20mm F2.8D Lens v. 18-105mm F3.5-5.6

[ShutterSpeed]

Before returning back to the Brazil during my U.S. trip I want to make one more purchase.
Financially, I can afford probably one item.

Today, I learned that I won't be able to find a new sb-600 nikon flash as they have been discontinued.

So, I was thinking of waiting until December to use my christmas bonus to invest in the additional flashes and purchase a needed lens now.

So, I've sold my 18-55 lens with D60 that I had.
Now with a Nikon d7000 and 3 lenses, i lack the focal lengths in the 18-35 range. So I thought that the 20mm lens listed above would be great.

But, 18-105 is a very practical range.

thoughts?

 

[Breizh]

With a full frame like a D700 the 20mm is a good option but with the D7000 it's like a 30mm, not really an interesting range for me. What type of photo do you like?

 

[prodigy2k7]

apples and oranges

 

[ShutterSpeed]

apples and oranges

i know they're not the same.
i was asking about the usefulness since i had to sell the 18-55 I had with my old d60, I thought of just putting a 20mm there to get close to that range..and compensate for the gaps between 20mm, 35mm, and 50mm with physical proximity.
however, no one responded and I went with the 18-105, which is going to be more practical. I really needed that range for party pics that I get hired for. You can't always fit in everyone with a 35 without taking 10 steps back...so, since the d7000 allows me to use my sb600 off camera..i'll just let the flash help with the lighting in those circumstances...

 

[Destin]

I'd reccomend another option, albeit slightly more expensive, look into a Tamron 17-50 2.8. It's a wide, fast lens that covers a very useful range of focal lengths. Sells new For $450-500 I believe, But I've seen them used for $350

 

[ShutterSpeed]

I'd reccomend another option, albeit slightly more expensive, look into a Tamron 17-50 2.8. It's a wide, fast lens that covers a very useful range of focal lengths. Sells new For $450-500 I believe, But I've seen them used for $350

That's a good option. I considered going off brand when I did my shopping online. But I'm not familiar with Tamroms or Sigmas, so I just stayed with the Nikon lens. While it's maximum aperture is 3.5, I'll get a useful and practical range for certain situations. Otherwise, I just stick with 35mm prime or 50mm prime all the time.

 

[flea77]

heh, Here we go again, Destin and I on opposite sides

I prefer primes. The difference between focal lengths is just a few steps so I prefer the quality of images I get from primes. Anyway, I prefer the 24mm 2.8D to the 20mm 2.8D unless I really need the extra wideness. Personally I would go 18mm 2.8D, 24mm 2.8D, 50mm 1.4D, 85mm 1.8D, 105mm 2.8D Micro, actually, except for the 18mm (which I will be ordering in a few weeks) that is what I normally use. I have a 24-70 2.8 but rarely use it opting instead for the primes.

Allan

 

[Destin]

Oh, I defintley prefer primes if I'm shooting seriously, because they are so much better optically. (addmittedley I only have a 50 1.8 now, but more primes are next on my list of things to buy) But for a walk around lens, to use indoors, for family photos, I'm going with a zoom all day, because the photos are good enough, and its simply easier. Heck, half the time for indoor famliy photos I just go with a P&S because I tend to worry about image quality too much when I pull my dslr out.

 

[djacobox372]

I'd reccomend another option, albeit slightly more expensive, look into a Tamron 17-50 2.8. It's a wide, fast lens that covers a very useful range of focal lengths. Sells new For $450-500 I believe, But I've seen them used for $350

I'll 2nd this, it's only slightly more expensive then the 20mm prime, but a lot more versatile.I love the 20mm on full frame, but don't think it's nearly as useful on a crop sensor camera.

 

[DiskoJoe]

Tamron also makes a 28-75mm f2.8 that you can get for around $400 new. great lens. I highly recommend fixed aperture as opposed variable aperture like 3.5-5.6.

as for the 20mm. Do you think you would take a lot of shots at 20mm? id put in a third for that tamron 17-50 f2.8.

 

[Destin]

Tamron also makes a 28-75mm f2.8 that you can get for around $400 new. great lens. I highly recommend fixed aperture as opposed variable aperture like 3.5-5.6.

as for the 20mm. Do you think you would take a lot of shots at 20mm? id put in a third for that tamron 17-50 f2.8.

The 28-75 is probably a great lens on full frame cameras. But with a 1.6x crop factor it becomes roughly a 43-112mm lens. That's not very wide, at all. Just pointing this out so it's clear to the OP

 

[tron]

18-105 is a decent lens, thats the one i use for a walkaround lens. i might have missed it but what is your budget? thats a good place to start imo. i see a lot of people worrying about filling gaps in the focal length range, usually theres enough room to take a step back or a step forward

and fwiw check out the 35mm 1.8 af-s. great lens thats pretty cheap too. i really like prime lenses a whole lot more, once you get used to them the fixed focal length "con" solves itself. in fact i rarely zoom any of my zoom lenses haha.

 

[DiskoJoe]

Tamron also makes a 28-75mm f2.8 that you can get for around $400 new. great lens. I highly recommend fixed aperture as opposed variable aperture like 3.5-5.6.

as for the 20mm. Do you think you would take a lot of shots at 20mm? id put in a third for that tamron 17-50 f2.8.

The 28-75 is probably a great lens on full frame cameras. But with a 1.6x crop factor it becomes roughly a 43-112mm lens. That's not very wide, at all. Just pointing this out so it's clear to the OP

Maybe a tamron 10-24?

 

[ShutterSpeed]

18-105 is a decent lens, thats the one i use for a walkaround lens. i might have missed it but what is your budget? thats a good place to start imo. i see a lot of people worrying about filling gaps in the focal length range, usually theres enough room to take a step back or a step forward

and fwiw check out the 35mm 1.8 af-s. great lens thats pretty cheap too. i really like prime lenses a whole lot more, once you get used to them the fixed focal length "con" solves itself. in fact i rarely zoom any of my zoom lenses haha.

I purchased the 18-105, and I was on a bit of a timeline. And the suggestions for the other lenses basically came after the purchase.
I use primes as well. I love them. I shoot almost everything on 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8. I wanted the 18-55 range that I sold off with my old camera. So the 18-105 is good for day time stuff, but for a night time or dark setting, i would never use it without sufficient lighting.

 

[BigThunder]

Hey Y'all,

Would I be duplicating by getting a 20mm prime lens when I have a 18-105 zoom?

Is the prime 20mm lens really a step up and offer any more "wideness" to a photo?

I was looking at the 10.5mm lens and it sure looks hot!