I am still relatively new to this forum, however, the vibe that I got from reading the posts is that I should focus more on the lenses then the camera body. Therefore, what lens are recommended for the D90?
The categories of lenses that I am interested in are 10 mm, 10 mm fisheye, 18-105 mm, and 70-300mm.
Any advice on what brand, mm, and type of lens I should buy would be greatly appreciated.
lens recommendations
(22 posts) (16 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Lenses are a HUGE part of any camera system, so focus on quality & focal length versatility. What will you use most? For many people, a versatile mid-range zoom is often the best choice for a first lens - like the 18-105mm Nikon VR lens. The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is also a good choice. While both versions of this Tamron lens are very nice, the non VR (VC) version is a little sharper.
The 70-300mm VR lens is often the 2nd lens, and provides plenty of versatility and quality. Lastly, a specialty lens like the 10.5mm fisheye is nice for special situations.As a general rule, Nikkor (Nikon) makes the highest quality glass, and has a great 5 year warranty. Tamron makes wonderful zoom lenses of all ranges, and they include a 6 year USA warranty - they are my favorite "off brand". Tokina makes great, fast, wide angle zooms. And, while Sigma makes nice specialty lenses (macros & fisheye) - I'd stay away from their normal stuff.
I am not a shooter, but I buy, sell, & trade this stuff & talk to photographers all day, every day - for 25+ years. These are simply my observations as a new authorized camera dealer.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Speaking as somebody with the 18-105mm and 70-300mm who is looking to buy a Tokina short zoom, I say you have good taste Burke Seim!
It would have been perfect if you'd referred to the 50mm 1.4G I just bought as good too though...
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have the Tokina 11-16mm and it's great. The Nikon 10-24 cost $300 more despite being slower and (from what I've read) doesn't perform as quite as well in ultra-wide range as the Tokina.
There is a lot of overlap with the 18-105mm and the 70-300mm combo. Why not go with the 18-55mm and save the $200 for you 10mm fisheye? The 18-55mm is a great lens despite the fact that it's a "kit" lense. I'd rather give-up a few mm of range than pay for overlap, but that's just me.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks for the sage advice.
Who makes the 70-300 mm lens that you guys discussed and recommended? Is it a Nikon lens?
Posted 2 years ago # -
towen7 said:
I have the Tokina 11-16mm and it's great. The Nikon 10-24 cost $300 more despite being slower and (from what I've read) doesn't perform as quite as well in ultra-wide range as the Tokina.I just bought the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. It's a blast! Sure, it's $599, but it's super-duper wide, super-fast, and super-fun to shoot with! My recommendation would be to buy the widest wide you can afford, the fastest 50mm you can afford, and the 70-300 version that best suits your wallet. Yes, the AF Nikkor 70-300 is a Nikon lens that comes in two versions (three, actually, if you count the non-G one that's no longer in production, but still available used). The bottom-of-the-line one is super-affordable (AF Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G $119). The AF-S, VR one, not so affordable (AF-S VR Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED $519).
towen7 said:
Why not go with the 18-55mm and save the $200 for you 10mm fisheye? The 18-55mm is a great lens despite the fact that it's a "kit" lense. I'd rather give-up a few mm of range than pay for overlap, but that's just me.Excellent point! If the Tokina 11-16mm is too steep, you could just shoot the super-cheap (but very sharp!) AF-S VR Nikkor 18-55mm at 18mm all the time, and use that for your wide-angle, especially since it's only like $99 for a refurb ($169, new). Plus, it has VR!
But no matter which zooms you end up with, try to include a fast 50mm or 85mm in your kit also, so you can shoot some low-light, and shallow depth-of-field stuff.
Posted 2 years ago # -
towen7 said:
There is a lot of overlap with the 18-105mm and the 70-300mm combo. Why not go with the 18-55mm and save the $200 for you 10mm fisheye? The 18-55mm is a great lens despite the fact that it's a "kit" lens. I'd rather give-up a few mm of range than pay for overlap, but that's just me.I personally prefer a 'lot of overlap' to a lot of gap.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Actually I think you can really ignore the "overlap" or the "gap" both are really not important at all. What is important is the function and purpose you are planning to use the lens for.
The 18-105 is a great "all rounder general purpose lens for candids" You can use it for most functions and it will be successful 95% of the time if you are not too "picky" on IQ or Bokeh or DOF. If you are "picky" then a prime lens like teh 85F1.4 may be what you want for portraits.
The 70-300 nikkor VR is also a good lens.(Don't get the non VR 70-300. Lets just say its not one of the gems of the nikon line up) great general purpose telephoto lens.
the fisheye .. I don't recommend getting it at all. unless you really have a passion for fisheye photos its just going to sit in your desk gathering dust after the first 100 photos( I would be bored after 5 shots :-) ). yes its fun but.. use a photoshop effect instead :-) I would recommend getting a wide angle lens instead. The sigma 10-20 is well regarded as is the tokina 12-24.
I have the nikkor 12-24 and its a great lens though I am not so much a wide angle guy. I can shoot all day and night with my Sigma 150 F2.8 which I use for the following functions and interest. 1)Macro 2)Portrait 3)Street 4)Stage.
So really the Gaps and overlaps are of no importance. think what your main interests are and get the best lens that can be used for shooting those shots.
Posted 2 years ago # -
elopomorph said:
I am still relatively new to this forum, however, the vibe that I got from reading the posts is that I should focus more on the lenses then the camera body. Therefore, what lens are recommended for the D90?
The categories of lenses that I am interested in are 10 mm, 10 mm fisheye, 18-105 mm, and 70-300mm.
Any advice on what brand, mm, and type of lens I should buy would be greatly appreciated.First figure out what you want to do - then you can figure out what you need to do it and prioritize your purchases. Or just buy it all and figure it out as you go! :>)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks again for the great advice.
The two things that I plan to do with the camera are pictures of Florida's wildlife and my two year old son. It looks like the Nikkor VR 70-300 mm would be the best lens for my wildlife photos and I am thinking about the Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens for my son.
I am interested in the fisheye and wide angle lenses because I plan on getting back into underwater photography in the future.
Posted 2 years ago # -
elopomorph said:
Thanks again for the great advice.The two things that I plan to do with the camera are pictures of Florida's wildlife and my two year old son. It looks like the Nikkor VR 70-300 mm would be the best lens for my wildlife photos and I am thinking about the Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens for my son.
I am interested in the fisheye and wide angle lenses because I plan on getting back into underwater photography in the future.
You need to research that more, I'm not sure if they make housings to fit fisheye lenses or wide angle lenses.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You'll have a much better time taking shots of your son with the 50mm 1.8 than you will with any of the zooms short of the rather pricey 24-70.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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heartyfisher said:
Actually I think you can really ignore the "overlap" or the "gap" both are really not important at all. What is important is the function and purpose you are planning to use the lens for.The 18-105 is a great "all rounder general purpose lens for candids" You can use it for most functions and it will be successful 95% of the time if you are not too "picky" on IQ or Bokeh or DOF. If you are "picky" then a prime lens like teh 85F1.4 may be what you want for portraits.
The 70-300 nikkor VR is also a good lens.(Don't get the non VR 70-300. Lets just say its not one of the gems of the nikon line up) great general purpose telephoto lens.
the fisheye .. I don't recommend getting it at all. unless you really have a passion for fisheye photos its just going to sit in your desk gathering dust after the first 100 photos( I would be bored after 5 shots :-) ). yes its fun but.. use a photoshop effect instead :-) I would recommend getting a wide angle lens instead. The sigma 10-20 is well regarded as is the tokina 12-24.
I have the nikkor 12-24 and its a great lens though I am not so much a wide angle guy. I can shoot all day and night with my Sigma 150 F2.8 which I use for the following functions and interest. 1)Macro 2)Portrait 3)Street 4)Stage.
So really the Gaps and overlaps are of no importance. think what your main interests are and get the best lens that can be used for shooting those shots.
I'm not so sure about your first paragraph there Hearty, why have a gap between the focal length of your lenses when you can easily have no gap or an overlap? In my (recent) experience, when starting out one just wants reasonable coverage of the range so one can cope with most situations. Also, you don't get the best out of zooms at the extemes of travel so having an overlap (as there is the choice here) is a good thing. If a specific special requirement comes along in time, more specialised/faster lenses can be hired or purchased.
What format do you shoot - DX or FX?
TOTALLY agree on the fisheye. I am going to hire one when I need it for selling my house then it can go back.
Posted 2 years ago # -
spraynpray said:
I'm not so sure about your first paragraph there Hearty, why have a gap between the focal length of your lenses when you can easily have no gap or an overlap? In my (recent) experience, when starting out one just wants reasonable coverage of the range so one can cope with most situations. Also, you don't get the best out of zooms at the extremes of travel so having an overlap (as there is the choice here) is a good thing. If a specific special requirement comes along in time, more specialised/faster lenses can be hired or purchased.What format do you shoot - DX or FX?
Me ? I shoot mainly DX but I put rolls of film through once in a while.
Regarding gaps in focal lengths, you asked "Why have gaps when you can easily have none or overlaps?" Well I can say why do I need overlaps or no gaps? if my interest are birding and interior architecture only I would get a 600mm VR lens and the 14-24. why do I care for any other focal lengths that would degrade the IQ of my images and give me extra costs and lenses that is of no use for me. First think,"what is my subject?" then get the tools (Lense, Camera, tripod, housing, flash, accessories etc) that will enable you to capture that image. its true that most people want to capture everything from every possible FOV and that is fine. get the full range of focal lengths!
I have a whole bunch of lenses and focal lengths.. but I use my 150mm prime most of the time. I also use the 18-200 a bit but much less nowadays (mainly use it as a holiday lens)
I have been thinking of selling most of my lenses and getting a nice range coolpix(maybe that new G11 killer?) for my holidays and general snaps. then go for a few other lesnes for my specific interests.
1) Macro.. keep that 150
2) Portrait, Stage and street get that 50-150 F2.8.. but I am waiting for nikon to get a VR version or sigma to get a OS version, or tamron to get a VC version of their 28-75.Posted 2 years ago # -
Primes are just better for me. and the 10.5mm is a fantastic lens that I use every day of my life and much prefer it over the 12-24mm nikkor. Both the 35mm and 50mm are superb lenses too. The cheaper zoom substitutes for the 24-70mm f/2.8 are the 28-70mm f/2.8 (a little cheaper) and the 35-70mm f/2.8 (a lot cheaper)...
Posted 2 years ago # -
@Hearty: Yeah, we're all different I guess. I don't have one real passion like you with the birds (your pics are superb), I like pano's, nature, motorsport, butterflies, events etc. etc. and I can't afford to lay out big bucks on fast glass throughout so the D5000 and 'G' lenses do me fine.
I like the idea of a good point'n'shoot in my pocket too, but that is the cost of a good short zoom...
Posted 2 years ago # -
forget the 50/1.8 - it's sooo boring on DX, get 35/1.8 instead, as for long tele - get 70-300vr, as You can't get better lens for this length with such low price tag
as for taking snaps underwater - get a fully sealed compact (gonna cost u less than fisheye + underwater housing)Posted 2 years ago # -
I kind of disagree about the 50mm F1.8, it is a nice portrait lens on a DX body, IMO.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have 50 1.4G. I like it a lot on my DX and find that I capture tons of shots at that focal length. Just personal preference I guess. For instance, I don't have much use for super wides but people take lots of nice photos with them.
My Tammy 17-50 2.8 is my workhorse. It is nice and sharp and provides for much creative control, but I still do need the 1.4G for super-thin DOF.
My 35mm f/2 is also lots of fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like 35/1.8 as a normal lens on DX, and use 85/1.8 as portrait/sports lens. Anything below 70mm I can move my feet (mobility allows me to be more creative), for everything else 70-300 meets my zooming needs.
Posted 2 years ago #
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