I'm looking for a solid 'all-in-one' lens for my D7500 to avoid constant swapping during travel. I’m torn between the 18-140mm and the longer 18-300mm. Weight is a concern, but I need sharpness for landscape shots. Does anyone have experience with these, or is there a better third-party option I'm missing?
Hey, I've been there... choosing between reach and quality is tough. In my experience:
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR: Super sharp for an all-in-one and really light. It's the safer bet for landscapes.
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR: Crazy range, but heavy as heck and gets kinda soft at the end. I'd be careful with this one if you're hiking all day.
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Best optics, tho you lose some reach. Honestly, I would suggest the 18-140mm. It's basically the most reliable choice for a D7500. Make sure to watch out for lens creep on those bigger zooms, it can be a total pain. Tbh, carrying the 18-300mm is a lot of weight for a compromise in sharpness. Just my experience tho... good luck!
Totally agree! My experience:
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR edge sharpness is realy poor
- bad value for $700+ tbh I mean, i was so disappointed with it!
This ^
Good to know!
Coming back to this after reading the warnings about that big zoom. Regarding what #5 said about "Good to know!" - it really is a dealbreaker when a lens starts sliding out on its own. Honestly, ive been super satisfied with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR on my own DX body. Its basically the best middle ground for travel. Here is why I think it wins for a DIY traveler:
- Weight: Its light enough that I dont feel like a pack mule after a long day of walking.
- Image Quality: Landscapes look crisp, especially if you stop it down a bit. Its way sharper than the 18-300mm across the board.
- Value: You can find these used for dirt cheap because everyone sells them when they upgrade to full frame. I usually just grab a used one and give it a quick cleaning myself. Works well and saves a ton of money for actual travel expenses. Stick with the 18-140mm, the extra reach of the 300mm just isnt worth the extra weight or those soft corners.
Great info, saved!
Saw this earlier but just now responding... I'm always super worried about gear failing while traveling so I tend to be way more conservative with my lens choices than some people. I'd actually be really careful with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR. The one I used had some pretty bad lens creep where the barrel just slides out on its own if you tilt it... kinda risky if you're doing landscape stuff on a tripod. I know the 16-80mm was suggested earlier but I would suggest sticking with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR instead. It feels way more solid and reliable for a long trip where you're moving around a lot. If you absolutely need more reach tho you might want to consider the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary. It's lighter than the Nikon superzooms but you gotta make sure you test the autofocus right away to be safe. Personally id go with the 18-140 just because it's built like a tank and wont let you down when you're far from home.
TIL! Thanks for sharing
