Buying an extra Lens for my Nikon D80, Advice needed.

[PompeyM3]

I got a voucher for Christmas from Jessops that I want to use to put towards a new Lens for my Nikon D80. I currently have a Nikon 18-135 which came with the camera when I bought it.

I've got into more car photography this year,but would like to use it for more generic use as well.

Can anyone suggest a good Lens to go for ?. Thanks

[GetCarter]

The obvious candidates would be a Nikkor 70-300 zoom telephoto (3 to choose from at different costs) This will be good for motorsport, the Sigma 10-20 (good wide angle) or a prime lens like the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (or 1.4 if the voucher is big!)... will give you sharp results and make you work harder as there is no zoom. (Often a good thing).

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 27th December 15:48

[beano500]

PompeyM3 said:

Can anyone suggest a good Lens to go for ?.

The 200-400mm f/4 is a good lens to go for.....

.....at least it'd be one I'd go for after a lottery win.


But, more seriously, I think we need to work out what you'll be photographing. Focal length for "generic stuff" could be quite wide - and will be different things for different people. Steve's suggestions are all excellent, but do you also want to take portraits or close ups? Are you thinking of cars up close or far away and static or moving?

[PompeyM3]

My car photography tends to me more close up and static currently. I've noticed that photos that I've taken seem to have a more narrow angle than others I've seen on here of the same subject and must of been taken from more or less the same location.

Potrait photos would be great as having a 9 month old daughter, I'm taking more and more of these now.

Thanks all for the advice so far. I'm pricing these as I go.

[andy-xr]

Sigma 24-70 2.8 is worth a look. As is an 85mm 1.8

[beano500]

PompeyM3 said:

Potrait photos would be great as having a 9 month old daughter, I'm taking more and more of these now.

I'd second the suggestion of an 85mm, I had the f/1.8 before trading for the f/1.4, but the former is an excellent lens - alternatively the AF-S 60mm f/2.8 micro makes for a good portrait lens too (but it does need close working distances for macro - or there's always a secondhand 105mm f/2 DC for getting some stunning portraits....

.....whoops! I am starting too spend too much of your money again!

(Don't forget to plan for a speedlight too......)

[Buffalo]

beano500 said:

PompeyM3 said:

Potrait photos would be great as having a 9 month old daughter, I'm taking more and more of these now.

I'd second the suggestion of an 85mm, I had the f/1.8 before trading for the f/1.4, but the former is an excellent lens - alternatively the AF-S 60mm f/2.8 micro makes for a good portrait lens too (but it does need close working distances for macro - or there's always a secondhand 105mm f/2 DC for getting some stunning portraits....

.....whoops! I am starting too spend too much of your money again!

(Don't forget to plan for a speedlight too......)

Just returned from trip to UK, on which I bought a Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 (the older lens to the AF-S). Just been playing with it taking photos of the bubbles in my G&T! Nice lens and worked well when portraiting my young nephew at xmas. Takes some getting used to the fixed length though.

[beano500]

All Nikkor micro lenses can take a bit of getting used to. Once I had used a couple in anger I have forgotten; but they actually only achieve 1:1 by changing focal length as you focus closer. Can be strange; certainly would be infuriating in some circumstances; otherwise charmingly-quirky!

[Simpo Two]

Buffalo said:

Just returned from trip to UK, on which I bought a Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 (the older lens to the AF-S).

Interesting choice - faster and higher quality than your other lens, and with full macro ability as well. Macro opens up a whole new world. I this lens and was very pleased with it, but eventually swapped it for the 105mm version for the longer working distance.

[Buffalo]

Simpo Two said:

Buffalo said:

Just returned from trip to UK, on which I bought a Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 (the older lens to the AF-S).

Interesting choice - faster and higher quality than your other lens, and with full macro ability as well. Macro opens up a whole new world. I this lens and was very pleased with it, but eventually swapped it for the 105mm version for the longer working distance.

I'm not sure why I got it in preference to others, except that I have been umming and ahhing about it for over 18months now and just kept coming back to it. Decided it was time to take the plunge. Having fiddled with it, I can see why the 105mm gets good reviews for working distance. Perhaps I'll upgrade one day, when I have got a bit of $$ worth out of the 60mm. For now, I just need to keep practicing.

Incidentally, I used Grays of Westminster after your recommendation and despite the slightly frosty initial reception (it was snowing and I did come in with a very tight fitting beanie on and still had a shaved head underneath from my last shift at the mine), came away feeling relatively pleased that I got what I wanted - proper service and valued opinion. The only down-side was that they weren't able to sell me an SB-800, so still looking.

[beano500]

Buffalo said:

... despite the slightly frosty initial reception ....

They have to be careful about the class of clientele they permit - I've found that too, actually: when they know you're serious it's a different matter (and I don't really blame them)

Buffalo said:

The only down-side was that they weren't able to sell me an SB-800, so still looking.

I got one of my SB-800s from them (nice deal involving a secondhand camera body and new SB) and one from Fleabay.

But you could also keep your eye on the Nikonians' "I Want To Sell" fora... ...where I notice an 85mm f/1.8 up there for the OP to investigate!

[andy-xr]

Buffalo said:

The only down-side was that they weren't able to sell me an SB-800, so still looking.

Had the same problem a while ago. There's still some left on ebay, but they were roughly the same price as the 900's which I went with in the end. As it turns out, it's been great, no problems at all

Another for the OP, Tamron 90mm. Was playing with one yesterday on the D300, very very sharp

[PompeyM3]

Many thanks for all the advice and suggestions that you've given. I think that as I would like to use my new lens for portraits (any close up stuff on cars will be a nice bonus), I've narrowed the choice down to the Nikon 85mm 1.8 and the Tamron 90mm 2.8
Final decision might end up on the flip of a coin, but all the suggestions have been a great help.