Which lens for D5000

[SHeath]

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G IF ED VR or
Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II

I’m looking for a General purpose lens for portraits, landscapes, indoor, outdoor and travel photography. I have looked at both of these lenses but can’t decide which would be the better lens.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by SHeath

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G IF ED VR or
Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II

I’m looking for a General purpose lens for portraits, landscapes, indoor, outdoor and travel photography. I have looked at both of these lenses but can’t decide which would be the better lens.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Well, let's look at the lenses first.

AF-S 24-120 f/3.5-5.6 VR is the older model. It never was much good, hence it being replaced by the (obscenely expensive) 24-120 f/4 VR. It's also not wide (36mm equiv) so getting that wide-angle landscape look isn't possible, and it's a bit long for travel too (tight spaces = wide angles).

AF-S 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VR is an all-in-one superzoom lens. Very convenient, but not great image quality.

Neither lens is particularly suited to portraits or indoor shooting.

If you're looking to drop that kind of money on a lens, then I can suggest only one thing: the 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VR. Replicates the 24-120 range for DX, gives better image quality than the 18-200 and is still very convenient. It pairs nicely with a 50mm f/1.8 or 35mm f/1.8 and the 70-300 VR if you're ever looking for more reach.

[RecurrentNerve]

Just to throw another one into the hat, how about the AF-S 35mm f1.8 G? No zoom but good for portraits and indoor shooting thanks to the large max aperture.

[dcclark]

Well, there really is no good lens that covers ALL of your wishes. You'll want something wide for landscapes, something fast for portraits, and probably something long for travel and general use.

I own the 18-200, and I love it for general use, but its image quality really isn't that amazing. It's very useful, though, and worth a try. Perhaps rent or borrow one if you can.

If I had to choose, though, my personal favorite would actually be two lenses: an ultrawide (such as one of the 10-20 or 10-24's available nowadays) for landscapes, and the 35mm f/1.8 mentioned above for portraits and general use.

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

If you're looking to drop that kind of money on a lens, then I can suggest only one thing: the 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VR. Replicates the 24-120 range for DX, gives better image quality than the 18-200 and is still very convenient. It pairs nicely with a 50mm f/1.8 or 35mm f/1.8 and the 70-300 VR if you're ever looking for more reach.

This is exactly what I'm using and I really like the 16-85mm. The only downside of that lens is the price compare to other option. But you get the far end of the wideangle and portrait in a single lens. I always start with it and change if I need to. The 70-300 is also a very nice addition. Sharp, light, well built. They are both the same build quality (metal connector, back rubber seal) and I saw an improvement with the ED glass when I switched from the 18-55 starter.

[SHeath]

Thanks for the advice, i will have a look at the 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VR

[jamesss]

Yep, 720/24p. there is also the d3100 that shoots 1080p but at 24p and shoots 720 at 30p

Sony alpha shoots 60i and so does the canon 7d

The sound quality on this camera is also very bad and has no inputs for an external mic. It's a great starter camera but if you plan using it for an professional applications you'll find yourself lacking in a lot of different areas with this camera.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by jamesss

Yep, 720/24p. there is also the d3100 that shoots 1080p but at 24p and shoots 720 at 30p

Sony alpha shoots 60i and so does the canon 7d

The sound quality on this camera is also very bad and has no inputs for an external mic. It's a great starter camera but if you plan using it for an professional applications you'll find yourself lacking in a lot of different areas with this camera.

wrong thread?