D7200 lens choices for various subjects

[CS]

Now that my D7200 is on the way I'd like to hear from other folks shooting it WRT their lens choices for various subjects. I am going to try out my 18-200 DX on the D7200 when it arrives, but I don't hold out a lot of hope for it's performance at 24MPs.

The 70-200 f/4 is out of my price range at this time, but at the other end of the scale, I'm not sure that the current 18-55 DX and 55-300 DX are worth the expense due to their build quality. Is the 16-85 DX a safe bet on the D7200, or is it necessary to go for the more expensive 16-80 DX for a good walk around lens? I do look for used, if  from a reliable source, like KEH.

So, I know that there's a lot of experience here with that camera, and I'd love to learn from that. Let the suggestions, caveats, demands, and admonitions begin! 

[David H. Hartman]

... Is the 16-85 DX a safe bet on the D7200, or is it necessary to go for the more expensive 16-80 DX for a good walk around lens? ...

I've used the AF-S 16-85/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX on a D300, D300s and D800 and been very pleased. The lens belongs to a friend. On the D800 that 15MP I think. I have no experience with the faster and newer lens. 

KEH.com offers a 180 day warranty on used lenses. They will refund the shipping and pay return if the lens has a defect. If you don't like it you pay. Double check current policy.

Here is a sample of the AF-S 16-85/3.5-5.6G on a D300s I think...



I did some careful post processing to bring out the entente on the mantis. The final sharpening was up to Flickr.

This sample needs to have the focus touched up after zooming.

Dave Hartman

[Roland Vink]

It is easy to be put off by the plastic build of the AFS 18-55 and 55-200 zooms, but they do perform very well, the newer models are designed to match the 24MP DX sensors.

Probably the best all-round DX zoom is the 16-80/2.8-4 but it costs nearly as much as the 70-200/4 so might be out of your price range.

Also consider the AFS DX 35/1.8, having a fast compact standard prime is very useful.

You haven't specified what type of photography you do, the above lenses will work well for general photography but if you have more specific requirements you might be better off with a different lens.

Note, the D7200 will not focus the new AF-P zooms.

[Akira]

Note, the D7200 will not focus the new AF-P zooms.

Actually AF-P lenses does focus with D7200.  The only caveat is that the focus will be off after the automatic off timer (Standby timer) is activated.  You can avoid this problem by setting the "Standby timer" to the long time or deactivate.  Be careful that the camera will stay on, and the battery will be quite warm if you forget to change it from "no limit".  In normal usage, there would be no problem.

D750 has the same caveat, but AF-P 70-300/4.5-6.3G focuses blindingly fast.  I tried it yesterday on my D750 and quite impressed.

[Nasos Kosmas]

Note, the D7200 will not focus the new AF-P zooms.

With a very fast search d7200 is ok for AF-P lens but you cannot disable VR

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3990013

Hoops! Dublicate answer

[Akira]

With a very fast search d7200 is ok for AF-P lens but you cannot disable VR

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3990013

Hoops! Dublicate answer

No worries.  Your additional info on the caveat (inability to turn the VR off) is well worth mentioning.  There may be cases where I would want to turn the VR off with 18-55 zoom, but certainly not with 70-300 unless it would do harm to long exposure or on StarTracker.

[Akira]

By the way, if you would buy "both" AF-P 18-55 and 70-300 zooms, you may want to consider a D3400 double zoom kit.  If you are lucky, you can buy both zooms AND D3400 body cheaper than you would buy both zooms separately. 

[CS]

It is easy to be put off by the plastic build of the AFS 18-55 and 55-200 zooms, but they do perform very well, the newer models are designed to match the 24MP DX sensors.

Probably the best all-round DX zoom is the 16-80/2.8-4 but it costs nearly as much as the 70-200/4 so might be out of your price range.

Also consider the AFS DX 35/1.8, having a fast compact standard prime is very useful.

You haven't specified what type of photography you do, the above lenses will work well for general photography but if you have more specific requirements you might be better off with a different lens.

Note, the D7200 will not focus the new AF-P zooms.

Nikon's website claims the D7200 needs a firmware update to focus with AF-P lenses. Whether or my refurb would have that update installed is a good question. In fact, I'm not even sure if that update has been released yet. . The B&H website lists the 70-200 f4 at $1399, and then 16-80 2.8-4 at $1066, and the 16-85 23.5-5.6 at $669. I've never shot any of them, so I can't comment about how they serve as a general walk around lens.

[Akira]

Carl, you don't need to update the firmware of D7200 to use AF-P lenses.  It is alread compatible (even with the caveat).

The latest firmware 1.02 makes D7200 compatible with WT-7 wifi transmitter and corrects the problem of erratic exposure of still images shot in the live view mode.

[David H. Hartman]

The 16-85/3.5-5.6G DX has the angle of view of a 24-130mm lens on FX. The 16-85/2.8-4.0 has the angle of view of a 24-122mm lens on FX. I think both of these are better as a walk around than an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II which gives the angle of view of a 27-84mm lens. To me the short end of 18mm isn't wide enough. That's a personal criteria.

If the Nikon D5300 Dual Lens Kit is cheaper to buy than the two lenses separately that's something to think about.

Dave

[CS]

By the way, if you would buy "both" AF-P 18-55 and 70-300 zooms, you may want to consider a D3400 double zoom kit.  If you are lucky, you can buy both zooms AND D3400 body cheaper than you would buy both zooms separately. 

Yes, B&H has that D3400 combo for $496. KEH has the 18.-55 AF-P for $94-$99 and the 70-300 DX AF-P for $238 and up, caps no hood. At those prices though, they almost sound like disposable lenses. I was always taught that there's no free lunch, so if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Getting some good feedback here, keep 'em coming. 

[Matthew Currie]

I have the 16-85DX which I've used on a D3200 and a D7100, and it's pretty decent.  However, it's not as sharp throughout its range as the kit 18-140 that comes with the D7100 and D7200.  Granted, mine was a well used gray market example, but it also required some focus adjustment.  It's a very nice traveling range, and gives good results, but if I were a bit freer with the buckazoids, I think I might go for the newer 16-80, in part for the faster apertures, as well as hoping for a tiny bit more sharpness.  The extra millimeters on the long end aren't very important when you can crop a 24 megapixel sensor and not miss much.

I do like that extra two millimeters of width for traveling, but if you don't think you'll need the extra width, you might consider the 18-140.

[Bill De Jager]

The 16-85 was my mainstay on the D7000 for several years.  Then I switched to the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 which has served me well on that camera and the D7200.  On the minus side the long end is too short, but I prefer the faster lens speed for greater flexibility with exposure and depth of field.  The price is certainly more reasonable than for the 16-80.

[CS]

The 16-85 was my mainstay on the D7000 for several years.  Then I switched to the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 which has served me well on that camera and the D7200.  On the minus side the long end is too short, but I prefer the faster lens speed for greater flexibility with exposure and depth of field.  The price is certainly more reasonable than for the 16-80.

Yes, I have an interest in this lens, and it is more reasonably priced than the 16-80 or the 17-55 Nikons. The range is a bit short, IMO,and Sigma makes a 17-70, although I have not seen any reviews or comments about it. How is the build on the 17-50, Bill?

Thom Hogan says about the Sigma 17-50:

"Arguably the best mid-range zoom you can put on your DX body, and you’ve got a faster aperture than you’ll get with the Nikon choices other than the expensive 17-55mm f/2.8. Also this Sigma is appropriately sized for DX: not big and heavy for what it is, like the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8. "

[Bill De Jager]

Carl, the build on the 17-50 is fine, very solid.  It's also a nice size and weight. 

On the downside, some Sigma lenses have had problems with using the outer autofocus points on Nikon cameras.  This is likely due to the lack of Nikon cooperation with third-party manufacturers regarding the intricacies of the autofocus system. I haven't noticed a clear problem, but then I haven't pixel peeped on most of the photos I've taken with this lens, which have tended to be more on the casual side and intended for sharing after being downsized.