View Poll Results: What lens to choose?
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To all photographers in here
#11
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Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='587589' date='May 24 2008, 09:52 AM
I agree but I don't understand the comment about having to sacrifice speed for focal length in the Nikkors.
BEAUTIFUL pictures UUronL! Thanks for sharing.
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Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='587595' date='May 24 2008, 01:00 PM
Based on his choice of the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6, I was referring to f/2.8 and that he would appreciate the faster lens over the f/3.5 and extra focal length.
BEAUTIFUL pictures UUronL! Thanks for sharing.![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
BEAUTIFUL pictures UUronL! Thanks for sharing.
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We also need to know the price range the OP is able and willing to spend. The above mentioned f2.8 lenses are great but they are big and expensive. You might be able to go used and save but I'm not sure that all older models would work on the D40. As mentioned above, look for the AF-S. Sigma HSM might be the equivalent with internal focus. I think Di is the equiv of Nikor DX, meaning for cropped sensors.
I have the Nikon 18-200 VR lens. Its very versatile and great with the VR but slightly less sharp than the 18-70 which is rated to have pro sharpness in a value lens. I had the 18-70 but bought the 18-200 to avoid changing lenses all the time. Plus my older 70-300 sucked so I wanted a better zoom. I have heard the new 70-300 VR is much improved.
IMHO, if you don't want/need much zoom, go for the 18-70 but if want a bit more zoom without quite the price or weight of the 18-200, go for the new 18-135VR.
FYI, in my opinion, f2.8 is great but f3.5-f4.0 is good enough for most situations (except very low light and purposely shooting narrow depth of field). But 5.6 and up can be very limiting in anything other than a full sunny day. All zooms vary throughout their range. I test any lens in a store to see what the max ap. is for normal ranges. For example, IIRC a Tamaron 28-300 was an f3.5-6.3. It was f3.5 in a very narrow range, going to f4+ at 28 and by 70mm it was over 5. By 120-150mm it was at f6.3. The Nikon 18-200 is a full stop faster thru much of its range allowing doubled shutter speeds.
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Thanks guys, you helped me a lot
I think I'm tending to a f/2.8 since I'm not taking photos exclusively on bright sunny days.
BTW I'm willing to spend about 500 ?.
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I think I'm tending to a f/2.8 since I'm not taking photos exclusively on bright sunny days.
BTW I'm willing to spend about 500 ?.
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Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='587595' date='May 24 2008, 12:00 PM
BEAUTIFUL pictures UUronL! Thanks for sharing. ![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
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Originally Posted by UUronL' post='587591' date='May 24 2008, 06:56 PM
I'd stick to one of the known "good" medium range lenses in this class. Of those, the 18-70DX is one, the 18-200DX is another that is regarded on the same level. I personally have and use the 18-70 and like it a lot.
I use quite a lot the 18-200 DX (on a Nikon D-200), and it is an excellent all-purpose lens for everyday pictures, family, etc.
But when it comes to serious photography, it is a bit disappointing, specially because it is rather dark (I shoot at concerts mostly, and of course I never use a flash then) and it has also some vignetting (the corners of the picture are a little darker than the center) that can get quite bothering, even if you can easily get rid of vignetting now with tools like the fantastic Adobe Lightroom.
The Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 is a perfect choice if you can afford it and dont need a long tele lens, in my opinion.
Also I stay faaaaar away from low-budget brands like Sigma, Tamron or others (Vivitar used to be big in France, to name just one) : they certainly are cheap when you buy them, but you'll end buying a better one some day and wont be able to resell them for more than a few $/?/?, so you'll have lost your initial investment. Also their service is generaly terrible, while you'll always get good service from Nikon or Canon.
Also, I agree with ImolaRedM : put more money in your lenses and less in your camera : when youcan spend more, you'll be very happy to get a better/more modern camera, and will probably still find some use for your other camera, and the lenses will last forever... I still use my Canon 135mm f/2.0 I got in the late 1970s, and it is still a perfect lens, specially when it gets really dark.
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#18
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Interesting. Would love to see more comparison shots.
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I told you you can't go wrong with sigma..
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