NOTE: A full review of this lens can be found in my Nikon 28-300mm VR Review article.
When I first heard of a possible release of the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for FX, I did not believe it, simply because it is extremely hard to design a superzoom lens with such range that would perform well on a full-frame sensor. Today, Nikon responded to the popularity of the Nikon 18-200mm lens by announcing the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for FX sensors.
So, what is so special about the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G and why did Nikon decide to release it for FX? After the Nikon 18-200mm lens was released back in November of 2005, it was praised by many photography websites as the ultimate “all-in-one” lens. The photography community created so much hype about this lens, that it sold like crazy and the demand skyrocketed, resulting in severe lens shortage and price increases for several years. I personally fell into the same trap as everyone else and ended up getting the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens after waiting for several months in the queue. I quickly discovered that having such a long zoom range comes with its own problems and long story short, ended up selling the lens in less than a year. Since then, I have tried at least three different versions of the lens (thinking that mine was defective), only to confirm that my original problems were not related to a defective unit or my photography skills. Don’t get me wrong, the Nikon 18-200mm is a decent lens, but not great or superb as most websites on the Internet claim. Once many photographers saw the same issues, more and more 18-200mm lenses started showing up on Ebay and Nikon finally caught up with the lens production and over-saturated the market, which resulted in price drops everywhere. By introducing the 28-300mm, Nikon wants to create another “hot selling” item for the fast-growing FX market.
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Specifications
What is new about the Nikon 28-300mm and how does it compare to the 18-200mm lens? Let’s take a look.
- Focal length: 28-300mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture: f/22-38
- Lens construction: 19 elements in 14 groups (with two ED glass and three aspherical lens elements)
- Angle of view: 75°- 8°10’ (53°- 5°20’ with Nikon DX format)
- Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m/1.6 ft. (throughout the entire zoom range)
- Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.32x
- No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded)
- Filter-attachment size: 77mm
- Diameter x length: (extension from lens mount): Approximately 83 x 114.5 mm/3.3 x 4.5 in.
- Weight: Approximately 800 g/28.2 oz.
- Supplied accessories: 77mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77, Rear Lens Cap LF-1, Bayonet Hood HB-50, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1120
From the Nikon press release:
Building on the popularity and versatility of broad focal range lenses, the new AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is Nikon’s first FX-format lens with a 10.7X zoom range for enthusiasts and professionals. The new 28-300mm is the all-in-one optical solution that is ideal for travel, landscapes, portraits and capturing distant subjects. The 28-300mm VR lens is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLR cameras, and has an equivalent focal length of 42-450mm when attached to a DX-format D-SLR. It’s optical formula includes two ED glass elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings, and three Aspherical Lens Elements that virtually eliminates coma and other aberrations at wide aperture settings as well. This high performance lens also incorporates an M/A Focus Mode Switch that enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation, and Internal Focus (IF) providing fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens while retaining working distance through the focus range.
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED vs Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
The first thing I noticed, was the absence of the gold ring around the lens front, which basically means that we should not expect it to be a top-quality performer (quite understandable, considering the zoom range of the lens). Most features of the Nikon 18-200mm were adapted by the 28-300mm design – the “zoom lock” feature, for example, addresses the annoying zoom creep problem that exists in the original version of the Nikon 18-200mm. The focal length is essentially the same as on the 18-200mm if you multiply the numbers by 1.5 (DX sensor crop ratio). The biggest change is in the number of optical elements, which increased from 16 elements and 12 groups to 19 elements in 14 groups and the diaphragm, which is made of 9 blades versus 7. These additional optical elements increased the weight of the lens by approximately 235 grams totaling 800 grams, which is quite heavy for this type of a lens. The filter size has also been increased to 77mm from 72, which is a nice move by Nikon.
What about the performance of the Nikon 28-300? Let’s take a look at the MTF charts of the 28-300 (Left: Wide, Right: Tele):
And Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G (Left: Wide, Right: Tele):
It is too early to say anything at this point, but considering that the 28-300mm MTF charts are based on the FX sensor and the 18-200mm on DX, I would say sharpness-wise, both are similar. The center and surrounding area performance is impressive, with the image sharply dropping in quality towards the extreme edges. I would love to test both and compare them against each other in various environments, which I will hopefully be able to do as soon as I receive the lens.
The Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G will retail for $1,049.95 and is already available for pre-order at B&H.
About Nasim Mansurov
Lenses like this and the 18-200mm are typical “Jack of all trades – master of none”.
They are great for people who like that type of thing and are happy with the image quality – previously these users would be shooting film and printing 13×18 cm photos are most.
What this new lens does suggest to me is that we may be seeing a more economic “consumer” FX-body in the near future, as most D3/D700 users would not really be happy with such a lens.
Pasquier, I fully agree with you! I’m sure the 28-300mm is going to be very similar to the 18-200mm. I don’t think we will see a more economic FX body anytime soon…I think the 28-300mm is really targeted towards a specific group of people that like the 18-200mm lens.
Oops, this lens may be better than what I imagined.
See images here: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/10234786@N06/sets/72157624767013506/
Also Bjoern Roerslett gives it better rating than I expected.
In summary, this may be a nice travel lens.
Pasquier, I doubt it is better than the 18-200mm, but we’ll see ;-) I would love to see a 100% crop at 300mm on it.
This lense may actually be a great versatile lens for DX and FX. I went to the zoo recently with my D90 and the 18-200mm. I needed every last bit of the 200mm but didn’t use the 18 at all. So, using this lens at 28 would be fine when I need a somewhat wide/normal angle 42 equivalent and get an extra 100mm on the long end would be awesome. I imagine the image quality will be better on DX than the 18-200 because of the new extra elements and using only the DX circle, thereby eliminating the extreme edges.
Then if you have an FX body too, it would be provide the same great versatility I was used to with the 18-200mm DX on a DX body.
Chris, I will certainly do a comparison on DX once I receive it, but I doubt it will be significantly better than the current 18-200mm…
Looking forward to this lens.
Has any recognised company or reviewer completed and published a thorough review of Nikon’s new 28-300 F3.5 FX lens yet? If “yes”, please let me have details.
Many thanks.
HR.
Harry, I will post a review of this lens within a week or so.
Harry, I posted my Nikon 28-300 Review yesterday.
Some readers who have received their copies mentioned that images taken at the long end appeared considerably smaller that those taken with the 70-300mm @300mm. I hope you could help to verify this.
It’d be quite disappointing to find that a 300mm telephoto lens isn’t actually 300…? Potential option for travel lens, apart from the 24-120mm.
Floyd, I can confirm this finding – it is actually true for the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens as well. This happens due to lens “breathing”, similar to what we have seen on the 70-200mm f/2.8G VR lens.
Hi Nasim,
Could you explain this term a bit more (lens breathing) as it would clear some things up, especially with me as I am a bit new to some things. Thanks in advance and can’t wait to get your take on the new lens as well. I have seen a few reviews which were “extreme” in a way but I have also found some reviews that seemed to be more objective in nature. Again, thanks.
Don
Don, the breathing issue is simply a lens design – in order for the lens to be able to focus on a very close subject at 300mm, the manufacturer has to make some compromises in lens design, which creates the issue with true focal length. When you focus at a subject at close distance, the focal length is certainly shorter, while focusing on distant objects at infinity brings back the focal length to 300mm.
So, if you are shooting something far away, you will get 300mm, but if you are shooting a subject at closer distances, you will have a shorter reach.
I just picked up the lens last Friday. Picked up a D3S and 14-24mm on Thursday. I went to a birthday party for my daughter Saturday and shot with the 28-300mm and no flash (bumped the ISO a bit). The lens found its mark every time. Did not hunt or seek even in the subdued lighting of the indoor play land. I previously had the 18-200mm on my D300S. As I tend to shoot at a distance, outdoors and at night often, in my opinion I think the 28-300mm fits the bill. However, I am not a pro photographer and do not make my living shooting but for me and my needs I think the lens is a great bargain.
Don, I will be publishing my findings next week!
I’m holding my purchase of this lens until i get/see reviews and sample shots of the 24-120mm f4. I need long reach for my travelling at year end but at the same time need good IQ for landscape photography. I hope the 24mm short end of the 24-120 is good enough.
Floyd, the 24-120mm is going to be a much better lens than the 28-300mm – for sure. I haven’t received my lens sample yet, but hopefully will get it this week.
Hi Floyd,
Smart move. I decided to go ahead and take a chance because after moving from the Nikon D300S, to the D3S, I wanted all FX lenses. I previously had the 18-200mm and it served me well so I took a chance. I am pretty happy with the new lens. It seems to be a FX copy of the older lens. Coupled with my 14-24 mm, and 50mm, I have my bases covered. I will be up in the Arctic Circle this week attending a conference. While I do not think it is cold enough yet, I am hoping to maybe see the Aurora Borealis and get some shots. Fingers crossed.
Don, good luck with your trip! Let me know if your 28-300mm survives the cold!
Hi Nasim,
Thanks for both replies. It was not cold enough to get the shots but I did get a few at Santa Claus’s village up in Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle. The lens was fine. Got some nice shots. Used the 14-24mm as well. Great times.
Nice! The 14-24mm is awesome, hopefully will get one for myself this year.
Stumbled across this thread and thought I’d chime in. I have been testing and using this new Nikon 28-300mm lens on a D700 for the last week or more, evaluating its possible place in my work. I recently posted a full review (including comparison images side-by-side with other lenses) on my blog, “the Photo Tourist.” The full “hands on” report is way to long to post here, but following is a quick summary. If anyone’s interested in the whole thing, it’s at http://thephototourist.com/2010/09/review-28-300mm-lens.html
I am a working professional who shoots primarily destination and travel photographs while on the move. I shoot a lot in foreign destinations and on a budget, where I need to travel light and don’t want to make myself a lucrative target, festooned with lots of camera gear. I also don’t have the weight allowance, enough hands, or the desire to carry extra camera bodies or swap lenses for each and every shot (that is, if I can possibly avoid it). When traveling, I am usually out exploring and must carry all my gear for the whole day, “sun-up to sundown” (along with water, map, guidebook, jacket, etc., etc., and etc.). In the field I often carry a few lenses to cover the situations I expect through a whole day of touring, but I normally have one “walking around” lens on my camera when I go exploring. This new 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S lens is shaping up to be my go-to travel and “walking around” lens.
My copy of this lens produces images that are contrasty and sharp to the eye at just about every focal length; Overall image quality is quite good across the entire zoom range. There is very little light fall-off from center to edges at all focal lengths. My copy turns out clear, consistent results with very little effort and no more than my usual semi-automatic adjustments and tweaks in photo management software. I have not noticed much flare (though of course there is some, especially when shooting with the lens pointed upwards and toward the sun). I haven’t yet calibrated for a lens profile, but at first blush it looks to me like any correction needed will be easily managed in Adobe. I would be comfortable submitting its results for publication at almost all focal lengths — in fact, it is better than other lenses I have used in the past for images that have recently ended up on mass-market magazine covers. Based on my testing and experience to date, I expect this lens will become a favorite.
As noted, there is a lot more content in the whole report (including comparison images).
Hope everyone is enjoying the gear we all have!
Rick
I have this lens for about a week, and am having a lot of fun – it definitely is a lot better than I imagined.
Although I haven’t had time to make a detailed appraisal (I’m waiting for Nasim’s tech report), 1st impression are posted on my blog: http://www.pasquierphoto.blogspot.com.
We certainly are being blessed by incredible photographic equipment at the moment.
Best, P:)
Pasquier, I was hoping to receive the new 24-120mm to compare it against the 28-300mm, but it might not happen this week…
Rick, hoping to publish the review within the next couple of days.
Just got the 28 300 mm yow days ago. Test on the weekend, it’s good for out door with good light.
Ahi, I’m glad you like it!
nassim…
is this 28-300mm lens will works perfectly on my D90..? what will be the focal lenght equivalent in 28mm..? i worried about the wide angle since i always took photos indoor… thanks…