steve_bingham

<p>You really should test it! A simple method is a newspaper on your garage door. Be very careful you are at <strong>90 degrees from the door. Brick walls are fine, but being exactly 90 degrees is vital.</strong></p>

<p>I have this lens. I suspect it is the VR mechanism. Mine makes very little if any noise.</p>

<p>To shoot - or display? If the price is right buying seems prudent unless you expect to use it. Then test it.</p>

<p>I have used both and used both on the Sony a7II. I see no reason what so ever to add Capture One to my arsenal. ACR has dozens (plural) of adjustments - most of which can be saved for later use.</p>

<p>I finally got around to testing the Nikon 16-80 f2.8-4 at 16mm. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasently surprised! Really surprised. It is very sharp there too. At 100% it looked better than any 16mm results I have seen. The glare was almost non-existant and the VR was excellent at 1/6 a second, hand held. (that's only 2 stops but as much as I will probably use) For a 1 pound lens I am very impressed. It's interesting that the Czech site I visited said the same thing. Use the translate button, upper right on Explorer. Be sure to read the entire article.<br> <a href="http://www.makofoto.cz/nikon/objektivy/nik_16_80f2_8_4/Nikkor_16_80f2_8-4.htm" target="_blank">http://www.makofoto.cz/nikon/objektivy/nik_16_80f2_8_4/Nikkor_16_80f2_8-4.htm</a></p>

<p>Here are my results. I was using an ISO 12233 chart and an older Edmunds Scientific chart. Both were 2' x 3'.<br> <b>Still testing</b>. However, this lens, so far, <b>is nothing but amazing</b>. I would say it might be one of <b>the best DX lens Nikon has made to date - at least at the long end.</b> At 10' the 80mm covers 2' x 3'. Some very slight pincushion distortion. <b>Very slight</b>. Easily corrected when ACR comes out with this particular lens correction data. There was a little CA in the corners, but <b>ACR took care of it all</b>. The resolution was stunning - right into the corners. From f5.6 to f11 it is almost impossible to separate center resolution from corner resolution. Even wide open at f4 the resolution was excellent. The sweet spot at 80mm? F5.6 and f11 . . . just as you would expect.<br> I would rate resolution right up there with my Sony/Zeiss 55 f1.8 and the new Sony 90mm macro - maybe better! (yes, I had both and tested them both)<br> Now I need to test 16mm and then distance landscapes. Quality control on my sample was excellent. The resolution was perfectly concentric - at least perfect enough that I couldn't determine a difference in my sample. Expensive? You bet! But, finally the DX gets some new pro glass! Best of all, we get a <b>very useable range zoom that only weight 1 pound</b>. And all this with VR and <b>4 elements</b> of ED glass</p>

<p>I shoot DX and have the Nikon 16-80 f2.8-4. Why? Both the D7200 and lens weigh approx. 2.5 pounds together. Nice carry around size. Now compare that with a D750 and the Nikon 24-120 . . . 3.21 pounds. Which would you rather carry around for 2-3 hrs? DX has its place. Discounting kit prices, that also makes the <strong>DX $1020 less expensive</strong>. 3/4 pound lighter and $1027 less expensive. Yes, and I print <strong>all</strong> my own stuff at 16" x 24" on 17" x 25" paper (for gallery display). Very sharp prints.<br> I used to have the D800 and a bag full of pro 2.8 glass. <strong>Man was that bag heavy!!!!!</strong> To each his own, and reason enough for Nikon to continue with DX. <br> Now back to the 16-80 lens. When time permits, hopefully Wednesday, I will shoot my ISO 12233 chart as well as some distant scenes at various f stops and flare situations. Let's hope it's as good as advertised! :^)</p>

<p>Maybe crop to 60% this length? <strong>King Air and the gorgeous sunset/mountain peak</strong>. Do you need help? How big is the plane file alone? How big a pano do you want? Is the resolution there? I am willing to help, but I need more info. I would forget about making a triptych. </p>