Best replacement for Nikon 18-200 VR ?

I LOVE the 18-200 VR and it has been my main "travel" lens for years.
Sadly, it's a DX lens for the cropped frame D300's and doesn't fit with the D800 that is now my primary camera.

What would you guys suggest for a comparable-range short VR for a full-frame camera ? I want to have all ranges covered well for our Africa trip in May-June.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Sandy

Hi, Sandy. I haven't looked into Nikon lenses for quite awhile, but seems to me it'd be best to pair the D800 with the best glass you can afford. Might take more than one lens to replace the 18-200 to cover all that range. I've loved my old 70-200/2.8 VR and the newer version is supposed to be even better. Mine has taken a beating over 10+ years I've had it, and it's still hanging in there. The D800 is supposed to have great high ISO performance, so maybe there's just as good of an f4 lens in that range to save you some size and weight? Also love my 24-70/2.8, but that's probably not as wide as you'd prefer.
I'll be watching the thread to see what others have to say.

Sandy, I do not think a superzoom like Nikons 28-300 VR would optimize your D800, although it would have a similar apparent range as your 18-200DX had. I would be inclined to stick with a 24-70 and 70-200/80-400 combo for best IQ. Tamron's 24-70 f/2.8 has VR (VC) and good ratings. Possibly consider the Nikon 24-120 f/4 VR. If you want wider, there is the 16-35 f/4 VR. What lenses do you currently have?

Sorry, it sure would have helped if I had said what I currently have!
- D800
- D300s (hopefully to be replaced soon with a second D800)
- 500 mm
- 300 F2.8
- 1.4x and 1.7x TC's
- 14-24 Nikon Wide angle
- 80-170 macro zoom

I'm very well-covered, except for the critical 18-200 range the DX lens fits in.

Sandy

Sandy, I recently bought the 28-300. For a travel lens, it works quite well. It doesn't do excellently at anything, but it is competent at most things. It focuses fairly fast. It: a) is much better than my old 18-200; and b) renders detail better than my old 80-400. Here is a subjective review from LensRentals.com, which convinced me to buy it: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/normal-range/nikon-28-300mm-f3.5-5.6g-ed-af-s-vr
My suggestion would be to rent it for several days and see if you like it.

You know how it is with Nikon. The more you spend the better things get. I recently bought the new 70-200mm. It is an excellent lens and great for walking around with something light. BUT, the new (not the old) 80-400mm was just purchased by a good friend and the shots he is getting are pretty incredible. For the wide angle stuff there are a ton of good options and it looks like you have most of the range covered. Buy a good 50mm and throw that in the bag. You need it anyways. I don't think that you're gonna find a single lens to do everything well. Even the 18-200 is a mediocre lens imo. Mine is in about 100 pieces in a zip lock bag. (Let me know if you need any parts)

Looking at the list of lenses you have already, I think the 24-120 VR would be a good choice. It's a good all around travel lens, and fills that gap between your 14-24 and 80-170. The 24-120 is not as highly regarded as the 24-70/2.8, but the extra range is very handy.

Instead of replacing the D300 with a second D800, you might consider the D610. 24MP instead of 36, but otherwise the performance specs are very similar. The D610 supposedly fixed the spots problem of the D600, and being smaller and lighter than the D800 would make a great carry-all-day travel camera, particularly paired with the 24-120VR.

BTW, if you purchase used gear, make sure to get the latest version of the 24-120, as early models were not great.

Hi, again. More thoughts, now that I see the gear list and other comments. I'd sure think about trading in the 300, the 70-180 macro and the D300s toward the purchase of the D610, the new 24-120 (great suggestion by Greg!) and perhaps the 200 micro. If the 300 is in good shape you can get a nice price on the trade-in. See how easily we fling your $$$ around?!
That D610 and 24-120 combo for a DSLR rig has me thinking about replacing my poor old beaten up but still gallant D700!

Wouldn't trade the 300mm or the 70-180 macro for ANYthing!

S

I use the 24-120 f/4 as my walk around with the D800 and love it. Had the 18-200 with my D7000 and also had to upgrade. Most of my better pictures have been taken with it just because it is what is on the camera . I also have the 70-200 f/2.8 that I will use when I can but have a hard time telling the difference in pictures taken at the lower range.

Hi Sandy,

Did you ever decide on this? I was curious to see what you chose.

Seems to me, if you love the 18-200, the easy answer is the 28-300VR.

Al

Alan, yes, I reached a decision - and am now having to make another one!

I got the 28-300 VR and went happily to Hawaii and Florida. Used the 500mm most of the time for the birds/flying birds I was after, but used the new 28-300 on birds that were too close or where I wanted more habitat.

Just got back and looked at my images - the 500's, of course, are great.
The 28-300's were a total mess. Every single image is too soft to use. Looked great on the LCD, but horrible on the computer, so I didn't know til I got home. Really pissed. I don't know if I got a bad lens, or if this is generally the case with the 28-300's, but I have about 1000 useless images that would have (of course ) been PERFECT with another lens.

So now we are heading to Africa for 6 weeks the end of April and I still have unsettled mid-range lens questions.
Considering the 70-200 VRII and the new version of the 80-400VR. I'm going to ask about these 2 on the forums - you might want to look for those responses too.

Sandy

The 28-300's were a total mess. Every single image is too soft to use. Looked great on the LCD, but horrible on the computer, so I didn't know til I got home.

Sounds like you got a bad lens. Something is definitely wrong if all the images are soft. I'd be getting in touch with Nikon, and hopefully, the warranty is still good. A lens that retails for this much money should produce excellent images across the full FL range.

Let us know what you find out.

--P

Sandy, have you adjusted the fine focus with something like a 'lens align tool'?

For what it's worth, my Uncle has the D800E and D600. He just got the 24-70 f/2.8. Already has the older 70-200 f/2.8 VR. He loves both lenses, but also did some AF fine tuning to get them perfect.

Hope you have a great trip. Look forward to seeing some wonderful shots.
Alan