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

[orb9220]

Yep macro is a different beast so to speak. Right now I would concentrate on basic general lens range to learn and see what my style and needs evolve into. Going either route would work. Just have to decide if the 18-105vr fulfills your needs. Or better served with the 18-55 & 55-200vr for that longer reach need.

I'm partially to the 55-200vr. As is light,compact and fits my style of shooting.
And has been my main walkabout lens last 2-3 years.

Not macro per say but have shot flowers,insects,etc.. And have macro'ish more like 1:3.5 and cropping to hold me over for those kind of occasional closeup macro'ish shots.


Bee on the Puple Yellow 1 of 2 Max Cropped by Orbmiser, on Flickr

Whatever you decide will work and get you started. Shoot & Shoot some more.
And your needs will become apparent as your skills & experience becomes developed.
.

 

[SquarePeg]

The 18-55vr and the 55-200vr came with a D60 kit I got a few years ago. When I upgraded to a D5100 I also bought a refurbished 18-105vr and really love it. I've been loosely keeping track and most of my shots are between 40-85mm. I would not think of it for macro. For a walk around lens - vacations, family outings, landscapes, action shots outdoors - it's been great. My main issue with the other 2 was always having to carry both around to have some flexibility. And even when I did bring them both, I always seemed to have the wrong one on the camera when a good shot presented itself.

 

[spmakwana]

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??

Now i'm thinking to Buy 18-55mm VR lens so that i can took photos of landscape, close up of flowers and other small things (i know it's not pure macro), and then save money and then buy some prime micro lens. It is good choice, isn't it?

 

[SEMiller]

My 2 cents, I started out with the 18-55, 55-200 combo and found that for what I was shooting, frequently the 18-55 was to short and the 55-200 was to long. I always felt I had the wrong lens on the camera and the time it took to switch the shot would be lost. I wound up buying the 18-105 which is giving just the reach I need. I also don't like how slow these lenses get, and am planning on upgrading to a 70-200 f4 at some point.

i also bought a used sigma 90 2.8 macro for when I might want to shoot really close.

 

[scaryloud]

I would consider the 18-55mm and 55-200. You'll get almost double the telephoto range. Both lenses compliment each other well. You can also solve your macro desires with macro tubes. I use them from time to time and they work well and won't break the bank.

 

[Judobreaker]

Ok, I'm going to throw in some extra information about those focus distances...
Sure, the 18-55 can focus closer than the 18-105, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can only get close shots with that lens.
You need to take the length of the lens in consideration.
Ok, at 55mm the 18-55mm will indeed be able to get closer... However the 18-105mm still has 50mm of zoom to go to get closer to that subject.
It's quite possible that you can get about the same magnification at 105mm as you can get with the 18-55mm at 55mm.
On top of that you also have shallower FoV which makes the OOF area behind the subject less detailed.

I still vote 18-105mm. ^^

 

[spmakwana]

Ok, I'm going to throw in some extra information about those focus distances...
Sure, the 18-55 can focus closer than the 18-105, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can only get close shots with that lens.
You need to take the length of the lens in consideration.
Ok, at 55mm the 18-55mm will indeed be able to get closer... However the 18-105mm still has 50mm of zoom to go to get closer to that subject.
It's quite possible that you can get about the same magnification at 105mm as you can get with the 18-55mm at 55mm.
On top of that you also have shallower FoV which makes the OOF area behind the subject less detailed.

I still vote 18-105mm. ^^

Thanks for this information, i haven't think like that. It is very useful. Now I think 18-105 can be batter choice over 18-55 + 55-200 because with that two lenses i have to fumble with them if I want wide angle and telephoto, and it can be very tedious job.