New Lens... Suggestions?

[DSJohnson]

Ok so I'm ready for a lens but have no idea which one will give me the most bang for my buck. I want a good versatile lens that can produce some great results. Something that can shoot landscape, portraits, macro all with great efficiency but won't cost me an arm and a leg/

Here is what I currently own...

Camera: Nikon D5000
Primary Lens: Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G
Secondary Lens: Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G

I would prefer a Lens that had the VR feature because it's a nice precautionary feature... though I have never turned that feature off so I am not sure if I would really be at a total loss without it...

My budget has a cap at $400, maybe $500... was reading the 23 best lenses article on DPS and did some research on some of them... looks like my $500 won't be getting me much of an upgrade... so am I really looking at $1000 or more to kick it up a decent notch?

Suggestions?

[Nicole]

Are you looking for one lens to do all of that or are you hoping to fill a need that your current setup doesn't meet? And if so, which of those items is most important? You can take good landscapes with the 18-55mm lens. A portrait lens is usually not going to be a macro lens because your subject probably won't be happy if you can see every pore in their skin like you'll likely get with a macro lens. And a portrait lens won't really let you get close enough to your subject for macros. And for landscapes, well, you probably wouldn't go wrong with an ultrawide, but that's almost certainly not going to meet those other areas.

IMHO, figure out which area you're most interested in, and look for a lens that is good for that area rather than hoping to find something that will do everything. Apologies if I misinterpreted that you want to do everything with that one lens.

[DSJohnson]

Thank you for the response!

Here is the thing... I rarely ever use my 55-200... just never really need it. So I use my standard 18-55 about 95% of the time. I do a lot of portraits for friends. I'm also in architecture school so I take a lot of photographs of architecture which can range from close up detail shots to wide shots. I also take photographs of architectural models which can also range from close up to several feet away. I know that might not really help too much to specify what I'm looking for. lol

I guess I just need a better quality lens that can do a variety of different types of shots well. My main focus is on crisp sharp images, good accurate colors and good light capture.

Check out my Photostream and maybe you can get a better idea of what I may need... unfortunately there is just primarily portraits on there but there are a couple macro and architecture related ones that capture the other kinds of shots I take.

Flickr: DSJohnson84's Photostream

[Shokinen]

Based on your answer / flickr, I would look into the Nikon 16-85mm. I know it's out of your budget but I beleive it should meet what you are looking for. This lens combine the far end of wide angle category with portrait. The quality is definitly a step up from the 18-55mm. It's on my body 50% of the time. You won't be able to do real macro but it's going to be the same thing unless you buy a dedicated macro lens such as the new 85mm f/3.5 macro that just came out. Like Nicole said, there is some downside when you try to combine evertyhing together.

The thing is you wont get much than you already have for 500$. A good tripod may be something to consider as well. It's a very good addition when you want to add sharpness in your pictures especially in low light condition. After the kit lens, if you want a decent lens (build and optical step up), you have spend a little bit more.

Hope this help

[vandergus]

Well, you could look at an ultra-wide zoom. Something like the Nikon 10-24mm or the Sigma 10-20mm. This would open up more possibilities with architectural shots and even give you some more...um...funky portrait options.

Or you could look at a macro lens like the 105mm f2.8. That would let you explore macro photography a bit more and also give you a pretty good portrait lens. Something like the Tamron 60mm f2 might also interest you and give you a large aperture lens for more available light shooting. The macro lenses will definitely give you the "crisp sharp images" you are looking for.

I don't recommend simply replacing the 18-55mm with a higher quality version of the same thing because it won't really open up many new shooting possibilities. The optics of the kit lens are pretty good anyway. It's just the build quality that sucks. Hope the recommendations help.

[kirbinster]

The Sigma 10-20mm is great for landscapes, and is in your price range. I would go for a used f/4-f/5.6 version rather than the new one. You might be able to pick one up for about $350.

[DSJohnson]

I have come to terms with the fact that I may have to save up more money for a better lens than I originally wanted to, BUT I look at it as a long term investment, so it's worth it. I just want a GREAT new lens that will be a valuable asset to my photography.

I'm aiming to buy something by May... haha, yeah a far time away. I am spending that summer in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece (a summer semester abroad) studying Architecture, so I would like a good lens for that purpose AND to come back and use on a normal basis for the rest of what I shoot.

I agree that maybe just simply replacing my 18-55mm with another lens that has the same capabilities isn't really adding much more to my options so I'll probably choose one with some personality to it.

So I just used Amazon as a base reference and checked out all of the lenses suggested here and some I read about on DPS.com. I have a lot of options. Decisions, Decisions... ugh! I really hate things like this.

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom
$1,339.95

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX
$803.06

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Lens
$769.00

Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II VC Zoom Lens
$631.00

Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Wide Angle Telephoto Lens
$629.25

Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II LD IF 1:1 Macro Lens
$504.94

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro AF
$488.00

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
$479.00

[DSJohnson]

Ok so after doing some research I think I'm going to invest in...

Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Lens ($830)

It is well above my price range which hurts, but I have a about 5 months before I leave for Europe so I can save up. I think this lens will do me some good... it has a wide angle which will help me capture those nice Architectural shots... and I can get some funky portraits out of it. I think after this I'll buy a prime lens specifically for portraits... maybe 50mm or 60mm.

There is of course another alternative to this lens...

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens ($480)

This is a lot cheaper and the reviews I read were pretty glowing. I'm stuck between the two. Do I go for the wallet hurting Nikon Glass or take my change with the Sigma... I can always return one or the other... but hmmm. Any thoughts?

[kirbinster]

Buy the Sigma used. There are quite a few on the market because people want to upgrade to the new fixed f/stop one - but this one has better optics. You can find them on Craigslist and other photo boards for as low as $350 -- a real steal at that price.