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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon Lens must haves?
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 06/03/2007 11:36:38 PM · #1
I have been told a 50mm 1.8. What else should I get for my Nikon. All I have now is the kit, and a Tamron 70-300mm.
 06/03/2007 11:39:33 PM · #2
You will get plenty of suggestions....but trust me on this one.

I own a lot of great glass, but the 17-55 2.8 is on my camera 85% of the time. It is a bit pricey but you can use it for everything.

Walkaround, portrait, landscapes, low-light....the list goes on and on.


06/03/2007 11:52:32 PM · #3
I looked that lens up a bit pricey you weren't lying 1500 bucks.
 06/03/2007 11:57:17 PM · #4
Heh. I have the Tamron 18-50 2.8. A little less coverage, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Nikkor is a bit better, but it's 1/3 the price.

It's on my camera 100% of the time because, uh, it's my only lens. :)

But in the one week I've had the camera, I've taken closeups of my daughter, action shots at my other daughter's soccer game (this is kid soccer, where I stand on the sidelines, not sit in the bleachers), many different indoor shots where 50mm is plenty long enough, and my elements, science, and double take entries.

Message edited by author 2007-06-03 23:58:21.
 06/04/2007 12:29:52 AM · #5
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

Shockingly good lens - amazing low price!

My 12-24mm f/4 is a lens that is hard to take a bad shot with - but not really a workhorse kind of lens.

I'm surprised at how little I use the 70-200 f/2.8 VR - I thought I'd love it and it only sees time with my camera maybe 15% of the time.

Loved my 50mm f/1.8 - but sold it because the Tamron is so darn flexible.
 06/04/2007 12:40:54 AM · #6
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?
06/04/2007 12:45:58 AM · #7
I actually just read that the Sigma 18-50mm is sharper than the Nikon 17-55mm. I've played with the 17-55 and its freakin amazing but at the price......
 06/04/2007 12:55:17 AM · #8
Originally posted by digitalknight:
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

Shockingly good lens - amazing low price!


I got mine on eBay for some ridiculously low price. Unless I'm shooting wildlife it's pretty much permanently on the camera. I do wish it was a macro but that's its only shortcoming. Great multi-purpose lens IMO.
 06/04/2007 01:05:39 AM · #9
I agree about the 17-55 2.8. I use it most of the time. If you like portrait work, think about Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D. I'm hooked on it.
 06/04/2007 01:11:40 AM · #10
I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 it is on my camera all the time.
I also love my Nikon 70-200 2.8 but that one will set you back a bunch..

06/04/2007 01:18:13 AM · #11
I like the manual focus lenses myself, but I am just an old hick and hooked on retro. My fav's are the Sigma 15 fisheye, Micro Nikkor 55 (awesome macro) and the Nikkor 300 ED 4.5 for wildlife. The most used one in my bag is the 18/70 G S ED.
06/04/2007 01:20:24 AM · #12
Originally posted by boomtap:
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?

Probably, but just how much sharper under what circumstances . . .
The 50mm prime is a lot of good glass for the money, as I understand it. It's also unobtrusive and you have that little extra aperture that enables a few shots the kit lens might not make.

After that, yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice.
 06/04/2007 01:39:44 AM · #13
I will dito Louis, the 85 1.8 is pretty sweet, very well built and a decent price. It comes with a metal screw on hood.
06/04/2007 02:16:38 AM · #14
Originally posted by boomtap:
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?


I just picked up the 28mm f/2.8 two days ago. Compared to the kit lens I had on my D40, not only is it sharper, but the colour is MUCH better.

I was going to buy the 50mm f/1.4, but it was out of stock at the time. I would certainly recommend getting the lens you're looking at; it's fabulous glass, but you're saving a lot of money by eliminating the zoom aspect.

My next lens will be the 17-55mm f/2.8, but a prime will suffice for the time being at a fraction of the cost.
 06/04/2007 09:26:39 AM · #15
Originally posted by boomtap:
I have been told a 50mm 1.8. What else should I get for my Nikon. All I have now is the kit, and a Tamron 70-300mm.


You'll hear the 70-200 VR IF
zoom, expensive and heavy. Darn good lens.

I just got a used 85 MM AFD F1.8. WOW. I see you take portraits. You'll want one. Got mine from a DPCer on eBay for about 3 big. There is a F1.4 version that's supposed to be a dreamboat. (kilo buck) I don't see how it can beat the F1.8 by much.

Check here
, and here,
for image examples on DPC.
 06/04/2007 09:31:34 AM · #16
Originally posted by boomtap:
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?


The optic quality is much better. So.... if you know how to make sharp images, YES!

For example.

It's the most bang for the buck in the Nikon lens lineup. But it is a prime, so you zoom with yer feet. Good portrait lens, especially on a crop factor sensor.
 06/04/2007 09:41:06 AM · #17
Originally posted by khdoss:
...
I also love my Nikon 70-200 2.8 but that one will set you back a bunch..

Yes! Great lens.

and nikon 12-24

Nick
 06/04/2007 09:43:08 AM · #18
Originally posted by Cutter:
I own a lot of great glass, but the 17-55 2.8 is on my camera 85% of the time. It is a bit pricey but you can use it for everything.

Walkaround, portrait, landscapes, low-light....the list goes on and on.


I don't own one but in retrospect I would have picked one up instead of the 17-35mm 2.8. It rates as well, has a greater range and is slighly cheaper.

A fantastic walk-around lens.
 06/04/2007 09:43:52 AM · #19
Originally posted by boomtap:
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?


All things being equal, yes you should expect better quality from the prime 50mm 1.8 lens.
 06/04/2007 11:13:49 AM · #20
Originally posted by raish:
Originally posted by boomtap:
Will I get sharper shots out of that 50mm than my 18-55 kit?

and you have that little extra aperture that enables a few shots the kit lens might not make.


I wouldn't say it's just a "little extra".
The difference between 2.8 and 1.8 is being able to get a shot at ISO 400 1/45s with f/1.8 versus ISO 400 1/15s at 2.8.
If you prefer to go without a flash you can't get enough speed.
I love the 50 1.8 but do have to say being non-AFS it tends to slow focus compared to my Sigma 30 1.4 AFS (which I also love).

06/04/2007 11:21:27 AM · #21
Why has no one mentioned the Nikon 18-200 VR lens? It is on my camera about 90% of the time. Granted it's not super high end (compared to say a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR), but it is a very good lens.

Anyway, that's my recommendation to you boomtap. 18-200mm VR by Nikon.
 06/04/2007 11:24:30 AM · #22
Originally posted by jahoward:
Why has no one mentioned the Nikon 18-200 VR lens?


Because IMHO it's not a "Must have." Actually, it's a "Must Avoid" lens for me. ;-)
 06/04/2007 11:32:32 AM · #23
Originally posted by tooohip:
Because IMHO it's not a "Must have." Actually, it's a "Must Avoid" lens for me. ;-)


I agree it's not a super pro lens, but it is so awesome to be running out the door and only need to grab one lens to take with me. If I'm doing something serious, then I will use the other lenses. Anyway, bummer you haven't had a good experience with it.
 06/04/2007 11:37:22 AM · #24
I enjoy these 3 lenses:
50mm 1.4
10-20 sigma
18-200 VR

If I could I would add a 90mm macro that IreneM has.
90mm macro
 06/04/2007 11:43:46 AM · #25
Originally posted by jahoward:
Originally posted by tooohip:
Because IMHO it's not a "Must have." Actually, it's a "Must Avoid" lens for me. ;-)


I agree it's not a super pro lens, but it is so awesome to be running out the door and only need to grab one lens to take with me. If I'm doing something serious, then I will use the other lenses. Anyway, bummer you haven't had a good experience with it.


No, I agree, it's a good all-in-one lens for those that want that. I'm just not an "all-in-one" type of person though. I'm more than happy to carry around two or three lenses every where I go, so can afford to be a bit more selective when it comes to good lenses.

I'm wishing I had a few more $$$ to pick up that 17-55 right now... ;-)
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