Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR overview

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Introduction

Nikon’s Z mirrorless system was launched in 2018 and since then the model’s focus has shifted away from its DSLR programs, a sector the place it was as soon as strongly represented in each full-frame (FX) and APS-C (DX) codecs. It continues to have cameras obtainable in each markets however the final DX-format DSLR to have been launched was the D3500 again in August 2018. Click on right here to see our 12 Finest Nikon DSLR cameras ever which incorporates FX and DX-format fashions.

With the smaller-format cameras got here extra compact lenses and the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR was a welcome addition when it was launched in 2015. Nevertheless, it was discontinued in 2022 so its life was a reasonably quick one for a Nikon lens. Learn right here for extra on Nikon’s 35 discontinued lenses.

The DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lined a very helpful vary – 24-120mm equal within the 35mm format – making it an ideal customary zoom with the good thing about a quick most aperture and VR. There stays an inexpensive collection of devoted DX-format lenses from Nikon and third get together manufacturers. The Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S G ED VR DX has a wider 7.6x zoom vary and prices $497 / £539 and if you’d like one thing with a fair wider vary, there’s the now discontinued AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR at $608 / £365 on the used market. In fact, it’s price remembering that FX F-mount lenses additionally match and work high-quality though they’re often extra substantial. We named our Finest Nikon F-mount lenses in 2023 right here.

Though now not obtainable new, on the used market the DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR could be had for round $394-454 / £334-379.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Options

Packed contained in the comparatively compact AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR zoom lens are 17 parts in 13 teams. These embody 4 with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass parts to minimise chromatic aberration and three aspherical lens parts. The aspherical lens parts not solely management coma and different kinds of lens aberration, but in addition right the distortion in wideangle lenses.

Then there’s the fluorine coating that helps repel water and filth, and makes it simpler to wash the glass with out damaging the entrance component (should you’re not utilizing a UV or skylight filter on the entrance, that’s).

As we’ve additionally seen with different not too long ago launched Nikon lenses, the Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4 options an electromagnetic diaphragm (denoted by the ‘E’ designation). This know-how has been discovered on a few of Nikon’s lenses for some time, and is designed to supply extremely correct management of the rounded diaphragm blades to make sure extra constant exposures throughout steady taking pictures. It’s price noting, although, that there are some compatibility points should you’re considering of pairing this lens with an older DSLR, together with common fashions just like the D200 and D90.

Talking of diaphragm blades, it’s maybe a bit disappointing to see solely seven on this lens. 9 blades would have been higher, as they have a tendency to generate extra pleasing bokeh because of the smoother round form they create.

Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (AF-S) ensures that focusing noise is saved as quiet as attainable, whereas the corporate’s Vibration Discount (VR) anti-shake system can be on board, permitting as much as 4 stops of compensation. There are additionally two modes to select from – Regular and Lively, with Lively extra suited to conditions while you’re taking pictures from a shifting automobile, as the kind of motion is completely different from that on a steady platform.

The 16-80mm focal size interprets to a 35mm equal of 24-120mm on a DX-format DSLR, offering a broad focal vary from respectable wideangle protection to reasonable telephoto, making it versatile sufficient for a spread of topics. The utmost aperture could also be variable, but it surely’s nonetheless a welcome f/2.8-4, which, when paired with the VR system, ought to ship loads of flexibility beneath different lighting.

The lens requires a fairly large 72mm filter thread, however the inclusion of inside focusing means your polarising or ND grad filter gained’t spin spherical while you focus and the entrance component stays in a set place.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Construct and dealing with

The outside construct of the Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4 shies away from a metallic development in favour of high-quality plastic that’s completed with a dappled texture that enhances the corporate’s DSLRs. Nevertheless, there’s a metallic mount on the rear, and a pleasant contact is the inclusion of an O-ring seal across the mount to restrict mud and water coming into the digital camera. It’s price noting, although, that the lens doesn’t fake to be weather-sealed.

When you think about the 5x focal size packed into this lens, it’s an extremely compact mannequin and weighs a modest 480g. When teamed up with a D7200, the steadiness of physique and lens within the hand is sweet, though on smaller DX-format DSLRs it’s going to most likely really feel fairly front-heavy. The compact measurement of the lens means there’s little house for a big zoom ring, however the one which’s fitted is ample, and its positioning in the direction of the entrance of the lens means it falls to the hand properly.

The slim manual-focus ring positioned additional in the direction of the digital camera physique has a high-quality ribbed contour and rotates anti-clockwise from infinity to closest focus (0.35m), with a comparatively clean transition via the vary. Between the zoom and manual-focus rings is a modest focus-distance-scale window, marked in each ft and metres.

On the facet of the lens are three switches. The primary is a change that enables handbook override of autofocus with minimal lag time and no matter what AF mode you’re utilizing. Then there’s the selection of switching the VR on or off, whereas the third lets you choose between Regular and Lively VR modes. These switches are clearly labelled, and the one challenge which will come up is if you wish to change certainly one of these settings shortly with the digital camera raised to your eye as a result of they’re all an identical.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Autofocusing

Due to the usage of Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor, focusing noise is just about inaudible. When partnered with a D7200, focusing pace can be good and snappy, locking on to focus shortly and precisely beneath a spread of circumstances, from early morning landscapes to fast-paced motion photographs.

The versatile focal vary means the 16-80mm is ideal for a spread of topics

Focusing isn’t fairly as instantaneous when leaping from both excessive of the focusing vary, but it surely’s nonetheless greater than passable.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Picture high quality

With an in depth 5x focal vary operating from wideangle to telephoto, there’s an inexpensive quantity of pressure placed on the optics to ship respectable outcomes, not solely via the zoom vary but in addition via the aperture vary. Regardless of a couple of small points, although, the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens delivers a strong efficiency.

At 16mm there some barrel distortion that may must be corrected in post-processing

It’s price taking into consideration that when taking pictures topics with essential straight strains, barrel distortion is current at 16mm. This grew to become obvious when taking pictures a coastal scene, and attempting to stage the scene grew to become unattainable because of the slight bow within the horizon that was seen within the viewfinder. In case you are ready to regulate for this when taking pictures after which right it in post-production, then taking pictures at f/11, although not the sharpest aperture, nonetheless delivers good outcomes with respectable edge-to-edge sharpness and just about no indicators of vignetting.

When taking pictures extensive open at 16mm, picture high quality does endure across the edges of the body. Whereas centre sharpness is sweet, there may be noticeable vignetting proper within the corners of the picture. Nevertheless, this may occasionally solely actually be the case at f/2.8, with issues choosing up as you cease down the lens.

Vignetting is a matter extensive open, however significantly better managed as you cease the lens down

Barrel distortion disappears as you progress via the zoom vary, to get replaced by solely minor pincushion distortion, which is loads higher managed. There are nonetheless points with vignetting and edge sharpness when taking pictures extensive open, however as I skilled at 16mm, should you cease the lens down by 1 or 2 stops issues enhance dramatically.

At 80mm, there may be minor pincushion distortion

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Decision, shading and curvilinear distortion

Decision

At 16mm and f/2.8, centre sharpness is sweet however edge sharpness does endure. Nevertheless, this improves considerably as you cease the lens down, with round f/5.6-8 delivering one of the best outcomes for centre and nook sharpness. Past that, diffraction begins to grow to be a problem. At 80mm, edge sharpness at f/4 doesn’t match the centre of the body, with f/5.6 delivering the sharpest outcomes.

Shading

There’s extreme vignetting when utilizing the lens extensive open at f/2.8 and 16mm, but it surely begins to vanish when stopped down a bit at f/4 earlier than being properly managed past that. At 80mm, vignetting is barely higher managed at f/4, though there’s fairly a drop-off on the edges of the body. From f/8 onwards, although, issues are managed properly.

Curvilinear distortion

At 16mm noticeable barrel distortion could be seen in our check outcomes, with the straight strains of our chart bowing out in the direction of the sting of the body. This disappears as you progress via the zoom vary, changed by pincushion distortion. That is noticeable in our charts at 35mm, though it doesn’t deteriorate an excessive amount of after that.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: Verdict

The AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR is a well-specified lens with a flexible 5x zoom, 4-stop VR, electromagnetic diaphragm, comparatively quick most aperture and compact kind issue. Its general efficiency is sound. Optically, its efficiency is strong with out being excellent, and we additionally noticed respectable performances from the autofocus and Vibration Discount programs.

General, it is a respectable lens with lots of positives and some negatives. In order for you a normal zoom to associate your Nikon DX-format DSLR with a really helpful focal size, for a used worth within the area of $394-454 / £334-379, a very good situation pattern is price in search of out.