Which lenses?

I had earlier asked about whether I should upgrade my D70 to a D80 (because I didn't want to spend the money on a

D300 right now.) The consensus seemed to be to wait until the D90 comes out and see what that has in store. So

that has me thinking about upgrading my lenses. I am looking for advice on that.

 

Here is what I have currently --

 

Nikon 17-70 kit lens that came with the D70

Nikon 70-300 f/4 - 5.6. (I could be slightly off on the focal lengths but it is around that)

Nikon 50 f/1.8

 

I would love the 70-200 f/2.8 VR, but that costs as much as the D300 -- which I didn't want to spend.

 

So I was thinking about the 80-200 f/2.8 (if I can find one).

Other options are a Nikon 35 f/2, the 17-55 f/2.8 (which is pricey), or perhaps a 12-24 f/4 (which is also pricey).

 

Really, I would like to get something that would be a noticeable improvement, and a faster lens. I am not

excluded off-brand lenses, if people think they are worthwhile.

 

Any advice or recommendations you have would be appreciated.

And as a reminder -- this purchase is being precipitated by a trip to Portugal next month.

Since you don't know what DX camera you'll buy next- or whether the body will have a focus motor- you may wish to concentrate on lenses with internal focus motors:

 

 

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 with motor, $499:

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381611-REG/Sigma_201306_10_20mm_f_4_5_6D_EX_DC.html

 

 

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 with motor, $420:

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550954-REG/Tamron_AF016N700_17_50mm_f_2_8_XR_Di_II.html

 

 

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 with motor, $700

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/539401-REG/Tamron_AF001N_700_70_200mm_f_2_8_Di_LD.html

For travel, I would stick with small light lenses.

 

I bought a D40 as a back up to my D200 and had to buy a 18/135 with it. For $479 I figured what the heck.

 

Well on my trip that became my most used combo. Light , easy to carry, decent optics, but distortion requires correction as with most all Nikkkor zooms. Few clicks and its gone.

 

80/200 2.8 are pretty heavy. I got old 80/200 4.0 manual focus and it is superb at a any length or stop.

Some distortion but correctable.

 

I would go with what you have. New equipment on a trip is never a good idea anyway. Add a wide zoom if you want, 12/24 Nikkor is best. Tokina second, Sigma third.

 

If you want a "normal" fast lens, a local Nikon repair shop has a 28 1.4 for $1500, mint condition. PM me.

The 80-200 is a great lens, but a tank to lug around. For traveling I'd go with a NIkon 18-200 with VR. it's a perfect travel lens, light weight, sharp and a great range of focal distances, for less of a cost too!

On my trip in January, I took everything with me. All I used was my 17-55 and for shooting birds my 300 with a converter.

Next time that is all I'll take plus my 11-16. So I will strongly recommend anything in the 17-55 range. The Tamrom seems

to be pretty good at 1/3 of the price of Nikon's. Rene'

Nikon 18-200mm VR is an amazing travel lens and the weight is perfect. I have the Tokina 12-24mm is wonderful (much much less than the Nikon--if money weren't an issue, then I'd get the Nikon, but alas, money is an issue for me), BUT it is like a tank and heavy. Still, I love the Tokina and am glad I got it. The Nikon 35mm f/2 is one of my favorite. On a D80, it is roughly = to a 50mm all around lens with fun bokeh that is great for use at parties, in low light interiors, and super lightweight. The $120 Nikon 50mm f/1.8(?) is another favorite bite-size super sharp lens, but won't auto focus on the D40. These days, if I take only one lens, it is the 18-200mm.

 

 

My current dilemma is how to expand into the longer end. Telephotos are expensive I see. Although I'm kind of ogling the Nikon 80-400mm VR.

Matt,

 

you do not want to buy a 80-200mm f/2.8 for your trip. It's not as heavy as the 70-200VR, but it's still heavy & I doubt you'll use it. If you want a one lens - - go with the 18-200VR.

 

But if you have the 18-70mm, the 70-300mm & a 50mm f/1.8...... Either get a wide angle, Tokina 12-24 is highly regarded, Sigma 10-20mm is Thom Hogan's top pick or there's the new Tokina 11-16mm if you can find it.

 

You have decent lenses for travel. I would personally stick with them & get a wider angle lens like one of the three I've listed here & take what you already have. These are portable lenses which you will (hopefully) use. I would not buy heavy big lenses for a vacation - - unless it's a photography trip. Also, invest in a backpack or such to carry your equipment in such a way it can't be stolen.

 

JMHO

 

Lil :)

I have a D1X and a D300, brought the D300 to Italy( Four months and still two months to go. I brought 4 lens 17/35 2.8 AFS, 28/70 2.8 AFS, 16mm birdseye and 70/300 5.6. I know they are heavy but I have used the 17/35 98% and the 28/70 2%, so far shot about 500 pix. The 17/35 is fantastic, did not really appreciate it when I first got it.

I would regard the Tokina 12-24mm as a good buy at $500 for those with Nikon DX DSLRs that have the in-body screwdriver focus motors. For reasons passing understanding, Tokina has refused to incorporate focus motors in its Nikon mount lenses.

 

 

Even Tamron has broken down and started putting focus motors in its lenses. Tamron's focus motors are relatively slow and noisy- nothing like AF-S- but ther're better than no motor at all if you're shooting a D40 variant or a D60.

 

 

Again, if your next body lacks a focus motor, the Tokina 12-24mm would leave you focussing manually. You might or might not mind the lack of AF. At this point, for a "Pro" lens to lack a focus motor is unacceptable to me.

matt,

your lens list is all over the map -- wide angle, fast zoom, fast prime, long tele. all are conducive to different types of

shooting, so you need to narrow down your focus.

 

probably the first question you should answer is whether you're gonna keep the 18-70. it's not very exciting, but it's

faster than nikon's other kit lenses and has better IQ than any of them except the 16-85.

 

second question is what is your budget?

 

if you're looking for something specifically for your trip, the 18-200 VR+50/1.8 combo is all you need.

 

beyond the trip, a 17-50 tamron is a really good deal for the money. it has better IQ and constant aperture, but it also

has a shorter range than your current lens.

 

if you do keep the 18-70, i could see adding an 11-16 and taking that, the 18-70 and the 50 with you. the 11-16 will

be something you can use when you get back as well as useful for your trip. it's not as useful at 2.8 as the tamron,

but it is a 'speed lens' for what it's worth.

Matt,

Speaking from experience ( I've been to Europe 7 times), I'd have to agree with Eric Arnold - go with the 18-200

VR and 50mm f1.8 combo. The 18-200 is great for outdoors and the 50mm is great for interiors when the light

levels are low.

I don't have the 18-200, but I do have the 50mm and have used it plenty of times from London to Cannes.

I appreciate all of the responses on this thread. Some further info/ thoughts.

 

I have never really minded carrying multiple lenses. I have a lowepro backpack, and pretty much ALWAYS carry it with me when I am travelling. I use it as not only my camerabag, but my walkaround bag.

 

I really like the idea of the 18-200, and the VR is certainly a nice plus, but, given the speed, it really isn't giving me anything I don't already have, other than the convenience of a single lens. Its still in contention, but I'm not sure.

 

My budget is basically between $500-$1000, depending on what I get. Here is what I am thinking:

 

Get 2 lenses --

1. Nikkor 24-85 f/.2.8 - 4 -- this lens will improve my image quality and give me a boost in speed (smaller at the long end) over the range that I most often shoot.

2. Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. -- this lens will give me a good speed at the wide angle -- a range that I currently don't have coverage for at all.

 

I know that this leaves a gap between 16 and 24 -- in truth, I don't find myself shooting at this range on my current lens (the vignetting on the kit lens at the wide angle probably has something to do with this.)

 

I still don't have a good lens on the long end, but I guess that is something I will have to deal with for now.

 

Any thoughts on this plan?