Nikon lense recommendation

Seeking info for a lense for my D80. If I had to have one lense, what would it be? Something that is all purpose...

 

55-200mm VR imo

 

This is a very tough issue. Kind of like a one gun or favorite food. So much depends on what it is you like to shoot - I always say let your needs drive your gear and not just get gear for the sake of gear - or a great deal - or because your buddy shoots one and it's cool. That said - I tend to shoot larger mammals and really like larger birds in flight (we have a great winter eagle season here) and my goto lens (I am a Canon shooter but Nikon has one as well) is a 70-200 f/2.8. This lense rarely comes off my camera - it is fast and has a very verstile focal range. It also takes a teleconverter which still gives you a constant f/4.

If price is no - or little - object that is a great all around lens. You can do decent sports, model and a lot of animal shooting with it. Not sure if you are familiar with it - but for Nikon shooters - this is a good resource: (he does have some ego and not all like him but there is some good info)

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

The lens mentioned:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-200mm-ii.htm

Sorry if I missed the boat - but you kind of left it open ended. Just remember - like so many say - "bodies come and go - glass is forever" - buy the best lens you can afford - you will change bodies far more than good glass and it is cheaper to buy once now than three times later -- I have done all of that - and have some of the junk in junk drawers to prove it!!

Happy snapping!!!!

 

Do you know what range you like? If short and wide, tamron 17-50mm 2.8, if a little longer I'd suggest a sigma 24-70mm. I cant recommend anything longer that isnt inexpensive.

Im under the impression that you are on a budget, correct?

 

The 18-200VR or VRll is the perfect all around lense. Great for most all shots. A little pricey , but worth it.

 

For the beginner wanting some great pictures, look at 50mm 1.8. For your everyday average lens, an 18-200 is a great choice. A lot (including myself) of guys that bought a body with this kit lens often sell this lens for a good price. If money is no object, then a Nikon 24-70 would be ideal. Then again, it all depends on what kind of shooting you do.

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the quick responses. To clarify, I have the two lenses the camera came with (a kit with 18-55 and 55-200). They seem to be basic lenses.

I'm getting ready to go on a road trip to Yellowstone and hope to find a lense I can use for great scenery and wildlife shots as well as the customary family shots.

I'm new to photography and am learning as I go. I'm willing to spend enough for a great lense that will last a long time, but not willing to spend an arm and a leg.

 

Lest we forget the fixed lenses. My favorite lens is my 35mm f/1.8. It was relatively cheap so I'm not afraid to use it, it is fast enough to avoid a lot of flash situations, and it is light.

Of course you have to be willing to move around a lot more when you aren't using a zoom lens. But it makes you very conscious of your framing.

But as others have said, it comes down to what you like to shoot. A fixed lens would be a terrible choice for the kind of use that NetDep was describing.

 

Very true...

 

This is probably the best advice you can take to heart. learn how to use what you have, and understand what the functions do on your camera. Most people fall into the "I need better stuff than my kit lens!" attitude when they make the initial purchase.

Learn how to use your gear before you upgrade, pretty sure that goes without saying for most things. I would recommend at least a tripod if you are planning on doing some landscape stills.

 

I got both of those lenses with my D3000 kit. I used them for 2 years, just learning my camera, and composition.

I primarily shoot landscapes, scenery, and national parks...things of that sort, etc. My favorite lens that I use with this camera for that type of thing is my DX 10.5mm F/2.8 Fisheye. I use Imagetrends PS plugin for rectilinear correction (fixing the fisheye look without losing the wide angle). Only drawback with this lens is that it does not have an autofocus motor, The camera body you're using must have the AF motor otherwise it's manual focus only...which I really don't mind.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Produ.../AF-DX-Fisheye-Nikkor-10.5mm-f%2F2.8G-ED.html



Here is a few examples without using the rectilinear correction. All shot with my $500 Nikon D3000. Really shows you the power of this lens.









Hope this helps.

 

I generally dislike pictures taken with fisheye lenses cause 98.5% of them are teenagers taking skate boarding pictures.

But you sir...you have changed my opinion.

 

You have an excellent eye for composition sir! I'm amazed how many people will try to tell people that they don't need a fisheye and it won't get used much at all and they are only wasting their money. I've wanted one since my first 35mm camera in 1983, a Nikon FG.

I do have a question about the picture with the Taco in it. Did you use a polarizer on the fisheye? If so, did you hand hold it in front of the lens or is this a HDR and that made the clouds stand out like that? I know most fisheyes won't accept filters because of the curvature of the front glass.

 

This is one lens i WOULDNT recommend. Yes its a cool lens. Definitely not what you're looking for. This lens will get old really quick, every person i know that bought a fisheye, used it a LOT for like 5-6 months, then never touched it again. If you want a fisheye just get the cheap-o Opteka one, it's an 8mm manual focus FE. Its so wide that you nail the focus every time if youre shooting past f/4. Besides for the most part, fisheye is just a novelty, there seldom are photos that you can't take with a wide-angle that were shot with a fisheye.

With that being said, look for a mid-range lens. I would go for a zoom, at least for what you're asking. 17-55 f/2.8 is amazing and exactly what you're looking for. But it's definitely a pretty penny.

Check out this lens.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Pr...2207/AF-S-NIKKOR-18-35mm-f%2F3.5-4.5G-ED.html

 

no one has mentioned the tamron 17-50mm 2.8? that has my vote. $300-350 on craigslist

 

if you have a crop body camera, in my case d7000, you really cannot go wrong with the 35 f1.8. its very affordable and takes super sharp pics. i just picked the 17-55 f2.8. didnt really get a chance to play with it yet cause im waiting on my filters. but so far, the lens is everything that everyone one hyped it up to be. an excellent lens. next up, the beast 70-200 f2.8 vrII >=).

 

What about the Nikkor 18-105mm, 24-120mm, or the 16-85mm?

I have A Canon and I have 4 lenses. I mostly use it for vacations and weekend trips. I have not yet gotten into photoshop but Im a pure amature still learning. I have the kit 18-55, Tamron 10-24, 55-250mm and a 50mm 1.8. I usually shoot the dog and hikes up in the mountains. I never use my 50mm, the telephoto if I see a critter or the dog doing somethign stupid, and the others most of the time. I would probaly prefer a better zoom something like a 70-300 and somethign to cover the 18-70 range. I have changing lenses and the wife really hates it.

 

what mode do you normally shoot with on your camera?

 

Glad I found this thread.

Just got my 3100 today. Came with the 18-55, am considering a 55-300 to put with it for longer shots.
Sigma 610 flash... really looking forward to getting to know the system.

 

50mm 1.8 f/1.8 AF- best for portrait and low light and an amazing price
18-200mm VRII- best walk around travel lens