Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-300 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR review - Introduction

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Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-300 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

20 January 2015

Arkadiusz Olech

1. Introduction

Megazoom lenses designed for APS-C/DX cameras with maximum/minimum focal length ratio exceeding 10 appeared on the market in 2005. At that time such models as the Sigma 18–200 mm f/3.5–6.3 DC, the Tamron AF 18–200 mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II or the Nikkor AF-S DX 18–200 mm f/3.5–5.6G IF-ED VR were launched.

We had to wait a bit over a year for next records. The first 18-250 mm class lens was shown in September 2006 by Tamron – it was the AF 18–250 mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) model. Several months later similar optical devices produced by Pentax and Sigma joined that club. After about a dozen months or so Tamron raised the standards once again, launching the Tamron AF 18–270 mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO. In 2012 we saw a very strong response from Nikon as they presented the Nikkor AF-S DX 18–300 mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR model with not only larger focal lengths range but also an aperture as fast as f/5.6 at its longer end. The Nikkor was defeated once again by Tamron in 2014 when they released the 16-300 mm lens, already tested by us. Still as the Nikkor was somehow escaping our testing procedures now we are making up for it.

We would like to thank the Foto Plus shop from Krakow for lending us the lens.

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