help noob choose len/lens PLZ

[Devananda]

Man this whole lens thing is deep stuff I have been lost in it for the last couple of days..

I am a new photog. and will be shooting a wide rang of stuff like wildlife, to people ect. In other words I really don't know my style or needs are yet.

I chose the nikon D80
and these are the lens I am thinking about: (all are nikon glass)

1st two lens pkg:
18-55 f/3.5-5.6 DC G AF
55-200F/4-5.6ED AF

2nd lens pkg:
18-55 f/3.5-5.6 DC G AF
70-300 F/4-5.6 G AF

or this set up:
18-200MM F3.5-5.6 G ED VRII

I have read all the reviews on all these lens and man it just made me more confused. I leaning towards the 18-200 but the first pKG is nice all so.
if you have used any of these lenses feel free chime in.
thanks

 

[table1349]

One thing to keep in mind. The bigger the distance betweeen focal lengths for a zoom lens, the more image quality problems you will experience. It is harder and much more expensive to engeineer such a lens. Since I do not shoot Nikon I can not comment on the lenses you have choosen. I will say however that if you are looking to truely shoot wildlife, not zoo shots, then none of the lenses you have listed are particularly suited. Most wildlife shooters have at least a 400mm lens or longer. Hopefully some Nikon shooters will be able to advise you of the quality of the lenses you have listed.

 

[JIP]

Personally #2 is your best bet you can do a search here and get extensive discussion about the 18-200 and find alot of negatives I think it is too much range for a lens and this is the problem most people have this kind of range causes focus problems at the extreme ends of focal lengths. I have also seen the 55-200 working at Ritz and it is a real piece of crap.

 

[Devananda]

hey JIp yea I was thinking that the 18-55 and the 70-300 were prob. the best glass for me at the moment.
I did do a search on the 18-200 here on TPF did not find a whole lot on that lens. some like it and some don't.
what about the 18-70mm is that a better piece of glass than the 18-55? is it worth the extra bucks?

 

[JIP]

The 18-70 is definately a better lens than the 18-55.

 

[Devananda]

OK I think I am going with this set up:
nikon D80 with
18-70 F3.545G ED if AF DX
70-300MM F/4-5.6AF G
so what do you all think about this set up? well it Be a good beginner's set up

 

[ericande]

OK I think I am going with this set up:
nikon D80 with
18-70 F3.545G ED if AF DX
70-300MM F/4-5.6AF G
so what do you all think about this set up? well it Be a good beginner's set up

I'm fairly new as well. I have the 70-300mm lens and it is a decent setup. One thing I think you'll notice is that at first you'll be amazed by the quality of those lenses and then in about 6 months you'll try something else (such as the 70-200mm VR lens) and realize how they are lacking. I personally would go with the lenses you mentioned here, you'll be happy with them and they aren't too expensive. I recently shot a bit with the 18-200mm VRII and it is incredible for what it does, but does suffer a bit compared to the 18-70 which I used to compare. BUT I could only tell the difference when directly comparing.

 

[JIP]

I recently shot a bit with the 18-200mm VRII and it is incredible for what it does, but does suffer a bit compared to the 18-70 which I used to compare. BUT I could only tell the difference when directly comparing.

I think this should tell you what you need to know a direct comparison to a much cheaper lens shows a quality difference STAY AWAY from the 18-200. The combo you have chosen is a great choice for you.

 

[Jeremy Z]

Devananda, I don't think you should get the 70-300 yet.

Get the 18-70 and shoot all the stuff you want to shoot. Develop some skill and an eye for composition first.

It may turn out that you like landscapes the best, and you want a wide angle zoom.

Or you may find that you like macro the best and you'll end up with a macro lens. (which can also work very well for portraits) Or architecture, and a PC lens. You get the idea.

There might be things about the inexpensive zooms that you don't like, and you may decide it is worth the extra money to get a nice f/2.8 tele zoom like JIP did. You might find that the 18-70 does almost everything for you, and that you want a proper flash next instead.

Hold off, there's no rush.

The 18-70 was intended as a kit lens for the D80. Nikon wanted to put something a bit more classy with this upgraded camera. The 18-55 is good too, it just looks & feels cheap. Optically, it is very good, especially for the money. The reviews report better than average distortion control for a lens in this class.

 

[Devananda]

Jeremy, good point , however I do need a lens with some reach to it for wildlife. and from what I have read the nikon 70-300 is an ok lens that delivers good quality at an reasonable price. so on that note i think I will get it, develop my skills then when I out grow the lens sell it off and get something better in a year or so. + I need a nice quality cheap lens when I travel.

 

[fmw]

I'm with Jeremy. None of these lenses are among the great Nikkors. Personally, I believe having fewer great lenses is better than having a whole stable of "kit" lenses. Get something with which to get started. Then later upgrade to something better if you can. Do that before you ever get the second lens.

I own both of the lenses in the first choice. I bought them in ignorance when I bought my D50 and I have replaced both of them since then. If you want, I'll sell them both to you cheaply. They are the worst Nikkor lenses I have ever encountered. Tamron, Sigma etc. make much better lenses than these and the great Nikkors are even better than those but pricey.

 

[Kaye68]

OK I think I am going with this set up:
nikon D80 with
18-70 F3.545G ED if AF DX
70-300MM F/4-5.6AF G
so what do you all think about this set up? well it Be a good beginner's set up

I like this setup as I have those lenses too. I also added over time the 50mm f/1.8 and the 105mm macro lens and the SB600 external flash. This setup works great for me as a hobbyist. I have tried a few others but for what I do it is actually perfect for me. So unless you plan to go pro over time you should be very happy.

Oh I also had the 18-200mm VR for 6 months and sold it because the limitations of that lens was not satifying to me. For me that was the best move I ever made. It is ture what they say it is a good lens for what it is but it will lack sharpnes on both ends.

 

[Dm3k1]

if you dont mind the price, I'd take the 18-200mm VR. It is an amazing lens for what it was designed for. If you expect rainbows you'll see showers- if you expect a reasonable day, you just might see that rainbow.

That sums up the 18-200mm VR for me. It is an excellent versitile lens if that is what you are looking for, one lens that you dont need to constantly change (avoid cleanings) smaller travel. It is a lens you can use for 80% of your shooting without a problem. I'd chose it over all those options unless you are strictly using a tripod (as the 55-200 and 70-300 you failed to mention they had VR) which it doesnt sound like that is your plan. For hand-held use the VR is an excellent feature and I think you are better with it than without- plus for someone just starting out, that lens holds its value.


Now the 18-70mm is a great choice as well if you package it with a 70-300mm VR (but will cost more). I recomment either the 18-55 + the 70-300mm VR or the Just 18-200mm VR either way they will cost you close to the same.

 

[daybreak]

I would go with the 18-200VR. It really is so convenient not to have to change lenses and it's just an awesome walk-around lens.

I have the 18-55 and the 55-200 (non VR) and there is no reason to go with those two over the 18-200VR besides cost. I hate having to change lenses between those two. Definitely go with the 18-200 over the 18-55/55-200 combo.

The 18-70 + the 70-300 is another great option, but I would still opt for the 18-200VR over that combo.

 

[JIP]

Where did all this come from?.
Did anyone notice this thread died in Feb?. Let it stay dead.
I imagine the guy bought the lense or didn't but by this time I figure a decision has been made.