Which lens?

[diam0nds]

Which Nikkor lens will best suit a d7000 for general use such as portraits, pets, landmarks etc?

 

[Patrice]

Do you have a budget in mind?

Lenses that you can use for the photos you describe range from $35 (second hand) to nearly $2000 or more.

Nearly any lens can be used for nearly any genre of photo, depends on the photographer and his/her vision.

Popular lenses for d7000 type cameras (crop bodies) are:

35mm prime as general lens.

50 mm and 85 mm primes as portrait.

24/28 mm prime as general lens.

zooms starting at 12 to 14 mm for general and landscape.

17-55 or 18-70 kit zooms for general

24/28-70 zooms for general and portrait

24-120 zoom for general, portrait and short telephoto

70-200 for portrait and telephoto.


and the list goes on.


Someone is sure to suggest this set so I'll just save them the time:

The Nikon zoom trinity is a good set but a bit expensive: 14-24 mm f/2.8, 24-70 mm f/2.8, 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR-II. To that you could add 200, 300, 400 and 600 mm fast primes if you really want to push the boat out.

The only limit you might have in your choice is the extent of your stock portfolio.

 

[table1349]

There are no lenses that are best suited to any particular camera body. If it fits the body it is suited. The best suited lens is the one that meet the photographers needs.

 

[orb9220]

Yep that is why I generally recommend starting with the kit lens. Like for the D7000 the general kit lens that comes with like the 18-105 is a good start. Start with that and start learning and define your style and needs. Then you will have a better understanding of what you need. Doesn't make sense to start buying a bunch of lenses when they may not be for you. If wanting a second lens to add to the kit then look into the 50mm f1.8 prime lens which will expand your learning and seeing and learning composing and depth of field.
.

 

[djacobox372]

Unless you're willing to spend the big bucks on a 24-70mm f2.8 nikkor, then the best "normal" zooms are not nikon.

Check out the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and the tamron 28-75mm f2.8. They are better then any of nikons "budget" normal zooms.

There are basically five price/performance levels of lens:

from cheapest/worst to most expensive/best:

1) no-name brand, ultra cheap and ultra horrible (typically cheap chinese lenses available online)
2) budget/consumer lenses from respected third party brands (tamron, sigma, tokina), some of these are good especially their ultra-wides and macro offerings.
3) budget/consumer lenses from nikon/canon
4) pro lenses from tamron, sigma, tokina--typically identified by fixed f2.8 apertures.
5) pro lenses from nikon/canon

Most people can't afford 5, but 4 is often a better choice then 3.

 

[IgsEMT]

All above are 10000% correct.
On specific lens to start with try 18-70 nikon. It's about $200, I feel it's a bit better quality then 18-105 and would last u a good while b4 u need an upgrade.

 

[orb9220]

All above are 10000% correct.
On specific lens to start with try 18-70 nikon. It's about $200, I feel it's a bit better quality then 18-105 and would last u a good while b4 u need an upgrade.

Yep is a classic and probably the best kit lens that Nikon made. Tho discontinued can be found used for around $200. Better Build than any of the other kit lenses. Only downside is no VR which can come in handy for static non-moving shots. But VR is least required for under the 100mm range. But VR can give a stop or two of leeway for lower light situations static handheld shots.
.

 

[flatflip]

Which Nikkor lens will best suit a d7000 for general use such as portraits, pets, landmarks etc?

I think the Nikkor 18-105 kit lens is a good lens and like orb was saying, you can get a great idea of what you might need next. I sold mine for $225 on craigslist and got a Tamron 28-75, like djacobox mentioned. I love it for sharpness and low light performance / DOF control.

 

[IgsEMT]

Another great lens is 28-105 3.5-4.5 also by Nikon. But in a crop frame zoom range is tighter. It's about 200$ if u can find it.
Nikon 24-85 2.8-4 is yet another beast with GREAT optical performance.

 

[photo_joe]

I like my Sigma 85mm 1.4f since it makes me get creative since I can't just zoom to change my composition. I have to move or the object being photographed has to move. Like people said it's going to be personal preference a long with what kind of budget you have.

 

[cgipson1]

I like the Sigma 50mm 1.4... it is great for low light.. and is very sharp. Beats the Nikon 50mm 1.4 and 1.8... and is relatively inexpensive (half the price of the 85mm they make)... both are great lenses!

 

[Nikon_Josh]

I like the Sigma 50mm 1.4... it is great for low light.. and is very sharp. Beats the Nikon 50mm 1.4 and 1.8... and is relatively inexpensive (half the price of the 85mm they make)... both are great lenses!

This feels like De Ja vu, a Canon user had exactly the same question a few days back!

I second this recommendation, The Sigma 50 1.4 is the best lens for DX portraits and pets etc.. my view is if you want one the consumer 18-XX lenses which have variable apertures. Get an 18-55 VR, it is cheap cheap cheap! And it is sharp for the money giving you a bit of flexibility, I think the extra cash spent on 18-105's or 18-70's is a waste of cash unless you need the slightly extra range. If you do need the telephoto range though, you should get a telephoto lens/zoom. A lens built for being a telephoto, not some 'trying to be everything' lens.

 

[djacobox372]

IMO: The best price/performance/usability value for a d7000 is the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 vc

 

[orb9220]

IMO: The best price/performance/usability value for a d7000 is the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 vc

Yep was the one I upgraded too from my 18-55 kit lens and been a main lens for 4 yrs. As constant f2.8 means extending usability in more situations like lower light and indoors. Image IQ takes a giant leap up also. And if a person finds they shoot a lot in that range then highly recommended. Achieves 80%-90% of the Image IQ of the $1400 Nikon 17-55 f2.8 at a third of the price.
.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Which Nikkor lens will best suit a d7000 for general use such as portraits, pets, landmarks etc?

A 24-70 F2.8 lives on my D7000 for general photography. But as everyone pointed out, there is a plethora of lenses to suit your general needs.