Recommened Lens for All-Around Use (Nikon)

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

01/03/2010 10:52:30 PM · #3

I agree... even with all my lenses (check my profile) the only ones I really use on vacation is the 18-200 VR lens... any other lens will be useless in the future and you'll end up selling it...

cdrice

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

01/04/2010 12:31:31 AM · #4

Another vote for the 18-200/3.5-5.6 VR-II here.

Note this is a DX lens, so it would be most appropriate for DX (cropped sensor) bodies. If, by any chance, you are starting out with a full-frame DSLR body, this might not be a good choice.

Aside from that, the only caveat to that lens being that it is variable-aperture and somewhat "slower" than other lenses. This will make it a little challenging to use in low-light situations. For starting out, though, you might not care. By the time you've had a while to figure out what you want to specialize in (or at least "focus on" - har har har), you'll know whether or not those aspects even matter to you.

Under good light, it's hard to beat the flexibility of slinging it around from 18 to 200 in a single twist -- and the VR system built into that lens is top-notch. Great carry-around lens, and great lens to start with.

Message edited by author 2010-01-04 00:34:34.

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

01/04/2010 12:37:46 AM · #5

My girl friend has the 18-200vr. It is quite impressive and a perfect all around lens. I shoot Canon, so no bias here!
I know it's not cheap, but worth it for sure. It covers a nice range of focal length. Plus the vibration reduction, is very useful. Check into this, if you are not aquatinted.
Plus, you can always rent and try lenses. Hopefully you have that option. Good luck!

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

01/04/2010 12:41:14 AM · #6

My standard workhorse is this bad boy, has been for years.

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

01/04/2010 12:44:05 AM · #7

So I take it, you bought a d5000?

neophyte

Nikon D810

01/04/2010 01:09:19 AM · #8

Originally posted by Louis:

My standard workhorse is this bad boy, has been for years.

My favorite (aside from the DX part of it) Fun lens but a bit pricey. Super sharp though.

Shutter-For-Hire

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

01/04/2010 01:15:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by neophyte:

Originally posted by Louis:
My standard workhorse is this bad boy, has been for years.

My favorite (aside from the DX part of it) Fun lens but a bit pricey. Super sharp though.

It's a great lens but if you plan on switching to FX, then don't bother... get something like the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 which is even sharper according to MTF curves and costs 1/3 the price... it's not built as good as the Nikon, but gives yo the same results for 1/3 the price... i bought one and love it... only because I needed something to hold me over for another year till I get a D700...

.
but back to the OP... the 17-55 is not a good all around lens... it's not enough of a zoom... you can NOT go wrong with the 18-200 VR... yo can still use it effectively on a FX camera in the 6 megapixel crop mode and get some Great shots!

and that lens is and always will be in High demand so resale will be a piece of cake =)

.

ErikV

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

01/04/2010 07:28:37 AM · #10

Another vote for the 18-200 VR as long as you aren't going full frame with the body.

denbote

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

01/04/2010 07:33:04 AM · #11

I use Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens as my walk around lens. It is also an FX lens so just in case in the future you desired to go full-frame, this is still usable.

But since I find 28mm not wide enough, I bought a cheap 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AF-S kit lens :)

Message edited by author 2010-01-04 07:34:32.

JimiRose

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

01/04/2010 08:19:12 AM · #12

If you're planning on getting the D90 (which you should be!) the 18-105 lens which comes in the kit is very good too. If you're not concerned with having the longer end of the zoom you shouldn't spend more than you need to.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

01/04/2010 08:21:38 AM · #13

I have to say this is by 10 miles my favorite lens also. I also have the 18-200vr but it hasn't been on my camera since I started using the 17-55 which i owned for nearly a year before I actually started to take it out and about. Because of it's cost I was a bit scared to actually use it for more than taking pictures around the house. The 18-200 is a great lens but it is soft on the short and long ends. the 17-55 is razor sharp all the way through its range. the 17-55 doesn't have the long range of the 18-200 but what it lacks in distance it certainly makes up for in image quality.

Originally posted by Louis:

My standard workhorse is this bad boy, has been for years.

Message edited by author 2010-01-04 08:28:28.

citymars

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/04/2010 08:47:57 AM · #14

I love the flexibility of my 18-200 and it is my default lens, but I'm thinking of trading in that long zoom for something with improved sharpness.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

01/04/2010 08:49:00 AM · #15

No offense to anyone but I kinda don't agree with the 18-105mm or 18-200mm recommendation. Depending on what you needs are it might cover a lot of ground in terms of zooming range BUT any lens that tries to cover too much ground isn't going to do it all that well, at different points. If you're really concerned about sharpness or losing light at the long end, those lenses probably aren't a great choice. Again, depending on your needs they both could be perfect.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

I would trade off the large zooming range in a minute for the sharpness, contrast and the ability to shoot at f2.8 that you'll get with the Tamron. I shoot indoors a lot in low light and those lenses would fail me terribly where the Tamron would deliver what I need.

It's worth keeping that stuff in mind...

Message edited by author 2010-01-04 13:07:04.

mjwood0

Nikon D200

01/04/2010 08:55:41 AM · #16

It depends how much money you want to drop. Instead of shelling out for the 18-200 VR, I'd go with the less expensive 18-105 and a 50mm f/1.8 prime. My reasoning is that frankly, unless you drop some serious money, you aren't going to be getting a fast zoom and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 just isn't wide enough for all around use in my opinion. The combo of the 18-105 and the "nifty fifty" will give you a decent zoom range, enough wide angle for most uses and a fast alternative for low light.

My biggest hurdle when I first got serious was the slow lenses I had. I purchased the 50mm f/1.4 and now use it for almost everything. The versatility of fast glass is something to not be overlooked. They do take a bit to get used to, but once you spend the time, they are fantastic.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/04/2010 09:27:17 AM · #17

Zack, if you are used to a point n' shoot, check to see what the "equivalent" zoom range is for the one you are using. If it has not been wide enough, then look for a wider lens like an 18-70 or 18-105. If you have found the P&S cam shoots the wide shots ok for you, but does not have the telephoto capability that you feel you will want, then you need a longer lens like the 18-200. I like wildlife, and shoot a lot with a 300mm.

I started with a 24-120, and soon realized that 24 would not do what I wanted for landscapes and sunsets, and that 120 was not long enough to do much wildlife shooting.
My second lens purchase was at a pawn shop for a set of 3 manual Nikkors, a 35 f2, 50 f1.4, and 105 f2.5, all for $100, and the 35 and 50 have been front line lenses for me ever since.

Next, I bought a cheap 70-300 G for wildlife, but soon wanted the better quality D-ED version. If you are not planning to use a good tripod, get the VR lenses if you can afford them. If your P&S had VR or shake reduction, then you might be disappointed when you go to DSLR and don't have that, esp with the longer focal lengths.

Keep in mind that the smaller the "f number", the lower light you can work in without flash. If you want to do a lot of portraits and candid existing light shots, then f2.8 or 1.4 would be best, the 1.4 being the better of the two.

Louis

Nikon D800

01/04/2010 10:44:10 AM · #18

Originally posted by pawdrix:

No offense to anyone but I kinda don't agree with the 18-105mm or 18-200mm the recommendation. Depending on what you needs are it might cover a lot of ground in terms of zooming range BUT any lens that tries to cover that much ground isn't going to do it all that well, at different points.

What he said. I'd never get a lens with such a huge zoom range (it's popular for that reason, and because it's cheap). That 17-55 is a beauty, a pro lens. If you aren't going full frame anytime soon, consider it (note that the 18-200 is also DX, so same problem if you're going full frame).

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

01/04/2010 11:29:57 AM · #19

it might help you more to decide what type of photography you mostly shoot ... then buy a lens to suit that need

to me, an "all around use" lens means it tries to be good at everything ... which means it won't be good at anything

zooms are slow - do you shoot a lot of low light shots?

primes are fast - but not useful if you're constantly changing your focal length

the 24-70/2.8 is among the best lenses to own - but it weighs over 2 pounds and'll snap your spine if worn around your neck too long

... see what i mean?

twmax

Nikon D300

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

01/04/2010 11:59:37 AM · #20

Since I bought the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens about a year ago, I would say that it's on my camera most of the time. It's a little heavy, but I really like the fact that it's f/2.8 through the entire zoom range. I own three Sigma lenses now, and have found each to be extremely well built, all are very sharp, and they are quite a bit cheaper than the equivalent focal length offered by Nikon.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/04/2010 10:10:18 PM · #21

I love the 18-200mm, it's the only lens I have with me 98% of the time. When I put up a post looking for the most versatile lens - I specified zoom/telescopic/wide angle - everyone who responded to that thread agreed on it.

One dpcer who has ribboned even sold all his glass, and for awhile, packed around ONLY this lens, before caving and buying another to augment the 18-200.

I've shot macros with it, lots of midrange stuff, and tons of zoom. The VR is terrific esp if you prefer to shoot handheld. The only real fault is you start to get softness around the top of the range. Still, a great pack-around lens, and I'll never get rid of mine.

chromeydome

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

01/04/2010 10:26:33 PM · #22

I got the 18-200VR when I got my d80. It is a great lens for general purpose use, and the VR does help with hand-held work. Really nice "tourist" lens and hiking, sightseeing. Fairly versatile, and has been noted, it gets soft, especially around 130mm. The varying speed with zoom is not too problematic for the described uses. If you are doing specific manual shooting with speedlights or studio lights, changing the zoom and seeing the aperture change your exposure can be a bit of a pain if you don't know ahead of time and pay attention to your setup. But not a big issue.

The main problem with a zoom as your only lens is that it can teach you to be lazy--stand in one place, zoom in and out to frame, etc, instead of moving around, walking to and from, and changing perspective on the subject. If you can snag yourself one of the 35mm or 50mm primes to go along with it, you will learn a lot about using your camera with those.

It is pretty slow, so indoor available light, or twilight kinda shooting does get problematic. I took it to London once, and walked around all day with it. Worked great. Until the sun started dipping behind buildings and the open shade, twilight was just not enough at reasonable ISOs. Goosing ISO goosed noise, so next time I got a fast prime to take along, too :-)

For a first DSLR and one lens, I'd say the 18-200 won't cause you any regrets. I don't regret choosing it as my first lens.

spiritualspatula