I have half that I require to photograph, what other half?

[Ed FM]

Hi,

I have been toying with purchasing a DSLR and after playing with a few today have made a purchase. I have bought a Nikon D80 of ebay, the seller hasn't let the 18-135mm lens go with it as he wants it for his new camera. I therefore require a lens, I was thinking of just buying the same as the 18-135 that you see with most of the D80 kits for around the £100 mark. Am I right in doing this or are there some better options? I a will not require a huge zoom to begin with but wondered if I could get a lens that would do most that I require or by getting a lens with a wider range will quality be too badly affected? Sorry if these questions sound daft but it is all very new to me.

Thanks,

Ed.

[ian in lancs]

The 18-105mm VR DX lens is a cracker. It was my walk about lens until I wrote it off and now I'm regretting the 18-70 non VR I bought to replace it. I'll probably end up getting another when I spot one at the right price.

[nobodyknows]

My 18-200 VR sits on mine most of the time.

[Ed FM]

The VR lenses seem quite expensive compared to the ones that come as standard with most of the D80's. Obviously you get what you pay for, I take it VR is vibration reduction from a quick google?
Basically I need the best all round lens for a beginner for around the £150 mark, second hand is fine. I have seen a 18- 105 for around that price.

Ed

[Simpo Two]

Generally speaking the more range you ask a lens to cover the lower quality results you will get (eg distortion and chromatic aberration). That said, it is funny how one gets fussier with experience. It's a bit like hi-fi speakers; you're perfectly happy with what you have until you hear something better. The great thing about a DSLR system is that you can buy and sell bits as you want to. A lens that is perfect for you now may not be in a few years time. No problem, shove it on eBay and upgrade

Sorry to hear Ian didn't like his 18-70; it was my general purpose lens until things started getting serious. Maybe Ed would like to snap it up?

Ed - don't get carried away by VR; learn to hold the thing steady

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 29th March 22:36

[AndWhyNot]

The 18-135mm that came with my D80 was softer than the 3 week old plum my mrs just found at the bottom of our fruit bowl. I'd go with the 18-105, heard many more good things about it than the 18-135.

[RobDickinson]

Make a pinhole lens, old body cap, toilet roll and some aluminium foil, job done!


Actually I'd say buy the 35mmf1.8 af-s

[Simpo Two]

RobDickinson said:

Make a pinhole lens, old body cap, toilet roll and some aluminium foil, job done!

Anyone would think you'd lost all your kit in an earthquake Rob!

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

Anyone would think you'd lost all your kit in an earthquake Rob!

Takes a fair amount of duct tape to make something lightproof...

Now to work out how to focus it...

[AndWhyNot]

RobDickinson said:

Actually I'd say buy the 35mmf1.8 af-s

I nearly suggested this, cracking lens but not sure I'd want it as my only glass. Second purchase, definitely.

[RobDickinson]

Find a used tamron 17-50f2.8 instead?

I'd manage with the 35 tho...

[dxbtiger]

ian in lancs said:

The 18-105mm VR DX lens is a cracker. It was my walk about lens until I wrote it off and now I'm regretting the 18-70 non VR I bought to replace it. I'll probably end up getting another when I spot one at the right price.

This cam as the kit lens with my D90 and I am happy with it as my general lens for now.

I have added a 50mm 1.8 just as they as such good value but the 18-105 gets much more work.

[Ed FM]

Hi,

thanks for all the advice. I managed to pick up a Nikon 18-105mm VR lens today off ebay for £155 so I should soon be snapping away.

Cheers,

Ed.

[ian in lancs]

Simpo Two said:

Generally speaking the more range you ask a lens to cover the lower quality results you will get (eg distortion and chromatic aberration). That said, it is funny how one gets fussier with experience. It's a bit like hi-fi speakers; you're perfectly happy with what you have until you hear something better. The great thing about a DSLR system is that you can buy and sell bits as you want to. A lens that is perfect for you now may not be in a few years time. No problem, shove it on eBay and upgrade

Sorry to hear Ian didn't like his 18-70; it was my general purpose lens until things started getting serious. Maybe Ed would like to snap it up?

Ed - don't get carried away by VR; learn to hold the thing steady

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 29th March 22:36

My 18-105 was tack sharp and with VR very versatile. The 18-70 is better built but isn't quite as sharp and without VR a bit limited. OK as a walk about though. Just wish Nikon did a high quality f/2.8 50-150 DX VR..... I had a Sigma one that Sigma tweaked but flogged it in a moment of weakness