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Siberdib

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I need some help regarding the purchase of a lens to complement my new Nikon D90. I have £400 available to invest in a lens - but want to make sure I make a decision that will satisfy myself for a while as I won't have these types of funds available until the end of next year at the best.

I enjoy taking landscapes, architecture and general walk-about photo opportunities. Also, take the odd sports photo.

I am currently undecided between:

* Nikon 16-85mm
* Sigma 18-50mm
* Sigma 17-70mm
* Or, simply the 18-105mm kit lens.

I like the look of the Sigma because they are faster and more inexpensive. But feel the Nikon's are sharper and more compatiable. As I have never made this investment before as I accepted the original kit-lens on my Sony Alpha 200, I really want to make the best decision for the long-term.

Any advice would be excellent, cheers.
 
i've had money burning a hole in my pocket for a while now, and was really desperate for £1200 worth of 24-70 f2.8 glass, but i had the kit lens out today at a castle fun day/santas grotto and it blew my socks off. very low light especially indoors . up to iso 3200 f3.5 with the vr and i have some lovely images . the depth of the colours, sharpness and lack of noise and possibly me getting to know the camera better has really re-ignited my interest.

18-105 suits me perfectly

Al
 
i'd go for a second hand Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX,
can be had for around £350-£400, same as the kit lens at the WA end but with a bit of extra range, good walk about and that bit extra for your sports! Its a popular lens so cant be bad!!
 
I would go for a 2nd hand 18-70 f/3.5-4.5. It'll be too short for most outdoor sports (soccer, rugby etc) but paired with a 2nd hand Sigma 70-300 APO (the two lenses combined should be well under your £400 budget, even at dealer prices with warranties) should cover you for most needs.
 
I am in the same boat as to what to accompany the D90 I will buy next year.

Sorry to throw another lens into the decision but the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC looks a cracking lens
 
Out of your list I would go for the Nikon 16-85 VR.

Mainly because when I want a "standard zoom lens" on on my camera I tend to use the wider end but you may have different priorities. I did not bother with the D90's kit lens as it just didn't fit in with my needs.

Have a look at the Nikon lens simulator here to see if the focal length range would be good enough for you.
 
Thanks for the advice all.

Didn't realise there was a Nikon Lens simulator. Very handy, and I believe it has helped me make my mind up that I will opt for the 16-85mm. The 17-50 may be a little restricting so the type of photography I take. Although I do the occasional sport, I still have a 70-300mm on my first DSLR so that should see me by for the time being.
 
Id be carefull using the 70-300 with sport as correct me if im wrong the af on it is horrific
 
the 18-105 gives great pics on my D90. I cant comment on the other lenses
 
I use an 18-135mm when I need a zoom, although I prefer the 50 or 30 primes.

Have just bought a Tamron 28-75mm though which should get a lot of use.
 
Dman said:
I use an 18-135mm when I need a zoom, although I prefer the 50 or 30 primes.

Have just bought a Tamron 28-75mm though which should get a lot of use.
Click to expand...

tell me how you get on with the tamron. is yours the motorised version?
i've found a seller, but he seems to be busy and not got back to me ;-(

having liked the tamron 28-75 f2.8 on the sony definately consider it for the d90
 
p1tse said:
tell me how you get on with the tamron. is yours the motorised version?
i've found a seller, but he seems to be busy and not got back to me ;-(

having liked the tamron 28-75 f2.8 on the sony definately consider it for the d90
Click to expand...

I'm assuming it is, at least it should be as although the question wasn't answered when I asked it, I wasn't told otherwise. I was in a rush to complete the deal, but I guess I'll find out within an hour or so when it arrives.
 
does the tamron lens have image stablizing on it as this is in the sony body but all the image stablizing is in the lens iyswim (or at least thats what i was told lol)
i have bought the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Lens cant tell you what it's like to use yet but it looks very pretty (only 21 days til i can use it :o) )
 
Just got the lens, lovely looking thing if a bit heavier than my other lenses. It's the IF one so has the lens in the body, will test it out at lunchtime.

I don't believe this has IS, there's certainly no switch on the lens.
 
no VR or tamron vibration control on the 28-75 f2.8 unfortunately

cracking lens, but it does like to hunt and can hear the autofocus
 
bobsbabes said:
does the tamron lens have image stablizing on it as this is in the sony body but all the image stablizing is in the lens iyswim (or at least thats what i was told lol)
i have bought the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Lens cant tell you what it's like to use yet but it looks very pretty (only 21 days til i can use it :o) )
Click to expand...


where did you get it from?
 
Ah, just realised he was talking to you.

Doh!
 
I've got the Nikon 18-200 VR and have recently purchased the Sigma 24-70.

The 18-200 is a nice all rounder if you want just one lens as a walkabout to cover many different scenario's. Have to say though, the Siggy has not been off my camera since I got it. It's fab in low light and also noticably sharper. Am loving it at the mo.
 
Murph said:
I've got the Nikon 18-200 VR and have recently purchased the Sigma 24-70.

The 18-200 is a nice all rounder if you want just one lens as a walkabout to cover many different scenario's. Have to say though, the Siggy has not been off my camera since I got it. It's fab in low light and also noticably sharper. Am loving it at the mo.
Click to expand...


is that sigma the constant f2.8?

would be good to see some comparison shots of the nikon and sigma at the same focal and crop factor if you get a chance.

fancy selling the 18-200 ;-)
 
I have decided to plump for the 16-85mm. Found an excellent deal which involved buying the D90 body as well. Keeping the 16-85mm as potentially a kit lens, it will give me time to experiment and then decide on which other directions I will need to take based on its flaws.

I like the look of the Tamron 28-75, but feel I can't give up the extra 12mm at the wider end at the moment with my aim for taking landscape pictures. It may come a time when I become frustrated with the speed of the 16-85 (my only reservation) and decided to plump for a Sigma or Tamron with a faster aperture.
 
16-85vr is something i'm considering, but not sure how i will benefit from it over the 18-105vr
 
Dman said:
Just got the lens, lovely looking thing if a bit heavier than my other lenses. It's the IF one so has the lens in the body, will test it out at lunchtime.

I don't believe this has IS, there's certainly no switch on the lens.
Click to expand...

how's the testing ;-)
 
p1tse said:
how's the testing ;-)
Click to expand...

Didn't manage to get out today, hopefully tomorrow so I can give it a run out along with the Sigma 10-20 the postman's bringing me.
 
Hi p1tse,

Yep 2.8 all the way through, which is great.

Bizarrely I am selling the 18-200. A friend of mine has first dibs but if that doesn't come off I'll whack it in the Buying & Selling section and send you a pm.

Alas I'm struggling for time at the moment but if I get a mo will try to add some shots.
 
Murph said:
Hi p1tse,

Yep 2.8 all the way through, which is great.

Bizarrely I am selling the 18-200. A friend of mine has first dibs but if that doesn't come off I'll whack it in the Buying & Selling section and send you a pm.

Alas I'm struggling for time at the moment but if I get a mo will try to add some shots.
Click to expand...

sweet
many thanks
would appreciate that
 
Dman said:
Didn't manage to get out today, hopefully tomorrow so I can give it a run out along with the Sigma 10-20 the postman's bringing me.
Click to expand...

oohh another lens i would like to have one day ;-)
 
Got my 10-20 today but didn't bring my body to work so yet to test it. As soon as I get a 70-300 I'll have 10-300 covered.
 
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