[Wannabe]

Its my bday in the middle of Feb. and i'm pretty sure I can sweet talk my way into getting a new lens (or 2) from Dh..

So far I have 2 lenses.. 18-135mm lens, and a 50mm lens. These are the ones i'm wondering about..

Nikon Lens - AF 70-300mm f4-5.6G

Nikon Lens - AF 28mm f2.8D

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 G ED

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm F3.5-5.6 G IF-ED


Which would you suggest and why?

Thanks so much for your help!!

[stepheno]

Hi Wannabe, you haven't said anything about why you want a new lens. Ok, the 18-135 isn't the bees knees but it is a capable lens and covers a good range. Are you looking to replace that, and why, or are you looking to add to it, and again, for what purpose.

You really have to think about what your photography requires of a lens - are you into sport, landscape, portrait? That is what you need to be thinking about. Sorry not to be more positive but the bottom line is - what do you need a new lens for?

[Dabhand16]

What you have not told us is what sort of photography you do most, or what you find you can't do well at the moment due to lens restrictions.

Looking at what you have at the moment, your most obvious shortfall is in the telephoto area, so the 70-300 is going to extend your range.

But, if what you do most (or a lot of) is landscapes, or night shots, the fast 28mm could be useful. The 18-55 and 55-200 would not make the list.

I notice you do not include wide angle lenses in your list, so I wonder if you realise just how useful they are.

[Wannabe]

Ummm.. 'cause I want one...

I guess I just want one for different range.. kwim? I'm new to photography, so am just learning.. I take a lot of pics of my kids.. but when the weathers a bit nicer, i'd like to get out more to snap outdoor pics..

[Wannabe]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

What you have not told us is what sort of photography you do most, or what you find you can't do well at the moment due to lens restrictions.

Looking at what you have at the moment, your most obvious shortfall is in the telephoto area, so the 70-300 is going to extend your range.

But, if what you do most (or a lot of) is landscapes, or night shots, the fast 28mm could be useful. The 18-55 and 55-200 would not make the list.

I notice you do not include wide angle lenses in your list, so I wonder if you realise just how useful they are.

What would the wide angle lens be?

Honestly.. I don't know much about any of these lenses to be brutally honest.. so I come hear to ask the pro's..

I guess I just want something new to try out..

[Wannabe]

Here's the 28mm lens.. it says 'wide angle'... ?

Mostly Digital : Nikon Lens - AF 28mm f2.8D

[Dabhand16]

FWIW - I had my Nikon with the kit 18-70 lens for 15 months before I bought any other lenses.

By that time, I knew what I needed, and the first extra lens was the Sigma 10-20.

[stupot]

If you like landscapes Wannabe then a wide angle lens would be a very worthy addition to your kit. My wide angle lens is whats attached to my camera 80% of the time.

The Sigma 10-22mm or Tokina 12-24mm (which is what i have) are both very good lenses.

[IanHoughton]

Originally Posted by Wannabe

Its my bday in the middle of Feb. and i'm pretty sure I can sweet talk my way into getting a new lens (or 2) from Dh..

So far I have 2 lenses.. 18-135mm lens, and a 50mm lens. These are the ones i'm wondering about..

Nikon Lens - AF 70-300mm f4-5.6G

Nikon Lens - AF 28mm f2.8D

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 G ED

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm F3.5-5.6 G IF-ED


Which would you suggest and why?

Thanks so much for your help!!

When I bought my D50 as a kit, I got the 18-55 & 55-200 kit lens. After a while I have found myself struggling with the 18-55 in that it was not "fast" enough, so I went out and bought the Sigma 18-50 f2.8, it cost about £120 s/h. (For examples of the shots with this lens, see my post here or here)

I have also bought the Nikon 50mm f1.8, but I have not used this anywhere near what I thought I would.

If your thinking of trying your hand at Landscapes then the Sigma 10-22mm is a no brainer, its probable the next lens on my list !!! From what you've said so far, I would steer clear of the 28mm lens, putting this on your D80 it would not be very wide.

The 55-200 wouldn't give you much more reach than the 18-135, and it's not the best lens Nikon has made, I wouldn't put this on my list again.

Cheers Ian

[simpbow]

I used the Nikon 18-70mm on me D70 which is a cracking lens for a couple of years before i changed to the Tokina 12-24mm which iam also very happy with for doing landscapes.