prospective d50 owner lens question

[UmbongoJongo]

I have been looking to buy the Nikon d50 I decision I found quite easy to make it seemed to have the right features, price and felt right in my hands for me, someone who wants to make to step up to DSLR, but wants to learn as I go without diving right in there with a suitcase of cash.

However I am struggling with lens decisions and after about a month of reading magazines, review sites, forums and checking out others photos at flickr and pbase. I'm still confused as to which lens to go with.

Nikon 18 - 70 (d70 kit lens)
Nikon 28 - 105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF
Sigma 18 - 125mm f3.5-5.6

I had also considered
Nikon 18 - 55 (d50 kit lens) focal range is too short for what I think I will want to shoot

Nikon 24-120 (old non VR and new VR) too expensive from locale retailers

Nikon 24-85 AFS (the dust issues I've heard about this one effecting the lens and AFS motor scared me off)

sigma 18-200mm (the 18-125 seemed to be considered to be a better quality lens and the longer focal range struggled)

This will be my first DSLR, but given that my previous shooting was outside around parks and lakes(scenery and nature), some architecture, and the macro shots of flowers and creepy crawlies. I am leaning towards the Nikon 28-105 as this seems to have a more appropriate focal range and the macro option so I can learn more. I was used to stitching images together with my old point and shoot to get a better panorama

I guess my biggest question is will I miss the wide end horribly and be running out for another lens quickly with the 28-105mm or with the sigma will I be regretting it in terms of CA and sharpness.

Any help or other suggestions appreciated

Andrew

[eduardofrances]

If you want an excellent lens go with the Nikon 18 - 70mm it you wont regret it, I would advice you to stay away from those 10x zoom lenses (28-300, 18-300, etc) they compromise quality in order to get such a big zoom, (softness chromatic abberations, etc etc) what you can do is go for the 18-70mm lens and then later buy a telephoto 70-300mm.


The 18-50mm is a great lens that gtes the job done and it is very well placed above most kit lenses of other brands, but the 18-70mm is even better

Good luck

[Turo]

I've had my D50 for only about 2 months and I went with the Sigma 18-125 after a few recommendations by folks on this forum. I am very happy with the lens, its very sharp and the focal range makes it a nice walk-around lens that doesn't cost too much (~$250 I believe).

[jcon]

What you will hear are on here are personal opinions, I advise you to go to a local shop and test the lenses you like, if you are allowed to. Take the photos home on your memory card and compare them. I too would suggest the Sigma 18-125 simply because its been a great walk around lens for me. After shooting with this lens, it will help you decide what you need in the future, instead of throwing away the big money on lenses that you wont need now. Perhaps the Nikon 50mm 1.8 might be another one to look at. Its very sharp and a great low light performer and only $100US! Good luck with your decision and enjoy your new toy!

[UmbongoJongo]

Thanks for the info guys, that was a great idea to take a mem card along to the shop, I'll head to the local dealer over the weekend and see what they have in stock that I can play with.

It sounds like the sigma is reasonably well thought of for my needs and might be my ideal lens, definatly worth a close look. However I heard that with this lens there are some bad copies that have poor AF at the wide end, is there anything else I should be looking out for if testing one of these in the shop to see if I have a good copy?

Thanks again for the feedback

Andrew

[jcon]

From what I have understood bout the "bad copies", is that they are softer than normal, so I guess the only telltail wuold be image quality, if I am incorrect, I am sure someone will correct me.