p.1 #1 · Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (initial samples) - long post
Hi,
I've come from canon land and I've used almost all the most common and brilliant L lenses from canon. I've also used a 17-55mm IS from canon and I have also rented a 17-55mm F2.8 Nikkor to try out in comparison. I have found it to be very difficult to justify the 17-55 Nikkor as a general all purpose low light lens for the $1200 price tag. The other alternative (minus the 18-200VR and the 18-55 VR kit lens), the new 16-85mm VR seemed like a great choice however, I've had trouble deciding between the 17-55 nikkor and the 16-85VR just because of the price difference. The quality build for the 17-55mm nikkor is great - as good as the canon EF 24-70L however, I do not like it due to (no VR) and the long end is quite short (55mm comes up short for my style). So I went ahead and purchased a 16-85mm VR and I just took a few shots to showcase the quality of this lens. This is not a review but a mini 1st hand experience to the 16-85mm - without any post processing - straight from the D300. So this is what you'd expect if you decide to buy the 16-85mm VR.
Here are some samples I took since I have read up on various sites regarding the quality of the new 16-85mm lens. I have to say this lens is quite nice. The build quality is great and unlike the 18-200mm VR lens I bought with my D300 kit, it does not have any lens creep and the feel of the zoom ring is quite stiff (but yet feels so solid/dampened). The lens extends ~2 to ~4 inches when zooming to 85mm but it's not a long extension compared to the 18-200mm. I will say the image quality is fantastic. I just took five quick photos to show you how good the image quality is.
I just randomly snapped a few shots and they vary from widest to max zoom, with aperture max at widest range and one f/5.6, f/8 when zoomed in. VR mode (Normal) is used on all images. JPEG mode from the D300 with NO PROCESSING. NR is set to LOW and JPEG quality to FINE. There's no Dynamic lighting set either on the images in the D300 and there's no sharpening done on to ANY of the images in photoshop or the D300. ISO locked to ISO200, with Av mode set. Color in D300 is set to NORMAL (default settings). It's actually way better than the 18-200mm VR lens that comes with the kit. You can visually see how the background blur fairs when f/5.6 is used at the longest zoomed focal length. Of course, it's not as smooth (7 rounded blade design) compared to 9 blade primes or 9 blade f/2.8 or larger lenses.
This lens I purchased from buydig and is $599 no tax. I use this lens as a daily walk around lens. It's light and compact and yet fits the D300 extremely well - The body seems to be made of light weight metal and plastic but overall construction is great. The zoom ring is near the end of the lens and the end metal mount has a rubber sealant gasket to seal out moisture and dust. Overall, I give this lens a (simple personal score: 9.0/10) (build quality/image quality) - It may not be a gold ring nikkor, but it has the performance but less quality build (actually less weight!) than the gold ring standards. I do wish it was cheaper but it's cheaper than my kit 18-200mm VR lens. The VR is very useful because I shot all of these pictures with VR NORMAL mode on and 1/15" and slower. Light was very minimal in the house and the VR allowed me to shoot where I just could not do without a proper tripod. My stance was PRONED for the bear and box shots but still handheld.
This is a great lens indeed. If you are doubting whether to buy the lens (like I have), don't worry. Go ahead and buy it! You will love the lens image quality. Although the lens is considered slow when zoomed max, this is a fantastic walk around lens if you plan on going places, shooting static subjects and/or moving ones will still come out great. It's light weight and affordable (relatively @$599) and you will not sacrafice image quality. However if you do portrait only work and love much bokeh in your images, you will need faster glass - @24mm, I can go only as large as f/4.0 and I will have to come real close to the subject to get a good bokeh blur. With f/2.8 or larger, you will get incredible bokeh but for me I do need the VR for low light shooting and even with f/2.8, I don't think I could get the shot I want without a tripod under low lighting. For portrait work, I'd definitely invest in an f/1.8 or larger prime. The focal range I find on the 16-85mm PERFECT. Just wide enough for normal wide angle and long enough for that extra reach.
These images I consider pretty conclusive since they are the very first shots that have come out of the lens when I purchased it and are straight out of the camera without any processing done (except for default JPEG settings in the D300). With NEF, perhaps more post processing, I'm very sure the image quality can be even better. I would consider the sharpness very very good. I was primarily concerned with f/3.5 @16mm and f5.6 and smaller at max zoom. Now I know this lens really can perform and the bokeh isn't all that bad (not as smooth as f/2.8 but definitely NOT awful). The bear shot with the Nikon box: the box is actually inbetween the bears feet but it's sitting about ~5 or 6 inches in FRONT of the feet (the focal plane is behind the box). I will test moving subjects with this lens a bit later.
No Crop, AF single point on the letters: LENS
Lens: 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR-II
ISO 200
Shutter: 1/6"
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 85mm (max zoom) FULL SIZE IMAGE HERE
No Crop, AF single point on the letters: LENS
Lens: 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR-II
ISO 200
Shutter: 1/10"
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 85mm (max zoom) FULL SIZE IMAGE HERE
No Crop, AF single point on the bear's NOSE AREA (Nikon box is about ~5 inches away from bear's feet).
Lens: 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR-II
ISO 200
Shutter: 1/15"
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 16mm (max wide) FULL SIZE IMAGE HERE
No Crop, AF single point on the word: SCENTED CANDLE
Lens: 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR-II
ISO 200
Shutter: 1/15"
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 80mm FULL SIZE IMAGE HERE
No Crop, AF single point on the center branches, light wind moving the target
Lens: 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 VR-II
ISO 200
Shutter: 1/200"
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 85mm FULL SIZE IMAGE HERE
I just hope this will help those that are deciding whether to get a 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR to purchase one. Happy shooting!
(excuse the non-processed un-artistic tests...this is what you would expect if you bought a new 16-85VR straight out of the box!)
Edited by General Tso on May 01, 2008 at 08:45 PM GMT
p.1 #2 · Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (initial samples) - long post
I have a few 17-55mm Nikkor test shots - same deal with low lighting and I will personally favor the 16-85mm VR because of:
1) VR - very very useful for static subjects and when zoomed in hand held
2) Image quality is on par or sharper than the rental 17-55mm Nikkor
3) price compared to the 17-55mm
4) focal range - better than the 17-55mm
Of course remember that if you shoot fast objects such as cars, etc, you can't expect this particular lens to hold up against any large prime zooms (f/2.8 is f/2.8) - you pay a premium always for fast glass. But overall usage such as at low light events, shows, boat shows, car shows, bike shows, just general stuff like museums, etc. you can expect fantastic quality images. Just the artistic bokeh if you so prefer is much harder to get on this lens compared to an f/2.8 or larger zoom/prime lens.
For $599, I say it's definitely legit in my book. But I'm sure many will disagree with the comparison to the 17-55mm nikkor. IF it had VR, I may of considered it over this 16-85mm but then again having used this 16-85mm for a few hours, I will say I would definitely NOT buy the 17-55m nikkor but instead choose to rent it for work while using this 16-85mm VR for personal use.
p.1 #4 · Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (initial samples) - long post
Welcome to FM General Tso.
Thank you for sharing some images from the lens and your thoughts. It does look like a very sharp general purpose zoom with a very contrasty poppy rendering.
The boke in your tropical mango candle photo seems pleasing enough as well.
