Nikon 28-300mm VrII f/3.5-5.6 Lens
I am planning a trip to the Falklands, South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Because this is such a long trip and space may be at a premium along the way, I want to reduce equipment weight and bulk as much as possible, consistent with image quality.
My wife and I presently have Nikon D 300 cameras, with the following lenses:
2 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lenses,
1 300mm f/4 + 1.4X TC,
2 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lenses, and
1 Tokina 11-16mm lens.
We definitely will take the 300mm + TC and the Tokina with us, but we hope to improve on our other lenses. Although we think the 80-400mm lenses are excellent and we have had terrific success with them over the years, they are relatively bulky and heavy, and probably not the best choices for zodiac landings and photography on our trip.
We've considered the 70-300mm VRII lens but are concerned about IQ at the longer focal lengths, if the lens is not stopped down substantially. But a newer possibility is now available.
It's the Nikkor 28-300mm lens, that now sells for a bit over $1K. On paper, and from the limited reviews available, this lens might be exactly what we need for Antarctica.
Would anyone who has experience with this lens please let me know what they think?
Norm