Nikon d300s lens advice.

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RSMarco

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Hi all,
I have read a few threads on this forum regarding lens choice but seem to find to many different opinions and nothing that advices me of what I am trying to understand.

I have a d300s and a 50mm f1.8 prime at the mo and I would like to look into getting a good all purpose / walk about lens.

My thoughts are on the 16 - 85mm f3.5 - 5.6 Nikon lens and I read that some rate this and some say it's over priced.

I'm not confident enough to look at othe makes which is why I'm asking you people with more experience.

My interests will be portrates as we are expecting a new born in december, landscape and as I am a keen mountain biker and snow boarder, I would like to have a go at capturing images from these sports.

Also, I have no experience with ordering a lens online and delivery of a lens. I'm concerned of packaging and possible damage etc. Also, good online dealers etc.

I appreciate any advice and lok forward to your help.

Mark
 
24-70 2.8..........awesome. Had my first trial with it on Sunday and found it quite stunning. Wanted a 17-35 but settled for this and was not disapointed, just get it.

4105538141_a88bf86b69_o.jpg
 
Thanks,
I thought someone would suggest this lens. It's expensive though..lol
 
Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is a cracking lens at a good price, it is damned near as good as the 17-55 Nikon F2.8 image quality wise.

Edit, got mine for £225 I think,deffo around that figure.
 
you have an awesome camera , no point sticking some low grade glass on the front of it !!

24-70 is at the top of my list also.
 
IMO the 24-70 is not the ideal range for a walkabout lens on DX camera, it would be better on a FX camera.
If you want to buy Nikon the more obvious choices are the 17-55 or 16-85 neither of which are probably as good in terms of IQ as the 24-70.
I ended up with the 16-85, but only have the D90.
 
Hi Mark,
If you want a good general purpose lens how about the 24-120. I have a D70 and a D300, the 24-120 is almost permanent fixture on the D300. Not as fast as the 24-70, but with the VR switched on you gain a couple of stops anyway. Try setting the sensitivity to auto, you can set the maximum, it will use the lowest practical.
Enjoy the camera, it's awesome.
John
 
I guess it all comes down to how much you want to spend but if you are looking at the 24-120mm VR option then I'd also consider looking at the 18-200mm. I've got a 24-70mm & 70-200mm f2.8 and the optics are great but if I just want a day lens then I'll often just stick on my 18-200mm and leave the backpack at home.
 
All purpose\walkabout that covers a broad focal length - 18-200mm VR (DX only)

If you want to future-proof yourself if you plan\do go FX, then 24-70mm f2.8

I've had the former and it is superbly versatile, it was never off my old D80.

I've now got the latter and it's a wonderful lens.

I gradually swapped out all my DX lenses for FX ones, so you may want to bear that in mind and go for FX from the outset although it may\will cost more!
 
Thanks alot chaps.

Like I have said, I have the 50mm too and wonder if this would get used?

The 24 - 70 looks and sound good, it's just the price behind it and I am wondering if I will be able to notice it over say the 16 - 85mm or the others mentioned?

I do appreciate the FX comments though.

Any advice on where to buy..?

Mark
 
I recently got the 50mm 1.4 and love it for portraits of my son.

As a walkabout had the 18-105, fine lens but the next one, an 18-70 was better. Then I went for the 17-55 2.8. Big, solid and great IQ. The best DX lens and I think second only to the 24-70 which is the dogs whatsits!!!

Money no object? 24-70 everday! I am selling my 17-55 2.8 only because I rarely go below 24/30 and often need something in the 50-70 range. They sell for £550-£600 second hand, and you will get the majority of your money back should you come to sell.

Problem with the 18-200 is softness, and would think the 24-120 would not be the sharpest.
 
Hello all - first post :clap:

Just got my hands on the new Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX IF HSM. Have to say its absolutely fantastic. Great results so far, and very sharp. Would be a good price sensitive option over the Nikkor if you wished to go for 24-70.

Can be bought for around the £500-£600 mark, if you are happy to trust HK suppliers.

Cheers, Bradders.
 
I also have a D300s but with the 50mm f1.4, great lens.

However for a general use lens, cover all bases I went for the Sigma 18-250. Not the very best optically however as a beginner which I am ( not sure about yourself) it allows me to try landscapes, portraits and some wildlife with one lens on a walkabout. Even a beginner like me can see the optical difference between the Sigma and the Nikkor however the Sigma allows me to understand the camera and all it's functions and the correlation between focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc etc.

In the future when I fully understand the camera and more importantly composition, I could keep the Sigma for general use or sell it on.
 
Thanks chap's, I appreciate your help.

Still don't know what to do. There are not many shops near me, only a handfull of Jessops and the one in my town was useless the other weekend.

M
 
I had the 16 -85mm VR on a D300 cracking lens, IQ is virtually indistingusual from the Nikon 17-55mm only thing missing was the f2.8 (but i got round that with a few primes), the IQ blows away the sigma 24-70 f2.8 which i also had. Flicker pool for 16-85mm VR
 
Thanks for the link mate.
 
I've got the Nikon 16-85mm and I've found it to be a great lens. :)

I had the Nikon 18-70mm before, and the extra wide end and zoom are a significant improvement, especially at the wide end. It overlaps so well with my 70-300mm that I don't need to change as much as I used to.

Anything not at least 18mm at the wide end would not be a wise move for a general purpose lens on a DX sized sensor imho.
 
Hi again.

Been doing a little more thinking and reading up on peoples opinions for the lenses mentioned and I think as I am trying to develop myself again, I would be better off with lenses with a wider focal length to play with.

My thoughts are on something like the Sigma 10 – 20mm and the Nikon 16 – 85mm. I know the apertures are higher than the 24 – 70 f2.8 but this is very limiting when looked at as a single purchase?

Has anyone any thoughts on my choices and if possible, if anyone has experience with these lenses / images taken, would you be kind enough to post some samples.

Like mentioned I want to take pictures of a new born which will be mainly in doors, have a go at landscape and also images of cars etc.

Much appreciated

Mark
 
24-70 although sounds and is great on the DX the wide angle to me isn't wide enough for general walk about stuff and landscapes.

The 16-85 is a much better range, shame it's not faster but i think most of the time you'll be using it at mid apertures
 
That's my thoughts too..!
 
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