Updating the camera fleet at work and I am buying a D7100 (crime scene photography). I shoot a D300 and D700 for personal use. The D7100 is weather resistant enough and at a good price point. The lens I am looking at for general use is the 16-85. The existing stuff is Canon which we are moving away from. My question is with the 24mp sensor will the 16-85 deliver good enough quality? Most of the time we shoot between 5.6 to f8 on DX so that helps too. Just wondering as I see all the posts about older lenses not cutting it on the 24mp+ sensors. If you are shooting a 16-85 on a D7100 let me know what you think.
However, after evaluating and trying a couple copies, I settled on the Sigma C (contemporary) 17-70. In the same Fstop range, it is better suited to the larger res sensors IMO.
The central area of the image being about the best available for a zoom in the Nikon mount lenses I have owned.
Thanks David. I will take a look at it. In the past I have had issues with third party lenses not playing nice with speedlights and low light focusing issues compared to the Nikon ones so have stayed away from them. I will be using a speedlight a lot with this set up.
Dave, 16-85 vr is my favorite since D 200. With each each new generation of Dx camera this lense has kept pace. Edge to edge sharp equal to my zeiss 28 & 85 mm at respective f stops, fast af and superb vr.
here is a shot with D 7100
Actually, I do recall that the Sigma causes a funky reaction on the D7100. I won't let me pan by holding down one side of the multi controller unless I keep repeatedly pressing it (as opposed to press and hold). That is the only thing with the sigma.
AF is as good as the Nikon in terms of speed and accuracy, but as for the speed light question, I don't know what to say there as the Nikon will play nice for sure and the Sigma is an unknown for me. I use manual flash nearly all the time so metering and such make no difference. Sorry.
I bought one of the 24-85mm lenses from the D600 kits and put it on my D7100. Maybe not wide enough for you, but the price was right and very sharp. Plus, a full-frame image circle and light. They still are in the $350 range...
I am looking for a zoom lens for my D7100 myself but it has to be a full frame lens. I tired my 16-35VR f/4 and it was a disaster. Those two don't like each other at all. I think my 16-35 needs AF tuning but I am cripple without Reikan Focal. Reikan has no support for D7100.
Thanks to all that replied. I have the 24-85 on my D700 and I like it there but that won't cut it on the DX for wide angle. Looks like I will go with the 16-85.
