My first thread to ask for your advice

sherbs79

sherbs79

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Hello all :wave:

Joined this forum a week or so ago and I'm ready to ask my first question.

I have a Nikon D80 (I'm just learning) with an 18-55 kit lens and a little 50mm lens. I'm looking to add another lens to my kit list (new or second hand) my top line budget would be around £450. I have a family wedding in July this year and would like to get some cracking family photos but Im unsure what lens I would be best getting, I also want to be able to use this lens after the wedding and dont want it to just be left in my bag collecting dust. I have asked a few folk which lens they would suggest. The main suggestions seem to be 18-200 or a 55-300, would you suggest something different?

Heres the kind of thing im looking at - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-Nik...ps=63&clkid=5984627716949871704#ht_500wt_1363
Also, do the DX lenses fit of a D80??

Sorry in advance if i sound like a beginner, its because I am :)

Thanks for your replies in advance
 
Easy - 35mm f/1.8 DX.

It's all the lens you'll ever need. For a wedding its wide aperture is essential for low light and shallow DOF portraits. You should have enough dough left for the 85mm f/1.8 too. Which is about 135mm equivalent on the DX sensor, perfect portrait/candid length, and nice and fast again.
 
I agree with the above. The two primes suggested are excellent, and will always see use after the wedding itself. DX lenses will work on any Nikon digital camera, but they are designed to fit crop sensor bodies, such as the D80. It's shorter to write the cameras DX lenses are not designed for, these being the D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D700, and soon the D800. These cameras all have a DX mode however, so can be used with reduced resolution. These lenses seldom work on Nikon 35mm Film SLR bodies, unless in rare occasions where the image circle is big enough. Either way, the take home message is, DX lenses are designed for cameras with APS-C sensors in, otherwise known as crop sensors. D80, D90, D7000, D300, D300s etc etc.

As for your lens choice, as said above really. They are excellent focal lengths on crop sensor bodies and offer image quality that will easily surpass that of a kit lens. Sadly you'll need a bit more dosh to get the top end Nikon zoom lens for the range you already have, that being the Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8. Stay clear of the 18-200 imho, as well as the 55-300.

If the D80 has a built in lens motor (someone can verify this as I can't remember), and you are happy to sacrifice a little in auto focus speed, the older Nikon 80-200mm F/2.8 AF-D (2 ring version) is a stunningly sharp lens, and will thrash the pants off the 18-200 and 55-300 in all but the VR capabilities; the AF speed of this lens is, after all, not *that* slow. These go for about £400 iirc second hand.
 
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What the other two said plus my two cents.
18-200 is a cracking one lens compromise but sooner or later you will be disappointed in its softer images at 200mm. 55-300 isn't the best choice either.
As you already have the 18-55 ( is it the VR version? It's much better than the non VR). I would think about the 55-200vr. It's a cracking lens and you should get one for around £150, used from a shop.
This will leave enough for one of the other suggested lenses for portraits

The 17-55 f2.8 and 80-200 f2.8 are great lenses but they are very heavy. Great if you are a budding pro but you will soon get tired of carrying them around on day trips and holidays.

Another choice is the 70-300vr. Stunning images and a decent price now used and a pretty good lens to use as a portrait lens at 70-90mm but not as good as a prime.

Lots to think about! Good luck

Allan
 
I am going to go with 18-200mm VR,to me a very good all round lens.

Then if you can get on with it,get rid of your 18-55mm and add the 35mm F1.8.

:)
 
Thanks for all you're help guys, I think Im going to go for the following options after reading you're posts.

1st Purchase - Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens £429.95
2nd Purchase - Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 G DX Lens £160.95

I assume both these fit on a D80?

Although I use both my lenses just now, I must admit that Im not a great fan of the 18-55 Kit lens so hopefully I can put that aside with these new lenses!! I would hope that I can produce some good photos with these new lenses, I have also been informed that a flash would be a good thing to purchase, my pockets are going to be empty soon!!

I really do appreciate all this help and hopefully maybe one day I can read a post from Woodsy and fully understand all the lingo/jargon haha
 
Decided that as I have a 50mm 1.4 Im going to splash out on the 70-300 first then decide if I need another lens!! The 50mm might be just as good as the 38mm
 
sherbs79 said:
Thanks for all you're help guys, I think Im going to go for the following options after reading you're posts.

1st Purchase - Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens £429.95
2nd Purchase - Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 G DX Lens £160.95
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Not bad choices but I don't see you getting much use out of a 70-300 at a wedding. Its field of view is too narrow and isn't fast enough for indoor shots without a flash. Aside from the wedding though it's a great lens and I use mine a lot.

As you already have the nifty-fifty I'm not sure what buying the more expensive 35mm gives you except for a marginally wider field of view. Yes, that's sometimes useful indoors I've never found the difference worth the extra money. You can see which suits you best by setting your 18-55 at both focal lengths and trying it out for yourself.

I assume both these fit on a D80?
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One of the real benefits of owning a Nikon dslr is that almost every lens they've made since the beginning of time with "fit" onto your camera. Before the pedants jump in with both feet, yes I know there are some that won't. The Nikon F-mount has been around for a long time and although some older lenses will be missing features/facilities that newer lenses have they will still mechanically mount onto the body.
 
Thanks Bristolian, I thought about the 70-300 to get some good candid shots of folk when they dont think the camera is on them, also I dont have a tele lens so thought this one would be ideal?

Im with you on the 38mm, I had my fifty out today and I think i will just stick with that and forget about the 38mm, it now means i may be able to spend a little bit more on the bigger lens
 
Stick with the 70-300 VR Scott,for the money you just cannot beat it

Taken at Blackpool Zoo with it.
Call_me_Elvis_650.jpg


Then save up for a good 18-50. In my opinion VR is Great on longer lenses
But not absolutely necessary on 50mm as you should be able to hold without shake unless using in very low light.
The Sigma 18-50 with ED glass is a good one.
 
sherbs79 said:
Thanks Bristolian, I thought about the 70-300 to get some good candid shots of folk when they dont think the camera is on them, also I dont have a tele lens so thought this one would be ideal?

Im with you on the 38mm, I had my fifty out today and I think i will just stick with that and forget about the 38mm, it now means i may be able to spend a little bit more on the bigger lens
Click to expand...

I think the 70-330VR is a great lens (was out shooting deer with mine yesterday) but unless there's plenty of light at the wedding you're not going to get candids with it indoors because you'll have need such a slow shutter speed. Not a problem with camera shake (due to the VR) but if anyone moves you'll see it in the pictures.

Here's a radical thought for you ... why not hire a lens for the wedding? Something like a 24-75mm f/2.8 would be ideal for what you want to do at the wedding.

Lensesforhire are really reasonable and members of this forum :thumbs:
 
towershot said:
Stick with the 70-300 VR Scott,for the money you just cannot beat it

Taken at Blackpool Zoo with it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, clipped the photo out.

That's a great shot Rick, but if the bride looks like that I'd do everyone a favour and leave the camera at home :D
 
Ive been having a look around tonight at the choices, would love to get the 2.8 70-300 but cant afford it so i think i will just stick to the 4.5. The wedding is in July and is out in the country so i should be able to get some cracking shots with it outside, then will just stick to my nifty fifty! And when it gets too dark I will be up throwing some moves on the dancefloor anyway :thumbs:
 
Thanks for the tips/pic Towershot, think my mind is settled on the 70-300.....just need to run it by the mrs and get the funds released!!
 
Got a loan of a Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 lens from my mate in work, really impressed with it, so much so i think im going to try and save some extra cash and purchase one, had a look on Ebay but there doesnt seem to be any in the UK!! Need to get my post counts up on here to access the for sale section asap haha

Has anyone had any experience of this lens?

:thumbs:

Sherbs
 
The 28-300 is really meant for FX. The 18-200 is the equivalent DX lens. Why buy the wrong range and a too heavy lens with an image circle bigger than you need? Very rare to actually need the 450mm equiv on the long end in normal day to day shooting.

If you want a consumer zoom for wildlife, get the 18-200, if you want the best consumer zoom for normal requirements, get the 16-85, if you want low light, get the 35mm and 85mm primes. I'd go for the primes.

And on your wedding question, I gather you settled for 50mm and 70-300? That's a moderate to very long telephoto setup. Surely something wider is more appropriate to wedding interiors and group shots?
 
There's also a new 18-300 for DX on the way...
 
I have not bought a new lens yet, still saving the cash!! I would prefer to get a lens that I can use on a new body once Im a bit more experienced!! If im totally honest, i dont really know what I want now.....too many choices haha:)
 
Hi,

Personal preference - don't get the 18-200 vr mki - had one. Initially was ok - versatile, don't need to change lenses. But as time moved on I found my pics were never as sharp as some peoples. Once I got a 105mm nikkor d macro (used) I saw an immediate difference in crispness and started to use the 18-200 less and less...

Got a 50mm f1.4 d (around 200 ukp new) which although good speed wise, was a little too close. Then got a tokina 11-16 for really wide shots! Woo!
A brief experiement with m42 left me with a 135mm, 28mm f2.5 and a 300mm f4.5. The 300 I'm keeping. The 28 did show that I preferred something with that mm which lead to a brief encounter with a sigma 30mm f1.4 (around 300 ukp). Unfortunately it needed calibrating and was returned, and this year I got a 35mm f1.8 which is brilliant!

Links to most pics in the sig - and on the main flickr home page there is a link to the sets for the sigma.

Have a browse :)

If you are unsure and know some people with the lenses, see if you can go to a gathering with them so you can practice shots that you might want to get at the wedding. At least then you'll know what sort of lens to look for.

Good hunting!
 
Went to Jessops tonight for a quick look, guy was very helpful but now I dont have a clue what I want.....When I think about it I wouldnt really need something that has a massive zoom capability, just to be able to cross a room for some candids, think thing that I do want is for it to be able to take a decent picture in low light when using the zoom!!! Sorry to be a comlete pain guys but as I stated im a complete newbie in here!!

scott
 
50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4 may be a 105mm f2.8 (although you'd be more looking to lower f#s)

they come in nikon and sigma have a look online for reviews and on flickr for the types of pics.

You can use the older d lenses instead of the newer af-s g lenses, might help cut the costs a bit.

How dim a room and how far away would the person be?
 
sherbs79 know how you feel, went to Cardiff today all set to get a Tamron 90mm macro, after so much differing advice now confused and came home empty handed but richer!! Been reading your thread tho and glad for the advice from the other members.
 
I have a 50mm 1.8G already so I will use that for my portraits, Im not in to wildlife photography or anything so I wont be needing a massive zoom, just something that has a long enough zoom to get some candids but still be quick enough in low light! I was looking at the Sigma 70-300 2.8 today and that looks like a decent lens, for the price compared to the Nikon 2.8 70-300 and for a beginner its a great deal! Has anyone had any experience with this lens??

I really do appreciate all of your help guys thanks again!!

Steve - I sympathise with you mate, just as I think i have made my decision, another lens pops in to the equation, I dont have a lot of cash to spare and I want to be able to upgrade my body when im a bit more experienced so I want to get a lens that does everything I want it to
 
basil67 said:
sherbs79 know how you feel, went to Cardiff today all set to get a Tamron 90mm macro, after so much differing advice now confused and came home empty handed but richer!! Been reading your thread tho and glad for the advice from the other members.
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Hi steve,

the sigma 105 and tamron 90 are really good lenses. I have the sigma and really happy, only problem is due to its focal range it can be slow focussing, but quality is great.

If you're around the cardiff area, the cardiff camera centre in one of the arcades have some great prices (but are occasionally surly...), and walters digital in merthyr / aberdare and ebbw vale are brilliant.
 
Thanks for the advice Rapscallion, camera centre was one of the shops only problem three assistants, three bits of advice, and then on to three other shops. Thinking of going for the Nikon 105mm VR now, put a thread up on here for advice.

Sorry for highjacking this thread sherbs79.
 
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