18-55mm VR + 55-200mm VR or 18-105mm VR

[spmakwana]

Hello,

I'm going to buy a new DSLR D5100. I have one confusion

Should I buy 18-55mm VR + 55-200mm VR or 18-105mm VR lens?
Both lenses costs almost same.
with 18-55 + 55-200 it'll give me more range but i have to change lens if i want telephoto and i have to carry two lenses where as with 18-55 will narrow my focal range, but i don't have to carry two lenses with me.
And I think all 3 lens give same performance.

Which is batter choice?

 

[Derrel]

I would go with the 18-105.

 

[480sparky]

18-105.

 

[spmakwana]

But 18-55 + 55-200 provides more focal range, Won't it make any difference?

 

[480sparky]

Depends on what you're shooting. If it's fast action, you can't be spending half the time fumbling with 2 lenses.

 

[Tailgunner]

Hum...how about a 18-200mm AF-S G ED IF?

You can pick up a refurbished unit from Adorama for $519.

 

[spmakwana]

I like to shoot macro and landscape, i read in many reviews that with 18-105 mm lens refuse to focus in very close distance compare to 18-55 lens.

 

[spmakwana]

18-200mm AF-S G ED IF is very good but it is way out of my budget.

 

[Tailgunner]

18-200mm AF-S G ED IF is very good but it is way out of my budget.

A Refurbished unit runs cheaper than a new 18-55/55-200. I'm thinking about doing this my self, I picked up a 55-200mm from them and it works like a charm.

Refurbished Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR II Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 2192 B

 

[480sparky]

I like to shoot macro and landscape, i read in many reviews that with 18-105 mm lens refuse to focus in very close distance compare to 18-55 lens.

Minimum focus:
18-55: 0.9 ft. (0.28m)
18-105: 1.48 ft. (0.45m)

Solution: Close-up lenses.

 

[bike4fun12]

But 18-55 + 55-200 provides more focal range, Won't it make any difference?

this from you leads me to believe you are leaning more towards the 18-55/55-200 combo instead of the 18-105?

also, why not take a month or so and save money for a better option in lenses? take the time and do as much research as possible before you buy a DSLR and lens. trust me! do the research before buying anything camera related. It will save you time, money and headaches. I used to buy on impulse or trust in a salesperson. not anymore. I try to read up on as much as I can before buying anything.

use google and look up reviews on lenses and camera body's. youtube is great also.

by the way, what is your budget??

 

[sm4him]

It really does depend greatly on what you like to shoot. Unless you already know that MUCH of what you plan to shoot is going to be in that 150-200mm range, I'd go with the 18-105.
Then start saving your money again and get a used 70-300 to add to the mix.

You're not gonna get "real" macro out of either the 18-55 OR the 18-105; if you really want to do macro, you'll need to add either some decent extension tubes, a reversing ring, or a dedicated macro lens.

 

[Judobreaker]

I'd also go with the 18-105. It's a pretty nice lens, I still use it every once in a while.
You're not going to get macro shots out of any of those lenses unless you buy additional equipment like extension rings (in which case both lenses will work).

 

[greybeard]

18-55......55-200. Would be my choice. the 18-55 is as sharp as the 18-105 and will focus closer. The 55-200 is sharper than the 18-105 in that range. (my experience)

 

[BlkdOutGsxr]

I don't think that any of those lenses are particularly good at macro, I thought that 18-55mm is a pretty good landscape lens for the price. I am disappointed when I try to shoot macro type shots with my 55-200mm though, the lens isn't fast enough and I don't like the DOF. Depending on your budget I would suggest the 18-55mm, If you find out later that you need more then get the 55-200mm. Also you may want to look into a dedicated Macro lens such as the 105mm Nikkor or the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Lastly, You may want to try out a 50mm f/1.8 at a shop, I havn't put my 18-55mm back on the camera since I got mine, except to do some landscape w/stars. The workability that f/1.8 has over f/3.5 is AMAZING! I would definately suggest trying some of these lenses on the camera at a shop before you buy though.