Question 1

Is the Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR a DX-only lens?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR is designed for DX (APS-C) sensor bodies with a Nikon F mount. On a DX body it delivers a 24–120mm full-frame equivalent range. Mounting it on an FX full-frame body is possible but will produce heavy vignetting at most focal lengths, so it's best kept on a DX camera.

Question 2

How does the Nikon 16-80mm compare to the older Nikon 16-85mm?

Accepted Answer

The 16-80mm f/2.8-4E is the direct evolution of the 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6. The key upgrade is the brighter f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide end, which is a full stop faster than the 16-85mm's f/3.5. The 16-80mm is also marginally lighter at 480g and uses the more widely available 72mm filter thread. The trade-off is a slightly shorter tele end (80mm vs 85mm), which in practice makes almost no real-world difference.

Question 3

Is the VR on the 16-80mm useful for video as well as stills?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The SWM (Silent Wave Motor) autofocus runs near-silently, so it won't bleed into your audio track, and the Vibration Reduction system smooths out handheld camera movement during video recording. The 0.35m minimum focus distance also helps when shooting close-up product or detail footage while travelling light.

Question 4

What's the difference between a DX and FX sensor — does it affect this lens?

Accepted Answer

An FX (full-frame) sensor has a larger light-gathering area than a DX (APS-C) sensor, which generally means better high-ISO noise performance. This lens is optimised for DX, so pairing it with a DX body like a Nikon D500 or D7500 gives you the full 16–80mm field of view. On an FX body the DX crop factor doesn't apply in the same way and significant vignetting occurs, so it's worth sticking to DX bodies to get the most from it.

Question 5

How many aperture blades does the 16-80mm f/2.8-4 have, and does that affect bokeh?

Accepted Answer

The lens has 7 aperture blades. Seven blades produce reasonably rounded out-of-focus highlights, so background blur at wider apertures like f/2.8 looks smooth rather than harsh. For a zoom lens in this class, 7 blades is a solid count that keeps busy backgrounds pleasantly soft in portraits or wedding candids.

Question 6

Is buying a used Nikon 16-80mm VR a good idea?

Accepted Answer

It's one of the better DX zooms to buy second-hand because it was built to a high standard and the optics are well-sealed against wear. On Camera-tweedehands.nl every lens is professionally inspected and photographed individually before listing, and each comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period is always visible on the variant listing, so there are no surprises after purchase.

Question 7

What filter size does the Nikon 16-80mm use?

Accepted Answer

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR uses a 72mm filter thread. That's one of the most common filter diameters in the mid-range zoom category, making it easy to find polarising filters, ND filters and UV protectors — including used ones at a fraction of new pricing.

Question 8

Which Nikon DX bodies pair best with the 16-80mm f/2.8-4?

Accepted Answer

The lens shines on higher-end DX bodies that can take full advantage of the SWM autofocus speed and VR system — think Nikon D500, D7500, or D7200. The Nikon D500 in particular is a popular match because its AF system and burst speed complement the lens's fast, quiet focus motor. If you're also looking at body options, the full range of compatible Nikon F cameras is available on Camera-tweedehands.nl.

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Nikon AF-S 16-80mm f/2.8-4 E ED VR DX

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