Nikon lens for new NikonD80

[Eileen330]

I am about to purchase the Nikon D80 (I am 99% positive). What do you think of the 18-135mm kit lens? My interests and needs are 1.) fairly close up images ie:10-12" away for catalog shoots for my business, and 2.) landscape photography for my pleasure. Wondering if I should get the kit lens or skip it and move on to something possibly better immediately. The camera is already setting me back but I love Nikon and if I should go for a better lens right off the bat it may save in the long run. Or is the kit lens good enough quality to cover all that I don't need to fork out extra cash right now?:confused:

[jcon]

Having never shot with that lens, I would suggest going with the kit and using that til you are sure what your needs will be. It would suck to throw down some serious cash on a nice piece of glass now, and in 2 months have no need for it.

I do suggest that you look into the Nikkor 50mm 1.8D lens, at around $100(us) it should be in everyones collection. Another thing to look at would be a speedlight flash, something like the SB-600 or SB-800 would be a nice addition.

Oh and welcome to the forum!

[achuang]

From what I've heard about, the 18-135 kit lens is pretty good. Cincyimages has that lens and we've seen some very nice shots coming out from it. Jcon's suggestions of a 50mm f/1.8D lens and a Nikon speedlight is great advice. I have the 50 f/1.8 and an SB600 and they're both good products.

[Rooz]

I am about to purchase the Nikon D80 (I am 99% positive). What do you think of the 18-135mm kit lens? My interests and needs are 1.) fairly close up images ie:10-12" away for catalog shoots for my business, and 2.) landscape photography for my pleasure. Wondering if I should get the kit lens or skip it and move on to something possibly better immediately. The camera is already setting me back but I love Nikon and if I should go for a better lens right off the bat it may save in the long run. Or is the kit lens good enough quality to cover all that I don't need to fork out extra cash right now?:confused:

i have the D80 and that kit lens and am very happy with it. great sharpness, focussing, speed, bokeh, (for a kit). at the time i didn;t think i could afford the 18-200 VR. i have since bought the VR lens to replace the kit lens. imo you will be very happy with the kit at that price for your purposes, but if you can stretch the budget, i think the VR lens is a better choice.

btw: keep in mind the kit is very light and the VR is pretty heavy if that makes a difference.

[herc182]

Welcome to the forum. i went through what you are going through now!!
i went with the 18-70 because it is better built (metal mount instead of plastic) and produces slightly better quality photos...marginal though.

See these threads i started:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28396

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28680

Good luck

[Kellie]

I started with the D80 and 18-70mm as well. The 18-70mm was used and I had to return it because it was not focusing properly. In order to not have to spend more money, I ended up returning both the body and lens for the D80 kit (they gave it to me at the used price :)). I wasn't sure I would be happy with the 18-135mm, but I am. It is built more cheaply than the 18-70mm, but IQ seems to be as good if not a bit sharper. Being AF-S it focuses very fast and it's nice and light. It's been a great walk around lens for me so far.

I have the 50mm f/1.8 and SB-600 for indoors, but the 18-135mm is great in decent light. I would suggest starting with the kit and the SB-600 until you know exactly what you need.

[swgod98]

Actually...(going against the grain here)...while I also think the 18-135 lens is good, I don't think it's the best for your needs. You stated closeup/catalog and landscape shots. So, you really don't need any zoom...whatever the lens provides is just bonus.

So, what about getting a better (shorter) lens...? Something like the Sigma 17-70 or 18-50. Both are EX (very good!) lenses and both are labelled as Macro capable. You will spend about as much as the 18-135 or a bit more.

I don't know much about those lenses, but Sigma's EX lenses are their high end models. I'm guessing you'll get less CA and distortion out of them compared to the 18-135.

[tcadwall]

I actually don't totally agree with swgod, but I am certain it is my interpretation of your term "close-up". IOW - I don't read the OP as needing a macro lens, unless she is making a catalog for a flea circus... :)

I do a good deal of light-tent shots, and even for a diamond ring for instance, macro is unnecessary. Especially if the shots are going into an on-line catalog (not really specified). Now, I am using the 18-200mm VR for that. The zoom lets me place the camera far enough from the light-tent that I can quickly change items in the tent without moving the camera. Resolution is still plenty adequate, and I am able to frame different sized items by zooming - there is not enough time to be cropping, etc. in post for this type of work. The 18-135 would probably be a similar situation.

From reviews I have read, the 18-70mm might have a slight advantage optically, but I think for your use, you are actually going to want more range in order to be able to frame appropriately for different sized items. So I would say the 135 very well may be a better choice in this case.

[swgod98]

You must wait for new Nikon 55-200mm lens with VR.

Not really a landscape lens, though.