Lens advice
12-26-2009, 12:04 PM
#1
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Lens advice
Okay, so just starting out with this photography thing and need a little advice. I have Nikon D60 and have not used anything other than the standard lens with the camera. I am looking to buy a good all around lens that also will help with distance shots. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I see alot a really great shots here, would anyone care to share how they increased their ability?
12-26-2009, 12:45 PM
#2
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for a "walk-around" lens I HIGHLY suggest the Tamron 28-75f/2.8 lens. This was the first lens I bought, it is extremely sharp and a lot less than the Nikon equivalent. I got mine for around $400.00 shipped. Check out BH Photo online
12-26-2009, 12:53 PM
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You'll find that a lens can quickly exceed the cost of the body. Different lens are designed for different applications, then there are those that try to be all things to all users.
The kit lens is a good example of the "all things" theory. It will take a fair close-up, and a fair zoom, but doesn't do anything exceptionally.
You can't lose with a prime lens (one that is a fixed focal length) as they are usually much sharper with a wider aperture for the money than than zoom lens.
A great lens is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (nifty 50) which runs a $100. Another lens I really like is the 35mm DX prime (about $200). Both lens are very sharp and force you to pay attention to your composition, (more so than with a zoom anyway).
The kit lens is a good example of the "all things" theory. It will take a fair close-up, and a fair zoom, but doesn't do anything exceptionally.
You can't lose with a prime lens (one that is a fixed focal length) as they are usually much sharper with a wider aperture for the money than than zoom lens.
A great lens is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (nifty 50) which runs a $100. Another lens I really like is the 35mm DX prime (about $200). Both lens are very sharp and force you to pay attention to your composition, (more so than with a zoom anyway).
12-26-2009, 07:36 PM
#4
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My recommendation on a 'walk-around' lens would be something with a wider zoom range. Tamron, Sigma, Nikon, and Quantaray all make an 18-200(+) lens that covers the complete zoom range of the standard kit zooms (18-55mm + 55-200mm).
Of those makers, the Nikon product is the best, however it is also the most expensive. I've got a Nikkor 18-200mm VRII slowly moving across the country to me via UPS ground, and I'll post some thoughts/pics from it once I get it and get out with it a bit.
That 28-70/f2.8 is nicely fast, but the zoom range suggests to me that it is intended for full frame cameras (28-70 is basically the same FOV as the 18-55mm lens on APS-C sensor), thus 28mm on the D60 would not, at least for me, be able to get near wide enough for something that I would be using as an 'all-in-one' lens, let alone the limited zoom. For me, an all-in-one lens covers both the wides and the tights.
I haven't been able to use it myself, but from what I've read, the Nikkor 16-85mm is supposed to be the best quality (read: technical performance) 'kit' zoom for DX cameras, though it weighs in at a hefty $600.
In short, my opinion is to go with a 'super-zoom' lens, i.e. 18-200+mm. Depending on the brand you buy, you'll spend anywhere from $400 to $800, and the quality in fit, finish, and imagery, is sure to reflect what you pay when in the world of 'super-zoom' all-in-one lenses.
On the other end of the spectrum, as HSLD suggested, you could easily just spend $200 and get the wonderful 35mm f/1.8 and practice using your feet to 'zoom', and thus become better at composition and judging scenes. I love my 35, but I also love to be able to zoom in tight with a long lens when I don't have the ability to hoof it.
My travel kit, once my new lens arrives, will be the 35mm and the 18-200mm. Everything I need.
Food for thought.
Of those makers, the Nikon product is the best, however it is also the most expensive. I've got a Nikkor 18-200mm VRII slowly moving across the country to me via UPS ground, and I'll post some thoughts/pics from it once I get it and get out with it a bit.
That 28-70/f2.8 is nicely fast, but the zoom range suggests to me that it is intended for full frame cameras (28-70 is basically the same FOV as the 18-55mm lens on APS-C sensor), thus 28mm on the D60 would not, at least for me, be able to get near wide enough for something that I would be using as an 'all-in-one' lens, let alone the limited zoom. For me, an all-in-one lens covers both the wides and the tights.
I haven't been able to use it myself, but from what I've read, the Nikkor 16-85mm is supposed to be the best quality (read: technical performance) 'kit' zoom for DX cameras, though it weighs in at a hefty $600.
In short, my opinion is to go with a 'super-zoom' lens, i.e. 18-200+mm. Depending on the brand you buy, you'll spend anywhere from $400 to $800, and the quality in fit, finish, and imagery, is sure to reflect what you pay when in the world of 'super-zoom' all-in-one lenses.
On the other end of the spectrum, as HSLD suggested, you could easily just spend $200 and get the wonderful 35mm f/1.8 and practice using your feet to 'zoom', and thus become better at composition and judging scenes. I love my 35, but I also love to be able to zoom in tight with a long lens when I don't have the ability to hoof it.
My travel kit, once my new lens arrives, will be the 35mm and the 18-200mm. Everything I need.
Food for thought.
12-26-2009, 09:04 PM
#6
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To the OP, I've seen guys who can take better shots with a cell phone than guys with 10K worth of Leica gear. To take better pictures you need to tell a story and draw the viewer in. I found that when I first started shooting, I would fill up a memory card with 10 (at best) keepers. Now, instead of spraying and praying, I am shooting far less, but the keeper percentage has gone way up. Why? I am learning to compose better. Go to photo.net for inspiration and ideas. Amazing shots there. Go to kenrockwell.com for info on gear and technique. He's a bit of a nutcase, but the info there is solid and comprehensive.
As far as equipment goes, you already have everything you need to take great pictures. If you feel compelled to buy a lens anyway, I would simplify and go cheap. The 50 1.8 is dirt cheap ($100 new) and tack sharp. More importantly, a prime lens forces you to pay attention to composition by making you move around. With zooms we tend to get lazy by standing in one spot and composing by zooming.
As far as equipment goes, you already have everything you need to take great pictures. If you feel compelled to buy a lens anyway, I would simplify and go cheap. The 50 1.8 is dirt cheap ($100 new) and tack sharp. More importantly, a prime lens forces you to pay attention to composition by making you move around. With zooms we tend to get lazy by standing in one spot and composing by zooming.
12-26-2009, 10:20 PM
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12-27-2009, 02:05 AM
#8
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Hmmm, I didn't realize that the D60 won't AF that lens. I knew that the D40 and D40X wouldn't. A pity. I had the old D70 (2004) and it worked that lens just fine...
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