Looking for a good 28-100,105,120 or 200

[haroldc]

Hello all:

 

I'm looking to get a new lens. I'd like some advice. I'd like to

get an all purpose lens. I'd like to get a 24 or 28 to 105, 120 or

200. I would like to buy a Nikon ED IF or something with at least

that quality. I am going to use this on an N80 and also an F3 camera

body. I have looked at the different manufacturers and I am just

confused. What would you recomend

[eric friedemann]

Well, if you want a 28-200mm lens, Tamron invented this aspheric lens and has continued to be the forerunner in redesigning 28-200mms. The current lens is amazingly small, has good optics for its range and only costs $230:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=225815&is=USA

 

Nikon's first generation 28-200mm was a generation-old Tamron design, lacked ED glass and was overpriced. The current Nikon 28-200mm is small and has ED glass, but is a "G" lens; so you won't be able to use it on the F3.

 

If you have the money, you will never regret buying the amazing Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 AFDEDIFS Nikkor. It is one of the best zoom lenses ever made:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=169589&is=USA

 

The Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 uses one of the worst-designed lens hood ever made. But the lens nas swell optics and has dropped in price to $285:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=165829&is=USA

 

I don't like the old-style 24-120mm Nikkor, though you can get these at good prices on eBay. A lot of people are dumping them to get the new 24-120 AFGVRIF... lens.

 

In a 24-100+ lens, I'd rather buy the Tamron 24-135mm. It is optically better than the first 24-120mm Nikkor, is smaller, comes with a better lens hood, has LD glass and sells for $340:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=213156&is=REG

 

Your main problem right now as regards Nikon lenses is that the latest Nikon zooms being introduced are "G" lenses that lack apertures. With you shooting the F3, that is a limiting factor.

[eric friedemann]

Oh, and one other choice, Tamron has a new and quite good 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom that goes for $330. It is suprisingly small for a constant f/2.8 zoom of that focal length and it has an aperture ring:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284402&is=REG

[jim schwaiger]

28-105mm AF D has IF and the quality and price are great. I can't recommend it enough - one of the best all-purpose zooms that Nikon makes.

[david_h._hartman]

I recommend an AF 35~70/2.8D and a prime at each end. Perhaps

a 24/2.8 AI or AIS, 28/2.0 AI or AIS or a 28/2.8 AIS (but not AI

in the 28/2.8). At the long end a 105/2.5 AI or AIS. If moneys is

no object the AF-S 28~70/2.8D ED-IF is a great choice. Id

bracket it with primes also. To get out to 200mm, well almost 200,

I recommend a 180/2.8ED AI or AIS. <br>

<br>

For the sake of the N80 an AF 24/2.8D or AF 28/2.8D would be a

good wide angle (but not the non-D version of the 28). At the

long end Id stick with the 105/2.5 AI or AIS and use an

incident/flash light meter with the N80. The AF 180/2.8D ED-IF

has a fine reputation.<br>

<br>

You should be able to pickup the AF 35~70/2.8D and a couple of

primes used for approximately 1/2 the price of a 28~70/2.8 new. <br>

<br>

The AF 28~105/3.5~4.5D is a good lens but it has such a short

throw (degrees of rotation) on the focus ring that its a

very poor choice for the F3.<br>

<br>

<em>"The Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 uses one of the worst-designed

lens hood ever made." --Eric Friedemann<br>

</em><br>

Come on Eric its a fine hood, it can even double as hat! <br>

<br>

The front element rotates so the AF 28~105/3.5~4.5D cant

use a petal style hood. Some of the Nikon bayonet hoods are

rather "fiddlie" when installing and this is one. The size is a

storage problem. Its honestly about the size of single

serving pie tin, still the lens is a worth consideration for the

N80.<br>

<br>

Always check the focus throw on any AF lens you plan to use on

both AF and MF camera bodies. I own the AF 35~70/2.8D and

did own the AF 28~105/3.5~4.5D but do not own any the AF wide

primes mentioned. Ye be warned! <br>

<br>

Hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave.