Slight noob - looking for advice :)

LittleMiss · Jan 25, 2010

Hello.

I am about to buy my first D-SLR and I have a few questions about the lens. I am purchasing a Nikon D90 from eBay from a top seller. They have a package deal for $899 and it comes with a Tamron 28-80mm lens. I am wondering if that is a decent lens or if I should go w/ the package they have for the $959 kit with a Nikon 18-55mm lens.

I honestly don't know the difference in lenses and, being new to buying these, I am not sure what would be a good starter for me to figure out exactly what I want to photograph. Right now, I shoot everything, but I only have a point and shoot Nikon. I have used my friends Canon Rebel plenty of times and decided I wanted my own.

These are the best priced auctions with brand new cameras I have found. Are either of these good lenses or should I start off with something else like a 50mm or a 18-105mm?

Thanks in advance for the help

Heck · Jan 25, 2010

I don't know if the tamron is a better lens than the nikon but the range of the lens 28-80 might be more useful than the nikons 18-55. I had the nikon lens and it was good glass for the buck. If you want a little more reach I would pick the tamron kit.

LittleMiss · Jan 25, 2010

Thanks.

Tulsa · Jan 25, 2010

I am not a Nikon man, but I would recommend the 18-55, the wide angle will be nice.
I think they possibilities from the 18-28 far outweigh the possibilities between 55-80
Plus you could always pickup a lens thats 28-153ish later.

You should look into Canon, I just bought a Canon 50d with a 28-135mm USM lens, slightly used for $900.

themedicine · Jan 25, 2010

Well, I would have to say either the 18-55 or 18-105. the 28 is going to start you closer than you may want.

kundalini · Jan 25, 2010

If this is your first venture into on-line camera purchases, I would suggest to have a look at B&H, Adorama or Photo4less (yes... I've used them) because they are top-notched on-line retailers with great customer service, reasonable prices and credible return policies. It could be just a personal thing, but I don't trust Ebay for more than $50 purchases.

I bought into Nikon for their glass and have yet to be dissatisfied.

fokker · Jan 25, 2010

I would tend to avoid the 28-80. When I first started out, I even found that 18mm from my kit lens wasn't wide enough at times.

LittleMiss · Jan 25, 2010

Tulsa said:
I am not a Nikon man, but I would recommend the 18-55, the wide angle will be nice.
I think they possibilities from the 18-28 far outweigh the possibilities between 55-80
Plus you could always pickup a lens thats 28-153ish later.

You should look into Canon, I just bought a Canon 50d with a 28-135mm USM lens, slightly used for $900.

Honestly, I dislike Canon lol. My friend had a Rebel and just upgraded to the 7D and I am not a huge fan. I have always been a Nikon fan.

kundalini said:
If this is your first venture into on-line camera purchases, I would suggest to have a look at B&H, Adorama or Photo4less

I will def. check them out. I am buying it tonight so i'm making my decision soon. This seller has good feedback and has sold quite a few of these D90's and people are happy with it so i'm going to give it a try if I don't see anything on these sites.

Either way, thanks guys! I am not going to get the Tamron lens and stick with one of the Nikon 18mm ones - unless anyone else can recommend a good starter that isn't any of the ones listed.

LittleMiss · Jan 26, 2010

I purchased the brand new D90 w/ the 18-55mm Nikon lens and it came up to $883. I can't wait!

Any other lenses that anyone can recommend for me to purchase in the future?

fokker · Jan 26, 2010

50mm 1.4 or 1.8

themedicine · Jan 26, 2010

or the 35mm 1.8

LittleMiss · Jan 29, 2010

thanks! I'm buying the 50mm right now and i'll get a 35mm next month :thumbup:

photograham · Jan 29, 2010

Good choice, where did you buy from?

LittleMiss · Jan 31, 2010

I actually haven't bought it yet. I was looking to also buy them on eBay but i'm waiting on the camera first and will buy them in the next few weeks.

jackieclayton · Jan 31, 2010

i'm glad you got the kit lens (18-55)... its actually a really good lens IMO, especially if youre just starting out. I agree with the others, I'd get a 50mm 1.8 prime... I hear you can't beat the quality for that kind of price.

You are probably going find out quickly that you will want a higher zoom... i bought the 55-200mm DX zoom for my D40x and was quite pleased with it. (although, now they have a 18-200mm that would have been VERY convenient!!