New walkabout lens

Donk1166

Donk1166

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I'm looking at changing my kit lens that came with my Nikon D5100. It's an 18-55 & it's nice enough but I fancy something different I'm on a tight budget of £200 max. I can see 3 options, a 2nd hand Nikon 17-70, a new 18-105 or just keep the 18-55 & be happy with it.
Unless you can give me some better ideas.. HELP!!!!!
 
Bearing in mind we're talking about budget options, In my opinion the 18-105 is hard to beat.

I bought mine for about £140 delivered I think, from the classifieds here, for pretty much the same reasons, as a walkaround to replace the 18-55. For my needs it's been an absolute star. It's sharp enough, I like the colour and contrast it gives my pics, and it's still my go-to lens for 75% of what I do (15% I need longer, and 10% I need faster).

It's the range that does it for me, just about perfect... Sure I fancy the 18-200, and I'm sure it's much better generally, but pound for pound I'm still delighted with my purchase.

It does have a bit of barrel distortion at 18, which is noticable particularly if you're doing architectural shots, but it's not as bad as I was led to expect, corrects really easily in PP, and is gone by about 20/21.
 
That's sounding very familiar. I've got the range covered with my 55-200, don't need any more than that.
Just a question of finding the right price on whatever I go for
 
There's plenty of 'buy it now' on ebay at around 160. But they come up pretty often in the classifieds here too.
 
Go for the 18-70mm lens...its brilliant. Build quality is so much better than the 18-105....metal mount for a start on the 18-70 and it just 'feels' better all round. I had one until recently, until I managed to smash it along with my D300! IQ is VERY good for this level of glass and they go for peanuts on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-DX-...=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item20cda15b40
Oh and the max aperture is a stop better on the 18-70 too; f/4.5 instead of 5.6 on the 18-105
Neil
 
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See this is where this forum is great. I can get opinions from loads of people with varying levels of expertise.
The cheaper price leaves some in the bank for the 35mm f/1.8G that's still in the back of my mind :0(
 
Yeah,
I've just got hold of a 35mm .....yesterday infact so not yet had time to play with it.
 
I've been watching a few 18-70s on eBay now. They peak at about £80 max. I wouldn't have to sell my 18-55 to afford it either.
I am a complete novice which is why the budget is so tight
 
I reckon I'd get more use out of the walkabout lens. The 35 can wait a bit longer!!
 
Donk1166 said:
I reckon I'd get more use out of the walkabout lens. The 35 can wait a bit longer!!
Click to expand...

I hated the 35!

Sold it to a guy at work this week. I kept trying to love it, largely because everyone bangs on about how great it is, but (to me) it's just a one trick pony. It's bloody sharp, no question, but that's all it is, and for me that's not the be all and end all.
 
I'm pretending to know what you guys are talking about!!
I know about 35 being a one trick pony. I'm just hoping I'll use that one trick a lot!!
 
Donk1166 said:
I know about 35 being a one trick pony. I'm just hoping I'll use that one trick a lot!!
Click to expand...

I honestly thought I would, but there's only so many 'sharp eyes - blurred ears' photo's you can take. :lol:
 
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