Multiple Nikkor lenses

[ALCOEN]

Good afternoon,

I have a NIKON D80 with a 18-200mm lens, i have lately received a 55-200mm as a present, I have taken up photography lately and would very much appreciate a more experienced opinion on these two lenses.

Thank you

 

[Goontz]

Opinion about what, specifically? The 18-200 is very well known for a "do it all" lens, with the zoom range that it has. Any lens with such a wide range isn't going to be spectacular in any one thing, but is great all around. The 55-200 is also known to be a very good lens in it's price point and class, usually accompanying the kit 18-55 lenses. Having a 55-200 seems redundant considering you have the same range with the 18-200.

 

[PhotoXopher]

I'd sell both and pick up a couple fast Sigmas like the 18-50 HSM Macro f/2.8 and 70-200 HSM II f/2.8, but if you like the one lens solution keep the 18-200 and sell the 55-200.

Both the lenses you have a nice lenses, they're just not great in low light with a minimum aperture of f/3.5 and that changes as you soom to f/5.6. Having a constant f/2.8 or better lens for low light conditions will help a lot, especially on the D80 that begins to get drastically noisy at 800 and higher ISO.

 

[KmH]

Good afternoon,

I have a NIKON D80 with a 18-200mm lens, i have lately received a 55-200mm as a present, I have taken up photography lately and would very much appreciate a more experienced opinion on these two lenses.

Thank you

What kind of photography have you taken up?

Both lenses are variable aperture zooms. Both are limited to a maximum aperture opening of f/5.6 at 200mm.

 

[ALCOEN]

Thank you for your reply,
I usually take pictures of scenery, family and portraits
i have been suggested to return the 55-200mm lens and buy instead a wide angle i.e. 10-20mm
what do you suggest ?

 

[TJ K]

For scenery/landscapes a 10-20 would be nice but that's about it. For portraits you're going to want 50mm and up preferably something like an 85mm prime or a 70-200 2.8 is also great for portraits. The nikon 50 1.8 is about 100 so it's quite affordable. The 85 1.8 is about 450 but really nice length for portraits. It all really depends on what your budget is.
TJ

 

[KmH]

I would keep the 55-200 for now and sell the 18-200 because it will bring more $$$'s for replacing it. In fact, I did exactly that a couple years back by selling an 18-200 I had. I even gave the 18-200 a second try but have a low opinion of the lens.
Actually, I consider the 18-200 to be the worst value in Nikons current lens lineup.

As mentioned for lanscape/family/portaits there are much better choices:

The Budget Nikon Trinity

AF-S 12-24 f/4G (for landscapes)
AF 24-85 mm f/2.8-4D (for landscapes/family/portraits/1:2 macro work)
AF 80-200 f/2.8 (for family/portraits)

add the following to have a complete kit:
AF 50 mm f/1.8D (for family/portraits)
AF 85 mm f/1.8D (for family/portraits)