New Lense for Nikon D80

[arjibarji]

Hi, started photography as a hobby last christmas when I bought a Nikon D80 with the 18 - 135 kit lens. Which was fine for a newbie. But would like to upgrade to the best quality but flexible lens. Any thoughts? Thanks & regards.

[jdepould]

Price range is very important. The 18-200 VR is extremely versatile, but on the expensive side for consumer grade glass and not the best choice indoors. A 50 f/1.8 is a great lens just to have and only costs about $100. If you don't need a ton of zoom the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 has gotten great reviews and does pretty well in low light.

[arjibarji]

Thanks. I wanted a high quality signle lense for most occasions. I went to the store to try out the 18 - 200 VR but none in stock (still a waiting list in the UK). The guy at the store gave me a Nikkon 70-200 f2.8 VR to try out, this seems a pretty good lense but a bit on the heavy side. Will this be a good eveyday lense? also any suggestions for a lense for the wide angle range. Thanks again.

[jdepould]

70-200 isn't much of an everyday lens, a bit too long, and it's quite expensive. Tokina makes an excellent 12-24 f/4 on the wide angle side.

[lord_of_the_badgers]

The guy at the store gave me a Nikkon 70-200 f2.8 VR to try out, this seems a pretty good lense but a bit on the heavy side. .

pretty good? blimmin lovely more like mate

But it is heavy, and it's primarily a pro lens. I have one, and I use it for any paid work, where it's brilliant. Sharp, contrasty, fast-ish (aperture - i have the 85mm 1.4 to qualify that statement).. and just great.

But for carrying around, it's a bit, well, noticeable.. not the best.. and of course, heavy.

It's pro glass for a reason.. so get it if you think you want it, but there are better options.

For a good walkaround lens, yes the 18-200 is hard to beat... review:http://bythom.com/18200lens.htm. Then get say, the 85mm 1.8 or one of the 50mm or the Sigma 30 1.4... to cover the times you need speed.

Trouble getting an 18-200? try London Camera Exchanges (it's a countrywide chain btw!)
Actually my Jessops had one too this week.

Still tempted to add one myself
I had thought they were in good supply now

[e2thaa]

only thing you get with that over the 18-135 is slighly more range and vr. whoopee. here's what you'd be stuck with: same optic quality, same plastic build, same slow aperture. plus you'd be duplicating 70% of the same focal range you already have, and spending a pretty penny to do it.

i started out on the d80 with the 18-70. when i got the tamron 28-75 i realized i would have little further use for the kit lens because the tamron is better in every way. i have since gotten the tam 17-50 as well. i can recommend both as kit lens upgrades.

i also have the tokina 12-24 f/4, the sigma 50-150 f/2.8, and the nikkor 50 f/1.8. you know the drill: wider, longer, faster, sharper.

primes, wides and speedy glass are a good way to complement your kit lens, which can still be used as a basic walkaround.

if you want a vr lens get the 70-200 or 70-300 nikkors.

[bertone61]

For me the Nikon 18-70 kit lens is the best of the kit lenses, though it has some weaknesses around 30mm. Between 18 and 30 and 30 and 50mm it is pretty good considering the price. The 18-135? I do not like it. It has more bad spots than good ones and can not compete with the 18-200VR, not even in the range between 18 and 135mm. So why not sell the 18-135? And get a 18-200VR instead? The 18-200VR is light and not too expensive, and its performance is better than the 18-135.....
Yes many say that the performance of the 18-200 is not so good, but they always compare it with the 70-200 or 80-200 pro grade lenses. One should really compare it with the lower range lenses... Or do you compare a Skoda with a Mercedes ?

I also have the 80-200/2,8 (which will be sold soon) and the 70-200Vr/2,8. The 70-200 is one of the best lenses I ever had but is nothing for all day use. Too heavy. I can really recommend you the 70-300/VR which costs around € 490.- It is light, compact and has the new VRII which works awesome. Together with the 18-70 kit lense you cover the range from 18 to 300mm. It will not cost you a lot to get the 18-70 and the 18-200 or even better the 70-300/VRII and this would sure be okay for the next time or until you decide to spend more money....




Cheers
Steve
foto61.net

[victorwkli]

I use a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 most of time. So I guess it's my walkaround lens.

To cover more range, I would recommend:

18-50mm f2.8 Nikon/Sigma and 50-150mm f2.8 Sigma