What about camera lens's?

[Aquaholic]

I have done days of research on cameras and prices and that is all pretty easy to find. I have recently purchased the D70s and am waiting for the man dressed in brown to pay a visit to my front door any day now. The kit I purchased has you basic 18-70mm lens and I am waiting to do some more research on a telephoto lens (70-300mm). However I am not finding anything on lenses as far as reviews. The few I have found seem to be from professionals and they talk way over my head. So your next question will be, "Whats your budget" and "what are you going to use it for"....right? Well if I find a lens that I thik is worth it, I'll buy it. (there is always eBay too you know to get some good pre-owned merchandise)

So my question is where on the net can I find some GOOD information about camera lenses?

Please feel free comment on your opinions of some good lenses that you have had experience with as well.

Cheers

[D70FAN]

I have done days of research on cameras and prices and that is all pretty easy to find. I have recently purchased the D70s and am waiting for the man dressed in brown to pay a visit to my front door any day now. The kit I purchased has you basic 18-70mm lens and I am waiting to do some more research on a telephoto lens (70-300mm). However I am not finding anything on lenses as far as reviews. The few I have found seem to be from professionals and they talk way over my head. So your next question will be budget I am sure but if I fell the lens is worth it, I buy it. (there is always eBay too you know to get some good pre-owned merchandise)

So my question is where on the net can I find some GOOD information about camera lenses?

Please feel free comment on your opinions of some good lenses that you have had experience with as well.

Cheers

Good start. Add the Sigma 70-300 APO ($219), and the 50mm f1.8 ($99) to your kit and you will be ready for just about anything.

Down the road you might want to start looking at professional lenses, but on a budget, and including your 18-70 DX "kit" lens, the lenses above should easily suffice.

Prices are from Norman Camera:

http://www.normancamera.com/shop/searchresults.asp?ProdManList=ALL&ProdTypeList=35mm+Lenses

[Aquaholic]

Sounds good. I was going to ask what people thought about the Sigma brand. I am brand new to the SLR arena and have a tendency to stick to the more familiar name brands.

I was visiting a camera store the other day and the salesman introduced me to a lens that they have made for them ( I am sure it's made by a major manufacturer). I was pretty impressed with the lens too. I also liked that it had a Macro feature which I love to shoot as well.

Here is the lens (http://www.wolfcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=29910&bct=%3Bc1022%3Bc915144)

Any tips on what I should be looking for while test driving lens's?

Thanks

[ReF]

by "good info" do you mean reviews, or just info about lenses in general? if you're just looking for general info, there is a "lens buyers guide" in the lens forum. although it's mostly about canon, there is also general info that applies to all brands. if you are looking for reviews, try fredmiranda.com

sigma seems to have a quality control issue with their zooms, which means some lenses come out with focusing issues or are not as sharp as they are supposed to be. they are usually a good deal if you can find a good copy.

[akysiev]

sigma seems to have a quality control issue with their zooms, which means some lenses come out with focusing issues or are not as sharp as they are supposed to be. they are usually a good deal if you can find a good copy.

I borrowed and tried out 2 70-300mm's from my local camera shop and returned them both. Both came out far below acceptable at both 70mm and anywhere between 260-300mm. At first I thought there was actually a huge smudge somewhere on the lens! :(

I absolutely loved the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro prime that I tried out though. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, I'm going for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 instead. Not to say that that's not a great lens (which it is) for an incredible price, but I just preferred the Sigma.