Need a lens recommendation

[InGale]

Hello!

I'm a beginner photographer, just about to buy my first dSLR camera (set my mind on Nikon D7000). Before I buy it, I need a lens recommendation. I still don't know what I am going to shoot exactly, probably a bit of everything - nature, landscapes, portraits, sports, perhaps even a bit of macro... I don't have much money to splash, I'm on a tight budget (beside the camera and the lens I still have to buy the memory cards and a couple of filters). I've been advised to go for Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. I can afford this lens, but nothing pricier.

So here are some questions:
What do you think of this lens? Would you recommend it? Perhaps you have some example photos shot with this lens that I can take a look at? Perhaps you can recommend me some other lens, up to the same price? Or maybe there are even better zoom lenses, with bigger range (something like 18-200) from other companies, like Sigma or Tamron, that cost about the same?

Any advice would be welcome! Thanks in advance!

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by InGale

Hello!
Perhaps you have some example photos shot with this lens that I can take a look at?

Sure:






Don't waste your time with super zooms in the off brand names. They lack the sharpness and contrast of the nikon. It is not a bad lens to start with and you can decide where you want to go from there

[Hill Country Hack]

Welcome to the world of Photography! I've picked up this photo jones in the past four months. I have a Canon Rebel XS with the original kit lens and a 75-300mm f3.5 Canon zoom. So far, these are working just fine for me. I have spent a lot of time reading the tutorials on this site and going out to utilize what I've read/learned that day. I, like you, have a limited budget and it will be some time before I buy any real glass (lens). I'm still debating on what post production software to buy. I use the editing software included with the camera purchase. Keep in mind, a good photographer can take outstanding images with just about anything. It ain't about the gear at the beginning.

Long story short: Get your camera, learn how to use it by reading the instuction book, read the tutorials here (sign up for the e newsletter too). Go out and shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more. You will see your improvement as you go. The best thing about digital is the no cost to take as many photos as you want. Just the time to look at them and figure out how to get better.

Feel free to post in the appropriate sections of this site. Be sure to read the "how to post" and size your images appropriately.

Good luck and take good photos!

[InGale]

Thank you, Scott! The images sure look nice and crisp! I liked them! And thanks for the advise!
I have another complete newbie question: with this lens, will I be able to take photos where the subject is in focus and the background is blurred?

[InGale]

Thank you, Hill Country Hack!
Yup, I've been reading a lot of tutorials here for the past few months (well, more than a few, actually), I even keep the ones I like the most. I'm subscribed to the RSS too. So hopefully soon I'll be able to try and implement some of the things I've read here.
Thank you for the welcome and for the advises!

[Lori Hill]

The 18-105 is the kit lense that came with my D7000 when I bought it and it does nicely.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by InGale

Thank you, Scott! The images sure look nice and crisp! I liked them! And thanks for the advise!
I have another complete newbie question: with this lens, will I be able to take photos where the subject is in focus and the background is blurred?

To a degree. If the background is far enough away, it will be out of focus. You would need to be fully zoomed to 105mm, max aperture of 5.6, be as close to the subject as possible and have it a fair bit away from the background, but yes. In your budget, you will not be able to afford a 2.8 or faster lens, so you will be limited on the amount you can defocus the background.

This is taken off the deck of a ship... Miami was a fair distance away, the lens was at 5.6 and 105mm..... I guess I should give the photo credit to my son.....

[Lori Hill]

I also bought the sigma 70-300 f4 apo with macro switch for $299 - here are a couple of shots from it




and I am a total beginner myself

[InGale]

Thank you, Lori! Very lovely images! Liked them a lot! I guess this lens will suit me just fine in the beginning, while I'm learning.

[InGale]

Scott, thank you one more time!
To summarize, I understand that this 18-105 isn't the best lens on the market, but it's just OK and not the worst choice to begin with, to learn using the camera with it. Correct?