first lens recommendation for D80

[b_c12]

OK, my excruciating analysis of what first digital SLR to get has resulted in

the selection of the D80. I looked at the D40 and liked it very much...but I

feel the D80 will let me grow more, and frankly I like its viewfinder much

better (even though it's still small compared to my film SLRs). Not to

mention it seems that the D80 is a real value right now at under $700. I know

Nikon will probably intro a replacement the day mine is delivered but that's

the breaks. With the D80 my AF lens options (2nd hand) open up greatly vs. the

D40. I'm a MF film guy and will certainly give my old AIS lenses a shot even

though they won't meter.

 

I've decided to buy new vs. used. I looked at the D300 but decided it's too

much $ for me for my first DSLR. I also looked at the D200 option and almost

decided on it....there are some compelling reasons to do so in my view, but the

only one that mattered to me was the ability to meter my AIS lenses. However,

even with its sharp price decrease since the debut of the D300, I'm still

looking at about a $500 increase over the D80 body. With that money I could

purchase one or more more modern lenses that might cover my most-used focal

lengths.

 

FYI, I may take a stab at some pet photography for hire...this is also a

consideration in my choice. I figured the D80 might hold up a bit better than

the D40 under this circumstance, although I could be totally off-base on this

point. Let me tell you right now - I really like the D40 and if I was not

considering my little side business I'd probably be all over it.

 

So - now I need to choose a lens to go with the D80. What do you think would

be a good starter? I'm split between the 18-135 and the 18-55 (non-VR). Keep

in mind I have a 50mm AIS, a 24mm AIS, a 100mm AIS, a 75-150mm AIS (all MF)

etc. I'm hoping to be able to use these. What would be a good starter lense

to purchase? I do want to have at least one AF lens to kick things off!

[luke_valentine1]

Hey there. I'm using a D200 with an 18-200VR and to be honest I would go with something a little sharper and a bit faster. I'm looking at getting the 18-50mm f2.8 Sigma or the 17-50mm 2.8 Tamron to see me through till I can afford a 17-55mm Nikon. VR is nice, but it doesn't help freeze subject movement.

 

With the 18-55 and the 18-135 you will be going with nice light lenses but will end up using your old lenses more (like I do with my old MF 35mm f2.0) simply because they are sooo much sharper. Hope this helps.

[ronald_moravec1]

Wait until the camera shows and see if you can focus manually to your satisfaction. I can without a problems, others can`t, some resort to the Katz eye prism.

 

If you can focus, then get one good autofocus lens. I would suggest the 18/70 or 16/85. If you can`t afford something other than a Kit lens, use what you have for now.

 

Stay away from the plastic lens mounts like the 55/200, 18/135 and 18/50 kit. They wear from off & on ok, but they will not take a side hit very well.

[eric_arnold]

hi, i started with the d80 (great first DSLR!) before upgrading to the d300 after a year. i started with the 18-70 kit lens, but if i had to do it all over again, i'd just get the tamron 17-50. it's worth a few extra pennies to get 2.8.

[carl_becker2]

IMHO go with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or a fast AF prime. I like to use my 85mm f1.8 to get some pics of our dog. I should have had it today also instead of the slower 18-70.

[Two23]

Another vote for the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. You will like the speed. Spending more on lenses is seldom a mistake.

 

 

Kent in SD

[paul stewart]

The 17-50mm 2.8 Tamron is the way to go. Excellent lens - runs rings round a kit Nikon lens and is the same optically as the Nikon 17-55 at a fraction of the price.

[simon_hickie1]

The Tamron looks a sound choice. If you want something cheap at the telephoto end, it might be worth seeking out a used 70-210mm Nikkor (D version focuses faster, but it is optically the same as the non D version). I paid 38 pounds for mine a couple of weeks ago (non D). It's slow but very sharp & works fine on my d80. This might be useful for pet photography if you want to put some distance between you & the subject, but it might be too slow for you (f5.6 @ 210mm).

[juan_parm_nides]

I have both, the Tamron 18-50 f:2,8 and the Nikkor 17-55 f:2,8. Optically speaking, the Tamron is 99% of the Nikon, the Nikon has better CA and is better build, for hard work.

 

As a primary lens, what Paul Stewart said, is true. A fast quality lens at a fraction of the price.

[tri-x1]

Fast lenses are not really that necessary for most digital shots, plus they tend to be bulky and heavy.

 

Buy yourself an 18-70 Nikkor lens--about $200. shoot with that and see if you need anything more. The 18-70 is a better lens than the 18-55 or the 18-135--it has a real metal lens mount.

[kari v]

Tamron (or Sigma) 17-50 2.8 is not heavy and bulky. It'll balance nicely on D80.

 

Depends on how you shoot but I don't consider f2.8 very fast.

[paul stewart]

Wayne, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is not bulky or heavy, and the savings in time from having to do less PP compared to the kit 18-70mm make it a no brainer.

 

Having used both lenses I needed to do far more work after I had taken the picture to get the quality I wanted with the 18-70 - and I just found that the picture taken with the Tamron was far better out of the camera.

[jonathan_ventura]

I second everyone who voted for the Tamron 17-50mm.

I just bought mine las week and i love it. I used it at the beach to photography wind surfers and it produced great results. The colors look awesome. I like the built, the focus and zoom rings work with real ease. i think for the price this lens is the way to go.

the lens is a real beauty too!

[youman]

If you can find one I'd get a Nikkor 35-70mm AFD f/2.8. I bought a new one about a month ago & I love it! But Nikon no longer makes this lens, since coming out w/ the 24-70mm f/2.8 & the 28-70mm f/2.8 so it might be hard to find. You can find 1 on eBay selling for around $275 to $350 USD used. I got lucky & got mine new for $375.

 

Other lenses I would recommend would be a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, it's a great lens & very affordable (about $100 USD). The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 that some others have mentioned is nice too. The Nikkor 18-200mm VR f/3.5-5.6 is a good fit w/ the D-80. It runs about $700 though, so if this is a little out of your price range I'd take a look at the Sigma 18-200mm OS f/3.5. From what I've read these 2 lenses are very comparable & it goes for about $450 new.

 

There is my 2 cents...

John G. Youman