What lense to get for D80

[calebk]

Thanks Prataz. Err....i meant between the Tamron 17-50mm & the Nikon 18-200mm VR...looking for a comparison in the overlapping focal length range....which would be better? If Tamron is better then I would not mind buying a 70-300mm separately to overcome the extra reach. However if Nikon 18-200mm VR is better then it really solves the dilemma and one can just push back & relax with one lens in the bag....

Thinking which of these options would be better...

Cheers.

Have never used both side by side, but I believe the Tamron is a tad sharper, and has a little less distortion (because of a smaller zoom range). Also, the Tamron has a constant f/2.8 aperture; you can never replace action-stopping shutter speeds with VR.

 

[terpeh]

hi,

sorry for the late reply. frankly, i have never used 18-200mm so i cannot comment. However, i have nikkor 17-55 F2.8 and i did a comparison. the result is quite similar except that 17-55 got better IQ. In terms of sharpness, tamron at 50mm is sharper edge to edge than nikkor. the rest of the focal length is almost similar. That should tell you how good the tamron is for the price.

If you are shooting indoor very frequently, then i would suggest a fast lense, ie F2.8. I found 2.8 lense very useful in low light condition, especially shopping centre.

terence

 

[daydreamz]

Have never used both side by side, but I believe the Tamron is a tad sharper, and has a little less distortion (because of a smaller zoom range). Also, the Tamron has a constant f/2.8 aperture; you can never replace action-stopping shutter speeds with VR.

Thanks calebk.

hi,

sorry for the late reply. frankly, i have never used 18-200mm so i cannot comment. However, i have nikkor 17-55 F2.8 and i did a comparison. the result is quite similar except that 17-55 got better IQ. In terms of sharpness, tamron at 50mm is sharper edge to edge than nikkor. the rest of the focal length is almost similar. That should tell you how good the tamron is for the price.

If you are shooting indoor very frequently, then i would suggest a fast lense, ie F2.8. I found 2.8 lense very useful in low light condition, especially shopping centre.

terence

Thanks terence. Wow...the tamron 2.8 must be good then if pics actually do comapare well with the nikkor 2.8 esp with the huge price difference on the two....am pleasantly surprised. Have already reserved one brand new unit from a fellow cs'er for $575 (japan warranty). Shooting begins sat onwards so i will let u know my take too over the weekend. Except that i have no benchmark to compare but my kit lens 18-135 which is not really a comparison i guess. Cheers.

 

[ramboo24]

The kit lens sucks...:think: ... in that case... you must be looking for higher end "kit lens" like the Nikkor 17-55.

For portraits, try a 85mm lens. AF 85mm f/1.4D...:thumbsup:

BC

85mm f1.4 rocks my world!

i got 18-70mm kit lens. decent

 

[panda]

Hi,

Plan to get a Nikon D80 body only as most ppl saying the kit lense sucks. Could anyone please advise what lense I should be getting for normal potrait taking and the cost?

Thanks.

I don't own the kit lens so cannot comment.
But there are 2 lens which I swear by..Sigma 10-20 & 17-70mm.
They produce stunning result & none of the nikor sub $1000 lens come close to it.

 

[littlejt]

haaay.. the kit lens is quite a cheap yet good versatile lens for you to walk around and do most stuff with.

its the most common lens which i use.

 

[silverarrow]

May i know how much is the Tamron 17~50 f2.8 costs and which shop is selling it at reasonable price?

Thanks

 

[dawson]

i've seen d80 with kit lens and sigma flash, photos on wedding. :thumbsup:

no doubt about it if you use it properly.

 

[lawllawl]

the tokina 12-24mm lens is sweeeeeeet, you should go try it out and consider,


i have a 50mm but dont use it that too often, mostly tokina 19-35mm and 28-105mm for my d80,

 

[calebk]

May i know how much is the Tamron 17~50 f2.8 costs and which shop is selling it at reasonable price?

Thanks

Please check pricelists at the 'Others' subforum. You'll get it for about the same price at most reputable dealers, such as John 3:16, CP, MS Colour, TK Foto etc.

 

[relaxxjaxx]

Well,

I think most dealers (like John, Lords etc...) are selling the D80 kit at 1780. The price is controlled by Nikon (I think).

As per most of the threads in this forum, a generally good lens to get will be the 18-200 VR. (You may not want to get the kit if you're getting this lens). Another lens I think its fantastic is the 50mm f/1.8D prime lens. Works like a charm... my 2 cents worth

 

[Randius]

Pardon me asking but why is the 50/1.8|1.4 such a hot item? I was thinking that the 35/2 will translate to the "standard" focal length of 50mm and may be a better choice for those who want to start with prime lens. Or is this in preparation for the FF? Sorry if the question sounds stupid but I am a total newbie to DSLR :sweat:

 

[Scaglietti]

Pardon me asking but why is the 50/1.8|1.4 such a hot item? I was thinking that the 35/2 will translate to the "standard" focal length of 50mm and may be a better choice for those who want to start with prime lens. Or is this in preparation for the FF? Sorry if the question sounds stupid but I am a total newbie to DSLR :sweat:

50mm f/1.8 is hot because it's cheap! 50mm f/1.4 is not as hot.

BC

 

[silverarrow]

Sigma 30mm f1.4 is also a good choice, being wider than the 50mm,& behave like a 50mm on 35mm format, good enough as a walk about lens

 

[viewtiful]

The kit lens sucks...:think: ... in that case... you must be looking for higher end "kit lens" like the Nikkor 17-55.

For portraits, try a 85mm lens. AF 85mm f/1.4D...:thumbsup:

BC

agree. not a bad lens

 

[lsisaxon]

Sigma 30mm f1.4 is also a good choice, being wider than the 50mm,& behave like a 50mm on 35mm format, good enough as a walk about lens

But it's expensive.. I would rather pay for a similar priced Sigma 24/1.8. FOV is like a 36mm on 135 format which is wider than a normal lens so it's more versatile. It is full frame capable somemore.

 

[sin77]

it should be around $1500

 

[Dearboy87]

taken by kit lense..