best lens under a grand

[shoeytennis]

well im gettig a raise soon and in the meantime ill be looking to get one really really sweet lens.
i hear the 18-200 nikon vr 3.5 is the best lens for under a grand any other ideas?
ps-im using the lens for eveyrthing so i dont have to lug around more then one lens.

[VTEC_EATER]

Well it depends a lot on what you plan on shooting with this lens. If its an everyday, pretty much do everything fairly well, lens you are looking for, then Im sure the 18-200 VR is probably your best bet.

But its not going to beat an 80-200 F2.8 in any low light action shots. It wont beat out any of prime lenses for portraits. And It wont beat out a 12-24 F4 in wide angle capability.

But since you are looking for an everything lens, then I'm sure the 18-200 should do just fine. But it will have its downfalls when compared to the above examples.

[wh0128]

Well it depends a lot on what you plan on shooting with this lens. If its an everyday, pretty much do everything fairly well, lens you are looking for, then Im sure the 18-200 VR is probably your best bet.

But its not going to beat an 80-200 F2.8 in any low light action shots. It wont beat out any of prime lenses for portraits. And It wont beat out a 12-24 F4 in wide angle capability.

But since you are looking for an everything lens, then I'm sure the 18-200 should do just fine. But it will have its downfalls when compared to the above examples.

You took the words right outta my mouth . I agree with all of the above.

[Wowzer]

well im gettig a raise soon and in the meantime ill be looking to get one really really sweet lens.
i hear the 18-200 nikon vr 3.5 is the best lens for under a grand any other ideas?
ps-im using the lens for eveyrthing so i dont have to lug around more then one lens.

Buy 2 pro glass lenses for that money. The 18-200, while good, isn't great at anything. You can get a used 80-200 f2.8 AF-D 2 ring zoom for about $450. Add a medium zoom lens like the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for another $350. If you have a little more than $1000 (like $1200), get a Sigma 10-20 to round out the collection. You'll love them.

If you are worried about dust, then get a rocket blower to clean off the sensor...it works great and costs about $20.

If I had just 1 sweet lens, then I'd get the 80-200. It just awesome.


P.S. if you are looking for great portraits, the 50mm 1.4 is another great lens.

GL!

[shoeytennis]

a few questions
how much better is the nikon 50mm 1.4 then the 50mm 1.8 version?
how about some samples images of the 80-200 f2.8 low light no flash shots please!!

[jcon]

For sample shots of ANY lens or camera go to PBase.com and just browse for what youre looking for.

[K1W1]

For sample shots of ANY lens or camera go to PBase.com and just browse for what youre looking for.

Or any one of the huge number of Flickr Groups dedicated to even the most obscure lens.

[rawpaw18]

well im gettig a raise soon and in the meantime ill be looking to get one really really sweet lens.
i hear the 18-200 nikon vr 3.5 is the best lens for under a grand any other ideas?
ps-im using the lens for eveyrthing so i dont have to lug around more then one lens.

It sounds like you answered your own question, if you want only one lens then the 18-200vr would be the all-in-one to get.

[wh0128]

Here's a sneak peek at the 80-200mm f/2.8 with indoor basketball, NO flash. I'd go with what Wowzer said and buy this lens used and the other two other fast zoom lenses, which will work just as good in low light.

[eduardofrances]

Well if you want a do it all lens then your best bet is the 18-200mm VR, but for my line of work a lil bit above the 1,000 bucks is the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4, and a lil bit below the price tag is the Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8