Which lense for Nikon D50?

Diatribe said:

I am going to buy a Nikon D50 this weekend and I am kind of torn between the lenses to get. I can pretty much for the same price ($50 difference) get either the Nikkor 18-135mm lens or the kit with the 18-55mm / 55-200mm.
The first would have the advantage of not needing to carry around two lenses all the time but the range is a bit limited then. Any suggestions?

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Everyone just starting out things they need a long telephoto lens. You do only in some special circumstances. You are always better off using your feet and getting closer unless there is some physical barrier like a rail, cliff or water.
The 18-135 is a better quality lens then the others (AF-S with instant manual focus override and a big feature -Non-Rotating front element so you can ue a polarizing filter) Later if youfind you are missing many shots buy a telephoto lens, possably a better quality one than the 55-200 But wait untill you are noticing that you are missing shots. Who knows you may find you need an SB600 strobe more than the llens. Or maybe you find you realy want the 50mm f/1,4 lens for "peole pictures. You will know more after 2,000 exposures.

I'd also consider the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5

It is a really good start-up lens. I have had this for over a year on my D70, and not yet got a tele lens. Nor have I particularly missed one. It takes stunningly sharp photos, albeit the wide end being a little bit distorted... but it really doesn't bother me.

Disclamier: I now have the 70-300m VR lens on order... please hurry up Nikon!

Maybe you want to get the AF-S DX VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G IF ED later.

wht website is this, Im debating between nikon d50 and cannon rebel xti

I would recomend getting either the 18-70, or the 135. I got the 18-70 used for $200 when I bought my D50 body, and love it, although I do wish it was a bit faster. IMHO, the 18-70 feels much more solid than the 18-55, and you will actually really appreciate the autofocus override and the non-rotating front element. After using the "cheap" zoom lens, you can see what you are missing and then go from there.

I suggest the 18-200mm VR Nikon - the only lens you'll ever need. If you've got the dosh that is. it's so damn versatile.

It would also cost ~$800-$900 just for the lens...

shieldyoureyes said:

It would also cost ~$800-$900 just for the lens...

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So? If you want something, then you have to pay for it. Good lenses are expensive. Better lenses are more expensive. Great lenses are small fortunes.

eyup said:

I suggest the 18-200mm VR Nikon - the only lens you'll ever need. If you've got the dosh that is. it's so damn versatile.

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It has a wide range of focal lengths but it is slow at f/5.6 So it may not be the only lens you need if you want to shoot at f/1.4 or f/2.8. here is also something to be said about small. If all you have is this one huge lens you may not want to always take your camera along.

I have the 18-70 and use it for 80% of my photos

It's probably a bit late for the original poster, but when comparing Nikon's lenses, there are a few useful sites:

Thom Hogan's site is really good as a starter, and his reviews are normally spot on if he's looked at a particular lens:

http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

Bjorn Rorslett's site is also very reliable:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html then follow the lenses link on the side.

Finally, http://www.nikonians.org has good reviews and the forum there for Nikkor Lenses is very good.

Diatribe said:

Thanks a lot. I'll check them out.

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No problem, Thom doesn't like the 18-55- and he's not one of us "go get the $1100 lens" folks.

Paul

ChrisA said:

It has a wide range of focal lengths but it is slow at f/5.6 So it may not be the only lens you need if you want to shoot at f/1.4 or f/2.8. here is also something to be said about small. If all you have is this one huge lens you may not want to always take your camera along.

I have the 18-70 and use it for 80% of my photos

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Yeah, the 18-200 mm is the only lens you'll ever need if you only plan on taking snapshots and don't plan on taking photos in less than stellar situations.

And similar to what ChrisA said, I use a 24-70 mm f/2.8 for around 95% of all my photos because sometimes I can't be bothered to switch lenses, not unless the specific reason I'm going out is to take photographs with my DSLR. If I'm out and happen to bring my DSLR, my Sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8 Macro never leaves the camera. I like this more than the 18-70 mm because I like my lenses fast, and at constant aperture if possible.

If I were you, I'd get the 18-135 mm for the versatility while still getting good optical quality (well probably. I haven't seen a review of that lens).

Diatribe said:

They both really seem to like the 18-70mm one. I think I am going to get that one. It is a nice compromise between price and quality I think.

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If you do, I don't think you'll be disappointed. However, like others have said, the 18-70 does have its limitations, so don't expect miracles!

For example, if you are upgrading from a consumer P&S superzoom, you may severely miss the range. It also isn't the best in low light. But then with the D50 you can shoot at ISO800-1600 to pick your shutter speed up in low light, and get results that would be next to impossible (noise-wise) with even the best P&Ss. And then there is also the satisfaction of the camera actually taking the shot when you press the shutter - this kept bringing a smile to my face for months!

I ended up pairing my 18-70 with a fast wide-angle from Sigma for indoor available light shots (Nikon doesn't have anything at the moment).

If low-light portraits (need a short telephoto lens) end up being your cup of tea, you can't go wrong with either the Nikon 50/1.8 for 100 bucks, or its slightly faster cousin, the 50/1.4 for $250.

The best thing about a "kit" lens like the 18-70 is that it allows you to figure out your preferred shooting style without shelling out a huge amount of money in the beginning.

You may find you just want to take snapshots, in which case, this is the only ever lens you'll need. But if you get into it, you will start to notice where it is that you are being limited by your gear.

This could push you towards low light prime lenses, wide angle zooms, or fast telephoto lenses for sports/birding. But even then, I bet for everyday use, the 18-70 will stay on your camera the most.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Spectrum said:

I ended up pairing my 18-70 with a fast wide-angle from Sigma for indoor available light shots (Nikon doesn't have anything at the moment).

If low-light portraits (need a short telephoto lens) end up being your cup of tea, you can't go wrong with either the Nikon 50/1.8 for 100 bucks, or its slightly faster cousin, the 50/1.4 for $250.

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Unfortunately Nikon discontinued their excellent 28mm f/1.4, but with persistence one can round one of those up -- it's a terrific lens and worth the effort to find. A lot of people are happy with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, too, though.

Definitely the 50 mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 should be in your camera bag! These are both excellent lenses for using in low light, and are nice for head-and-shoulders portraits and such.

Another nice and inexpensive lens is the underrated 35mm f/2, which is small and unobtrusive and great for shooting in low light (not as good as an f/1.4 or f/1.8, of course, but useable in many situations). It's about the equivalent of the so called "normal" 50mm on a full-frame 35mm camera. It is a very handy lens and works quite nicely with the small D50.

If you really only want one lens it's probably best to get a good zoom at least 28-70mm But more is allways better.

Diatribe said:

Just got the cam yesterday and I must say it is just awesome. Really nice pictures and just a lot of fun.
I'll have to send it back though I think, when I shake it a bit it a small part seems to be moving inside. Something is loose in there and makes a sound when the camera is moved, I suppose this is not normal so I guess I'll have to send it back for a new one...

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This is normal!
It is the camera orientation sensor.

Diatribe said:

Thank you, I just saw that on another forum. I was freaking out there for a second. Should mention that in the manual for the uninformed public.
Thanks again though.

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Ha ha!

My D70 has always done this, but I had no idea why!

Enjoy your cam. It's a great combo.