D3100 walkaround lens

White230

White230

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Chris
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Hello all,

I'm after a walkaround lens for my D3100. I nearly bought a 35mm 1.8g today, however I feel that it might restrict me with it being a prime.

From what I've read on here the Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a favourite. How are peoples feeling on the Nikon 18-105? Are there any other alternatives that are suitable?

My price range is around £250 maximum.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-Zoo...nses&hash=item1c2a818486&_uhb=1#ht_2853wt_701

or check out all

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...=Nikkor+24-120mm+f/3.5-5.6+AF-S+VR+IF+ED+Lens

This is the lens I have and found it a brilliant lens. normal price is around £550. With that 3 month warrantee as well I would grab it with both hands. And has Vibration Reduction as well (VR)

its the only lens I used on my recent trip to Egypt

8887at.jpg


Example taken at night with artificial lighting
Realspeed
 
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realspeed said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-Zoo...nses&hash=item1c2a818486&_uhb=1#ht_2853wt_701

This is the lens I have and found it a brilliant lens. normal price is around £550. With that 3 month warrantee as well I would grab it with both hands

Realspeed
Click to expand...

That lens has a reputation for being really rather soft (although I admit I've never used one) and as such 2nd hand prices are really low - have a look on MPB to see.

I was really happy with my 18-105 and found the range more than enough for everyday use, distortion was pretty wild at the wide end though!

The Nikon 18-70 has a great reputation for build and IQ although it lacks VR.

Ultimately everything at this end of the market has its compromises and you need to decide which compromise most suits you best.

For example:

The Tamron you mention has great IQ and constant f/2.8 but has limited range
The 24-120 has great range and VR but is soft
The 18-70 has great build and image quality and fast (f/3.5-4.5) but lacks VR
The 18-105 has pretty poor build (plastic mount) and slower than the 18-70 but is otherwise pretty good

My money would probably go for the 18-105 as I like VR or the Tamron as I like fast glass.
 
Nawty

Yes it does have that reputation but I don't seem to have that problem.

I recommended that lens on cost- VR and use since purchasing it in December 2006

Like any reviewer of anything you will always get some Professional used to top end lenses knocking those lenses further down the price range.


I used to have the 18-70mm version as it was a kit lens with the D70s and a very good lens it was too apart from the range it covered.
 
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White230 said:
Hello all,

I'm after a walkaround lens for my D3100. I nearly bought a 35mm 1.8g today, however I feel that it might restrict me with it being a prime.

From what I've read on here the Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a favourite. How are peoples feeling on the Nikon 18-105? Are there any other alternatives that are suitable?

My price range is around £250 maximum.
Click to expand...

I bought the 35mm f1.8 a few months after buying my D3100, and have just bought the Tamron 17-50. The 35mm is a great lens but the Tamron is more versatile - I found the 35mm wasn't wide enough for indoor shots, and outdoors it wasn't long enough in some situations.
 
A slight massaging of the budget would get you a Nikon 16-85 VR...

That said, not a lot wrong with the Tamron that you mentioned.
 
Maybe it might help the OP to post some pictures taken with the aforementioned lenses.
I was trying to keep within his budget and versality of the lens even though second hand

Realspeed
 
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I wonder if the OP has the 18-55 kit lens?

If that's the case then the answer will change greatly...
 
Nawty said:
I wonder if the OP has the 18-55 kit lens?

If that's the case then the answer will change greatly...
Click to expand...

Yes, I have the 18-55mm kit lens. I was looking for something more versatile for normal use.

I have seriously considered the Tamron but unsure which version is more user friendly, I'd imagine the VC version is better due to movement etc. but many people recommend the non-VC version.

The 16-85 is slightly out of my budget but I may consider it. But ideally didn't want to spend that much.
 
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To be honest, the 18-55 is a good walk about lens so I would be looking for a lens that can do something that can't.

That could be constant f/2.8 or it could be more reach, therefore I'd discount the 18-70. Again, it depends on what you feel you're lacking.

The other thing is that I found the 18-105 was a little out of balance on my D60 (which is the same size/weight as yours) so that may be worth thinking about too.

I still use my D60 as a lightweight travel camera with a 18-55 VR, 55-200 VR and 35 f/1.8 and I can get pretty much 98% of shots I want.
 
I'm a fan of the 18-105. It spends more time on my camera than any other lens. Ok, it's not as sharp as my 35 1.8, or as good in low light as my 18-50 2.8, but to me it's better than both put together. It's range makes it great in most situations, IQ is fine, and the bit of distortion at the extreme wide end is easy enough to correct. For the money they go for it's a bargain.
 
I am also thinking about getting an alternative to my kit 18-55mm. What about the Sigma 17-50? I've read reviews and there is not too much difference between this and the Tamron but according the reviews, the Sigma edges it.

I also have the 35mm f1.8 which I thoroughly recommend. I have produced some of my best pictures with this lens. Yes, it may be slightly restricting in terms of the focal length but I feel that it makes it up with it's sharpness and quality of images.
 
After looking at the 18-105 it's just another kit lens and tbh I don't think it's going to be a big enough jump in image quality over the 18-55mm I have now.

I was ideally after more reach for travel use/day to day but like people have said at this price range it's about compromise. Maybe If I go down the route of a 55-200mm VR which are crazy cheap and a 35m 1.8g both can be achieved with a little over £200?
 
White230 said:
After looking at the 18-105 it's just another kit lens and tbh I don't think it's going to be a big enough jump in image quality over the 18-55mm I have now.

I was ideally after more reach for travel use/day to day but like people have said at this price range it's about compromise. Maybe If I go down the route of a 55-200mm VR which are crazy cheap and a 35m 1.8g both can be achieved with a little over £200?
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan, however i found my tamron 17-50 as sharp as my 50mm prime so sold it, its but obviously not as fast though. I will get around to buying the 35mm.
 
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The 55-200mm and 35mm are very good lenses to pair up with the 18-55 on the smaller Nikon bodies.
 
After a little more digging and it seems the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8 OS Macro is good contender. Nice focal range and seems to be quite high regarded and has some good reviews.
 
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