Nikon AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR DX Lens Review
Photozone has just published their in-depth review of Nikon’s latest digital-only zoom - the Nikkor 16-85mm VR Lens.
Released just this year, the Nikon 16-85mm is, quite honestly, a lens that did not make much sense to me when it was first announced. Nikon had their basic 18-55mm lens, the 18-70mm, the 18-135mm and the 18-200 VR lens in it’s DX (for 1.5x sensor DSLR’s) lineup.
The Nikon 16-85mm with it’s 35mm equivalent zoom range of 24-127mm is obviously the DX version of the 24-120mm VR ; and at first glance seems to be a replacement for the 18-70mm - but with a price approaching that of the 18-200mm VR I still can’t figure out who this lens is for. The 18-135mm covers the same zoom range at half the price, granted without the very useful Vibration Reduction of course. And just a few dollars more gets you the 18-200 VR.
But the Photozone review does come as a bit of a surprise, as this lens seems to be quite the performer based on their tests. They proclaim the Nikon 16-85mm as probably “the best DX standard zoom lens in the Nikon mount to date.” Even claiming that this lens is even somewhat more desirable than the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 lens at twice the price.
Surprising results indeed (to me at least.) If it performs as well as claimed in real world shots, then perhaps this lens just might find a home in my bag. And perhaps it’s place in Nikon’s zoom lens line-up will make a lot more sense to me.
If you haven’t already, click here to read Photozone’s excellent in-depth review of the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR. They also have a few high resolution images shot with the lens mounted on a Nikon D200 for your review.
From: Photozone via WhatPhotoGear