Which Lens?

[Isaac]

I have a Nikon D90, and want a good all around walking lens. I was recently shooting with my 50mm lens, and my mom had this little point and shoot. She told me to take a picture of this building as a while, and I explained I would have to go across the street to do so. She said that was pretty stupid. I told her my wide angle would do it, but I didnt have it at the time. So that brings me to my question. What do you all think is a good all around lens, that would work more or less along the lines of a point and shoot? I havent researched it much, as I thought I would ask the members here first

 

[djh]

If you are looking for convenience, I believe that one of the best 1 lens walkaround solutions is the 18-200 zoom. I am not an owner (still prefer prime lenses and use them when I can) but a good friend has one and it produces great images on his D300.

 

[Isaac]

I tend to have more primes myself.

 

[Legion]

For you camera I would probably get the 35mm 1.4. I like my standard lenses. But then I shave with a straight razor, write with a fountain pen, ride a single speed bicycle, etc, etc.

If you are after a inexpensive general purpose zoom, the 18-135mm is not too bad. They don't make it any more, but you can pick them up second hand. I think it is a bit sharper than the current 18-105, but it does not have VR.

 

[BRuhling]

I have been using my 35mm f/1.8 and my 60mm f/2.8 pretty exclusively. I wanted a good all around zoom, and debated between the 17-55 mm f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8. I ultimately decided on the latter because I think I will ultimately end up getting an FX body. Also, I talked to a couple of professional photographers I know who have used both. They were emphatic that these were some of Nikon's sharpest lenses, but that the 24-70, as a pro-grade lens, is built like a tank...

 

[Edcculus]

I really like the 50mm (or equivalent), but for a general walking around lens, I think something in the 35mm or equivalent range is better.

 

[maxman]

While I am not in anyway qualified to answer this question, I will!
My Dad bought an 18-200mm lens (the best Nikon had at the time) for his D40.
It's a big lens IMO, but it covers all the bases.

He was told by many people that it would do the trick.

 

[Isaac]

That 35mm 1.8 is not recommended for DX cameras. It's expensive to boot. I read the 35mm 1.8 was a good substitute. I wish there was a way to rent lenses.

 

[djh]

That 35mm 1.8 is not recommended for DX cameras. It's expensive to boot. I read the 35mm 1.8 was a good substitute. I wish there was a way to rent lenses.

I guess that you mean the 35/1.4. I'm not sure about it being recommended for DX cameras or not, but it is a dreamy lens. I have the older 35/2 version and it does a great job on my FX camera. Similar, but somewhat less expensive than the 35/1.4 is the new 28/1.8 which has been getting good press.

A quick google search turned up a few possibilities for lens rentals- I can't vouch for any of them, but the service is available. If you have a good camera store in your area, they will probably rent you a lens to test and then deduct the cost of the rental from your purchase price should you go ahead.

Good luck.

 

[Isaac]

I guess that you mean the 35/1.4. I'm not sure about it being recommended for DX cameras or not, but it is a dreamy lens. I have the older 35/2 version and it does a great job on my FX camera. Similar, but somewhat less expensive than the 35/1.4 is the new 28/1.8 which has been getting good press.

A quick google search turned up a few possibilities for lens rentals- I can't vouch for any of them, but the service is available. If you have a good camera store in your area, they will probably rent you a lens to test and then deduct the cost of the rental from your purchase price should you go ahead.

Good luck.

I apologize. I mean the 35mm 1.4. Sadly I do not have one camera shop in my city.

 

[blindmouse]

How much are you looking to spend? I've been eyeing this forever: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm

That said, I'm a wide-angle junky.

 

[BRuhling]

That 35mm 1.8 is not recommended for DX cameras. It's expensive to boot. I read the 35mm 1.8 was a good substitute. I wish there was a way to rent lenses.

PM Sent

 

[eelhc]

Here's my bag... The 2 Kit 18-55 and 55-200 AF-S VR lenses (pretty decent lenses actually)l. Upgraded the 18-55 to a Sigma 17-70.

For that one lens does it all (with some sacrifice) the Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is almost as good as the kit lenses and covers pretty much all the focal lengths one needs... This will be my next purchase.

 

[Isaac]

This is my current setup and I'm using the 50mm 75% of the time. I did pick up a macro, but off hand I do not remember which one.

Nikon 50mm F1.8
Nikon 70-300mm F 4.5-5.6
Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6

 

[shaveitoff]

If you are looking for convenience, I believe that one of the best 1 lens walkaround solutions is the 18-200 zoom. I am not an owner (still prefer prime lenses and use them when I can) but a good friend has one and it produces great images on his D300.

This is a great lens. It is the one that I use most of the time. It should cover many of the walking around type needs. It is expensive as I recall. You might want to go to a local camera store and see if they have one you can test before you buy it. Also, they could have some other ones you could try.

The 18-200 has vibration reduction built in, so it can can be useful when you are fully zoomed out.

 

[heddleston]

take a look at the tamron 18-55 2.8. you can find them for not too ridiculous if you look around a bit. i have one(with VR), and its a fantastic piece of glass

 

[rider4life]

I have a Nikon D90, and want a good all around walking lens. I was recently shooting with my 50mm lens, and my mom had this little point and shoot. She told me to take a picture of this building as a while, and I explained I would have to go across the street to do so. She said that was pretty stupid. I told her my wide angle would do it, but I didnt have it at the time. So that brings me to my question. What do you all think is a good all around lens, that would work more or less along the lines of a point and shoot? I havent researched it much, as I thought I would ask the members here first

This is actually a harder question to answer than you may think. Everyone has their favourite "walking around" lens(es) and they're all different. It depends on what kind of shooting you do. Are you after landscapes? Scenery? Cityscapes? Portraits? Action shots? Wildlife? Night shots? Only day? Overcast? HDR?

I'm an amateur professional/professional amateur photographer. I'm a generalist and as such need more than one walking around lens to make sure I can capture what I want, when I want. Currently I'm using a Sigma 17-50 2.8 and Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII. I'd much rather have the Nikkor 17-55 2.8 or the 17-35 2.8 but I haven't been able to get the cash together for it yet. With these I also walk around with my TC-20III teleconverter, so I can get those really far (or really close-up) shots without zooming into the photo and not being able to print the size I want. I've probably got the Sigma attached 60% of the time, and the Nikkor 40ish. For me, this combo is perfect.

Don't forget when you go to buy your lens check out ebay and kijiji. Sometimes you get a great deal. If you're in North America B&H Photo Video has some great prices, but searching around almost always turns up a gem or two.

Good luck and happy shooting!

Cheers,

M.

 

[Legion]

That 35mm 1.8 is not recommended for DX cameras. It's expensive to boot. I read the 35mm 1.8 was a good substitute. I wish there was a way to rent lenses.

Ah yes, sorry, I was not actually thinking of that current 1.4 G model, which are pretty hard to get your hands on. The 35mm f1.4 I use is the AI-s (manual focus) one, and it is awesome. But I just looked up compatibility with your camera (I should have done that first off) and while it will go on your camera and work, you will have to meter with a separate light meter. The f1.8 would probably be a much easier (and cheaper) option, and I've read they are very good, although I have not tried one.

 

[xillion]

I wish there was a way to rent lenses.

Check out these sites.

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses

and

http://www.borrowlenses.com/category/nikon

 

[Legion]

How important is weight? For me a walking around lens should be fairly small and not too heavy, if possible. The f2.8 zooms are great, I use a 20-35mm when I need a fastish wide zoom, but it is a big heavy thing to carry all day.