11x super zoom lens with image
stabilization for full-frame Nikon DSLRs
With a nearly 11x zoom range this addition
to Nikon’s line-up is clearly worthy of serious attention, but when you note
that the lens offers full-frame coverage and is available for comfortably under
$1,142 it becomes an even more attractive proposition.
The bad news is that the maximum aperture
starts at f/3.5 for 28mm and decreases steadily to f/5.6 to 300mm. That is not
a serious problem in terms of low-light use because the lens benefits from
Nikon's dual-mode Vibration Reduction (VR II) technology, which is claimed to
allow the use of exposure times that are up to four times longer than would
otherwise be possible when hand-holding. For instance, rather than having to
shoot at 1/500sec to ensure a sharp image, the VR system will allow you to
shoot at a shutter speed as low as 1/30sec and still, theoretically, get a
blur-free shot.
AF-S
DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
The lens has a distinctly chunky feel but
is very easy to hold. A wide zoom ring dominates the front half of the barrel,
turning through about 100° across the full focal-length range. A narrower
focusing ring sits to the rear, separated by a focused-distance window, behind which
reside sliders to choose manual-only focusing and to activate and select the VR
system’s mode of operation. A lens pouch and a petal-type lens hood are both
provided as well.
Automatic focusing is quick and quiet
thanks to Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology. The focusing is internal,
meaning that the manual focusing ring remains stationary in AF mode but manual
adjustments can still be made at any time if desired.
The MF ring is rather on the small side and
is also slightly too far to the rear of the lens for this to be a comfortable
operation but AF performance is good enough for manual interventions to be a
rarity rather than a common occurrence.
AF-S
NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
Technical testing revealed a good set of
MTF curves that remained above the critical 0.25 cycles-per-pixel threshold for
most focal-length settings and most apertures. The significant exception was
wide-apertures at 28mm but this is unlikely to be a popular combination. For
the most common apertures, at all focal lengths, the MTF figures were
reassuringly good for such a versatile and keenly-priced lens.
Overall the performance of this lens is
very solid indeed. Nikon describes it as "the ideal walkabout lens”,
adding that it offers “maximum flexibility with minimum kit”, and that claim
definitely stands good.
Nikon
24-120mm VR AF-S NIKKOR f/3.5-5.6
Creative photographers may mourn the lack
of wider apertures but that would be an unreasonable complaint when the zoom
range is so wide and the price-point is so low. The surprise, perhaps, is that
this is a full-frame lens and that fact simply sweetens its appeal even more.
The 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom truly is very attractive indeed, though it’s
perhaps more suited to D600 and D700 cameras rather than the more demanding D800.
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Specifications
§ Max
aperture: f/3.5-5.6
§ Min
aperture: f/22-38
§ Lens
mount: Nikon (FX)
§ Number
of Blades: 9
§ Image
Stabilization: Yes
§ Optics
(elements/groups): 19/14
§ Minimum
focus: 0.5cm
§ Filter
size: 77mm
§ Lens
hood: Yes
§ Width:
83mm
§ Length:
114mm
§ Weight:
800g
Pros
§ Excellent
all-in-one lens for full-frame Nikon DSLRs
Cons
§ Wide-open
MTF score at 28mm is relatively weak
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