Nikon NIKKOR 2191 28-300mm

The Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a full-frame superzoom lens that delivers standout optical quality and excellent stabilization in a single, convenient package. It's an ideal travel companion for Nikon DSLR shooters who want to cover wide landscapes and distant subjects without changing lenses. Sharpness falls off past 200mm and the autofocus is just average, but the sheer versatility makes it a compelling buy at around $850.

In our database, this lens lands in the 95th percentile for optical quality among all zooms we've tested. That's a standout result for a superzoom, a category that usually forces you to accept some serious compromises. Sharpness is excellent through the middle of the range, though it does soften up past 200mm, especially in the corners. You'll notice it if you're pixel-peeping, but for real-world prints and screen viewing, it's more than usable. The VR II stabilization is also a strong performer, sitting in the 90th percentile. It genuinely lets you handhold at shutter speeds that would be a blurry mess otherwise, which is a lifesaver when the light drops and you're already at f/5.6 on the long end.

Autofocus is where things get a bit more middle-of-the-pack. The Silent Wave Motor is accurate and quiet, but it's not the speed demon you'd find in Nikon's newer AF-P or ring-type ultrasonic designs. It ranks in the 55th percentile for AF speed, so it's fine for static subjects and casual wildlife, but it'll frustrate you if you're trying to track fast, erratic action. The close focus distance of 0.5 meters gives you a 0.32x magnification, which is handy for near-macro detail shots of flowers or textures, though the macro score itself is a mediocre 30th percentile. Bokeh is also a weak spot at the 29th percentile. The nine-blade diaphragm helps keep out-of-focus highlights round, but the slow variable aperture means you won't get that creamy background separation unless you're zoomed all the way in and your subject is close.

Stacked against the competition, the Nikon 28-300mm holds its own in a shrinking field of DSLR superzooms. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS is a modern mirrorless design with even more range, but it's for APS-C sensors only and won't cover a full-frame Nikon. The Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 is another mirrorless-only option that's lighter and sharper on the wide end, but again, it's not going to mount on your D850. For F-mount shooters, the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a direct competitor in spirit, but it's for Canon's crop bodies and doesn't touch the Nikon's telephoto reach.

If you're shooting a Nikon DX body, the 28-300mm gives you an effective 42-450mm field of view, which is bonkers for a single lens. The trade-off is that you're carrying a full-frame lens that's bigger and heavier than a dedicated DX superzoom. The Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 is a completely different beast for Micro Four Thirds, but it shows where the industry is heading: smaller, lighter, and sharper. The Nikon is a bit of a dinosaur in that context, but it's a dinosaur that still gets the job done if you're invested in the F-mount ecosystem.

Pricing on this lens is a bit of a rollercoaster. We've seen it listed anywhere from $850 to a frankly absurd $217,669, so you absolutely need to shop around. The sweet spot is around that $850 mark, which is what you'll find from reputable retailers like Newegg for the international version. At that price, you're getting a ton of optical reach and solid stabilization for less than a grand. The main alternative in this class is something like the Tamron 18-300mm for mirrorless systems, but for a native F-mount full-frame lens, the Nikon is your best bet. If you're on a tighter budget, you might look at a used Nikon 24-120mm f/4, which gives up the long telephoto end but gets you a constant aperture and weather sealing.

The Nikon NIKKOR 2191, better known as the AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, is one of those lenses that sounds almost too good to be true. A 10.7x zoom range on a full-frame DSLR, from a proper wide angle all the way out to serious telephoto reach, all in a single package. For anyone who hates swapping glass while traveling or just wants to lighten their bag, this thing has been a go-to since it hit the market. It's built for Nikon's FX and DX bodies, and on a crop sensor camera like a D7000, you're looking at an effective 42-450mm range, which is just wild for a walkaround lens.

Nikon packed in a lot of their optical tricks here. You get 19 elements in 14 groups, including three aspherical elements and two ED glass pieces to fight off distortion and color fringing. The Silent Wave Motor handles autofocus, and the VR II stabilization is rated for about 3.5 stops of shake reduction. It's not weather sealed, which stings a bit for a lens that's clearly aimed at outdoor and travel shooters, but the build quality is otherwise top-notch. At 800 grams, it's not a featherweight, but it balances nicely on bodies like a D750 or D850.

If you've been searching for a single-lens solution for a Nikon DSLR that can handle everything from landscapes to distant wildlife, the 28-300mm is still a strong contender. It's not the newest kid on the block, but the optical performance and sheer convenience keep it relevant. The price can be all over the map depending on where you look, but you can snag one for around $850 if you shop smart, which is a lot of lens for the money.

This lens isn't for you if you're a portrait photographer chasing creamy bokeh or a sports shooter who needs lightning-fast autofocus. The slow variable aperture and average AF speed will hold you back. If you need weather sealing for harsh outdoor conditions, look at the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 instead. And if you're already on a mirrorless system, don't bother adapting this big DSLR lens. Grab a native superzoom like the Tamron 18-300mm for your Sony or Fuji and enjoy the weight savings and better video AF.

Should you buy the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR? If you're a Nikon DSLR shooter who wants one lens to rule them all for travel, family outings, or just not missing a shot while you fumble with lens caps, the answer is a pretty easy yes. The convenience factor is off the charts, and the image quality is far better than you'd expect from a 10.7x zoom. It's a lens that makes you want to leave the rest of your kit at home, and that's a rare and valuable thing.

But it's not for everyone. If you're shooting portraits or anything that demands creamy bokeh and fast apertures, this lens will leave you wanting. The slow f/5.6 on the long end means you'll be cranking your ISO when the sun starts to set, and the lack of weather sealing is a real bummer for a lens that's practically begging to be taken on a hike. For the right person, though, it's a brilliant piece of glass that turns your DSLR into a do-anything machine.