Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
BM Premium 420mm Lens 420-800mm
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
BM Premium 420mm Lens 420-800mm
The lens receives mixed feedback: some users praise its value for money and image quality for certain uses like architecture, but many report serious issues including incompatibility with Canon EOS R8, poor image quality, flimsy plastic build, and slow autofocus unsuitable for wildlife. The need for a tripod due to bulkiness and manual focus annoyance are also noted.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Decent image quality for architecture
- Pleasant for certain projects
Cons
- Incompatible with Canon EOS R8
- Poor image quality
- Flimsy plastic zoom mechanism
- Slow autofocus for wildlife
- Bulky requiring tripod
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | BM Premium 420mm Lens 420-800mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 420 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 1600 mm |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | multi-coated |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/8.3 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/8.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Canon RF |
| Format | APS-C★ | — |
| Weight | 0.48 kg★ | 1.14 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm★ | 420 mm |
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
BM Premium 420mm Lens 420-800mm
- Strong versatility (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average build (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
Pricing
BM Premium 420mm Lens 420-800mm offers 1.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 18 specs.
