lense confusion

[pantherlax]

I'm a beginner and am looking for a lens for my d50, I have only bought the body right now. Anyway, some questions;

1) Would it be better to buy a 18-55 kit lens or get something like this?: [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]28-105mm f/3.5-4.5[/FONT] http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/165829-USA/Nikon_1971_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_AF.html

2) Whats the difference with that lens in the the link above and this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479987-DEMO/Nikon_1971_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_AF.html Why is this 30 dollars cheaper?

3) And this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...33_Zoom_W_A_Telephoto_28_105mm_f_2_8_3_8.html I've never heard of the Phoenix brand and why is this like $60 cheaper? Is it because of the brand name...although it is faster? And whats the thing attached, a hood?

Thanks

 

[TheOtherBob]

I don't know anything about 1 or 3, but with #2, the answer seems to be that they're the same lens (unless I'm missing something) but that one is "new" and the other is a demo - an "open box special." Opinions vary on whether people testing the lens in the store runs enough risk of damaging or degrading it to the point where it's not worth buying. With B&H, I'd probably trust them enough to save the $30, but that's up to you.

 

[sabbath999]

First, it is lens, not lense.

Now that I have that out of the way, let me take a shot at my OPINION on the options you stated.

1) if you have the money, the 28-105 is a better lens than the 18-55. Both are slow, but the 28-105 is a decent lens for the money. There are others out there as well in this price range that may be better.

2) The second link is a Demo item... which means it was used by somebody to demonstrate the lens. Both have a 5 year warranty.

3) Phoenix is absolute garbage, IMHO. Junk. Trash. Horrible. Run away from them. If you are going to get a third-party lens, look at Tamron, Sigma, Tokina or some brand you have heard of.

 

[pantherlax]

Thanks to both.

Sabbath, ill edit my "lense" 's lol. What are the "others" that are in the price range of the lens but are better?

 

[The_Traveler]

18-70 is a fine lens.

 

[Garbz]

The 28-105 is an older D series lens. Which camera do you have? This will not work on a D40.

I second Traveller's comment. The 18-70mm is much better lens than the 18-55 build quality wise, and it should run in at a very similar price.