Thom Hogans's new "Recommended Lenses for DX Users".

[photoreddi]

Ok, it's dated 6/19 but that may be a typo since he just announced it on bythom.com today, 6/29.

Starting off is the new 18-55mm kit lens :

Here are the top DX performers you should consider:

• Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II (product number 2211). Surprised to see a kit lens in the list? The very latest of Nikon’s kit lenses is a real bargain. I don’t know that I’d spend the US$250 to get one outside of the kit over other options, but at the implied US$100 price within kits, you can’t really go wrong. This lens is remarkably well-behaved, and about the best crop sensor kit lens I’ve come across, in any mount. It does the 24mp sensors justice, and if you’re shooting JPEG, the in-camera lens corrections take care of the few little problems that remain. Quite a remarkable feat, actually, considering the price and how many of these lenses Nikon produces. The build quality, however, is quite consumer. This isn’t a lens that will endure abuse.

...

http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/thoms-recommended-lenses.html

.

I had done some research into various DX kit lenses a couple of weeks ago and this lens interested me even though I have the 18-105mm and 18-140mm lenses. Not enough to pay $247 to upgrade my old 18-55mm lenses that were last used on a D50 and D40 but then I noticed a huge price reduction on the refurbished VR II version. Many of Nikon's refurbished lenses sell for anywhere from 10% to 30% less than the 'new' price. This one is less than half price (53% savings according to B&H) There's an easy way to spot the this version. As with many of Nikon's N1 lenses, it collapses and locks into a more compact size and the lens barrel has a button that releases the lock.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens ($246.95 new)

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www.bhphotovideo.com

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens ($114.95 refurbished)

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www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[mrbr]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. I was waiting for such an from Thom Hogan who is a trusted source of information.

Good points for Nikon to make excellent dx kit-lenses.

Th 18-55 VRII is always usefull as when low weight is imortant !!


Greetings,
Marc

 

[GlennW]

Thom also makes a great point with Get it for $100 as a camera kit lens. I would not trade it for 18-105, may be for the 18-140.

Very difficult to get a good review on the kit lens.

Another lens in the same vein is the tele 55-200VR2. One again, if you can get it for $100 instead of a $347 new price. The pair make a light weight easy to stow package to go to the zoo or the beach on a sunny day. Fine for casual shooting.

--
I Shoot RAW

 

[BillD7000]

The Sigma 8-16mm. Very sharp, rectilinear.

The Sigma 50-150/2.8OS. Very sharp everywhere in the range, even wide-open. Big and Heavy. No longer made, but, if you can get one, do it.

 

[photoreddi]

The Sigma 8-16mm. Very sharp, rectilinear.

The Sigma 50-150/2.8OS. Very sharp everywhere in the range, even wide-open. Big and Heavy. No longer made, but, if you can get one, do it.

Thom didn't miss it, really. I have the older non-OS version. Thom likes it and I like it. Here are some of his thoughts about Sigma's 50-150mm lenses from the non-OS review :

The Basics
Sometimes good ideas go bad. The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 is an example of that. There are two versions of this lens: the original 50-150mm f/2.8, and the 50-150mm f/2.8 OS, which adds a rotating tripod collar and optical stabilization.

Somewhere between the original and the replacement, we lost as much as we gained. Or, actually, we gained some things we didn't want or need: weight and size.

I'm going to speak mostly about the original 50-150mm f/2.8, as that's what I used for a long time, and after a brief encounter, I've returned the OS version. It's not that the OS version is bad, it's that it begins to violate the premise of DX, which I'll get to.

...

The newer OS version of the lens adds a great deal of bulk and weight. It's grown over two inches in length, and added a pound of weight. For all that growth in physical attributes, you basically add optical stabilization, a rotating tripod collar, and an even more complex optical formula that rivals Nikon's 70-200mm. Other than the fact that at US$1000 the new Sigma OS is cheaper than a 70-200mm, the size is a big turn off. Enough so that I decided very quickly not to keep the lens. But you want to know about the other physical attributes: the zoom ring is now up front and still large, the focus ring is closer to the camera and quite small. There's still a distance scale, but still no DOF or IR markings.

The original version uses 67mm filters, the new one 77mm, and both are made in Japan.

Handling
The original 50-150mm isn't a large lens, nor is it overly heavy for its size. It balances on the front of my DX bodies very nicely. Indeed, that's the point of having a 70-200mm DX equivalent: it scales down nicely from the big 70-200mm the big boys use.

...

http://www.bythom.com/Sigma50-150mm_lens_review.htm

.

Once I wouldn't have minded the size of Sigma's OS version but these days I'm looking for smaller and lighter. So even though I waited eons for Nikon to upgrade its 80-400mm lens, these days I'm much more interested in using Nikon's smaller lenses (with the FT1 adapter) on their N1 bodies or even the 70-300mm CX lens. It may be expensive but it's less than half the price of the new 80-400mm (actually, almost 1/3 the price, $996.95 vs $2,696.95) and it has a full frame focal length range equivalent to 189-810mm.

Thom noted some of the IQ weaknesses of the original version (such as close focusing) but since he didn't give the OS version a full test it's possible that the new version may have been improved.

 

[Tootsall]

The other nice thing about this lens is its 52mm thread size. Really handy when you just happen to already have a batch of filters that are 52 mm! Still prefer my Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for non-filter use though.

Hi,

Thanks for your post. I was waiting for such an from Thom Hogan who is a trusted source of information.

Good points for Nikon to make excellent dx kit-lenses.

Th 18-55 VRII is always usefull as when low weight is imortant !!

Greetings,
Marc

 

[noflashplease]

Ok, it's dated 6/19 but that may be a typo since he just announced it on bythom.com today, 6/29.

Starting off is the new 18-55mm kit lens :

Here are the top DX performers you should consider:

• Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II (product number 2211). Surprised to see a kit lens in the list? The very latest of Nikon’s kit lenses is a real bargain. I don’t know that I’d spend the US$250 to get one outside of the kit over other options, but at the implied US$100 price within kits, you can’t really go wrong. This lens is remarkably well-behaved, and about the best crop sensor kit lens I’ve come across, in any mount. It does the 24mp sensors justice, and if you’re shooting JPEG, the in-camera lens corrections take care of the few little problems that remain. Quite a remarkable feat, actually, considering the price and how many of these lenses Nikon produces. The build quality, however, is quite consumer. This isn’t a lens that will endure abuse.

...

http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/thoms-recommended-lenses.html

.

I had done some research into various DX kit lenses a couple of weeks ago and this lens interested me even though I have the 18-105mm and 18-140mm lenses. Not enough to pay $247 to upgrade my old 18-55mm lenses that were last used on a D50 and D40 but then I noticed a huge price reduction on the refurbished VR II version. Many of Nikon's refurbished lenses sell for anywhere from 10% to 30% less than the 'new' price. This one is less than half price (53% savings according to B&H) There's an easy way to spot the this version. As with many of Nikon's N1 lenses, it collapses and locks into a more compact size and the lens barrel has a button that releases the lock.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens ($246.95 new)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023360-USA/nikon_2211_nikkr_afs_dx_18_55mm_3_5_5_6g_vr2.html

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens ($114.95 refurbished)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079748-REF/nikon_2211b_af_s_nikkor_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6g.html

From what I've seen, the optics are just fine on the 18-55mm VRII. There's nothing wrong with the glass itself, just the cheap plastic mount and fragile feeling plastic construction. For an extremely cautious or occasional user it would be an acceptable choice. It probably is the best 18-55mm lens in the industry.

The 18-140mm is much more robust and useful, although it's also quite heavy, to the extent that it balances perfectly on the D7x00 series. There's a reason why Nikon the 18-140mm is the only current kit lens on the D7200.

 

[John Michael Winterbourne]

OK, he didn't miss the 50-150......

What about the 8-16? I have a vague memory that it was what Thom had said about it (along other good reviews) that helped me go for that one rather than to 10-20. Could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. Nice lens, though.

 

[noflashplease]

OK, he didn't miss the 50-150......

What about the 8-16? I have a vague memory that it was what Thom had said about it (along other good reviews) that helped me go for that one rather than to 10-20. Could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. Nice lens, though.

The 50-150 has been completely discontinued, including the OS version.

 

[photoreddi]

OK, he didn't miss the 50-150......

What about the 8-16? I have a vague memory that it was what Thom had said about it (along other good reviews) that helped me go for that one rather than to 10-20. Could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. Nice lens, though.

I found Thom's mini-review. It's possible that he followed that up with a more complete review :

Thom's Note: I haven't used this lens, but the MTF charts I've seen from it look good, and I've heard good things from others that have used it. Note that it's getting a bit specialized, though. 10mm DX is very hard to compose well as it is; extending that to 8mm is pushing even pro photographers to the limit in managing perspective. The 16mm top end also starts to be limiting for some, though it's close enough to the mid-range zooms that you won't have much of a gap.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessori...x-crop-lenses/sigma-8-16mm-f45-56-dc-hsm.html

.

I bought Tokina's 11-16mm f/2.8 many years ago shortly after it was introduced. According to Thom, the 8-16mm originally sold for $1,100 but today it's a much more reasonable $699. I don't recall what I paid for the 11-16mm but it was probably more than its current $449 price (from B&H).

Edit: I recall reading several reviews before I bought it and one was Ken Rockwell's. He writes that it was selling for $720 at the time. He also noted that there's now a DX II version that includes built-in AF motors and that one is selling for $449 (from Adorama). It turns out that B&H and Adorama are selling the newer version of the lens which works on all of Nikon's cameras. Mine requires bodies that have built-in screw drive motors so it won't AF with cameras like the D40, D60, D3x00 or D5x00.

What surprised me was that B&H's spec's (and confirmed by Thom) that the Sigma has no filter threads. I guess that's the result of what looks like a permanently attached lens hood. I realize that super wide angle lenses are almost incompatible with polarizing filters, but ND and graduated-ND filters can be really useful and it seems that the only way to get them would be to buy something like a Lee filter system that takes rectangular drop-in filters.

 

[BillD7000]

Once I wouldn't have minded the size of Sigma's OS version but these days I'm looking for smaller and lighter.

Thom noted some of the IQ weaknesses of the original version (such as close focusing) but since he didn't give the OS version a full test it's possible that the new version may have been improved.

The IQ of the OS version is stunning, and superior to the original versions (there were two). I've owned all 3 and size is the downfall of the OS version, but the IQ, even wide-open is wonderful, even at 24mp.

 

[BartA]

The newer "C" Contemporary version is better reviewed that any of these. And $399

As seen here: http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma-17-70mm-f2-8-4-os-hsm

Reviewed here: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/822-sigma1770284os

 

[photoreddi]

Once I wouldn't have minded the size of Sigma's OS version but these days I'm looking for smaller and lighter.

Thom noted some of the IQ weaknesses of the original version (such as close focusing) but since he didn't give the OS version a full test it's possible that the new version may have been improved.

The IQ of the OS version is stunning, and superior to the original versions (there were two). I've owned all 3 and size is the downfall of the OS version, but the IQ, even wide-open is wonderful, even at 24mp.

You triggered my memory. I had the one in the middle, the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM. The problem that I have with it is that while it delivers gobs of resolution, it's still a DX lens that's nearly as large and heavy as Nikon's 70-200mm f/2.8, and this lens delivers significantly more resolution on Nikon's 24mp D3x and any of the 36mp cameras like the D800/D800e/D810 would raise the bar even higher. I assume that you're using yours on a 24mp Nikon body but Photozone only tested the Sigma OS version on a 16mp D7000. Do you know of any test/review that tested it with a D7100 or D7200?

 

[GlennW]

Ken Rockwell for tomorrow has the first post on the new DX 16-80 2.8-4E lens. Now we will have to learn what the E stands for.

--
I Shoot RAW

 

[photoreddi]

Ken Rockwell for tomorrow has the first post on the new DX 16-80 2.8-4E lens. Now we will have to learn what the E stands for.

Wouldn't it mean that it's one of Nikon's new lenses that now controls the aperture electronically instead of mechanically? The first ones I noticed were Nikon's three Perspective Control (PC-E) lenses, 24mm, 45mm and 85mm. At least one more (E type, not PC-E) has been added since then.

4) Electronic Aperture
When you remove the rear lens cap and inspect the lens, you will see that the lens has no aperture lever that is normally present on all modern Nikkor lenses. That’s because this lens actually does not have one – aperture is no longer physically controlled. Instead, the camera sends aperture information to the lens, which then sets the aperture to the desired size. That’s why it is called “Electromagnetic Diaphragm” and this is the first telephoto lens to get an “E” designation after the aperture number (Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E). Previously, Nikon incorporated electronic aperture control only on PC-E lenses, since mechanical control of aperture was not possible on those lenses due to the tilt/shift movements. But those lenses are also “D” type, which means that there is an aperture ring on the lens. Hence, the 800mm f/5.6 is the first hybrid of “G” and “E” types.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-800mm-f5-6-vr/2

 

[photoreddi]

Ken Rockwell for tomorrow has the first post on the new DX 16-80 2.8-4E lens. Now we will have to learn what the E stands for.

Wouldn't it mean that it's one of Nikon's new lenses that now controls the aperture electronically instead of mechanically? The first ones I noticed were Nikon's three Perspective Control (PC-E) lenses, 24mm, 45mm and 85mm. At least one more (E type, not PC-E) has been added since then.

Several hours after posting this, DPReview added several lens news items. Nikon has announced three new "E" lenses, 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR (a higher quality lens for DX bodies which should please DX camera owners if they can afford it), a 500mm F4E FL ED VR and a 600mm F4E FL ED VR. I wonder if this presages some new DX and FX bodies to follow. Not necessarily required, but the E lenses would be useful for Live View and video shooting, which haven't been strong points for Nikon. The E(lectronic aperture) lenses could also ease the transition to mirrorless bodies.

Make no mistake, the new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR is premium glass for those who desire a fast and highly capable wide-angle zoom lens. The lens features a popular, wide 24-120mm (FX-format equivalent) focal range, which makes it ideally suited for a variety of shooting disciplines. From wide-angle landscapes, tight portraits or for those looking for an all-in-one tool for travel, this lens does it all. The large f/2.8 - f/4 aperture lets photographers shoot in challenging light with ease, with the creative flexibility afforded by a shallow depth-of-field.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0315406462/nikon-offers-af-s-dx-nikkor-16-80mm-f2-8-4e-ed-vr

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/49...kkor-500mm-f4-and-600mm-f4e-full-frame-lenses

 

[BillD7000]

The IQ of the OS version is stunning, and superior to the original versions (there were two). I've owned all 3 and size is the downfall of the OS version, but the IQ, even wide-open is wonderful, even at 24mp.

You triggered my memory. I had the one in the middle, the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM. The problem that I have with it is that while it delivers gobs of resolution, it's still a DX lens that's nearly as large and heavy as Nikon's 70-200mm f/2.8, and this lens delivers significantly more resolution on Nikon's 24mp D3x and any of the 36mp cameras like the D800/D800e/D810 would raise the bar even higher. I assume that you're using yours on a 24mp Nikon body but Photozone only tested the Sigma OS version on a 16mp D7000. Do you know of any test/review that tested it with a D7100 or D7200?

Yes, I'm using the OS version on a D7100.

Here's a review from LensTip: http://www.lenstip.com/index.html?test=obiektywu&test_ob=364

That review is spot on (though done with a Canon50D).

Here's something from DxOmark specifically praising the OS version relative to a D7100... http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Best...D7100-Sigma-50-150mm-f-2.8-HSM-OS-Nikon-added