Best lens/Lenses for D300 with budget of £500?

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Graelwyn

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I keep reading negative stuff about the 18-200 vr lens and that it is a better quality snapshot lens... does this mean I wouldn't get decent shots out of it?

If so, what are my alternatives for now? (we have a few secondhand camera stores here too)
 
It depends what you expect from the lens. I use an 18-70mm and an 80-400 which I am quite happy with, but that would me my opinion and my preference. You may see a post saying that the 18-200 is great then when you go to the store and try it out you find that its not what you have expected. My suggestion is that if you have stores nearby, go down to the store and try it out. Use various apertures and after analyse the reults at home on the PC not on the camera screen.
That will leave you with peace of mind as its what you really want.
Try various lenses as well then compare. I have read that the new nikon 16-85 is a good lens, try it out as well. Hope it helps,
Simon.
 
Yeah, on some forums they really slate the 18-200 and say it is like running a chevy on diesel or somesuch, putting it on the d300, but my choices are limited. I have seen some fantastic shots using this lens, so I am not sure why the criticism of it, but it concerns me.
 
The 18-200 is an OK lens by any measure. The only issue with it is that some people have theirs creep a bit. Otherwise, for the price, it is an excellent lens.

That said, the 18-70 mentioned by foodpoison is a cracking lens for the price. It beats the 18-200 in the 18-70 range.

You could also look at the 70-300VR, which is another excellent lens for the price.

If you choose to go with the 18-70 & 70-300VR you are looking to pay close to £500 which is in your price bracket. Or, if you go with the 18-70 and the 55-200VR and this couple would be well under £400.
 
If I had to spend £500, I'd get Sigma lenses; 10-20mm, and a 70-300mm APO for starters, and spend what's left on either a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, or the Sigma equivalent...

For my D300, right now, It would be Sigma 10-20mm, and 105mm Macro lenses...
 
The 18-200 is on my shopping list. Bloody handy lens when you want to go light.

:D

 
The 18-200 does have terrible creep, but this shouldn't always be a problem. It also feels very similar to the kit lens you get with most Nikons, the 18-70.
 
I hated my 18-135mm kit lens, it just looked so average and suffered terrible lens flare too. Crap in low light and crap in high light... dunno what the 18-200 is like though, could be amazing but I tend not to expect it to be that good.
 
All "super-zooms" suffer optically to some degree, simply due to their construction. They try to do everything in one lens, and have to compromise somewhere...

I'd rather spend the money on a 17-50mm f/2.8 and a decent zoom (70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-300mm f/4) without all that extra technology that will be pricey to fix when it breaks...
 
The 18-200 is a very good lens for most environments. The only downside is the lack of 2.8 but otherwise it really is a good lens. The images are always sharp and it's very fast to focus, even when I do my weekend bar photography in the dark!

Lens creep isn't as bad as it sounds. Basically, when you're holding your camera and it's pointing to the floor, the zoom will extend. But then again I always hold mine upright and ready to shoot. :)
 
Hang on lads the other thread shows she might be going for a Canon:'(;)
 
Yup, I am indeed going for a Canon, I am afraid...sorry to disappoint the Nikon Camp.
I need a change of scene...for now.
 
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