Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
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
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
This 7artisans 18mm f/6.3 lens is a tiny, all-metal pancake that delivers a filmic, character-rich look rather than clinical sharpness. Users love its compact size and hyperfocal ease for street photography, but note soft focus, strong vignetting, low contrast, and compatibility quirks with IBIS systems. A few report severe quality control issues making the lens unusable, while most see it as a fun, creative tool for the price.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Solid all-metal construction
- Filmic, character-rich image quality
- Hyperfocal ease for street photography
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Soft focus at all distances
- Strong vignetting
- Low contrast
- Compatibility issues with IBIS
- Severe quality control problems
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | — | 6 |
| Groups | — | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/6.3 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.06 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 300 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
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
- Strong build (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong macro (69th percentile)
- Strong social proof (66th percentile)
- Below average optical (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm offers 4.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
