lens and flash selection for nilon D80

[stompinthom]

Hi,
I have a Nikon d80 and am wondering if anyone has any good advice on what lenses I should select for overall photography.
I Currently have a Nikon 70-300 lens and a 50mm prime lens.
I was thinking of changing to a 18-200 lens of either a Nikon or other after market brand.
Also thinking about a good flash unit for it as well.
Similar question regarding going with Nikon or some other after market brand???
Thanks for your help

[OsmosisStudios]

I cant recommend the 18-200, of any variety. They make far too many sacrifices in image quality and useability for that range that I just cant see it as being a genuine viable option.

Look at a 18-70 or 18-55 (both Nikon) or even a 16-85 VR. Not to replace any of your gear, but to add to it.

[Taallyn]

The general kit that I carry with my D80 is the 16-85mm VR, 70-300mm VR, and the 50mm f/1.8. I will add my Sigma 10-20mm if I know I am going to want wider than 16mm; for instance when I am going out specifically to shoot landscapes or cityscapes.

With the two lenses you have already, I would recommend the 16-85mm VR. It makes a great pair with the 70-300mm. The slight bit of overlap means you don't have to switch lenses quite so much, but gives you much better range and better image quality than the 18-200mm lens would.

Or, you could go with a wide angle lens like the Sigma 10-20, the new Nikon 10-24mm, or the Tokina 11-16 if you would prefer a wider lens.

[stompinthom]

thanks very much for the info...very helpful to me.
I was also considering a METZ, or Nikon flash...any opinions?

[Chip]

I have the Nikon 24-85 D. It's f/2.8 at the wide end, which can help. I love it. Here's a review that's right on point, as to its strengths and shortcomings: review.

For flash, I don't know much. I do have the Nikon SB-600, which is fine for my uses. I know Metz and others make nice flashes, too, but I can't help out with those.

[Hartzler]

I use a Nikon D80 like you and am on a budget. I love my Speedlight 600. I use a 70-300 a lot more than I should, because it's the lens I have on my budget. I also have a 50mm prime I use in high school gyms, because it handles the low light situation pretty well.

I do have a 28-300 Tamron. I thought it would be my general purpose travel lens, but I don't use it much, because it doesn't seem sharp enough and the focus isn't crisp.

My advice as a duffer is look for a wide angle zoom lens in your budget and get a Speedlight. I'm having a lot of fun with my own D80 and slowly learning about photography.

Good luck.

[AlanWillis]

I have an 18-135 I am pleased with for traveling if I can only take one lense; I have heard the 18-105 is a tad sharper. I have not heard particularly good things about the 18-200 (don't have one, but just what I've heard).

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by stompinthom

thanks very much for the info...very helpful to me.
I was also considering a METZ, or Nikon flash...any opinions?

SB 400 = 140$ CDN
Nikon Canada
Basic bounce ability. Stronger than the built-in.

SB 600 = 280$ CDN
Nikon Canada
More angles bouncing options, stronger that the SB 400, wireless.

[candleman]

the 18-135 is pretty good for the money, its my most used lens.
the 70-300 really is a heap of trash IMHO. (i dont have the newer VR version BTW)

i'ds recomend an sb600 as it gives easy off camera use with the D80's built in CLS , and it does all the TTL stuff you need when on camera.