Recommendations for Lens choices.

[Johnny Thunder]

Hi everyone.

I am currently in the process of selecting a new camera. After having a play around with the various different cameras available, I have decided upon the Nikon D300.

The one area of photography that I would like to get into, is bird photography.
For this I have decided to get the 300mm Prime lens, and probably add a teleconverter or two. These purchases, however, will be a few months further down the line.

To begin with, I would like to cover the ranges from. say, 18mm to 200mm.
I am undecided as to how to cover the lower ranges. I am looking at the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX. This, to me, seems like a great all in one lens, but would I be wiser to go for two lenses, ie. 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX and 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AF-S VR DX.

My first purchases will be the body, and the lenses in the 18-200 range. The 300 prime will have to wait for a couple of more months. Does this seem like a sensible way to go about building a collection of glass, or should I spend all of the initial budget on one lens that covers me from 18-50mm, and add more as the finances become available?

Looking forward to your replies and advice.
Thank you.

John.

 

[Lensflare]

First off, congratulations on joining the Nikon brotherhood. I have been Nikon based since my first one in 1981, when I swapped form Olympus OM system due to the car being broken into at Donnington Park. You will not be disappointed.

Don't be afraid to buy used lenses - especially from a well respected source. I like Fixation, Greys of Westminster (a bit more expensive than some other outlets, but you will get nothing but 5* service and their lens description is probabluy a bit on the conservative side - just ask them to have a look at any particular lens you might be interested in, they will describe it over the phone to you.)

I have just bought my 105 from them - it was described as being Exc + , but to be honest, I cannot see how they have downgraded it that much! I saved £300 on a new one and have as near as doesn'rt matter, a new lens. It is totally unmarked.

I would suggest that you should think about spending MORE on your lenses than you spend on the camera body. It is the glas that gives you the image quality, not the body. Unless you can afford the extra stop and don't mind the extra weight of the f2.8, then the 300 f4 is a fantastic lens.

For the wider views? Have a look at getting a used 17-35 f2.8. The difference in build quality and image quality over the variable f-stop lenses is worht the extra. The 17-55 is another worth looking at. Witht he slightly longer lens - an 80-200 is affordable and was the benchmark lens in its day. You can get them for very reasonablw amounts now - but again, go for the f2.8 version. You will not regret it. Especially if you are thinking of putting a teleconverter on it. Talking of which - if you got an 80-200 f2.8 and a 1.4 or 1.7 converter, you wouldn't need the 300 so soon....if at all.

Do some more detective work and look at your budget again. Which lens choices you make will depend on what you will photograph THE MOST, and how much you are prepared to pay. On a fixed budget, used makes even more sense.

 

[Johnny Thunder]

Thank you for your reply.

After the purchase of the camera body, my remaining budget will be around the £500 mark. I was initially thinking of the 18-200 as a starter lens to cover as many photo opportunities as possible. I do appreciate that the more I spend, the better I get, but I would hope that the first piece of glass I buy does not restrict me too much with regard to the range I could cover.
If your opinion is that I should buy a better quality lens, which would you recommend as my first purchase for the budget available?

You may also include lenses above my budget. I may be able to stretch a little more.


John.

 

[StewartR]

If you haven't bought the D300 yet, Johnny, then I'd seriously suggest you stop and reconsider.

You will surely be aware that a DSLR is only one component of a system. And whilst the D300 may seem the best choice of a DSLR for you, I don't think Nikon is the best system for somebody who wants to photograph birds.

Canon's lens range has three high quality telephotos which Nikon can't match:
* 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS (in a completelt different league to Nikon's 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR!!)
* 300mm f/4 L IS (Nikon's 300mm f/4 doesn't have IS/VR)
* 400mm f/5.6 L (Nikon have nothing remotely similar)
I think the 50D is probably the most attractive of Canon's DSLRs for a birder.

The Olympus Four Thirds range would be worth looking at too: there isn't the same range of lenses, but the 2x crop factor of the sensor is very valuable for birding.