18-55VR vs 55-200VR for D3100 « Nikon Rumors Forum

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18-55VR vs 55-200VR for D3100

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Mi.Cald

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Joined: Nov '11
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Hello,

I am going to order a Nikon D3100 but I have two offers at equal price, one with the 18-55VR lens and one with the 55-200VR lens. I should probably mention that this will be my first SLR and I think that says it all about how much I know about them. However, I know that I would like to shoot mostly landscape. I would also like to shoot portraits but nothing very close,such as eyes and flower petals and stuff like that. Having this in mind, which lens would you suggest I get?

Thanks for your time!

Posted 1 year ago #
donaldejose

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The 18-55 will be the most useful. The 18 is a wide angle setting which will be used for landscapes. The 55 is a moderate telephoto setting which will be used for portraits.

The 55-200 would be used by persons who wanted to photograph far away objects such as wild animals.

Posted 1 year ago #
tcole1983

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From what you want the 18-55 is the way to go. It is actually has decent macro capability. You wouldn't be happy with just the 55-200 if you want to shoot any landscapes.

Posted 1 year ago #
tcole1983

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Just to clarify though. I mean pretty good close focusing of the 18-55, but not true macro. I don't have any super close examples.
D5000 with 15-55 VR
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0090009/photos/73666367@N00/4660601768/

D5000 with 105 F2.8 VR
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0099009/photos/73666367@N00/6178630165/

Posted 1 year ago #
kyoshinikon

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Joined: Jan '10
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At that level get the 18-55mm it is the more practical of the 2...

Honestly a good look around the forum should answer it better...

Posted 1 year ago #
Mi.Cald

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Joined: Nov '11
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Thanks for the answers guys! I've been doing a lot of research today and I fully agree with what you said. The 18-55 is the obvious choice for me. Until today, I had no idea how the lenses actually worked and what the numbers meant but now it's all clear. Thanks again!

Posted 1 year ago #
enthdegree

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Joined: Oct '09
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FWIW you may also be interested in a used 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 or Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 You might be able to find a really good deal on either of these but last I checked their price was 150-350ish USD range, a bit more than the 18-55. Choosing either of these lenses for the price difference, you'd get a more solidly-constructed lens that can let in more light and gives you a bit more range. You'd also be giving up the image stablization you get from the 18-55 though.

Even between these two other options though, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR is still a really good choice. It just depends on how important that other stuff is to you.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mi.Cald

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Joined: Nov '11
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I think I'll just stick with the 18-55mm for now, from what I see, it's not bad at all. As for another lens, I don't think I'll invest in one very soon, maybe after I get better at using this one.

I would like to add one more question, is a protection filter worth buying? From what I understood from one of the manufacturer's site, it is, but I wanted a more objective opinion as well.

Posted 1 year ago #

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18-55VR vs 55-200VR for D3100

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