Your Top 3 Lenses for 3 different budgets

***Dave*** · 07-01-2006, 14:29

Thought this thread might be of use to beginners & more experienced alike. There is lot of knowledge on this forum in terms of experience of certain lenses & research from other locations.

Challenge : You are only allowed to choose 3 lenses for your ideal setup, for 3 different budget groups per brand new lens. £200, £500 & £1000 per lens (sorry, no £1k+ for Arkady

). Please indicate after lens choice if this is based on experience or reviews.

I'll give it a go with my limited knowledge

£200 Budget per lens
1. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF-ED DX - £190 (from experience)
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D Lens - £152 (based on f/1.8 experience)
3. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens £120 (based on test plus reviews)

£500 Budget per lens
1. Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens - £325 (based on experience)
2. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens - £260 (based on reviews)
3. Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Macro Lens - £340 (based on reviews)
* For 2) & 3) I would include Sigma 2x convertor at circa £120

£1000 Budget per lens
1. Nikon 12-24mm F4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom - £570 (based on reviews)
2. Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S Zoom - £999 (based on reviews)
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 G VR IF-ED Lens - £960 (based on reviews)

Prices taken from Onestop & Microglobe

Over to others now.....you don't have to complete all budgets if you haven't thought of lenses at that price bracket before.

Warspite · 07-01-2006, 15:43

Here is my limp attempt:

£200 Budget per lens
1. Canon EF 50mm f1.8 MKI / MKII - £50/£70 (experience)

£500 Budget per lens
1. Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM - £480 (Based on reviews)
2. Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM - £270 (Based on reviews)
3. Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-4.5 IS USM - £330 (Based on reviews)

£1000 Budget per lens
1. Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM - £890 (Based on reviews)
2. Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L IS - £695 (Based on reviews)
3. Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM - £545 (Based on reviews)

(Prices from WarehouseExpress.com)
Great idea BTW DJW, as I'm after some lenses and could do with a concensus to guide my decision

Arkady · 07-01-2006, 16:02

Ignoring that callous slur, here's my choice for those fortunate enough to have sold the wife and kids for medical experiments:

Cheapo Kit
http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....00 &catId=117

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....47 &catId=119

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....50 &catId=121

What I'd Actually Use and will be issued shortly

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....00 &catId=117

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....28 &catId=117

http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....91 &catId=121

No prices as I usually buy my own kit from Warehouse Express. Yes I do buy my own kit (shock) sometimes. Still got my F5 kit, FM2 kit and Leica kit as well as the medium-format Pentax and Hasselblads/doorstops.

***Dave*** · 07-01-2006, 19:07

Rob, noticed you will be moving from 28-80 f/2.8 to 17-55 f/2.8 . Any reason for the change, as both are highly rated on FM, cost the same (NA to work), plus I would have thought 28-80 would fit better into range between 2 other lenses you are getting ?

Matt · 07-01-2006, 20:21

£200 Budget
1 Canon EF 50mm f1.8II (own) or Nikon variant.
2 Canon/Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own/lent).
3 Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di (lent).

£500 Budget
1 Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM (lent).
2 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di 1:1 Macro (own).
3 Tamron AF 180mm f3.5 Di 1:1 Macro (wish list).

£1000 Budget
1 Nikon AFS-G VR 70-200mm (owned), or Canon EF70-200 f2.8 L IS USM (I’m sure I could find one for a grand if I needed to).
2 Canon EF135mm f2.0 LUSM.
3 Canon EF100-400 f4.5 L IS USM (own),(I’m sure I could find one for a grand also).

IanC_UK · 07-01-2006, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

3 Canon EF100-400 f2.8 L IS USM (own),(I’m sure I could find one for a grand also).

100-400 2.8 ? could you even lift one if it existed Matt ?

Matt · 07-01-2006, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

100-400 2.8 ? could you even lift one if it existed Matt ?

I would certainly try

, it wouldn't be any heavier than the 800

.

IanC_UK · 07-01-2006, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I would certainly try

, it wouldn't be any heavier than the 800

.

Gym membership would be a requirement

LOL

07-01-2006, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

Gym membership would be a requirement

LOL

Just membership? If that's the criteria, then I'm eligible

Braeden · 08-01-2006, 00:12

£200 Budget:

Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 MkII (own it)
Sigma 18-125mm F3.5 - 5.6 DC (looks like a decentish but cheap walkabout lens)
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Macro DG (Own it)

£500 Budget:

Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM (Own it)
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM (Own sigma equivalent but would like IS)
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro (reviews)

£1000 Budget: (all from reviews as they are a pipe dream)

Canon EF17-40 f4 LUSM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM (would try my best to get one for under £1k)

With all of the above I have tried my best to cover all focal ranges (from 17/18mm up to a minimum of 300mm hence I didnt choose the 70-200 L USM lens) with as good a lens as I can get for the money, adding macro where possible

Arkady · 08-01-2006, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJW

Rob, noticed you will be moving from 28-80 f/2.8 to 17-55 f/2.8 . Any reason for the change, as both are highly rated on FM, cost the same (NA to work), plus I would have thought 28-80 would fit better into range between 2 other lenses you are getting ?

Just based on past experience, the lenses I use most are the 17-35 and the 80-200. I have an issued 24-85 f/2.8-4, but prefer the glass optics of my own 28-70 f/2.8.

Practically speaking the 17-55 will bridge enough of the gap covered by my own lens and/or the plastic 24-85.
And it also means I won't be using my own kit on Army Jobs. I nearly lost the camera bag out the side of an RAF Puma last trip, which caused a few palpitations! If it's all Army kit, I'll worry a lot less.

As I shoot with two bodies, I need two lenses that will do for 90% of my work all the time as I need speed of operation above all other considerations - if I have three lenses that I use all the time, you can guarantee that the wrong one will be fitted when a shot presents itself.

The small gap not covered by the two new lenses is quicker covered by my moving than by changing lenses.

***Dave*** · 08-01-2006, 12:47

Makes sense...Thanks Rob.

***Steve*** · 09-01-2006, 13:25

Interesting thread…

£200 Budget
1 Canon EF 50mm f1.8II (own).
2 Canon/Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own).
3 Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di (own).

£500 Budget
1 Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM (own).
2 Canon EF17-40mm f4 L USM (own)
3 Canon EF 50mm f1.4 (Wish List).
4 With the change add in Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own).

£1000 Budget
1 EF16-35mm f2.8 LUSM.
2 Canon EF135mm f2.0 LUSM.
3 EF300mm f4.0 L IS USM
4 With the change add in Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own).

I think I should add that if I have a budget of £1000 for three lenses and already owned none, I would probably still add in the 17-40L instead of the 16-35L and use the saved money elsewhere (50mm f1.8,Flash, tripod, CF cards etc) but for the sake of sticking to the rules…

fingerz · 09-01-2006, 14:36

Yeah I think the concensus on the 16-35L is that it's not worth the money over the 17-40L unless you really, really need f/2.8.

Nice thread btw. Cheers.

***Dave*** · 14-01-2006, 17:17

bump.... come on guys & gals, I spent hours trawling through reviews to decide on lenses......it would have been so much easier if there was a thread like this with lists from people who's photography knowledge & skills I respected. Even part completed lists are OK

Thanks to all those who entered details to date.

Joe T · 14-01-2006, 17:51

£200 budget:

Nikkor 18-70 AF-S (kit lens) £186
Nikkor 50mm f1.8 (or f1.4 if you fancy spashing the cash) £70 / £150
Sigma 70-300 APO £120

£500 budget:

Sigma 100-300 f4 £474
Sigma 105mm Macro £224
Sigma 70-200 2.8 £459

£1000 budget:

Nikkor 17-55 AF-S 2.8 DX
Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR £1,010
Sigma 120-300 2.8 (slightly over budget) £1,130

Prices (where quoted) from onestop digital. UK prices will be significantly higher in some cases.

07-01-2006, 14:29	#1 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Your Top 3 Lenses for 3 different budgets Thought this thread might be of use to beginners & more experienced alike. There is lot of knowledge on this forum in terms of experience of certain lenses & research from other locations. Challenge : You are only allowed to choose 3 lenses for your ideal setup, for 3 different budget groups per brand new lens. £200, £500 & £1000 per lens (sorry, no £1k+ for Arkady ). Please indicate after lens choice if this is based on experience or reviews. I'll give it a go with my limited knowledge £200 Budget per lens 1. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF-ED DX - £190 (from experience) 2. Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D Lens - £152 (based on f/1.8 experience) 3. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens £120 (based on test plus reviews) £500 Budget per lens 1. Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens - £325 (based on experience) 2. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens - £260 (based on reviews) 3. Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Macro Lens - £340 (based on reviews) * For 2) & 3) I would include Sigma 2x convertor at circa £120 £1000 Budget per lens 1. Nikon 12-24mm F4G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom - £570 (based on reviews) 2. Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S Zoom - £999 (based on reviews) 3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 G VR IF-ED Lens - £960 (based on reviews) Prices taken from Onestop & Microglobe Over to others now.....you don't have to complete all budgets if you haven't thought of lenses at that price bracket before. __________________ Last edited by Dave : 07-01-2006 at 14:42.

07-01-2006, 15:43	#2 (permalink)
Warspite Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough (UK) Posts: 1,736	Here is my limp attempt: £200 Budget per lens 1. Canon EF 50mm f1.8 MKI / MKII - £50/£70 (experience) £500 Budget per lens 1. Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM - £480 (Based on reviews) 2. Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM - £270 (Based on reviews) 3. Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-4.5 IS USM - £330 (Based on reviews) £1000 Budget per lens 1. Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM - £890 (Based on reviews) 2. Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L IS - £695 (Based on reviews) 3. Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM - £545 (Based on reviews) (Prices from WarehouseExpress.com) Great idea BTW DJW, as I'm after some lenses and could do with a concensus to guide my decision __________________ Canon EOS 350D + BG-E3 Battery Grip Sigma 10-20 4-5.6 EX\|EF 50mm 1.8 MKI\|EF 85mm 1.8 USM\|EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 MKII\|EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 MKII\|EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS\|Canon 1.4x Extender II Last edited by Warspite : 07-01-2006 at 15:51.

07-01-2006, 16:02	#3 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	Ignoring that callous slur, here's my choice for those fortunate enough to have sold the wife and kids for medical experiments: Cheapo Kit http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....00 &catId=117 http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....47 &catId=119 http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....50 &catId=121 What I'd Actually Use and will be issued shortly http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....00 &catId=117 http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....28 &catId=117 http://www.europe-nikon.com/details....91 &catId=121 No prices as I usually buy my own kit from Warehouse Express. Yes I do buy my own kit (shock) sometimes. Still got my F5 kit, FM2 kit and Leica kit as well as the medium-format Pentax and Hasselblads/doorstops. __________________ "When I hold a camera, I Know no fear..." Alfred Eisenstadt Nikon D2x Bodies x2 14mm f/2.8 Sigma; 17-24mm f/2.8 Nikkor; 28-80mm f/2.8 Nikkor; 24-85mm f/2.8-4 Nikkor; 80-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor; 300mm f/2.8 Nikkor; 600mm f/4 Nikkor SB-800 Flash x2

08-01-2006, 00:12	#10 (permalink)
Braeden Getting Comfy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 131	£200 Budget: Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 MkII (own it) Sigma 18-125mm F3.5 - 5.6 DC (looks like a decentish but cheap walkabout lens) Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Macro DG (Own it) £500 Budget: Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM (Own it) Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM (Own sigma equivalent but would like IS) Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro (reviews) £1000 Budget: (all from reviews as they are a pipe dream) Canon EF17-40 f4 LUSM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM (would try my best to get one for under £1k) With all of the above I have tried my best to cover all focal ranges (from 17/18mm up to a minimum of 300mm hence I didnt choose the 70-200 L USM lens) with as good a lens as I can get for the money, adding macro where possible __________________ Canon EOS 350D + BG-E3 Battery Grip Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM f/4-5.6 \| Canon EF 70-300 IS USM f/4-5.6 \| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 mkII

09-01-2006, 13:25	#13 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Interesting thread… £200 Budget 1 Canon EF 50mm f1.8II (own). 2 Canon/Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own). 3 Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di (own). £500 Budget 1 Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM (own). 2 Canon EF17-40mm f4 L USM (own) 3 Canon EF 50mm f1.4 (Wish List). 4 With the change add in Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own). £1000 Budget 1 EF16-35mm f2.8 LUSM. 2 Canon EF135mm f2.0 LUSM. 3 EF300mm f4.0 L IS USM 4 With the change add in Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own). I think I should add that if I have a budget of £1000 for three lenses and already owned none, I would probably still add in the 17-40L instead of the 16-35L and use the saved money elsewhere (50mm f1.8,Flash, tripod, CF cards etc) but for the sake of sticking to the rules… __________________ .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )

07-01-2006, 19:07	#4 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Rob, noticed you will be moving from 28-80 f/2.8 to 17-55 f/2.8 . Any reason for the change, as both are highly rated on FM, cost the same (NA to work), plus I would have thought 28-80 would fit better into range between 2 other lenses you are getting ?

07-01-2006, 20:21	#5 (permalink)
Matt Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,326	£200 Budget 1 Canon EF 50mm f1.8II (own) or Nikon variant. 2 Canon/Kenko 300 Pro 1.4TC (own/lent). 3 Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di (lent). £500 Budget 1 Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM (lent). 2 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di 1:1 Macro (own). 3 Tamron AF 180mm f3.5 Di 1:1 Macro (wish list). £1000 Budget 1 Nikon AFS-G VR 70-200mm (owned), or Canon EF70-200 f2.8 L IS USM (I’m sure I could find one for a grand if I needed to). 2 Canon EF135mm f2.0 LUSM. 3 Canon EF100-400 f4.5 L IS USM (own),(I’m sure I could find one for a grand also).

08-01-2006, 12:47	#12 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Makes sense...Thanks Rob.

09-01-2006, 14:36	#14 (permalink)
fingerz Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 790	Yeah I think the concensus on the 16-35L is that it's not worth the money over the 17-40L unless you really, really need f/2.8. Nice thread btw. Cheers.

14-01-2006, 17:17	#15 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	bump.... come on guys & gals, I spent hours trawling through reviews to decide on lenses......it would have been so much easier if there was a thread like this with lists from people who's photography knowledge & skills I respected. Even part completed lists are OK Thanks to all those who entered details to date.

14-01-2006, 17:51	#16 (permalink)
Joe T Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Amersham, Bucks Posts: 978	£200 budget: Nikkor 18-70 AF-S (kit lens) £186 Nikkor 50mm f1.8 (or f1.4 if you fancy spashing the cash) £70 / £150 Sigma 70-300 APO £120 £500 budget: Sigma 100-300 f4 £474 Sigma 105mm Macro £224 Sigma 70-200 2.8 £459 £1000 budget: Nikkor 17-55 AF-S 2.8 DX Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VR £1,010 Sigma 120-300 2.8 (slightly over budget) £1,130 Prices (where quoted) from onestop digital. UK prices will be significantly higher in some cases. __________________ My Photography D70, 18-70, 50 f1.8, Sigma 105, Sigma 120-300 f2.8, 1.4 TC