Lens

Donute · Jul 16, 2015

Hi!
I have a nikon d5200 and i would like to know which lens you think it's more versatile, a 18-55 (made for digital cameras) or a 28-80 (made for non digital cameras), please.
Thank you!

MrMessy · Jul 16, 2015

It sounds like the 28-80 doesn't have a focus motor built in, and the 18-55 does. Assuming that's the case, I would go with the 18-55 if I were you. Your camera will be able to use auto focus with it. It's a good general purpose lens, and is included as a kit lens with many bodies for a reason.

nerwin · Jul 16, 2015

I think the Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-f/4.5 is a rather versatile lens and quite cheap. It has good optics, it's a DX lens so it will work with your D5200. But it does not have VR like the 18-55 does. Sigma's 17-50 2.8 OS is a pretty good lens as well.

dennybeall · Jul 16, 2015

The D5100 does not have an internal focus motor, it has to be in the lens and that's indicated by an "S" in the lens name if it's a Nikon lens i.e. Nikkor AF-S 18-140mm. You can use other lenses but will have to manually focus and that can be a bother. A Sigma lens, like say the Sigma DC HSM 10-20mm will have the info in the literature touting the quiet focus motor.............

Donute · Jul 16, 2015

Thank you for all your replies! The auto focus is definetly an up point. I am asking because I was told that lens made for non digital cameras double their reach when used in digital cameras. Can anyone please tell me if this true?
Thanks

wfooshee · Jul 19, 2015

That "double their reach" statement is a very bad misunderstanding of the difference between DX and FX sensor sizes.

An image with a certain focal length on a DX camera (yours) will have a field of view similar to a lens about half again the focal length on an FX (full-frame) camera. A 200mm lens on the D5200 gives the same view as a 300mm lens on a D750, for example. That's what's meant be "extra reach."

The focal length doesn't change beacus it's a DX or FX lens or camera. 50mm is 50mm, period. What changes is the field of view of the image, which is simply an effect of the different sensor size.

It also doesn't have anything to do with digital or non-digital. It's just about sensor size. FX sensors are pretty much the same size as 35mm film was, so lenses on those cameras behave the same as they did in the film world. Digital doesn't change them.