Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 75mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 75mm
The Samyang 75mm f1.8 lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and compact lightweight design, making it a favorite for street and everyday photography. Users highlight its excellent value for money, especially at sale prices, though some note minor quirks like focus breathing and occasional autofocus inconsistencies. Overall, it's considered a great alternative to pricier telephoto options, with a few plastic build concerns but nothing that detracts from its performance.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent value for money
- Great for street photography
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Focus breathing wide open
- Occasional autofocus quirks
- Plastic build
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 75mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 75 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 75 mm |
| Elements | — | 10 |
| Groups | — | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.26 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | Linear STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm★ | 690 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.13x★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 75mm
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (76th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average macro (27th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.