Best zoom lens for a petite woman

ndwgolf

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Neil Williams
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Guys,
My wife has a Nikon D5100 and is currently using a 18/105mm zoom lens but she is asking for something a wee bit longer (typical woman question:):) ) but not heavy. She tried my 70/200mm but killed her after 15 minutes so it needs to be long and light and the best possible quality you can get for such a long zoom
Comments suggestions much appreciated
 
The Nikon 70-300 VR? 744g. About half the weight of your 70-200, and good quality too.

There is the 55-300 VR also, which is very light, 530g

Probably not as sharp as the 70-300, or as well built. But it'll be cheaper, and lighter.
 
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Does she want a second lens or something that will cover 18mm and go further than 105mm? also how much further over 105mm does she want to go was the 200mm enough of your 70-200 or did she want further reach?

Seconds lens wise the 70-300 or the 55-300. But if she wants one lens to do it all either the 18-200 or the 18-300.

If it doesn't have the be a Nikon lens the Tamron 18-270 looks good also but I have never used it so can't comment on how well it is optically.
 
The 18-200 comes in at about 560g which should fit quite happily on her D5100.
 
Get a second hand 18-200 VR II, that will be perfect on that body.
I had a VR, but the barrel drop was annoying, the zoom lock switch on VR II solves it.
 
Never buy an all in one lens. Honestly, I've never met anyone really happy after purchasing one. better to go for a kit lens [which is all they are, extended] and a zoom on top.
 
What a change of events
Yesterday I bought a new D800e for myself and wanted to get a new lens for my wife (as above) after sleeping on it last night I have decided to get the 28/300mm and give my wife the D800e as well............ I just want to shoot Leica
 
strange decision if weight was the consideration as the D800e is getting on for twice the weight of the D5100 before you add any lenses?
 
ernesto said:
strange decision if weight was the consideration as the D800e is getting on for twice the weight of the D5100 before you add any lenses?

I thought that as well, seems completely odd to try and find the best way to cut down lens weight only to pack on added weight on the camera body?!
 
I thought that as well, seems completely odd to try and find the best way to cut down lens weight only to pack on added weight on the camera body?!

Agreed but also quality was a determing factor as as we all know FX verses DX is always going to be better plus I have a bunch of FX lenses that my wife can use as well 50 1.4 ...... 24 1.4 etc etc
 
What a change of events
Yesterday I bought a new D800e for myself and wanted to get a new lens for my wife (as above) after sleeping on it last night I have decided to get the 28/300mm and give my wife the D800e as well............ I just want to shoot Leica

If its to heavy for her,you can give the D800e to me :D

Has she tried the ladies blackrapid strap,really does help when carring your camera around.
 
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I'm petite (5'2" and under 8st) and I use a D700 and 24-70 combo with no problem - and the D800 is lighter I think? I have a Q strap and it really helped.
 
What a change of events
Yesterday I bought a new D800e for myself and wanted to get a new lens for my wife (as above) after sleeping on it last night I have decided to get the 28/300mm and give my wife the D800e as well............ I just want to shoot Leica

You know it makes sense, just stay away from auto ISO ;)
 
She couldn't handle the weight of the D800e plus 28/300 so I got her a Fuji XPro1 with a 35mm lens ........... She loves it:):)
 
ndwgolf said:
She couldn't handle the weight of the D800e plus 28/300 so I got her a Fuji XPro1 with a 35mm lens ........... She loves it:):)

So what happened to the request for something longer ?
 
think you have got a really bad case of unclear requirements from your wife on this one :)
 
She loves her new Xpro1 so that's all that really matters. Will also buy the 60mm macro for her and she should be good to go:):)
 
Never buy an all in one lens. Honestly, I've never met anyone really happy after purchasing one. better to go for a kit lens [which is all they are, extended] and a zoom on top.

Odd, virtually every Nikon shooter I know who has no interest in primes etc has gone for this and not looked back. From my experience, the Nikon 18-200 VR and II are cracking lenses.
 
Sigma 12-24 so you can get in really close! Seriously (well, maybe not the really close part), at 24mm the rectilinnear distortion is negligible and is hardly noticeable all the way down to 12.
An 8mm fisheye would be a bit pervy but could give interesting results.

Ah! For her to use! 24-70 f/2.8 as long as she can handle the weight without getting too tired. Maybe there's a pre-loved one on the for sale board for her to try - if it doesn't suit, she shouldn't have much trouble shifting it on again, as long as you're elligible. No personal experience of the Nikon 18-200VR but from opinions expressed on forums it's an option well worth exploring.
 
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