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View Full Version : Is it a Zoom lens I'm looking for?

topslakr
03-21-2007, 02:42 PM
Hello,

I'm too am fairly new to photography and have just bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D40. I have been using the included 18-55mm lens for a few months now and having pretty good luck. I am beginning to wonder about getting a lens that has a bit more of a zoom to it though.

I live in the southern part of New Hampshire here in the states and each summer I take a vacation into the mountains. I enjoy very much taking landscape photos and other broad shots but I also want to be able to get some shots of places I can't easily get to. I'm thinking about getting the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor but with a $500 price tag I wonder if it will be worth it. Will it be versatile enough for me to make good use of it? I mean ideally I'd love to get a 18-300 or something I could leave on the camera all of the time but I have found the cost of those units to be too high right now.

I'm feeling lost and a bit overwhelmed at the moment trying to figure out what the right lens might be and if anyone here could help point me in the right direction that would be great. I've included some links to my blog and photo gallery if anyone wants to take a look and see the kind of shots I've taken. Almost all of my shots that have been posted have been with point and shoot cameras so it's been a little hard for me to capture the shots I've been looking to get. A lot of them are heavily cropped... The real trouble for me is that I want to be able to make large printouts of some of my images and after all of the cropping I tend to do to zero in on the subject I lose to much quality. Am I making any sense at all?

Thank you in Advance.

Robert

My Blog and Photo Gallery (http://topslakr.com)
One of My Favorite Shots (http://topslakr.com/gallery2/main.php/v/Vacation+2006/New+Hampshire/NH_Trip_-_027.jpg.html)
Another shot that is close to what I'm looking to capture (http://topslakr.com/gallery2/main.php/v/Vacation+2006/New+Hampshire/NH_Trip_-_017.jpg.html)
wulf
03-21-2007, 04:58 PM
I'm still a relatively neophyte D40 user myself, so can't give you the benefit of much practical experience. However, I think the choice of a new lens depends on what kind of shots you are struggling with or not able to take at all with the kit 18-55 lens that comes with the camera.

When I first got it, I thought that an even more extreme wide angle might be what I needed but, three months later, the main thing I'm finding is that I want to zoom in more so I suspect that a telephoto lens might be what I need too.

... and then comes the compromise; multiple lenses or one that costs the earth but seems to promise everything. One thing I have been experimenting with a bit is manual focusing, as that would open up a much wider range of lenses (and some lower prices).

Look forward to hearing how your thoughts develop.

Wulf
Saralonde
03-21-2007, 07:44 PM
I'm not really familar with all the Nikon lenses, but if they're like Canon, a good zoom is generally $500 and up. You could look at third party lenses such as Sigma or Tamron. If you really want a budget lens, maybe the Sigma 70-300mm macro APO DG would work. It is definitely decent but not spectaular.
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1400
topslakr
03-21-2007, 11:12 PM
I did see your post about budget lenses. Certainly was helpful for me. I saw that you mentioned the Tamron lens gets blurry above 200mm which for me was a deal breaker..I think. After doing a few more hours of research I think I've settled on one of two lenses.

Either the 70-300mm that I posted a link to before or a new 55-200mm that looks like a great lens also. The 55-200mm is brand it seems and a perfect fit for my D40 as it picks up where my kit lens leaves off. Plus for $250 dollars I think I can justify the cost. It's half the cost of the 300mm and has been seeing favorable reviews.. I will of course mull it over a few weeks before making a purchase.

Thanks so far! Any one else have more thoughts?

Robet
Saralonde
03-22-2007, 12:50 AM
I wish I could helpyou more. I found these 2 reviews of the lenses you are considering. I don't know if you've read these. Maybe I'm just confusing you more :eek: !
http://www.bythom.com/70300lens.htm
http://www.bythom.com/55200lens.htm
Maybe there are some Nikonians out there with personal knowledge of either of these lenses.
topslakr
03-22-2007, 01:49 AM
Thank you for the effort. I appreciate that. :) I think those are reviews for an older revisions of the lenses? I don't see VR mentioned in either one and both of the lenses I'm looking at have the that feature (Vibration Reduction, I believe it's IS on Canons?) As a matter of fact the 55-200mm review specifically mentions that the lens he is reviewing doesn't have VR. The review I have read was at Ken Rockwell's site (http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/55-200mm-vr.htm) but I don't know if he is a trusted resource or not. I agreed with his review of the D40 and subsequently bought a camera I love so he is 1 for 1 in my book. The 55-200mm with VR is actually supposed to ship April 5th so I don't know that anyone will actually have a good review. (Ken had a prototype) I do have some time to spare before I have to buy though so maybe some more reviews will come in May. I sure hope so.. (hint hint any Nikonians out there :) )

I do appreciate your help though. Up here in NH I have a tough time finding photo shops that have good stock on lenses so it's tough for me to test them out...

Robert
inkista
03-24-2007, 01:42 AM
Well, there's always rentglass.com (http://www.rentglass.com). :)
magnus9
03-28-2007, 08:30 AM
Oh wow. I had no idea that 55-200 VR lens was coming out. I've been trying to decide on a a new zoom lens as well. My heart has been set on the 18-200 VR but the fact that you can't find it anywhere and if you can it's $900 has kept me from picking it up. But this lens looks great, especially for the price.
topslakr
03-28-2007, 12:42 PM
The 55-200mm is a great looking deal. No question there. I bet that you won't be able to get a hold of those when they come out either... might want to pre-order. $250 for a decent zoom is a killer price....

If you get one, be sure to post here and tell us about it!

Robert
Firemaine
03-28-2007, 02:20 PM
topslakr: Here is a good artical on the 55-200mm lens. I have one and love it, although it's not the VR.(come ot after I got mine.) This guy also has a lot of info on the Nikon D40 which I also have. Have learned a lot from the website about the camera.
Camera: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
55-200mmVR Lens: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55-200mm-vr.htm
topslakr
03-28-2007, 02:39 PM
Yeah. I've read that article. I like Ken's site. Thank you for the link. I'm looking forward to his review of the final product when it comes out. His review of the prototype was quite favorable.

Robert
magnus9
03-29-2007, 12:38 AM
I checked Ritzcamera.com this morning and apparently the have it in stock already so I ordered one. Now I just need to see if it gets shipped in the next few days. =P

Heres the product page if you're interested:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541531257.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcidigital-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcilenses-for-digital-cameras%3Bcislr-lens%3Bcilenses-for-nikon
november
04-05-2007, 04:24 PM
Yeah. I've read that article. I like Ken's site. Thank you for the link. I'm looking forward to his review of the final product when it comes out. His review of the prototype was quite favorable.

Robert

Ken Rockwell's website actually made me decide to get a Nikon instead of a Canon! He is really good, helpful. I have a Nikon D80 and I would really like the 70-300 VR lens but maybe I would go for the 55-200 VR first. Let me know what you guys think or experience with this new lens :)