a good "every day" lens

im hoping some photogurus can help a bretheren out.

got a nikon d60.. i have 50mm f1.4 the pos 18-55mm it comes with and a 75-300mm

i am always switching out lenses and i dont wanna be doing that ALL the time... i would love to have something like this but i dont have $2,000.00 to spend on a lens.... maybe like $800 at most....

but that zoom is perfect... any suggestions?

 

A 14-24 is not going to be a good everyday lens. You'll still be constantly finding yourself switching lenses.

You might want to look into something like Nikon's 24-120 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277219-USA/Nikon_2145_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_AF.html). Though with your body's crop factor it will be more like a 36-180mm. This will give you a decent amount of wide angle, normal and a decent amount of zoom.

Alternatively, you can go with other brands like Sigma's 28-300 for cheaper. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/389309-REG/Sigma_795306_28_300mm_f_3_5_6_3_DG_Macro.html)

Don't think you have to stick with Nikon lenses, you're mostly paying for the name. Sigma, while cheaper, still comes out with real nice images.

With your price range, you're not going to get much faster than f/3.5-5.6 and you can't really get an ultra-wide mm like 14mm with a decent zoom for everyday use.

 

Depends on what you do. I used a fixed 30mm 1.4 on 98% of my shots, it makes you rely less on zoom and more on creative composition. Journalists use zooms 24.7. Just depends on what u do. 50mm is a little too much zoom to use as a walkaround lens on a crop.

 

18-200

 

18-200mm is the way to go, I bought my D40 body only and a Nikon 18-200mm VR it can do almost anything. The lens goes around $500 used on eBay

 

or buy new for 300 bucks here

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538309-USA/Sigma_77D_306_18_200mm_f_3_5_6_3_II_DC.html

 

I also vote for the 18-200. i use it as my walk around lens

 

18-200VR is an amazing lens

 

Looks like everybody has got you covered. I'm sure you could guess what I would recommend.

 

I'm a Canon guy but my walk around lens is a 24-105 F/4L IS.
This works for about 98% of all my photography. I have two other bodies that I will put my 70-200 F2.8L IS on or one of my primes if I think I may need something else.
A lot of camera stores will rent equipment. See if you can rent something for the weekend and try it out before you pluck down the $$.

 

What they said ^^^

 

A lens that I like using for general photography on both my Nikon D200 and D60 is the NIKKOR AF VR 24-120 3.5/5.6.

 

Samys Camera now has a e-bay store, might want to check there.

http://stores.ebay.com/Samys-Camera

Here is a link to images taken with the Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6g IF-ED AF-S DX VR

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/18-200_35-56g_if_ed_afs_dx_vr

 

I had a Sigma 28-300 for many years that I liked. Took nice pics. Not the quality of my other Canon "L" lenses, but it only cost $200.00, so I got excatly what I paid for and was very happy with it.

 

18-200

 

Sorry if already answered, but what type of photography do you do an a "regular" basis? That question will basically determine what you need. Yes, the 18-200 is a good-great walk around lens, but I'm going through a fast lens phase. Took a trip to Denver and only brought my nikon 50 1.4G.

Also have the 70-200 2.8 and the 14-24 2.8. For me, walk around equates to having my backpack with me..

Also, I don't think anyone mentioned the crop factor on the DX line. Your 50 is 75.

I have great lenses, and good bodies. Especially if you are gonna stay in the game long enough, spend on good glass rather than bodies.

 

so it looks like 18-200 is they way to go.......ive never been a fan of "third party" brands. if i get a lens it will definitley be Nikkor. so.........i guess its settled!! lol thanks guys!

 

I'm not a fan of 3rd party either...

If you are thinking of going FX in the near future however, you may want to flip the coin again..

 

yeah i know......i may be sticking with DX until i have a better income

 

the sigma lens posted above isnt AF i dont think. And your camera doesnt have AF built in to the body. Just be aware of that little jewel.