First lens setup to cover a large-ish range?

[FishFace]

Hi, all - this thread is posted on the assumption that I'll go for a D50, which hasn't actually been decided yet (see topic in "Which camera" for progress) but I thought I may as well see if I can get this as solid as possible.

Basically, my plan is to get one or two lenses that cover a pretty decent range, behave themselves generally, enabling me to take normal to moderate telephoto pictures, and a reasonable closeup ability. My basic guideline is 28-200 equivalent, plus a reasonable max. magnification. Having said that, I'm not particularly fussed if the wide gets eaten into, as long as I can take pictures at around about 50mm.
If the closeup isn't strong, I'll probably by a dedicated macro lens later on, but if I can get reasonable quality at about 1:3 or better, then there's a good chance I'll stick where I am.
With regard to picture quality in general, I'm no professional, so I'm not going to notice a vast amount of difference between a £1000 lens and a £200. That said, I'll not be able to settle for flagrant CA and softness. Distortion I can bear a bit better, because I'm relatively comfortable with try to correct that in software.

The biggest issue for you guys giving out advice is that, with lenses, I'm on a tight budget. Realistically, I think I'm looking at about £300 maximum, a bit cheaper being better. I'm read to be swayed, but I'll find it hard to accept higher costs, unless the quality is going to be extremely affected by going on the cheap. I've been looking at all the Sigmas that have general zoom ratios - 18-200, 28-200, 24-135, 70-300 (which I think could perhaps fit another one, maybe a Nikkor, though, underneath to serve the wide-normal range) and so on. This is just to tell you what I've been looking at; nothing like a shortlist.

My ultimate aim is to have one or two lenses that serve as general "walkabouts" (as I've heard them called) with a few others being of higher quality when I can tell I'm going to need a specific feature.

Thanks for reading,

Chris.

[K1W1]

Assuming that the D50 comes with the kit 18-55 then just buy the Sigma 70-300 APO DG and you have covered the range 18-300 (well apart from a small gap) with two fairly good value for money lenses.
The Sigma also has reasonable macro ability without actually being a macro lens.

[wh0128]

I'd get the d50 body online which is about 400$ US currency, and Nikon's 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor to cover wide-angle, normal, and the telephoto focal lenght ranges

[FishFace]

Update: I've found what, at least to me, appears to be a rather good deal. Jessops is selling the D70's kit lens - the 18-70mm - in kit with the D50, at £170 more than the body only option. If I've done my sums right, this is at least £80 cheaper than its usual price, and £90 cheaper than Jessops offers it for. Reviews also so it's good - a fast focusser, sharp, although distorted at the wide end. Anyone who's got this lens, I'd love it if you could share experiences and/or samples.

That on it own looks like a rather dandy start-out. I was then wondering about the sigma 70-300. It's cheap, but apparently not actually shoddy (once again, I'd really like confirmation/contradiction) would extend the range, give me a closeup lens, and leave me with £100 of budget to spend on storage, cases, batteries or whatever.

At the moment, my instinct is telling me that getting the body + 18-70 is a good idea, but I'm not so sure about the sigma. What do you reckon - would it be better to get something that's a bit shorter and better quality? The one thing drawing me to the 70-300 is the 1:2 maximum magnification.

[FishFace]

@K1: I assume, then, that if it comes with the 18-70, that's better? :) Accounts seem to say it's a better quality lens, plus the ~£80ish discount is quite substantial.

@wh0: Heh, I'd love that lens, but unfortunately it's £500 odd :) At this stage of the game, I don't have enough to get IS/VR, really. Thanks anyway, though.

I take it it's worth getting the APO version of the 70-300, though? I'll be pushing my overall budget, I think, once an SD card is chucked in... But, eh.

[wh0128]

yeah i know i can't afford taht lense either right now, but i am going to try and save up for it. it would be an essential for me since i like to get close up to subjects from a somewhat great distance and this lense would do the job. and it could also be used for a normal lense as it doesn't seem like its very heavy to lug around on your camera. hope you get the lense kit that you want.

[K1W1]

There is a reasonable amount of debate of the quality of the 18-55 vs the 18-70 kit lenses. Depending on which one people got with their cameras they are usually in one camp or the other. The 18-55 is very good in the 18-35 range (probably better than the 18-70 from what I have seen) but is slightly slower focussing and misses out on the extra 15mm reach.
Realistically either lens will be a good start just balance your overall budget.
Yes get the Sigma 70-300 APO DG not the cheaper version
If the budget will only handle the 18-55 and Sigma APO rather then the 18-70 and Sigma APO I would get the former and stay within budget and you will still be very happy with your equipment.

[FishFace]

So basically, for £100 between the 18-55 and 18-70, you're getting 15mm on the top range, better autofocus and a faster lens. I'm not quite sure how well I'll be able to fit the ideal (18-70, 70-300 APO) into the budget - basically, it looks like paying £100 more for the 18-70, or £100 more for the APO. While I'm sure the benefit of the APO will be quite noticeable, even to an amateur like me, I think spending more to get all the features on the 'general' lens might be wiser than spending it on improving image quality only - and only at the telephoto end, not the general.

Hmmmm!

[buruburu]

I tried the Sigma 70-300mm APO, and I must say, I didn't like it very much at all. While it is sharp, the focusing is just so slow it's unbearable. It'll be great for telephoto stills, but forget most sports.

[K1W1]

It'll be great for telephoto stills, but forget most sports.

I took around 290 photos of Soccer and Netball (similar to Basketball) on the weekend with my 70-300 and had no problems with the focussing side of things.

[FishFace]

The only problem there would be moving nature photography, and I don't think I'll be doing that often. For a second lens, which really needs to be at least 125 mm at the long end (I'd like to get at least 200mm equivalent) I don't think you can really get hold of anything on a tight budget that focuses like an AF-S or so. Of course, if you know of a lens witht hose approximate specs, I'm all ears!

I'm pleased to hear that the 18-70mm has good focusing, though, and that will probably be the lens that's on the camera most. We'll see though. As I say, I'm going to try and take as many pictures as I can on holiday, make sure that what I'm looking it is appropriate.

[buruburu]

I took around 290 photos of Soccer and Netball (similar to Basketball) on the weekend with my 70-300 and had no problems with the focussing side of things.

That's good to hear, guess I'm just not comfortable with it, since I'm using to the focusing on my Tamron, and 50 prime. I usually perfer to take candid pictures, where I don't really have much time to focus. Personally, I'm just going to save up for the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8. However this lens is way out of the OP's spending cap.

But I would definiately suggest that you try out the Sigma 70-300mm APO and make sure you're comfortable with the focusing before purchasing it.

[FishFace]

I'm certainly going to try. I don't know whether the photography stores 'round here let you try stuff out, but it's worth asking. I also know a couple of professional photographers... but it's less likely that they'll own a budget lens, I guess!

It seems like a good idea to see what the D80 might do to the price of these things, first, though. Might be able to afford something better, or be able to spend less :)

[buruburu]

The D80 will very likely affect camera prices, but I doubt it'll affect lens prices. The market for body and the market for lens appears to be disjointed enough where a change in one won't affect the other.

[FishFace]

Yep, but I haven't bought the camera yet, so if I wait, I might be able to afford either the D70 (not sure I'd actually want it - it's noisier, but has more control.) or the D50 + better lenses. Depends on just how much the prices get jostled.

[buruburu]

If you want a D50, I would highly suggest you pick it up soon. By soon, I mean very soon.

[FishFace]

They're going out of production, or what?

[D70FAN]

Yep, but I haven't bought the camera yet, so if I wait, I might be able to afford either the D70 (not sure I'd actually want it - it's noisier, but has more control.) or the D50 + better lenses. Depends on just how much the prices get jostled.

You might want to try the Sigma 18-125 DC as a low-cost, sharp, walk around. Focus is fast, but sometimes noisy. Waddya want for $235? ;)

Yes it does vignette (but no more than every other wide ratio zoom).

My two cents worth.

[FishFace]

I did consider it, but I then don't really have the budget to fit in a close-up lens, as the 18-125 only does 1:5ish. The 70-300 does between 1:3 and 1:2 in its macro range, at closest focusing distance.

[D70FAN]

I did consider it, but I then don't really have the budget to fit in a close-up lens, as the 18-125 only does 1:5ish. The 70-300 does between 1:3 and 1:2 in its macro range, at closest focusing distance.

Photography is all about compromises and work arounds. Guess I missed the part about needing a psuedo-macro mode.;)

[FishFace]

I think it was buried up there somewhere amidst a load of waffle. In reality, I'd prefer to get a single lens solution, but I think the double solution should give me better quality. I'm trying not to get stuck into a rut by making a decision too early, though... In the back of my mind, there's still even the possibility of getting a compact, but hopefully I can get my shiny gadget ;)

[limgt]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here.
I just got my D50. I decided not to wait for the new Nikon coz I rather buy a cheaper body and invest more on lenses. I got a 18-55 that comes with the kit and a Nikkor 70-300 at the same time. I'm saving up for a Sigma 12-24 now and most probably going to get SB600 soon.

I'm not a very experienced photographer but I'm quite happy with both the lenses thus far.

I got a D50 with 18-55 kit plus 70-300 lens @ Ringgit Malaysia 3,000.
*US 1 = RM 3.6
*UK 1 = RM 6

Still learning and bottom line, I'm happy with my purchase :)