If you could have one lens,....

[faeriegodess612]

I think this has been on here before,...but we all know how the search feature works. I tried it,...it didnt give me what I needed.

I want to expand my lens collection from just the kit lens, to the kit lens and a REALLY great lens. I have a Nikon, so I'd need a Nikkor or otherwise compatible lens,...but I figure if I get something else, I want it to be a really good all around lens. If I'm saving money towards something, or asking for money for my B'day to contribute to something, ( which is coming up soon. ) I want it to be a good one,.....

So,....If you could have only one lens, what would it be? I was thinking something like this,..but I'm not sure.

I find myself getting irritated that my lens won't zoom in as far as I want,...and I hate having to crop a photo down, just to get the composition that I had envisioned. You can't always get closer physically,..so you have to lens-ically ,....lol,.. I just made up a new word. ( Overlook my dorkiness,.. )

[Jonbar18]

12-600 F1.8, measuring at 26 cm in length, fully zoomed out at infinity, and weighing 4.3 lb.

Also double as video MP3 player

[justin_ing]

not to copy you at all, but I second that lens

infact, I'd probably give a kidney away for it

[IABoomer]

12-600? Pfff. 8-800 f/1.4.

Seriously, depending on how much more reach you feel like you need, you could get a 24-70 f/2.8 or a 24-120 f/4. If you're wanting something longer for portraits, you might consider an 85 f/1.8 prime instead of a zoom.

In any event, I'd suggest stepping up in quality if you're going to invest in a lens. The 18-200 doesn't give you any better low-light performance than the "kit" lens you have now, or the 55-200 "kit" lens they often sell with those cameras. Getting faster glass can't hurt you (unless you go into extreme debt for something like a 200 f/2).

[Jonbar18]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

12-600? Pfff. 8-800 f/1.4.

Ya you wish. Be realistic

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

12-600? Pfff. 8-800 f/1.4.

Seriously, depending on how much more reach you feel like you need, you could get a 24-70 f/2.8 or a 24-120 f/4. If you're wanting something longer for portraits, you might consider an 85 f/1.8 prime instead of a zoom.

In any event, I'd suggest stepping up in quality if you're going to invest in a lens. The 18-200 doesn't give you any better low-light performance than the "kit" lens you have now, or the 55-200 "kit" lens they often sell with those cameras. Getting faster glass can't hurt you (unless you go into extreme debt for something like a 200 f/2).

I figure my kit lens would still work fine for portraits. If I needed to use it for that,...as far as the other.

What would you suggest? It cant cost an arm and a leg,...if I save up over $1,000 for a lens,..I'll feel bad about putting it towards that, instead of something like my car. Maybe I should just go with a 55-200 for now,...and sell it if I ever make it to the pros, and can justify something more expensive. ???

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

I think this has been on here before,...but we all know how the search feature works. I tried it,...it didnt give me what I needed.

I want to expand my lens collection from just the kit lens, to the kit lens and a REALLY great lens. I have a Nikon, so I'd need a Nikkor or otherwise compatible lens,...but I figure if I get something else, I want it to be a really good all around lens. If I'm saving money towards something, or asking for money for my B'day to contribute to something, ( which is coming up soon. ) I want it to be a good one,.....

So,....If you could have only one lens, what would it be? I was thinking something like this,..but I'm not sure.

I find myself getting irritated that my lens won't zoom in as far as I want,...and I hate having to crop a photo down, just to get the composition that I had envisioned. You can't always get closer physically,..so you have to lens-ically ,....lol,.. I just made up a new word. ( Overlook my dorkiness,.. )

Well, that's the thing, your one lens wouldn't necessarily be the same as my one lens. I often shoot at 50mm or less (by choice), so my "one lens" wouldn't be the same as yours because I *don't* find myself wishing I had a further reach very often. My one lens choice would probably just be my 50mm. I prefer wider or I prefer macro, but for my style that's my preferred compromise. But that doesn't really help you in your decision I'd say go with something that meets your needs.

[nickbedford]

1-10,000mm DOIJ lens F/1.0 with no chromatic aberration, barrelling or pincushioning, weighing 200g and no longer than 100mm, with 1ms "huntless" autofocus motor.

But then the aperture would require a 10m wide lens. Blast.

[nickbedford]

A... uhh.. .360 degrees lens.

[MindyRaeL]

Have you considered an "off-brand"? That way, you can get a new lens and still put some money toward the car. That's how I negotiate away the guilt.
I've heard Sigma makes some great lenses, and I have a couple Tamron that I love! Here is the same lens you're looking at made by Tamron, and it's about $500 cheaper. If you decide to go with Tamron, make sure the description says Built In Motor. These are the ones that will autofocus with your camera. I found that out the hard way.

+1 to what Nicole said. Your needs are different from everyone else's. But my one lens is the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Just got it yesterday. Hubby said to buy myself something nice for Mother's Day. Ha ha. That's what he gets for not planning ahead.