advice for lens please

[twistedclocks]

i apologize for making another thread i dont know where my other one went..

i've decided to not buy the 18-200mm lens (for quality reasons and i feel its simply too much of a variation zoom wise..even though it would be so convient). i have the 18-55mm and im convinced that will be sufficiant for a wide-angle lens for landscape and what not yes?

so what do you suggest for the other side of the scale eg.55-300+ range anything within that for a nikon that is. theres lots of options and i'd like a decent zoom (maybe the 70-300mm?) just want to cover all my bases, set for any situation.

i just want some personal opinions and advise (spent too damn long trying to figure out whether to get the 18-200mm or everything in between, very frustrated ) then this thread can be deleted if im starting to annoy people with all my questions

thanks guys.

[gturner]

Give us a budget

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by gturner

Give us a budget

and what camera?

[OsmosisStudios]

I usually suggest the 70-300 VR if you can afford it, though the 55-200 VR is great if you cant. If you can wait till september, there are rumors of a 55-300 VR DX.

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by Elmo

and what camera?

Check the signature: Nikon D3000


Twistedclocks, the Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR is a really good lense for the price. Both optically and build quality. It's in the serious amateur category. It's also a FX lens if you ever decide to go FF. It was the first lense I bought (Back then when I was using a D60 with the kit lens), and I would do it again today. Make sure you get the VR version if you get one. Little shake increaly as you increase the focal lenght so the VR allow you to get sharper picture with less light. The 70-300 also have ED glass which increase the image quality over the kit lens (increase the sharpness and color correction. Also reduce chromatic aberration).

Do not bother with the missing 15mm between 55 and 70 with that combo. Your feet can cover for that


I would rather use the 18-55 / 70-300 combo than the 18-200. Image quality is better and those 100mm extra are useful.

Don't worry about questions. The concept behind focal lenght (mm) is diffult to understand without spending time with different lens and study how they affect the image.

Hope this helps

[kirbinster]

The 70-300VR is a great lens, and you really won't miss the 55-70 area anyway. I am currious how you decided against the 18-200VR as it sounds like a very good lens for you. Sure it is not as sharp as some lenses, but it is not really that bad. Did you go to some place like flickr and search for actual pictures taken with that lens? I love my 18-200 and it serves a purpose. Sure it is not nearly as sharp as my 70-200 f/2.8 - but my 70-200 has a major problem taking pictures in the 18-70mm range

[jdepould]

70-300 VR and call it a day. Great consumer tele.

[twistedclocks]

thankyou everyone, i think the 70-300vr is the way to go

* kirbinster - i'm not too sure, i've spend a ridiculous amount of time trying decide on having 2 lenses or just the 1 that expands the full range. i found a website where everyone was contributing their rather lengthy opinions on the 18-200mm and i just kept going from yes! gimme gimme to humm maybe not

if having the two dont work out, well hey i'll just sell them for the 18-200