Multilayer Noob Lens Question

[polvadis]

I gave my D40 away to my girlfriend and am about to pull the trigger on a D90 body. The question is about what the lens I should get, if at all, for the D90.

I will technically have access to the lenses I had with the D40 (assuming girlfriend lets me take them):
1) 18-55mm AF-S non-VR Nikon kit lens
2) 35mm AF-S 1.8f Nikon lens
3) 18-105mm AF-S VR Nikon lens

There are a few questions here:
1) Assuming I leave the kit lens for her to play with, is the 18-55 non-VR good enough for its new owner, or should I maybe get her the VR version to start with? This is almost a Dr. Phil question because I care that she will be able to get nice photos out of the lens, and would hate to halt any creativity by leaving her with a crap lens.

2) She's currently using the 18-105mm lens as that's my favorite lens, and the only one she's ever used with the D40. What other lens could I get not to duplicate this range as a walk around lens for the D90?

3) Would the 50mm f1.8D be a good start for the D90 and I could swap around with the girl for the 105mm?

4) I like the 16-85 VR lens, but that baby is pricey! Would that be a good option for me?

5) To those of you that share the photo hobby with your other half, how does that work exactly? I spent 3 weeks driving around California with my girlfriend and maybe twice I touched the D40, mostly using my pocket Panasonic. I think sharing a DSLR for us is out of the question, hence my interest in the D90. But taking two DLSRs out every time we go somewhere seems silly :( We're both noobs, but both like snapping photos of the stuff around us.

I think I need to talk to a therapist about this hahaha.

[K1W1]

Don't worry about getting a VR 18-55. It's not going to offer much other than a hole in the bank balance.

Okay lets leave the 16-85 (my choice) out of this for a moment.

You have two lenses that cover the 18-55 range and one that covers the 19-105 range.

To me it seems logical to get a medium zoom either a 55-200VR or 70-300VR. The 70-300VR is the better of the two but it's also more expensive and heavier.

I am of course assuming here that you stay with your girlfriend and continue to have the option of sharing lenses.

[Screenclutter]

1) The 18-55 is a reasonably good lens, I don't think you'd be gaining a lot from VR. You'd probably switch to your 35mm f/1.8 if you needed a wider aperture to increase your shutter speeds.

2) How often does she use the telephoto end of the 18-105 relative to the wide end of this lens?

3) I'd say use your 18-55 at 50mm a lot for a bit, and see how you feel with it, before getting deciding whether you need the 50mm f/1.8.

4) It is a good lens, but there would be too much overlap with your 18-105 and 18-55. I doubt it would be worth getting for you.

5) I can't answer about having a gf use my camera, but:
a) did she use the D40 a lot?
b) if you didn't use the full feature set of the D40, why would you get a D90 which has even more features that you won't be using?
c) two dSLRs is not a silly thing if both of you have an interest in using them
d) what made you use the your Panasonic P&S more?

[polvadis]

2) How often does she use the telephoto end of the 18-105 relative to the wide end of this lens?

I'm not sure which she uses more often, I have to look through her photos and see the range.

5) I can't answer about having a gf use my camera, but:
a) did she use the D40 a lot?

Yes, she used the D40 all the time. 14gigs worth in the 3 weeks we spent traveling around California.

b) if you didn't use the full feature set of the D40, why would you get a D90 which has even more features that you won't be using?

This is a very good question. I'm getting the D90 because I don't have my own DSLR, and the D90 seems like the best future proof option that I can afford now. I would look at the D5000, but I am willing to spend the extra $200 or so for the D90. You're right though, I will not use the D90 to its full potential for a really really long time.

d) what made you use the your Panasonic P&S more?

She always had the D40 in her hand, snapping away at things. It was easier just to get the P&S out and take the photo. I also managed to get some 720p video out of this so it worked out alright. But I did miss the actual zoom control with a DSLR lens, and I liked the quality of photos better on the Nikon as well.

[jcon]

You're right though, I will not use the D90 to its full potential for a really really long time.




Nothing wrong with that.. its good to have a tool that you can grow with and learn with. That way you are always improving your skills rather than being limited by your equipment!

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

My daughter and I share lenses, works ok but forces you both to shoot different things eg macro and wide angle at the botanic gardens etc.

I can't handle sharing so well so have upgraded some lenses to get duplicate coverage.

[Screenclutter]

I think you should take your gf shopping with you and get her to test the lenses she likes

If she decides to jump in and spend on a lot of stuff, she may buy a D90 (or better? :)) with all her own lenses, and you get to keep your D40 and all your lenses and not even spend a cent