[karanga]

I expect this is an impossible question to answer as it's down to preference but!

If you were given the choice for your second camera related purchase would you opt for:

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Zoom lens 18-200mm - f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR

or

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 DI Macro lens with a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF535 & PH157Q

I have a Nikon D80 with the kit 18-70mm lens, could this be used for macro photography until I out grow it or am I trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

I know I should probably get a good tripod first which is leading me toward the macro lens as I would probably use it more to begin with.

Is macro photography any hard to master?

If I had the money I think I would go for a tripod and Telephoto lens as that would provide me with a setup that covered a nice range of the spectrum until my experience/knowledge kicked in and highlighted what I needed next.

Any advice gratefully accepted

Dan

[Dave]

First off I reviewed the stated tripod here. Now re Macro vs 18-200mm lens, I would simply say the 18-200mm provides so much more versatility in what you can shoot, plus you could sell the 18-70 to go towards your macro lens

[_MB_]

I'd echo Dave's thoughts with the added purchase of a camera beanbag, they cost around 10 quid off ebay and if you do get the macro lens, you could use this is good support until you get a tripod.

[karanga]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Always nice when you get consistent advice, makes life a lot easier.

Dan

[JMitchell]

I think at the stage that you're at with lenses (basically where I was about a year ago), I'd get the 18-200, (I got the Sigma 70-300), and then get the 90mm, don't forget about it, because it is a fantastic lens with very high image quality, and something that I think most photographers should have in their bag as it's not too expensive and fantastic for what it does cost.

[M1ke A]

I'm not a fan of zooms with huge ranges such as that but they are versatile.

So, how about getting the tripod and the zoom?

[karanga]

Happy New Year Everyone!

I've decided to take the wise advice from above and blow my bonus/christmas/birthday money on a Velbon CF535 Carbon Fibre Tripod + Head ordered through Bristol Cameras.

and a Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Zoom lens 18-200mm - f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR

I'm torn between getting the lens from Hong Kong Supplies via ebay for £319 + £38 postage = (£357)

or

Get it from Cameras2u for £429-£12 discount coupon (£417).

I gather that the HK ebay purchase could be liable to customs duty of (do I not like this country!) VAT(17.5%) + 4% + £8 which I work out to be around (319+55.83+12.76+8) + 38 postage = £433 total.

My two hypothetical questions are:

Would the warranty be that much different between the two? (international and local)
What are the chances or being clobbered by Madge and her Custom boys and girls?

Thanks for any advice

Dan

sorry if this question has been asked before but I couldn't find anything with the forum search. I blame the egg nogg

[JMitchell]

If you're going for a HK dealer, definitely go through onestop-digital.com. They aren't open till the 3rd of Jan or something (internet site!? Open!?), but they are reliable - many members have bought from them - and very good prices. They also refund you if you get taxed (which I've never heard of happening with them)

[Rob Barron]

Onestop are not now open until 7th Jan. Also their price is £419 on this particular lens (they are usually cheaper than most others but not in this case) so you'd be just as well getting it from Cameras2U if you want to avoid potential problems.

I buy from Onestop a lot and have been highly satisfied with them and they give a no-duty guarantee but if you can get it in the UK cheaper then logic says go for it.

Glad you got the Sherpa Pro, I have one and it's a great tripod. However I'd have gone for the 545 instead of the 535 as the latter is in 3 sections whereas the former is 4 sections and thus collapses a little smaller. Doesn't matter much, you've got a really good stable tripod that is very portable so no worries there.

Cheers,
Rob