I recently decided to buy the Nikon D80 and am now on the hunt for good allround lenses for that camera. So far, I've only owned a compact digital camera (olympus c-4040), but have shot with SLRs before. Though so far I've never paid much attention to the focal range of the lenses that were mounted on the cameras I used so I know practically nothing about that stuff (yet).
Now I'm looking for one or two good allround lenses for my new Nikon D80. I don't sell my photos so I definitely don't want to spend thousands of dollars on lenses. Right now, my plan is to spend a max of about $1000 on lenses, but if there's a good $200 lens out there, I'll take it!
I enjoy shooting street photography, architecture, concerts, pretty much everything...
I read a little about the Nikon 18-200mm VR, heard some great stuff about it, but also some not so great stuff (distortion issues).... Like I said, two lenses would be fine as well (one for "standard" stuff, one telephoto lens).
I would really appreciate some suggestions.
Thanks.
my two recommended starter's kits are:
1) 18-200VR but still difficult to find
2) Tamron 17-50 2.8 or 18-70 kit lens combined with a 70-300VR
In all cases you can add a fast prime, the 50 1.8 for instance, cheap and excellent
I didn't order the D80 yet. I'm still evaluating whether I should get the D80 with a kit lens or just the body and seperate lenses.
Also, I thought about it and realized that I'll probably be too lazy to switch lenses all the time. My current compact camera covers 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) and even though the camera's focal range was enough in many situations, I also frequently felt like it needed a little more zoom...
Hmm... is there something like a good 17-100 or 18-100mm lens out there maybe? Range-wise I'm sure the 18-200 would be ideal for my tastes, but I'm worried about the distortion...
The D80 would be better off with the 18-70 "kitlens" as opposed to the 18-135. The 18-70 is a fantastic lens for the price.
The other option is to go for "fast lenses" off the bat. You want f/2.8 or faster (ie smaller #s). If you could buy a used Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 for your pricerange (should be doable) then do so. Otherwise, get a third party 17-50 or 18-50 f/2.8. For people and event photography, it is a good range to have. Then augment that with a f/2.8 zoom such as a Sigma 70-200 or AFS 80-200.
Basically, I'm saying go for higher quality lenses off the bat so that you don't have to buy it later on because you will
im pretty sure the kit lens with the d80 is 18-135. wouldnt that cover the range you're looking for? you could add a 120 dollar Nikon 50 f/1.8 and you would be set for awhile.
The 18-200 is the best of that type of lens, and I don't think any other manufacturer even comes close on that focal length. Yes, there are some compromises, but I've been impressed with what I've seen posted using that lens. Guy (gugs) has spoken well of the lens along with others, and it is a great all around lens. Plus it is within your budget, assuming you can find one or are willing to wait for it.
It really depends on your shooting habits. The 50mm f/1.8 is a great lens for about $100, but of course loses flexibility. Still many fell it should be in everyone's bag. (I have the f/1.4 version.) Shooting primes can really teach you photography. I like my zooms, but the best results usually come from the best primes.
I'd have to agree with the 18-70 and 70-300 VR suggestion. It gives you excellent range and quality for the price you will pay. You would have $300 left over out of the $1000 which would easily buy you a SB-600 flash and the 50mm f/1.8, or bring you close to adding the SB-800 flash instead. (You would be amazed at what a good flash can do, and how much it improves over the built-in flash on the D80.) The 85mm f/1.8, another stellar performer that gets a lot of mention here, is within a $100 of what you would have left over too.
tedrzz wrote:
im pretty sure the kit lens with the d80 is 18-135. wouldnt that cover the range you're looking for?
Yeah, the range would be good but according to reviews I've read, the 18-135mm is worse than the 18-200mm VR...
So, I guess I'll either go with the 18-200 VR if I can find it or look for a 18-70 and 70-300 combo. The 70-300mm VR looks really interesting. Not so sure about the 18-70 kit lens. Do you guys know of any other good lenses in that focal range (about 18-70)?
Well, you can wait for what Nikon may announce There's rumors of a 28--120f2.8, but who really knows Remember with the D80/18-70 crop factor your really looking at a 27-105. I would go with this combo. The 18-70 is almost perfect for the price.
JJ99 wrote:
Range-wise I'm sure the 18-200 would be ideal for my tastes, but I'm worried about the distortion...
Distortion? It's only a minor nuiscence at 18mm. Anything else it's no big deal. I mean you seem to lean to the idea of an all-in-one walk around lens -- the 18-200mm is basically built by Nikon just for you.
All zooms have *some* distortion. The 18-200mm beyond 18mm has pretty controlled distortion. It is also easily corrected in photoshop.
I think the 18-200mm or the Tamron 17-50mm & Nikkor 70-300mmVR represent the best two options.
There's rumors of a 28--120f2.8, but who really knows 
Remember with the D80/18-70 crop factor your really looking at a 27-105. I would go with this combo. The 18-70 is almost perfect for the price.