommended. OK. All they've done is prove to me that their testing is NOT truly representative, as I've had absolutely no problems of ANY kind (and one of them has nearly 200,000 miles on it!).
--
Mike Harvey

I'd agree with these comments, and I can only assume that I also have a similar good copy... but I'd also add that the 28-300VR is the only lens that I haven't had to fine tune with my D800. In-camera distortion correction also does a pretty good job. Yes, it is slightly soft if I compare it to my Sigma 35mm f1.4 at one end and the Sigma100-300mm f4 at the other, but as a "convenience" superzoom I find it difficult to fault, particularly at f8. I guess that some of us just happen to have very good copies and not all testers received a good one.

DaveM

 

[bigmarcelo]

thomas2279f wrote:

Agree..... very useful for vacations and took this lens and pair this up my D300s for recent holiday.

I recently came back from a trip to europe and I ended up using this lens a lot during the day - very good for bright situations - and I left my 70-200 VRII at home because I rbought this lens.... it paired well with the 16-35, I used the 50mm or 85mm for potraits of family and the 24-70 tamron VC for video or for lower light situations where the 28-300 wouldn't have been fast/bright enough...

one thing that I notice is that with the 28-300, if i don't turn off/clean the sensor often, I do get lots of dust on my frames... I have a D600 which has an issue with dust - however mine has been through the 'refurb process, by Nikon where they relace your shutter and this problem goes away... so the sensor cleans itself up fine now, but the 28-300 brings a lot of dust quickly to the camera's sensor...

I don't have this issue with any other lens that I have ... if it wasn't so convenient for travel I would probably sell it ... but as it is... it has a place in my kit, as a travel lens, which enables me to travel with 3-4 lens rather then 4-6.....

 

[thomas2279f]

Agree its very handy especially for travel and holiday travel; only wish was that the gold paint on the lens plate didn't rub off so easily.

 

[MABphotog]

sharp!



Interesting to read the discussions about this lens. I have both the 24-70 2.8 and the 28-300 and can definetly say the 24-70 has more contrast and more punch. But...the 28-300 is just about the right size to use all day without changing lenses and the lens is sharp...despite what people say. If you use good technique most lenses can be sharp. Also, if you are on a budget, the 28-300 is a bargain at $1000. I think we all worry to much about sharpness and not enough time thinking about technique. Plus, the biggest thing really is to just get out and shoot, regardless of what lens you have. The worst thing is to be a photographer who spends too much time thinking and not enough time shooting.

 

[foodiepics2012]

Inthemist

I was close to buying this lens and I came across your review. Thanks!

In your opinion which would be the best lens for shooting in low light conditions and 1-2 feet away? I shoot at restaurants usually under low light, and have a d610. Thanks

 

[Giovanni_1968]

Very good review!

I gotta add I have this lens too on a D800 and have mixed feelings about it in fact I rarely use it if not to "test" and I recently found out that, as said above, with good light it performs well, at f8 it's sharp and the in camera corrections fixes vignetting and distortion, in PP can get rid of other little issues, the biggest fault for me is the long end, from, say, 200mm upwards it's not usable at all and my comparison is an old 300/f4D prime or the old 80-200/2.8D, too soft.

I'm often finding myself in doubt if to keep it or sell it to replace it with, say, a 24-120 but since I am used to the few primes I have (50-85-150-300) I dunno if switching to the shorter brother would bring any improvement and as such it ends sitting on a shelf collecting dust but, again, with good light conditions it works well and it's surprisingly sharp and fast focusing, I gotta say that often it focuses way better than my 85/1.8G (which is the newest lens I have), all in all a good lens for the price.

Thank you for your review