Next Step After D90 Body

[DivotMaker]

Hello all.
I have been reading the posts on the site for awhile, and appreciate all I have read.
I will attempt to be brief, but please be patient.

Years ago I was into my Minolta X570 SLR big time.
I got married, busy with life and moved to digital with a Sony Cybershot (but missed the manual ability.)

Well, our daughter has gone to college, and I have the bug again. BIG TIME.

I have pretty much decided I am going to start with the D90.
I have a Tamron 80-210, 3.8-32 from my SLR, which I have heard I might be able to use on the D90 (to some extent).

I am curious what you feel my first purchase should be with the D90.
I want to invest, when it comes to the glass (etc), so I want to make each purchase count. But as I mentioned, I am putting my daughter through college, so I shouldnt go overboard with each purchase.

I have attached a couple of my photos (both film and digital) to give you an idea of the types of shots I tend to take. I would like to get into some portraits, but those havent been the priority of my shots to this point.

Thank you for any and all advice.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

How 'bout some back-to-basics? Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. $100 and sharp as a tack. It's also a somewhat decent portrait length on the cropped D90 sensor.

Or if you want something a bit nicer, how about the 85mm f/1.8? $450 on Amazon and one of Nikon's best lenses.

[mschwarz]

A good prime lens would be a nice start, as well as a basic zoom. What are you thinking of in terms of budget? the 18-105mm is a solid (not spectacular) lens with some flexibility.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

How 'bout some back-to-basics? Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. $100 and sharp as a tack. It's also a somewhat decent portrait length on the cropped D90 sensor.

Or if you want something a bit nicer, how about the 85mm f/1.8? $450 on Amazon and one of Nikon's best lenses.

I 2nd that. The Nikon 50mm f1.8 is a great lens for around $100. I like it better than the Canon equivalent for sure.

[DivotMaker]

Thanks for the ideas.

Almond.Butterscotch - I appreciate your suggestions quite a bit. When I started thinking about all this, I was concerned a single length might limit me, but if the 50mm is around $100 I could probably do two or so.

mschwarz - I was hoping to keep the first purchase under $500, subsequent may be more.

GadgetRick - I will take that as a second vote for the 50mm, thanks for the reassurance.

Should I even look at any zoom lenses, in my initial purchases?

[zona5101]

$500?

I searched B&H for nikon mount lenes for under $500 in Nikon, Sigma, Tokina & Tamron - there were 80 lenes!
you could get two!
Nikon 50mm f1.8 @ $125
Sigma 28-70 f2.8 $350
or a whole bunch of other combinations...
- half the fun is doing the research!

[DivotMaker]

zona5101 - Thanks for the comments. Since I want to do this right, (invest, so to speak). I was hoping to gain some knowledge about types of lenses and the better qualities, etc. to look for. This will be my first DSLR and I want to take my time as I go and buy the right glass (etc.) by budget will allow.

Not so much concerned about getting a lens, just to have the settings....looking more for quality, not quantity...(and versatility as I go)

I appreciate your idea, and will look through B&H some more...

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by DivotMaker

zona5101 - Thanks for the comments. Since I want to do this right, (invest, so to speak). I was hoping to gain some knowledge about types of lenses and the better qualities, etc. to look for. This will be my first DSLR and I want to take my time as I go and buy the right glass (etc.) by budget will allow.

Not so much concerned about getting a lens, just to have the settings....looking more for quality, not quantity...(and versatility as I go)

I appreciate your idea, and will look through B&H some more...

I believe if you chose any of those manufacturers products you would be happy. They all will perform quite well. Some of the non-nikon lens are quite excellent in ther own right.The suggestions on the 50f1.8 nikon are excellent - it is inexpensive, fast and sharp. A supplemental "walk-around" lens would be the next to fill out the gap...but you have to decide if you want longer than 50 or shorter depending on what you like to shoot. I like that 28-70 f2.8 sigma...but you may want the nikon 18-55 or the 70-300. Lots to choose from...

[DivotMaker]

Thanks again zona5101..

I read...

Only if youre planning on getting any of those lenses with it. The 24-70 and 70-200 are up around $2000, the 18-200 is, IMO, not worth it's pricetag and the 24-120 is rubbish.

in an earlier post about the rebate packages being offered....and I dont want to get something that may be "rubbish"

The lens thing is all new to me, I bought a couple with my Minolta, but money was a factor then and I scrimped...this time, I want to take my time and buy glass I will have and enjoy for years, not want to upgrade as I get better....

I have started with B&H, and you were right..there is a ton to choose from....not to just decipher it all....

[Almond.Butterscotch]

That $350 quote up there for the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 is ridiculous. It's more along the lines of $550, but when comparing the price with Nikon's version ($1800), I question how the optics in the Sigma must be.

Generally speaking, I'd avoid 3rd party lenses. Yes, the Nikon/Canon ones cost more, but there's a reason for that.

As far as the thought that a prime lens might restrict you, I've found that there's no better thing to learn on- it makes you check your composition again and again- kinda like the film days.

Back to the 24-70mm and 70-200mm: yes, those lenses are around $2k each, but they have a very specific niche: weddings. Sure, the focal length of the first makes it a nice walk around, but a 50 (or a 35mm (AF-S f/1.8, $200, AF-D f/2, $400) plus your feet should cover most of that range for less money and higher max apertures.