I'm up for anything. Looking more for comparisons though.

I have one, although i have nothing to base it off of as im new to photography. I really like it though. I could take some shots with it and upload them to my flickr if you'd like.

------------------------new start-------------------------------------

Anyone picked one of these up or have any experience?

Had a friend ask and never have heard anything about it after it was released.

Thanks- TTJ

Hmm, maybe I should watch out for the 18-200 and see if there are any price drops.

If there are no quality differences, between the 18-300 and 28-300, then the 70-300 might be made redundant for the DX and FX crowds.

Great eyes looks like the 28-300mm FX lens technology has carried over to DX afterall. This is a pricey lens though right? Over a grand I am sure.

so i got my lens today, im super happy with it. will test it out in the next few days and update you guys!

Now that the lens is out, are there any good reviews out there?

Well it really is the ultimate single lens option. 18 is fairly wide, 300 is about as long as you get without lots of $$$$. I am still curious to see reviews and how it performs. It doesn't make sense to get it if you have the 18-200 as you might as well spend the same money and get a 300 F4 to add to your 18-200 or the 70-300...unless you want to sell the 18-200.

IMO it will kind of make a point and shoot out of lots of entry dSLRs. People that really don't want to switch lenses could leave it on always and get just about every type of shot minus low light. That being said...I have to imagine it won't hold a candle to the F4 or F2.8 lenses, but it is all about what you need/want.

I'm going to be going on a vacation in Egypt and Kenya/Tanzania for a safari, and I'm wondering if I should get the 18-300mm lens for my D5100. I keep on hearing about how you don't want to change lenses in those regions because of all of the dust, which makes the 18-300mm an ideal candidate.

Are there any other alternatives I should be considering?

I've read that you always want a longer lenses for a safari (and good light gathering power), but I don't want to spend $6K on a 200-400mm lens. Also, I already have an 18-200mm, which makes it seem kind of silly to get another lens that is so similar.

@fozzyffp

In that case, maybe the 18-300 is the one for you... On DX this will certainly give you a great telephoto and wide as well. If in the future you decide to upgrade, it is always something you can sell. But, maybe some folks with more experience in the DX stuff will chime in here and you can get better advice than from me.

I have a d5100 i bought refurbished, and i've only been shooting for a few months, i know at this point better pictures will come from me getting better as a photographer, not from my gear. id love the 70-200VRII but that's definitely out of my budget for now. im pushing it with this lens. i did look at the 70-300 but what i want to avoid is carrying alot of gear around unless i know ill be on a dedicated shooting day. ( i work on cruise ships as an independent contractor, im rarely in any one place for more then 8 hours) also trying to avoid switching lens's unnecessarily in poor environments. (humid and windy/dusty)

From another thread this lens has come up again.... some questions regarding any lens purchase must first involve the camera body, DX, FX, the budget... large >$3000 USD (2400 Euro) or small, and the long term intentions....i.e., to build a system or just have a camera one can snap photos with. Assuming the body is DX....

And fozzyffp said

<<<<<<
"Hey im new here, been reading the forums alot but never posting.

So i preordered the 18-300. has anyone else? Amazon says June 29th they'll start shipping, any idea if 'Rama or B&H will follow suit? I'm just curious if there's any other interest in this lens from you guys.

I get that its not the fastest or sharpest lens lens out there, but with my job im traveling 10 months a year, i don't want to carry 5-6 lens around. so with this as my main walkaround lens coupled with my sigma 8-16, and Nikkor 35mm 1.8 i think ill be set for almost ever scenario."
>>>>>>>>

This does not include the camera body. But, if the budget can handle the 70-200mm f/2.8VRII Nikkor, along with either the TC-14EII or TC-20EIII, the range would be covered and the Sigma and 35mm Nikkor would do the short work while the long shots would be covered by the Queens choice. If budget restraints prohibit the 70-200mm plus converters.... let's hear form some others.

Oh, dear, oh, dear. So many people seem to be getting confused here.

According to Nikon's website (UK/Ireland), Nikon make two types of SLR - Consumer SLRs and Professional SLRs. All the Consumer SLRs are DX format, all but one of the Professional SLRs are FX.

So what lenses do Nikon make and sell?

They make DX lenses.

There are 14 DX zooms. With a single exception, the maximum aperture is around f3.5 - f4.

There are 4 (yes, FOUR) single focal length DX lenses. An f1.8, two f2.8s and an f3.5.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this is what consumers want.... ?

Nikon also make FX lenses.

There are 16 FX zooms. Roughly half have a maximum aperture of around f3.5 - f4, roughly half have a maximum of f2.8.

There are 34 (yes, THIRTY FOUR) single focal length FX lenses. Most have an aperture of at least f2.8.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this is what professionals want.... ?

Consumers and professionals. Different needs, different cameras, different lenses.

I'm pretty happy that Nikon knows what it is doing here. And it will make PROFIT.

Well… If that's the intention, I'd rather get a V1 with the 2 lens kit for the same price ! A lot lighter to carry around and more user-friendly for all family members :)

I would think this is a 1 lens option for family vacations. Covers a nice wide range. not sure I would want one, though might consider renting one for a vacation.

I just got the 70-300 since it seemed to be a nice step up from the DX lenses. I love the portrait shots I shot with it. I thought about the 28-300, but it was twice the price and I don't think it was even better in the common range. I decided to get the 70-300 and a Sigma 17-50 2.8 for the price of a 28-300. I know I'll have a superior lens 17-50 and probably very similar one from 70-300. It doesn't bother me that I'm missing 50-70mm. I also have a 50mm 1.8 prime for low light action that I know the zoom won't match.

I'm really confused why they came out with the 18-300 when they already have the 28-300. The only technical difference I can see is an extra ED lens. I would much rather have them make lenses that directly compete with the 3rd party 2.8 lenses that are half the price of 2.8 Nikon FX lenses. A half price 2.8 lens that's mean for the DX shooters. There is a really big gap between Nikons DX and FX line.

If the 28-300 is over $1k, this will probably add another $200-400 making it a crazy expensive amateur lens. Why buy this if you can get 2 or 3 2.8 3rd party zooms? Unless one is really lazy and wants just one jack of all trades lens and will never shoot in low light.

Ah yes, it was the 55-300 that I missed.

Which has best performance I wonder? 70-300?

Bah, where are the fast wide primes Nikon?

Spraynpray- you also missed the 55-200 and the 55-300, and to a small extent the 18-105 VR.

Nikon, we have enough superzooms!

If Nikon is trying to dig into Tamron and Sigma's superzoom sales, it won't work when it's that expensive.

It's on the UK site too. Why do we now have 70-300,28-300 and 18-300 - all in a similar class i.e. not fast or 'pro' glass?

I think I may even be missing another one out too...

Nice find!

I hope not, but given the pricing of the 18-200 it will most probably be > 1000€.
I wonder if it's just a false start on European Nikon websites or this will be a "silent announcement" (I think nikkor 40mm micro and 50mm 1.8 AF-S were announced similarly)?

Same on Nikon.fr… But no price anywhere on the web. I guess it will be about 1,000€ or $ 1,200.00 ?…

Hi all,
I've just spotted teh rumored nikkor 18-300 on polish nikon site. No info on price or availability though.
EDIT link: http://www.nikon.pl/pl_PL/products/product_details.page?ParamValue=NIKKOR%20Lenses&Subnav1Param=Auto%20Focus%20Lenses&Subnav2Param=DX&Subnav3Param=0&RunQuery=l3&ID=1848117

Below a summary of what's listed there:

DX format 16.7x zoom lens with versatile 18-300mm focal range (FX/35mm equivalent:27 to 450mm)

Vibration Reduction II (VR II) stabilization system enables more flexible hand-held shooting and lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 stops slower.

Maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the telephoto end of the range.

Zoom-lock switch keeps the lens secure when not in use.

9-blade rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements blend together smoothly.

Three ED glass and three aspherical lens elements ensure high resolution and superior contrast.

SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, whisper-quiet autofocus.

Compact and lightweight design for a lens with this range.

And a couple of technical specs:
Focal length 18-300 mm
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture f/22-32
Lens construction 19 elements in 14 groups (including 3 aspherical lens elements and 3 ED lens elements)
Angle of view 76 °-5 °20 '
Focusing Nikon Internal Focusing (IF) System with autofocus controlled by Silent Wave Motor and separate focus ring for manual focus
Minimum focus distance 300 mm focal length: 0.45 m (1.48 ft) from focal plane
Maximum reproduction ratio 1/3.2x
No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded diaphragm opening)
Filter-attachment size 77 mm (P=0.75 mm)
Dimensions Approx. 83 mm diameter x 120 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange)
Weight Approx. 830 g (29.3 oz)

Cheers,
Tudrus