Playing with my new Nikon 18-300

I have the Nikon 3100 with the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, the basic beginner package. Since getting it, I found the need to switch lenses to be a frustrating and annoying task. I never seemed to have the right lens on when I wanted it and ended up usually going out with just the 18-55. I wanted to be able to take just one lens and be ready for anything. So I decided it was time to look at something more versatile.

I spent weeks reading reviews and pondering if I really wanted a lens as large and heavy as the Nikon 18-300. Overall, the reviews were favorable with the usual caveats about the optical tradeoffs with such a versatile piece of glass as this one. Some complained about the size and weight. The Tamron 18-270 was tantalizingly smaller and lighter, and a lot less expensive too. I went back and forth a few times. Then Nikon took $300 off the price and B&H threw in free UV and polarizing filters. That pretty much made my decision.

The box came last week but I didn't get a chance to go out until Sunday when I went over to a local county park that keeps a few animals and birds along with the usual ducks, geese and wandering deer (which are as common here as squirrels). Well, I had a great time.

The lens is a bit heavy in my hand and takes some getting used to, especially since the 5100 is on the light side. Basically, I was supporting the lens, not the camera as I was accustomed to doing. I had finally got rid of the stock strap in favor of a BlackRapid RS-4 sling strap. I was using the stock strap in a sling configuration but the extra padding on the BlackRapid is welcome. Not sure how I feel about the tripod attachment but I'll see.

I did not find the extra weight at all bothersome and see no problem with carrying it all day. The lens does present quite a bit more bulk and I'm not sure I will go hiking with it. I hike a couple of times a week and always bring along the camera and aside from seeing the odd creature or hawk that I'd love to get a close-up of, I find the 18-55 is all I need, plus it stays out of the way while scrambling up and down rocks and the like.

So enough...here are some shots. Nothing special here but I was excited at how fine even the mundane ducks looked.

I shot this hawk through a chain link fence surrounding the cage fencing which helps give the shot a rather gauzy look. Also, it is a tad blurry...not much light in the cage so the shutter speed was 1/10. I'd probably normally reject this one but was excited at how fine the hawk looked despite everything.

300mm f5.6 1/10


These two wild deer were just hanging around one of the trails. The shutter speed is a bit low too so maybe it isn't quite razor sharp, guess the VR helped. Love those ears... The park does have an albino deer living in an enclosure but I couldn't get a good view of him.

240mm f9.0 1/80


They went off into the woods, giving me a different shot. It would've been perfect if not for the branch in front of the ear.
300mm f5.6 1/250


This cute guy was up in his enclosure. I was able to shoot through the fencing without a problem.
300mm f5.6 1/640


Your basic duck on the pond. She looks pleased.
300mm f5.6 1/400


Something penguin-like about this pose.
300 f5.6 1/1000


This looks like the start of baby ducks.
155mm f5.6 1/800


Here's something wide for comparison
18mm f13 1/125


And finally...I was able to get this handsome fellow through the fencing.
190mm f13 1/125


I guess I'll get to know more definitively the pluses and minuses of this lens as I use it. I guess it is soft here and not so good around the edges there, but I'm not looking for perfection. What I can already say is that this lens is amazingly versatile and I know it will provide me endless fun, not to mention photos to work on. I'm off to Florida next week and can't wait to really give it a workout.