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Archive 2014 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Derek Weston
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Not as familiar with DX lineup. My mother (not a serious photographer -- just enjoys snapping shots here and there) wanted more range on a lens... but didn't want a weighty lens to replace the 18-55 kit lens.

This is for the d3200.

I was kind of disappointed to read that the 18-105 was nearly 16oz.

Any other suggestions, or is that about as good as I'm going to do?

Jul 05, 2014 at 04:14 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Check on Sigma's 17-70/2.8-4 OS | C, but understand that the 18-55's are generally as light as you're going to get for a zoom, as they're the 'ultimate compromise' of quality for price within a given system's lineup.

Jul 05, 2014 at 05:09 PM

sjms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

less of a compromise then one thinks though. it is 16.4 oz though. a relatively fast lens. i use it all the time on my D7000. i have only 2 DX lenses.this and a 11-16/2.8.

there is a big difference in that the sigma is a 2.8-4 and the 18-105 is a slower 3.5-5.6. and that is a big difference.

Jul 05, 2014 at 05:13 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Get her the Nikon 18-140 with VR. It weighs 17 ounces, but that is a lot less than a pot of boiling noodles. She will love the range and the VR.

Jul 05, 2014 at 10:55 PM

BSPhotog
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

I don't know that there is a lightweight "upgrade" to the 18-55 that also improves the zoom range. I have the 17-50 f/2.8 Sigma and like it so far. The 17-70 was on my radar when I picked this up and it is supposed to be a solid lens, especially if you don't mind the variable aperture. The macro might be a nice addition as well. If she doesn't need a wider aperture, then the 18-105/140/200 lenses would be a good bet. You can pick up any of these used *mint* for very little, so it might just be a matter of her test driving one of them. All of the lenses mentioned are heavier, though.

Too bad she already has the d3200. I feel like the Nikon V series might have been a better fit for her

Jul 06, 2014 at 12:03 AM

DaveOls
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Nikon has the 18-70 mm and the 16-85 mm lenses which should be a little lighter, I have the 16-85 mm and really like it.

Jul 06, 2014 at 05:42 AM

NightOwl Cat
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

Nikon 18-70mm is Approx. Weight: 13.8 oz./390 g
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product-Archive/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-DX-Zoom-NIKKOR-18-70mm-f%252F3.5-4.5G-IF-ED.html

One with hood, caps, and case:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-DN07999070184K?r=FE

Nikon 16-85 with VR Approx. Weight 17.1 oz./485 g
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-16-85mm-f%252F3.5-5.6G-ED-VR.html

One with hood, caps, and case:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-DN07999098794R?r=FE

18-55's Approx. Weight 6.9 oz./195 g

Jul 06, 2014 at 07:38 AM

sjms
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

in the end its the usual "how much and where are you willing to compromise" scenario.

Jul 06, 2014 at 07:45 AM

DaveOls
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

I didn't think that the 18-70 mm would weigh that much. When you go to zooms, you're looking at more elements and thus more weight. What about the 18-105 or has that been mentioned already. It has a plastic mount so it may be lighter.

Jul 06, 2014 at 10:34 AM

DaveOls
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

You could always get a 1.4x Nikon telextender for it, but you would lose the wide end of the 18-55 mm lens as it would become a 25-77 mm lens. I don't know what the weight would be and how much light would be lost.

Jul 06, 2014 at 10:57 AM

MitchSC
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

DaveOls wrote:
I didn't think that the 18-70 mm would weigh that much. When you go to zooms, you're looking at more elements and thus more weight. What about the 18-105 or has that been mentioned already. It has a plastic mount so it may be lighter.

The 18-70 is 13.8oz vs 18-105 at 14.8oz. I bought the 18-70 in 2007 it has better build quality and is faster 3.5-4.5. I have been satisfied with the IQ and have not seen a reason to upgrade this FL for DX.
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DaveOls wrote:
You could always get a 1.4x Nikon telextender for it, but you would lose the wide end of the 18-55 mm lens as it would become a 25-77 mm lens. I don't know what the weight would be and how much light would be lost.

The Nikon 1.4 Tc weighs 7.1oz and would lose one stop of light. I believe the TC would have to be modified and the rear element of the lens may crash into the extender. However, the Kenko Tc would be lighter and would work.

Jul 06, 2014 at 01:41 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Lightweight zoom lens replacement for a nikon 18-55mm?

So here's the alternative suggestion- grab the 85/1.8G. Light and small enough with the best optics in the business. Would require lens changes, of course, and carrying a second lens, but it would also open up the possibility of shooting in lower light and shooting with very shallow DOF.

Jul 06, 2014 at 02:38 PM


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