What lens can you recommend?

[gj88]

Hi all.

I'm in the market for a new lens for my Nikon D60. At the moment I have the kit 18-55 but I feel like I'm reaching its limitations having had the camera for 9 or 10 months. I'm looking for a lens that can last me for a long time. Something good quality that takes a great piture. I'm a firm believer in only paying for something once so ideally I'd like the best quality for the budget available.

I have a budget of £200 but preferably less as set by the gf. It'll be a late christmas present.

I take pictures of pretty much anything. From landscapes to automotive with everything in between really so I dont know what lens to go for. I've thought about a zoom lens of some description but I dont really know where to start.

What can you recommend?

Thanks

[BigAlinEmbra]

The Nikon 55-200 is in your price range, although at a stretch you could probably just about bag a 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 70-300mm.

Was tinkering with my 50mm seriously for the first time last night and am starting to fall in love with it.

[ian in lancs]

BigAlinEmbra said:

The Nikon 55-200 is in your price range, although at a stretch you could probably just about bag a 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 70-300mm.

Was tinkering with my 50mm seriously for the first time last night and am starting to fall in love with it.

the 55-200 is a good call, but get the VR one.

[beano500]

I'd really recommend the 200-400mm..........


Oh, I see... well maybe not then..... OK.....


55-200mm or one of the 70-300mms then.

Or a secondhand 50mm f/1.4 - or just go for a 50mm f/1.8 and stick the other half away for the next NAS moment......

[KarlosFandango]

Don't know if the Tamron 17-50 2.8 is available for Nikon but I'm really impressed with my canon fit version. Second hand they are £220 ish so might be worth a look.

[mcflurry]

AFAIK the nifty fifty isn't an AFS fit, so won't autofocus with a D60

[Adz The Rat]

I recently bought a fixed 50mm f1.8 for my D40, got it for less than £100 on Ebay and have to say Im seriously impressed with that, well worth a look.

[BigAlinEmbra]

mcflurry said:

AFAIK the nifty fifty isn't an AFS fit, so won't autofocus with a D60

It's not, but with the shallow DoF I think it's worthwhile focussing manually anyway.
Part of the challenge of it imo.

[mcflurry]

BigAlinEmbra said:

mcflurry said:

AFAIK the nifty fifty isn't an AFS fit, so won't autofocus with a D60

It's not, but with the shallow DoF I think it's worthwhile focussing manually anyway.
Part of the challenge of it imo.

Agree totally

[gj88]

I thought about a 50mm but I think I could get more use out of a 55-200mm or a 70-300mm. I think I'm liking the look of a nice 70-300mm but I cant decide which one to go for.

what does everyone think of this?

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/73535...


I also just noticed this

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/66332...

[mmertens]

If second hand/Ebay is an option, you might get lucky with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-EX-HSM-M...

Will blow any Sigma or Nikon 70-300 (non-VR) straight out of the water.

[Adz The Rat]

gj88 said:

I also just noticed this

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/66332...

I bought that lens a few days ago, not really had chance to take many pics with it yet but first impressions are very good, especially at that price.

[Dogsey]

mmertens said:

If second hand/Ebay is an option, you might get lucky with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-EX-HSM-M...

Will blow any Sigma or Nikon 70-300 (non-VR) straight out of the water.

Now that's (currently) a bargain!

Edited by Dogsey on Thursday 31st December 19:45

[Furyous]

My 70-300 Sigma APO is available for rehoming, PM me if interested.

[gj88]

Dogsey said:

mmertens said:

If second hand/Ebay is an option, you might get lucky with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-EX-HSM-M...

Will blow any Sigma or Nikon 70-300 (non-VR) straight out of the water.

Now that's (currently) a bargain!

Edited by Dogsey on Thursday 31st December 19:45

I was sorely tempted by that beauty but its sailed way over my budget now

Adz The Rat said:

gj88 said:

I also just noticed this

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/66332...

I bought that lens a few days ago, not really had chance to take many pics with it yet but first impressions are very good, especially at that price.

Let me know how you get on with it. At that price I could pick up another lens along side it. What is the build quality and more importantly, picture quality like?

[Chicken Pox]

gj88 said:

Dogsey said:

mmertens said:

If second hand/Ebay is an option, you might get lucky with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-EX-HSM-M...

Will blow any Sigma or Nikon 70-300 (non-VR) straight out of the water.

Now that's (currently) a bargain!

Edited by Dogsey on Thursday 31st December 19:45

I was sorely tempted by that beauty but its sailed way over my budget now

Adz The Rat said:

gj88 said:

I also just noticed this

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/66332...

I bought that lens a few days ago, not really had chance to take many pics with it yet but first impressions are very good, especially at that price.

Let me know how you get on with it. At that price I could pick up another lens along side it. What is the build quality and more importantly, picture quality like?

I've had this lens since got the 350D don't use it alot but here is a couple straight out of the camera other crop/resize, it's light, works well in bright conditions, can't complain for the vfm and meets my occasional needs and it's limits are still beyond mine/what I'm asking it to do currently:

[Furyous]

Just noticed this, used 55-200

No connection to me.

[gj88]

Furyous said:

Just noticed this, used 55-200

No connection to me.

I cant see it as I need to become a member apparently. Any info?

[Furyous]

gj88 said:

Furyous said:

Just noticed this, used 55-200

No connection to me.

I cant see it as I need to become a member apparently. Any info?

Bugger, wondered if that might happen.

advert says said:

Nikon 55-200mm VR... £120 inc. RMSD
Excellent condition, lovely little lens but I'm too in love with the 70-200 to keep it. Front cap is an aftermarket one as I've lost the original. This lens is also advertised elsewhere.

Pic here..
http://www.samdobsonphotography.com/forsale/SJD_15...

http://www.samdobsonphotography.com/forsale/SJD_15...

[gj88]

Well, in the end I went for this. It seems like a good cheap way of trying a new style of photography.

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/66332...

The girlfriend just ended up buying it for me so I'll keep you posted on how it goes.