Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have both the 18-135 and the 18-200, yet this lens has become my everyday go to lens for most of my photography. The 18-200 has tremendous versatility and I have made many great photos with it. However the softness and CAs around the edges is quite pronounced and definitely shows in larger prints of 12x18 and larger (I could have a poor copy). My 18-135, on the other hand, is tack sharp throughout the frame and is a great lens. However, the lack of VR is a limiter for using the lens as an everyday lens where low-light, hand held shots are often required.
Now to the 16-85VR: As I shoot mostly landscapes and outdoor shots, the 16mm wide end was particularly attractive to me. Only 10% or so of my shots are beyond 85mm, so I don't think I'll miss the 85-200 range. The build quality is about like the 18-200 without the zoom creep. I conducted informal tripod tests of this lens against my sharp 18-135 and the 16-85 actually exhibited better sharpness and contrast all across the frame from 16mm-50mm at all apertures, with the sharpest apertures being f8 and f11 (no surprise there). However, wide open is sharp as well, with very little light falloff at the corners, even at 16mm. In the 60mm - 85mm range, the 18-135 was usually just a bit sharper (except at f-11, where they were equal) for both the center and edges (you have to look really hard and pixel peep at 100% to notice the slight difference). Given the great sharpness (especially in the 16-50mm range), VR, and almost total lack of noticeable CAs, I can highly recommend the 16-85 for a general purpose, on-the-camera-all-the-time lens.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
The compact and highly versatile Nikon 16-85mm wide-angle-to-medium telephoto zoom lens is ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, from interiors and landscapes to portraits. The lens is equipped with Nikon's Vibration Reduction technology, which minimizes the effects of camera shake. This allows handheld shooting at up to four shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, producing dramatically sharper images at distance. The lens also offers two extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements, which minimize chromatic aberration to produce superior sharpness and color correction, and three aspherical lens elements, which virtually eliminate coma effects and other flaws, even when used at the widest aperture. And photojournalists will love the exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which facilitates accurate, high-speed, ultra-quiet autofocusing.
Other features include a Super Integrated Coating (SIC) that offers superior color performance and reduced ghosting and flare; a closest focusing distance of 1.3 feet throughout the entire zoom range; a rounded seven-blade diaphragm that improves the appearance of out-of-focus image elements; and a one-year warranty.
Specifications
Focal length: 16 to 85mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5 to f/5.6
Zoom ratio: 5.3x
Minimum aperture: f/22 to f/36
AF-S Silent Wave Motor: Yes
Vibration Reduction: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 1.3 feet
Maximum angle of view: 83 degrees
Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter and 3.4 inches long
Weight: 17.1 ounces
Warranty: 1 year
