Which Lens?

cccott3 · Oct 15, 2011

I am going to purchase a Nikon D7000 and was wondering if I should get it with kit lens 18-105, 15-55 or with the tamron 17-50? I am also purchasing a sigma 50 1.4 and already have a Nikon 55-200.

Netskimmer · Oct 15, 2011

I got my D7000 body only and got the Tamron XR 17-50 (without vibration control) and I really like it. I can't comment on the other two lenses.

BJF · Oct 15, 2011

D7000 is the best entry level DSLR in the market. Congrats!

Since you already got 55-200mm, 18-55mm VR can be a good choice. (Is 15-55 a typo?)

Recommend an article about lens choice: Know Digital SLR in 5 Minutes - Lens choice

Here you are a reference of Nikon zoom lenses: Nikon Zooms

cccott3 · Oct 15, 2011

Yes that's a typo... Sorry

flatflip · Oct 16, 2011

If your 55-200 is VR, get the body only.

Do you have a local shop where you can try out the Tamron? Adorama has a 30 day return policy. I bought a used Tamron 17-50 for my D7000 and it had back-focusing issues. I sold it to a D2 owner that had no issues with it. Then I got a new Tamron 28-75 and it's great.

dakkon76 · Oct 16, 2011

From what I've seen, the sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 is a better choice than the tamron. That's a great lens to start with, which ever of the 2 you choose.

cccott3 · Oct 16, 2011

Unfortunately the are no camera shops where I'm from the closest thing is a best buy and it's pretty small but I am going to see what they have before I buy.

ZapoTeX · Oct 16, 2011

I'd go for the 18-105. One of the best quality/price ratio in the whole Nikon current line-up (together with the 50 F/1.8 AF-D, probably the best).

True, you'd have an overlap, but the 18-105 is much sharper than the 18-55.

A further step-up would be the 16-85, but quality/price ratio is much lower, simply because the price is 3 times as much

fotomanjack · Oct 16, 2011

My choice would be the 18-105. Much sharper than the 18-55, and in my view, much more versatile. Rather than a Tamron lens, I'd go for a Tokina or Sigma. Just adding my 2 cents here.

flatflip · Oct 16, 2011

edit; sorry, complete delete. I miss-read before I posted (#10).

cccott3 · Oct 16, 2011

What about a used nikon 16-85? Are used really not a good idea? I have no clue.if not its looking like nikon 18-105 or Tamron 17-50?

flatflip · Oct 16, 2011

cccott3 said:
What about a used nikon 16-85? Are used really not a good idea? I have no clue.if not its looking like nikon 18-105 or Tamron 17-50?

I read a good review on the 16-85. The review was from 2008 but still... Are you considering the one in the forum's marketplace? I thought it was a great price (I think I saw $140).

cccott3 · Oct 16, 2011

I actually haven't looked there? I'm not sure if I would buy used? I just can't believe I'm have such a hard time with this! I thought picking the body was hard.... I have also read that the sigma 17-70 is a great choice and many prefer it over the Tamron.