Question before Buying D90

[craigyc]

Hey!

So i've been out of the DSLR world for some time now since selling my D40 with the idea of buying a d90/d300. Which didn't quite happen how I planned.

Well now I think I have settled on the D90 because of the relatively low price and I'm not advanced enough for the D300 yet.

As you can see from my lenses I have an Ultra wide, 50mm prime and 18-55mm kit lens.

So I am only lacking the zoom lens.

I was thinking of either getting the D90 Kit with the 18-105mm for that little bit of extra reach, or getting the D90 Body with the 55-200mm VR.

I would ideally like the 70-300mm but thats a little out of my price range atm.

What do you guys think is the better option?

[K1W1]

Of the options you outlined 55-200VR would be my choice.

[Rooz]

get the 18-105, its a better all round lens than the stock 18-55.
you can always save for the 55-200 or 70-300 later.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

For image quality your 18-55VR and postulated 55-200VR get good write ups. The build quality looks far inferior though. I think that'd drive me nuts over time.

Still if cash is tight get what kit lens you can afford with it and upgrade or add glass later.

I love my new 70-300VR BTW. The VR is really positive and helpful. The non VR version of the 70-300 lens sucks apparently.

Rooz showed me this link that I found really helpful.
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests

[alessy]

I have nikon d90 with kit lense 18-105 and I'm realy happy with that lense and body .

I first started with nikon D60 + 18-55mm Vr + 55-200mm Vr lense. And I was quite disappointed with kit lenses. Constantly changing lenses made my decision to get new 18-200 mm VR all in one lense. Auto focusing speed was really big difference and I was quite happy because I didnt have to change lenses any more, but the image quallity for such a expenssive lense was really another disappointment for me. I sold everything with Nikon D60 and get new Nikon D90 + 18-105 kit lense. And at the moment I'm so happy with cheap, sharp and quite fast auto focus lense that I'm not going to change it for some time.

My suggestion is that you sell your 18-55mm lense and buy Nikon D90 with 18-105VR kit lense. I think is much better choice than 18-55 + 55-200 and then if you want more reachnes, get yourself Nikkor 70-300mm VR lense for best performance and quallity for the money at the moment. You will be much happier with this combination than old D40, D40X , D60 zoom kit . You will save much more money if you get at the begining wright lenses, than realizing that later and selling them, like I did .

[herc182]

one more vote for the 55-200 VR. I constantly amazed by the quality of the images that come straight out of it. Great contrast and sharpness.

I also seem to use this lens the most for landscape type shots. Its a fantastic lens for a fanstastic price and fits into your line up perfectly.

[craigyc]

Its seems theres some pretty split opinions! The D90 and kit lens is £730 at the moment in Jessops down from £800.

The body and 55-200mm would come in at £760 i think. Not much difference and I would be getting it on finance anyway.

I agree with herc though that the 55-200mm would fit nicely into my line up with a range from 10mm-200mm.

Il give it a little more thought and probably take the plunge tomorrow! Exciting!

[swpars]

Craig,

Another vote for the 55-200mm VR.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swpars/2769648892/sizes/o/

The link points to a 100% crop from my 55-200mm VR @ f5.6 and 200mm. In short, maximum zoom, wide open, which is a test of any zoom lens. I think the 55-200mm VR holds up pretty well. I have yet to try a 70-300mm VR though, that may eventually replace the 55-200mm VR (but I'm in grad school now and can't allocate much to the camera fund).

[Visual Reality]

get the 18-105, its a better all round lens than the stock 18-55.
you can always save for the 55-200 or 70-300 later.
+1


My suggestion is that you sell your 18-55mm lense and buy Nikon D90 with 18-105VR kit lense. I think is much better choice than 18-55 + 55-200 and then if you want more reachnes, get yourself Nikkor 70-300mm VR lense for best performance and quallity for the money at the moment. You will be much happier with this combination than old D40, D40X , D60 zoom kit . You will save much more money if you get at the begining wright lenses, than realizing that later and selling them, like I did .
Agree with above, these guys have the right idea.

[craigyc]

I went for the D90 and 18-105mm in the end as it was on offer!

Thanks for all your suggestions guys. My thoughts were that the reach of the 105 will do me just now and i'll save for a better zoom like the 70-300mm at a later date!

Loving the body its a big step up from my old D40!

Cant wait to get back involved in the forums!

[Rooz]

congrats mate. happy shooting.

[alessy]

Congrats...

Good choice... You won't be sorry, you'll see...

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Congrats and can't wait to see your shots.

[philba]

I have the D90 with the Kit 18-105VR lens. It's pretty good though for sports and wildlife, I find it a bit short. I am seriously considering the 18-200VR. Faster than the kit lens and twice as long. I've seen very positive writeups. However it drains the wallet pretty good.

I'd definitely keep the fast 50 mm lens.

[K1W1]

I am seriously considering the 18-200VR. Faster than the kit lens and twice as long.

The 70-300VR lens will give you better pictures, has longer reach than the 18-200 and is cheaper.

[Visual Reality]

Most of the people on here who have had the 18-200 at one point don't have it anymore...must be a reason...

I'm not knocking it, but most people eventually want sharper and faster glass, neither of which is a trait of the 18-200.

[swpars]

I have the D90 with the Kit 18-105VR lens. It's pretty good though for sports and wildlife, I find it a bit short. I am seriously considering the 18-200VR. Faster than the kit lens and twice as long. I've seen very positive writeups. However it drains the wallet pretty good.

I'd definitely keep the fast 50 mm lens.

Depending on what sports you are shooting, you might consider a 70/80-200mm f2.8 lens. Nikon's 80-200/2.8 AF-D lens goes for about $900 new and is a professional lens, built like a brick sh*thouse. Sigma and Tamron make flimsier 70-200/2.8 lenses that are $150-200 cheaper, depending on where you buy them. All things to consider.

+1 on the 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 as well.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I am seriously considering the 18-200VR. Faster than the kit lens and twice as long. I've seen very positive writeups. However it drains the wallet pretty good.

I'd definitely keep the fast 50 mm lens.

Wish you'd said that last week, I could have pointed you at an excellent underpriced auction:D

Seriously though, I much prefer my 70-300 VR (make sure it's the VR one) which would couple nicely with your 18-105. Giving you good range and better sharper images.

[Jeff_B]

I bought the kit with the 18-105 and don't regret it. It's a nice lens to have because it's very compact and light, but I realized pretty soon that I was going to need a longer zoom lens to go with it. I went with the 55-200mm VR because it was really cheap with the eBay 30% cash back deal that was going on about a month ago and I didn't think I'd need a longer zoom for my application. If you're on a budget, I don't think you can go wrong with either the 55-200 VR or 70-300 VR.