Advice on the following three lens choices

[night86mare]

why limit yourself to just one lens at a time when you walk around? carry a few.. that is the versatility of a dslr.

the 18-200, note that all superzooms will have performance issues of some sort, like it or not. optical quality will be at the very least marginally inferior to normal lenses - some might say comparable to just slightly better than kit lens.. distortion and vignetting control will also be a problem; this depends on the lens though, and you would have to see the reviews yourself to decide for sure. however you have the convenience of not having to change lenses while walking around, which is why 18-200 was originally manufactured as a "travel photography" range.. however due to today's consumer trend it has become more popular for a dslr+lens combo.. :dunno:

16-85 verus 18-55 + 55-200.. when you are more experienced changing can be very fast. the two lenses are so different (18-55 and 55-200) that you should generally know which locations you will use more of 18-55 versus 55-200. the only advantage that i can see a 16-85 focal length range being superior is the fact that you get 24mm widest (in 35mm terms) compared to 27.. for the wide-angle suckers like me, this means a lot.

 

[jfoo]

why limit yourself to just one lens at a time when you walk around? carry a few.. that is the versatility of a dslr.

the 18-200, note that all superzooms will have performance issues of some sort, like it or not. optical quality will be at the very least marginally inferior to normal lenses - some might say comparable to just slightly better than kit lens.. distortion and vignetting control will also be a problem; this depends on the lens though, and you would have to see the reviews yourself to decide for sure. however you have the convenience of not having to change lenses while walking around, which is why 18-200 was originally manufactured as a "travel photography" range.. however due to today's consumer trend it has become more popular for a dslr+lens combo.. :dunno:

16-85 verus 18-55 + 55-200.. when you are more experienced changing can be very fast. the two lenses are so different (18-55 and 55-200) that you should generally know which locations you will use more of 18-55 versus 55-200. the only advantage that i can see a 16-85 focal length range being superior is the fact that you get 24mm widest (in 35mm terms) compared to 27.. for the wide-angle suckers like me, this means a lot.

:bsmilie: good one. now our friend here more confused than before.

 

[night86mare]

:bsmilie: good one. now our friend here more confused than before.

better he knows the facts of everything instead of being blatantly uninformed :nono:

 

[skopio]

i just want to add one more thing to what everyone has said.

make sure that you need the range before you buy it, not just because "i want to cover XX-XXXmm".

 

[Yapster]

i just want to add one more thing to what everyone has said.

make sure that you need the range before you buy it, not just because "i want to cover XX-XXXmm".

Hehe, i think TS won't know until he try it out. That's why i suggest go for cheaper 2nd hand lens first, then go for dedicated lens when he knows what are the range he wanna concentrate on.

 

[hoyongfu]

Thankyou guys for the advice. Yes, I am more confused now, but gained more knowledge on lens.
I went to Nikon showroom today and tried out the 18-200mm and 16-85mm.

I kind of like the 16-85mm more. Coming from a point and shoot camera, I feel that 60 percent of the time, I will be using the wide angle.
But there would definately be some times when I wished I had a longer zoom lens.

Since most of my photos will be printed at 4R and the most at A4, I can always crop the pictures smaller into the targeted subject and print to compensate for the loss of zoom capability.

One more thing, does anyone knows about the Sigma 18-125mm OS HSM lens, I posted in seperate thread but seems that there is no response.

 

[ijnek]

hahah...

get the nikon 16-85 lah...

i have it as my primary len on my d80...

 

[kevyan]

Eh.... if you are thinking of getting the 16-85mm, may I suggest the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]?

Yes, you may lose out about 35mm of focal lenght, but you will love the DOF and ability to shoot in low light. ;p

 

[binbeto]

Ask yourself..

What is the reason you are getting this DSLR?
1. To replace your consumer digicam and use it as a cosumer digicam but just bigger
2. To explore the creative side of photography
3. To impress your friend, GF, family etc
4. Not sure

If it is to no.2, you might want to consider a f/2.8 (3rd party given your budget).

 

[geraldkhoo]

Eh.... if you are thinking of getting the 16-85mm, may I suggest the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]?

Yes, you may lose out about 35mm of focal lenght, but you will love the DOF and ability to shoot in low light. ;p

I second that... :thumbsup: besides... Tamron now has the new version with a in-built motor, so it will work on the D60 that you are intending to buy. i personally feel that the Tamron 17-50 is the best "kit lens" (if you can call it that) to be coupled with the body for the price you pay.

 

[hoyongfu]

I second that... :thumbsup: besides... Tamron now has the new version with a in-built motor, so it will work on the D60 that you are intending to buy. i personally feel that the Tamron 17-50 is the best "kit lens" (if you can call it that) to be coupled with the body for the price you pay.

But then if I buy the tamron 17-50mm, I might as well keep my kit lens. When I become more skilled, then I decide on a prime lens.

Because I going overseas, thinking of getting a more 'allrounded' lens. That 16-85mm allows me to take landscape and buildings plus the 85mm is quite acceptable.

But I recently read about the Sigma 18-125mm with OS and HSM, I feel 125mm just nice for me. Just that could not find alot of information on it.

 

[nakedtoes]

get a 18-200mm.. if low budget get the sigma one... pretty sharp too.. after that determine which focal u shoot most then buy prime lor