D90 lens decisions. (18-200 or 17-55 + tele lens)

[xypher]

Hi all, I am in the midst of getting a new lens for my D90. As I am not a pro shooter, I was considering getting the 18-200mm lens for normal usage. However I am aware that it has considerable amount of distortion and picture sharpness is slightly compromised to achieve the wide range.

I have few options currently:
18-200mm
Tamron 17-55 f2.8 + Tele lens
any other good 3rd party lens.

I dont think I will use the tele end of the 18-200 often but it might be good to have the flexibility. I am open to using tamron or sigma lenses if they offer reasonable performance for their price. What would be a wiser buy?

Thanks

 

[theRenaissance]

I would recommend the Tamron 17-50 over the 18-200 unless you really require the convenience and reach of the Nikkor. For what you pay, the tamron offers relatively good performance, constant aperture. Its significantly better than my kit lens (18-105), which I heard is optically better than the 18-200! You can even get a spare tele prime to cover beyond the 50mm.

 

[kriegsketten]

Any thoughts about 16-85 VR + 70-300 VR combo?

Edit: would help if you provide a bit more data, budget, what do you want to shoot mostly, timing (day/night), etc.

 

[Cowseye]

My travel setup at the moment for your reference.

D90
Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8
Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8
Nikon AF-S 70-300mm VR

On top of all the optics, a tripod with you is always helpful.

 

[bethpapa74]

Mine..

Nikkor 10-24mm f3.5
Nikkor 50mm f1.8 (planning to sell and get 35mm f1.8)
Nikkor kit 18-105mm f4.5

if pocket is deep enough, i suggest the Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 (heard its the best mid range)

 

[daredevil123]

17-55 is the best fast mid range zoom. But it is also one of heaviest too. So if you are doing commercially it is great. If travelling, it might weigh you down. But in the end it is up to you.


When I was still on DX purely, this is my travel setup
One camera body + 3 batteries.
Tokina 11-16/2.8
Tamron 17-50/2.8 non-vr
Nikon 55-200VR
Either the 35/1.8 or 50/1.4
Manfrotto 190xprob+488rc2

 

[xypher]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am leaning towards the 17-50 f2.8 + Nikon 70-300mm VR. 17-50 is the range i use more frequently so i think having f2.8 will be a big difference. Went around funan/penin and the price for the tamron 17-50 was about $600 for the non-VC model.

 

[Alvindicated]

Hi sorry for crashing the thread, but I too am thinking of getting a new lens for my D90 as well. Currently having 35mm f2d and the 18-105mm kit lens. Anyone can recommend me what lens shld i get next? Been thinking of the 70-300mm VR, but that means if I get it, i should try sell away my 18-105mm?

 

[kriegsketten]

Hi sorry for crashing the thread, but I too am thinking of getting a new lens for my D90 as well. Currently having 35mm f2d and the 18-105mm kit lens. Anyone can recommend me what lens shld i get next? Been thinking of the 70-300mm VR, but that means if I get it, i should try sell away my 18-105mm?

Don't see any reason why you should sell it away unless you need the $$ to fund the long zoom. Both are of different FL anyway, and serves different needs. Overlapping isn't too great.

 

[Alvindicated]

oh haha.. I thought of selling because of the overlapping, assumed that overlapping is not good.

 

[kriegsketten]

oh haha.. I thought of selling because of the overlapping, assumed that overlapping is not good.

Some peeps like a bit or overlapping, some peeps don't... Personal choice actually. To me a bit of overlapping is okay (also depending on FL range), as long as it's not too much. If you think a bit of overlapping is useful to you, then keep both. Shoot more then you'll know your style better.

 

[Cowseye]

18-105mm & 70-300mm is not really a significant overlap. If you get the 70-300mm, you will have 3 lens for totally different purposes.

 

[kriegsketten]

18-105mm & 70-300mm is not really a significant overlap. If you get the 70-300mm, you will have 3 lens for totally different purposes.

Yup, one is strictly tele-zoom, the other is more short general zoom - no biggie. Know what you're going to shoot, then fit the lens for that purpose.

 

[gepalex]

If I were you I would get a 17-50 tamron non os and a 70-300mm VR.

The 17-50 2.8 is sharper than the nikkor 17-55 2.8 for a fraction of the price, but you lose build quality.
The 70-300 VR is a fast af, sharp, long range zoom.