Recommended lens for newbie

[TBarr10]

Hello all, I am newly registered to the forum. I have been visiting for a couple of weeks and now that I've purchased my first dslr I thought I'd sign up so I could ask some questions. I just purchased a used Nikon D5000 that came with everything but a lens. I am not a professional, nor do I have the desire to be one. I just have always wanted to take better pictures than the cheap point and shoots and cell phones we always have with us. My family spends a lot of time on our boat in the summer so my pictures will consist of scenery, family and friends, parties, and life in general. I do not want to break the bank and would like honest opinions on a good all purpose lense that will take care of most of my needs. Thanks in advance.

 

[Birddogyz]

Look at the Tamron 18-270 lens. It is a good all purpose lenses. It is a F3.5 to 5.6 so it is not the best for low light, but it will not break the bank.

 

[robbins.photo]

Hello all, I am newly registered to the forum. I have been visiting for a couple of weeks and now that I've purchased my first dslr I thought I'd sign up so I could ask some questions. I just purchased a used Nikon D5000 that came with everything but a lens. I am not a professional, nor do I have the desire to be one. I just have always wanted to take better pictures than the cheap point and shoots and cell phones we always have with us. My family spends a lot of time on our boat in the summer so my pictures will consist of scenery, family and friends, parties, and life in general. I do not want to break the bank and would like honest opinions on a good all purpose lense that will take care of most of my needs. Thanks in advance.

My recommendation would be that you purchase a standard kit lens, such as the 18-55 mm AF-S VR. It will cover most of your basic needs to start with, then as you get more accustomed to using the camera you can decide from there what other lenses you'd like to add based on your particular needs. As to not breaking the bank, you can get one refurbished with a warranty for less than 100 bucks. Kind of hard to beat at that price:

Refurbished Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Lens - Refurbished by Nikon USA 2170 B

 

[PaulWog]

The 35mm 1.8G might actually be worth looking at. It's an all-around lens that you can do anything with. It cannot zoom in and out (it's a set focal length), but it's an f1.8 lens (quick aperture). That means you'll be able to play around with shots and get those nice shots with extremely blurred backgrounds and all that.

If I had $200, was buying new, and could only have one lens, I'd probably pick the 35mm 1.8G for the D5000. However, for a beginner, the 18-55 at $80 is also a great choice for learning. It's an entirely different lens: It's slower (slower means the aperture is a bigger number, f3.5-f5.6), not as sharp, but it is cheap & it can zoom in and out so you can try different things.

 

[TBarr10]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[goodguy]

Look at the Tamron 18-270 lens. It is a good all purpose lenses. It is a F3.5 to 5.6 so it is not the best for low light, but it will not break the bank.

Sorry but I really dont recommend any extreme zoom lenses, those are very practical but you pay with sharpness.
Why get a DSLR is you dont aspire to get the best pictures possible ?

My advice is get the Nikon 18-105mm VR used and if you cant afford it then the Nikon 18-55mm used
Also Nikon 50mm 1.8G is a good option

 

[beachrat]

I agree with robbins and goodguy.
Those lenses are definitely good enough to get you going.