Usage of 55-200mm lens

[bigbird17]

why not tamron or sigma 18-200? cheaper alternative. when u start out you always wanna zooooom in later on you wish you could zoom out even more. my advise is leave your 55-200mm lens on your camera most of the time. because for group shots. u can tell him wait ah i change lens. that case you will miss a candid shot. I have been shooting without a zoom telephoto =) 28-75 suits me well

 

[takeshi.lum]

Haha actually I find this suggestion the best. Rather than compromising and selling at a loss, why not get an average body. D40, D60, D70 are good. Don't look down on them. So you lug 2cameras along. Because that's what pros do, it gives them flexibility when they cover events, from F1 race to Wedding AD to Olympic Table Tennis matches...

these situations hardly happen to me so i guess a 2nd body would not be the solution for me now

 

[takeshi.lum]

why not tamron or sigma 18-200? cheaper alternative. when u start out you always wanna zooooom in later on you wish you could zoom out even more. my advise is leave your 55-200mm lens on your camera most of the time. because for group shots. u can tell him wait ah i change lens. that case you will miss a candid shot. I have been shooting without a zoom telephoto =) 28-75 suits me well

tamron or sigma differs by ard $200-$300 but its still within my considerations.. if thats the case then i shall try the 18-105mm or 18-135mm.. wanna try the 18-105mm but its not avaliable for rental yet..

 

[Six-GHz]

Hmmm... in that case, focus on what you have, maximise and work around it if necessary. If not, the BBB virus would consume you, and probably your interest in photography as well. Happy snapping!

 

[takeshi.lum]

Hmmm... in that case, focus on what you have, maximise and work around it if necessary. If not, the BBB virus would consume you, and probably your interest in photography as well. Happy snapping!

thanks!! i will rent a 18-135 or 18-105 (if avaliable) and try out before buying

i m trying to control and vacinate myself against the BBB virus :sweatsm:

 

[Six-GHz]

thanks!! i will rent a 18-135 or 18-105 (if avaliable) and try out before buying
i m trying to control and vacinate myself against the BBB virus :sweatsm:

Although people say the 18-200mm is a good lens for travel, I found out that during one of my holidays - my maiden sea voyage, no less, the statistics of me using between 70 and 200mm was only about 10% of the total pictures I took (I had a 18-70mm lens).

Well, it's not what about others say, it's all about you, and your usage. That said, I must also control my wandering desire on getting the 18-105!

 

[bigbird17]

Although people say the 18-200mm is a good lens for travel, I found out that during one of my holidays - my maiden sea voyage, no less, the statistics of me using between 70 and 200mm was only about 10% of the total pictures I took (I had a 18-70mm lens).

Well, it's not what about others say, it's all about you, and your usage. That said, I must also control my wandering desire on getting the 18-105!

i second that. if you dun have tat range do something about it like zoom with your foot. don;t like it affect your shoots i am prone to the BBB virus also.

 

[takeshi.lum]

Although people say the 18-200mm is a good lens for travel, I found out that during one of my holidays - my maiden sea voyage, no less, the statistics of me using between 70 and 200mm was only about 10% of the total pictures I took (I had a 18-70mm lens).

Well, it's not what about others say, it's all about you, and your usage. That said, I must also control my wandering desire on getting the 18-105!

i also realised i seldom use beyond ard 150mm.. only on the occasion i was snapping the moon and trying to reach in for candid shots (without the subject realising)..

it would be good if nikon can have VR for 18-135mm :bigeyes:


lets vacinate each other against the BBB virus :sticktong

 

[lsisaxon]

i also realised i seldom use beyond ard 150mm.. only on the occasion i was snapping the moon and trying to reach in for candid shots (without the subject realising)..

it would be good if nikon can have VR for 18-135mm :bigeyes:


lets vacinate each other against the BBB virus :sticktong

D90 kit lens is 18-105VR.

 

[La Fontaine]

In my recent trip to US West Coast, I was using a 18-70 kit lens most of the time. I brought along an old Tamron28-200 - a small and light lens from the film days. I only used the Tamron once, when I wanted to shoot some seagulls at the Pebble Bay beach - the bird rock.

 

[takeshi.lum]

In my recent trip to US West Coast, I was using a 18-70 kit lens most of the time. I brought along an old Tamron28-200 - a small and light lens from the film days. I only used the Tamron once, when I wanted to shoot some seagulls at the Pebble Bay beach - the bird rock.

went to ubin today, i only took the 55-200mm VR lens to shoot crabs, mudskippers and planes. its only when i needed to go all the way in to get a nice shoot of them. :dunno:

 

[alvin]

I like to do landscape photography and occasionally capturing events for my frens.

I love the wider 18mm which allows me to capture more details but i also like a 200mm zoom which allows me to capture close up details. I understand that there is the 18-200mm but that is pretty expensive for me to get.

Until now I am still thinking what can I do with my 55-200mm lens. Most of the time I am using the 18-55mm lens, I do carry my 55-200mm out as well but I seldom touch on it.

Anyone kind souls can provide so me suggestions? Thanks!

You may wanna consider a 10-20mm sigma for landscapes instead of getting a 18-200

Since you already covered the 18-200mm range with the two kit lenses, I'd say go wider with a 10-20 or tamron's new 2.8. Not only for landscapes, but it's a very good lens to use indoors in museums or tight areas.

The 55-200 is a very very capable lens for the price, check this out. (You may need to click the link twice) This is shot wide open at F5, and the detail resolved is pretty sweet, given I got it used for a 150AUD.

I'm personally going to get the 70-300 as I'm more of a wildlife sort of person. Two days ago, I was on Kangaroo Island shooting seals; wish I had the extra reach as we are not allowed to go closer than 20 meters from them. (And I was hoping to put a 10-20mm in their face, as I do to Roos )

 

[takeshi.lum]

You may wanna consider a 10-20mm sigma for landscapes instead of getting a 18-200

Since you already covered the 18-200mm range with the two kit lenses, I'd say go wider with a 10-20 or tamron's new 2.8. Not only for landscapes, but it's a very good lens to use indoors in museums or tight areas.

The 55-200 is a very very capable lens for the price, check this out. (You may need to click the link twice) This is shot wide open at F5, and the detail resolved is pretty sweet, given I got it used for a 150AUD.

I'm personally going to get the 70-300 as I'm more of a wildlife sort of person. Two days ago, I was on Kangaroo Island shooting seals; wish I had the extra reach as we are not allowed to go closer than 20 meters from them. (And I was hoping to put a 10-20mm in their face, as I do to Roos )

i noe that the 55-200mm VR is a very good lens for the price, but i realised i m not realy using it much as i m more of a landscape person. occasionally covering events for my frens so i need a little more zoom to get candid shots.

the 55-200mm VR is quite hard to use at events cos i need to keep changing the lens when i need to snap closer.. besides using it at events, i think i will use it much for other purpose

 

[alvin]

Seems like you have an issue with changing lenses. If this is so, invest in the 18-200

If not, for me I also hate to change lenses, but I invested in a vest to hold my lenses, and proper lens changing techniques. Won't take you more than half a minute to swap. You will of course miss candid shots should you need to swap, but for me I know my shooting style, so swapping is fine.

BTW, a long lens is very important for landscapes imo. It allows you to isolate specific areas you want to focus on.

Rocks at Morialta Falls

3 Falls Grand Hike Trail

I think these were shot about 135mm on my 55-200.

 

[takeshi.lum]

Seems like you have an issue with changing lenses. If this is so, invest in the 18-200

If not, for me I also hate to change lenses, but I invested in a vest to hold my lenses, and proper lens changing techniques. Won't take you more than half a minute to swap. You will of course miss candid shots should you need to swap, but for me I know my shooting style, so swapping is fine.

BTW, a long lens is very important for landscapes imo. It allows you to isolate specific areas you want to focus on.

Rocks at Morialta Falls

3 Falls Grand Hike Trail

I think these were shot about 135mm on my 55-200.

can u give me some tips on proper lens changing technique?

i understand the usefullness of the telephoto lens but for now, i guess its not quite useful for me.. maybe in future it may be

 

[whkoh]

can u give me some tips on proper lens changing technique?

i understand the usefullness of the telephoto lens but for now, i guess its not quite useful for me.. maybe in future it may be

Try http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/06/pro-tip-how-to-quick-change-slr-lens.html

 

[takeshi.lum]

Try http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/06/pro-tip-how-to-quick-change-slr-lens.html

thanks! :kiss:

 

[alvin]

That's a good link koh!

I have a different technique (pls forgive the term, I've been re-watching Initial D )

Start:
Camera hangs from my neck with a strap.
Left hand has the new lens with the f-stop dot rotated to match the camera mount.
Right hand has the rear lens cap off the new lens
Both lenses have the front lens cap attached.

Change:
Left hand with the new lens, presses lens release button, right hand, with lens cap, turns the lens on camera clockwise.
Pull out the old lens.
Put on the news lens
Click it into place
Put rear lens cap on removed lens and dump it into pocket.

About 30 seconds, I have places where I put my lens caps etc so I always reach into the same place to pull stuff out. I always face away from where the wind is blowing, I try not to change lenses in the desert with wind etc.

I used to do it with a bag too, but a vest is more convenient. But I look so like a photog, I hate it. When I get time I'm going to try out Think Tank's attachment system.

 

[takeshi.lum]

That's a good link koh!

I have a different technique (pls forgive the term, I've been re-watching Initial D )

Start:
Camera hangs from my neck with a strap.
Left hand has the new lens with the f-stop dot rotated to match the camera mount.
Right hand has the rear lens cap off the new lens
Both lenses have the front lens cap attached.

Change:
Left hand with the new lens, presses lens release button, right hand, with lens cap, turns the lens on camera clockwise.
Pull out the old lens.
Put on the news lens
Click it into place
Put rear lens cap on removed lens and dump it into pocket.

About 30 seconds, I have places where I put my lens caps etc so I always reach into the same place to pull stuff out. I always face away from where the wind is blowing, I try not to change lenses in the desert with wind etc.

I used to do it with a bag too, but a vest is more convenient. But I look so like a photog, I hate it. When I get time I'm going to try out Think Tank's attachment system.

understood. the problem i had is the part when i had to play ard with the lens and lens cap..

then besides using the 55-200mm VR in nature and animal photography, what other areas can i use it in?

 

[bigbird17]

understood. the problem i had is the part when i had to play ard with the lens and lens cap..

then besides using the 55-200mm VR in nature and animal photography, what other areas can i use it in?

portraits