Help me choose a lens, please!

souljourney · Aug 28, 2007

Hi all! I am new around these parts and would love a bit of advice. After many years of shooting with my film SLRs and toying with digital on a CoolPix 5700, I'm buying a D80 this weekend. :biggrin:

Here's the deal: I really only have the money to get one decent lens at the moment. (I will probably not get the kit so that I can spend the money on a better lens that will better suit my needs) I want a decent zoom range and macro capabilities. While in lurking, I have read that there is a Sigma lens on the market for around 600-700 that some of you really like. Does anyone know what lens that might be...or have any other suggestions for me? The local shop seems to be limited on their selection so I will probably be ordering from B&H.

Thanks!

Michelle

Mike_E · Aug 28, 2007

Hi Michelle, welcome! Think about a new Nikon 50mm f1.8, a used 24mm f2.8 and a used 70-210mm f4-5.6d. All of these together will be under what you would pay for a new sigma and are really fine lenses. The 24mm is equivalent to a 36mm on a film camera and isn't that wide but isn't too bad either. All are very sharp.

mike

Don Simon · Aug 28, 2007

Hello and welcome to TPF!

There are a number of good Sigma lenses on the market, so it's difficult to work out which one you're referring to... but it sounds like you're talking about a 'super-zoom' going from wide-angle all the way to telephoto... an 18-200? If so, personally I would avoid it and most other all-in-one lenses and instead try to cover the range you need with two or three lenses like Mike suggested.

EOS_JD · Aug 28, 2007

Is it the 17-70 f2.8-4? Seems to get a good write up from the many users of it. Although I prefer to stay away from variable max aperture lenses, I think this is one of the better ones.

XJBaylor · Aug 28, 2007

The Nikon 18-200 VR is the best "all-in-one" lens available as far as I am concerned. However, I would decide if flexibilty or quality means more to you. If you bought the kit lens, and a 50/1.8 you would have a versatile lens and a very high quality lens.
I would recommend buying a 24-70 or 28-70 2.8 lens. Versatile, fast, high quality.
Keith

xfloggingkylex · Aug 28, 2007

hands down, the new sigma 18-50 2.8 macro. Just about the same range as a kit lens but faster, and close focus ability. Macro here is of course not true macro, but its praised as being a better lense than the non-macro version before it which many will tell you is a quality lens.

souljourney · Aug 28, 2007

Thanks all! :hail: I guess it didn't occur to me that I should look into used lenses, too! (It's been a LOOOONG time since I've bought equipment) My favorite manual macro was a used lens and I've got a good 6 years out of it and STILL love it. I like your idea, Mike. Off to research my options!

droyz2000 · Aug 29, 2007

I would look for some thing that did not have a huge range but had a large aperture. Since getting a 50mm 1.8 and a 70-200 2.8, I never use my kit lens of 18-70 3.5-5.6 because it does not perform well in low light. Something with a large aperture typically will be a lens that will stay with you your entire photography career.

itoncool · Sep 1, 2007

If you want a nikkor, 18-200 VR is a great lens, depends on your budget, if the price is in your range, you can put it on your top list.

50 1.8 is a great choice too, cheap, sharp, light weight, good in low light situation, versatile for any kind of photography. What else you could ask from a lens?
Honestly, I've never get bored with my 50 (mine is 1.4).

Felix 222 · Sep 2, 2007

i bought my nikon 18-200mm vr lens yesterday and love it.

excellent lens but...it can't focus very close for those macro shots. unfortunately, i was able to get A LOT closer with my 18-55mm kit lens on the d40...

not a huge deal considering all the benefits of the 18-200