Good General Lens (stay-on-lens) for D80?

Kristie · Aug 22, 2006

I am purchansing the new Nikon D80 camera soon.
I am having a hard time trying to figure out what type of lens to get for all basic use.
I am wanting to spend $500 or less (or somewhere around that)
I'd like something that I can take macro shots with as well as something that has a slight zoom.
So far, I'm considering the Nikkor 18-70mm.

Anyone else with better suggestions?

Thank you.

Quantis · Aug 22, 2006

The new kit lense that Nikon released actually sounds like a good buy. It's a 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX

That'll give you a bit more range than the 18-70 and shouldn't cost much more. The canadian price is $425 (M.S.R.P).

Tiberius · Aug 22, 2006

The 18-70 is fantastic. The 18-135 has yet to be released for review. It's impossible to tell whether it's a true AF-S or the fake AF-S featured on the 18-55 and 55-200. Optical Quality also has yet to be determined. If you can find one, you might consider spending a touch more and going with the 18-200VR. Fantastic lens.

Orgnoi1 · Aug 23, 2006

My vote would be for the 18-200VR if you want it to fit just about any bill for photography..

dsp921 · Aug 23, 2006

I'd also suggest the 18-200 Nikkor. The 18-70 is a good lens for the money, but with the 10 megapixel sensor on the D80 you will start to see it's limitations. The last thing you want to do is spend $1000 on a camera body and put a cheap lens on it. I'd actually recommend the 28-70mm f/2.8 or the 17-55DX, they'd be great on the D80, but they are a bit out of your target price range.

PNA · Aug 23, 2006

Orgnoi1 said:
My vote would be for the 18-200VR if you want it to fit just about any bill for photography..

This could be a one lens, one time investment............. :thumbup:

I'm considering it myself, if you can find one.

markc · Aug 23, 2006

If you are new to photography, I'd suggest a prime lens, like a 35mm or 50mm. Everyone seems to want a zoom, but it can teach you bad habits and I think you will learn to see as the camera sees faster with a prime. You can get a zoom later if you need the versatility. If you do go with a prime, only shoot at certain focal lengths, not all over the range. For instance, if it's an 18mm-70mm, only shoot at 18, 23, 35, 50, and 70. Learn to see at each of those focal lengths. Don't use the zoom as an excuse to save you from a walk. Choose the focal length first because of what it does for the image, then walk to frame the image.

Kristie · Aug 23, 2006

markc said:
If you are new to photography, I'd suggest a prime lens, like a 35mm or 50mm. Everyone seems to want a zoom, but it can teach you bad habits and I think you will learn to see as the camera sees faster with a prime. You can get a zoom later if you need the versatility. If you do go with a prime, only shoot at certain focal lengths, not all over the range. For instance, if it's an 18mm-70mm, only shoot at 18, 23, 35, 50, and 70. Learn to see at each of those focal lengths. Don't use the zoom as an excuse to save you from a walk. Choose the focal length first because of what it does for the image, then walk to frame the image.

I'm new to photography, but not THAT new. I currently have a Nikon F65 35mm camera. I am wanting to get into digital, which is something I'm fairly new at.
Do you think the 18mm-70mm is a good lens to start with?
What's really the main difference between that lens and the 35mm and 50mm that you recommended?

markc · Aug 23, 2006

I don't know Nikon lenses (I only used the 18-70 as an example), but generally, prime lenses will be better quality, as zooms have to be made with compromises. Consumer zooms are much better than they used to be, but there is still a difference. Primes are also faster. You'll be able to shoot in lower light and blur the background more.

Zooms are more convenient if you need a variety of focal lengths, but again, I think people overrate this. From what I've seen, when a photographer starts to refine their style, they tend to work with specific focal lengths.

It's very much an individual choice. That's just my personal experience and observation.