Lens help

[rcc310]

Hi im just wondering whats the best nikon lens for both taken portrait photos and landscapes like around $800, My friend recommended this Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lenses but i'm not too sure. Your help would be muchly appreciated!
Thanks Sam

[gturner]

I would look at 2 different lenses as you are looking for 2 very different jobs.


What is your current gear set-up?

[TheMoons678]

The sigma 17-50mm would be an ok choice, but for me wouldnt really leave me satisfied in either genre of landscape/portraits. I'd like wider for landscape, and longer for portraits.

I would get 2 lenses: a superwide for landscape, and a prime/ fast mid-range zoom for the portraits

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is supposed to be high quality for the price.
For portraits you could just get a prime lens like Nikon 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 if you're trying to stay under $800 for the 2 lenses.

I chose to get a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 which I like, but other times I prefer a sharp prime to shoot at f/2-2.8. Sigma also has a 24-70mm 2.8.

[rcc310]

I have two lens

Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6
AF-S DX zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II

[rcc310]

Originally Posted by gturner

I would look at 2 different lenses as you are looking for 2 very different jobs.


What is your current gear set-up?

Originally Posted by TheMoons678

The sigma 17-50mm would be an ok choice, but for me wouldnt really leave me satisfied in either genre of landscape/portraits. I'd like wider for landscape, and longer for portraits.

I would get 2 lenses: a superwide for landscape, and a prime/ fast mid-range zoom for the portraits

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is supposed to be high quality for the price.
For portraits you could just get a prime lens like Nikon 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 if you're trying to stay under $800 for the 2 lenses.

I chose to get a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 which I like, but other times I prefer a sharp prime to shoot at f/2-2.8. Sigma also has a 24-70mm 2.8.

maybe i should buy 2 lens one for portraits and 1 for lanscapes both around $800

[gturner]

yep, 2 x $400 would be best.
I am not so sharp on the Nikon range, but I am sure someone could help you.

[ceremus]

Assuming you're working with an APS-C crop sensor, 17-50mm is a fairly standard zoom range, versatile enough for all sorts of work. 17mm is reasonably wide (about the same 35mm FOV equivalent as 24mm). And 50mm is a decent normal view for portraits, frames a little tightly on a crop format but works well for head to shoulders shots.

I have the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8, I think it works very nicely as a standard zoom, 17mm is wide enough for me (at the moment), and if I need longer focal lengths I have telephoto lenses for that. Whether those focal lengths are sufficient for you though is something you have to figure out for yourself. Are you happy with the focal range of your 18-55? It'll be practically identical, the Sigma will simply be a fast zoom being f/2.8. Up to you if you need something wide than that. Something telephoto around 85mm or higher is generally preferred for portraits, although on a crop camera that will frame quite tightly if you're in a studio. Make sure you have the room.

[FireDawg]

you may want to look at this guy. It is a tad pricer but has some astonishing reviews (you gotta read the reviews). Sorry guys, I had to do it

[sk66]

Well, I don't normally recommend the "nifty fifty", but for "standard portraits" I would suggest the Nikon 50mm 1.8D on a crop body as the budget lens to get.... I might choose a used Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 instead (used on Ebay of B&H). I use a (much more expensive) 24-70 f/2.8. Which was an "upgrade" from an early version Tokina 28-80 f/2.8 which I've been looking to sell....(pm me if interested).

For wide on a budget I'd get the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6...I had one for a long time and I was very happy with it. I sold it when I sold my DX body.
If you buy used, the zooms will cost you around $700-800... If you buy new, the 50mm and 10-20 will cost about the same.

I think that there is little point in changing your 18-55 kit lens for the Sigma 17-50

[rcc310]

Originally Posted by gturner

yep, 2 x $400 would be best.
I am not so sharp on the Nikon range, but I am sure someone could help you.

I was meaning I would spend up to S800 on both a portrait lens and lanscape