Best Lens I have D50 along with three cheapie lenses. I have the 28-80,18-55 and the 55-200. I also have the 50 1.4 lens. I'm looking to spend about $500.00 for a better lens. Can anyone recommend a good sharp lens for about that much. Best Lens I have D50 along with three cheapie lenses. I have the 28-80,18-55 and the 55-200. I also have the 50 1.4 lens. I'm looking to spend about $500.00 for a better lens. Can anyone... » Read More Best Lens I have D50 along with three cheapie lenses. I have the 28-80,18-55 and the 55-200. I also have the 50 1.4 lens. I'm looking to spend about $500.00 for a better lens. Can anyone recommend a good sharp lens for about that much. « Show Less
1786215
Sigma, Tamron and Tokina are the best 3d party lenses by brand. The 18-200 Nikor is NOT a cheapie.Go to Ken Rockwell's website for complete info on all things Nikon.
1786216
For the D50 and D90 I'm partial to the 28-200. Got three from Tamron and one from Sigma and all were under $100 on Ebay. They AF quickly and are razorsharp. Most were bought attached to a cheapo camera like an N60 or a N2020.
1786217
Thanks for the information. I'm definately looking to unload the 28-80. I hadn't thought about third party lenses. I was always told to stick with Nikon. I'll check out the Sigma.
763550
Hi, actaually I have this lens and had the 16-50. I got the nex 6 last year and sold the 16-50 lens because I felt the pics came out better in the 18-55. The focus was better and pics seems crisp to me in 18-55. Yes it's much heavier and the smaller to travel with. 16-50 made it really nice to go our the city with.... But I just couldn't take a good pic with the 16-50. I got the 18-55 for about $100 used. So I'm happy.
1825169
I agree as well with the others. I own the Tamron and love the lens. Very sharp and works great for general use but the 50 I have heard is a great lens. If you don't mind using your feet instead of a zoom you should be good starting with the prime.
1272575
I have both the Tamron 17-50 and the 28-75 as well as the Tamron 28-300 that I shoot with the Nikon D200. I can't say if I prefer the 17-50 over 28-75 but I love both of them and find I use them both depending on what I'm shooting. If I could afford only 1 lens it would probably be the 28-75 for my type of shooting. If you;'e shooting large groups of people or need the wider angle then I'm sure 17-50 may serve you better.
1037163
I have to respectfully disagree with the recommendation for a 16-85mm VR. I have that lens, use it with my D90 and it's great for outdoor situations. Indoors, the 16-85mm is fine if you are using a flash. I can see using the 16-85mm for some interior church shots, but most of wedding shots are going to be of people. things, little details like bouquets, etc. You will want a lens that can handle low-light and can isolate a subject well (subject in focus - remaining areas blurry). You should check out primes. Fast zooms are nice, but they will defintiley set you back a lot of money. Look into these lenses: 1. Nikkor 50mm 1.8 - The poor man's lens for low light, decent bokeh, depth of field interestingness. $100 Everyone should have at least one fast lens and since this one is cheap, it's a good place to start. 2. Sigma 30mm 1.4 More money, but since it's wider than the above lens, a little more versatile, especially with DX sensor. $300 or more 3. Nikkor 85mm 1.8 - Like the 50mm but is more telephoto, so this is good if you are standing far from your subject but want to fill the frame with your subject. Good for concerts, theater, etc. 5. Nikkor 85mm 1.4 - This is a money-making lens for pro wedding photographers and portrait photographers. People fall in love with and worship this lens. Do a web search and you'll find out why. Very, very pricey. $1K but worth it. One thing about primes is that there is a definite learning curve to using them - especially at the wider apertures since the depth of field is SO narrow. You have to really work on learning to use them to maximize the number of keepers you have. BUT, these fast lenses help you to examine more work more critically, to look at your composition, technique, etc in ways that your kit lens never will :) Good luck with your photography!
1204899
Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 77mm filter 449.00 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 120.00 Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for... » Read More Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 77mm filter 449.00 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 120.00 « Show Less
759249
My brother has loan his 50 1.4 to me. I like. I may get the 24-70 2.8 - we get so many positives about it. Use the 24-70 indoors and the 4f lens where there is good light??Thanks for your suggestions.
1773126
Nikon 85mm f/18.G is really a great lens . I really enjoy , specially in low light condition . It gives so much details . In this price its really good. I'd say its one of the best lens of Nikon if we consider Quality:price .
39229
If your are deciding between a 35mm and this lens.. I would ask.. What do you plan to shoot? If you need a wide lens for landscapes I suggest the 18 - 50... If you are looking for a portrait or low fstop fixed lense for close ups I say go with the 1.8 35mm. If your asking Nikon versus sigma.. I would say you get what you pay for. As far as the sigma performance... I use the lense quite often. I shoot in low light bars and venues and the lens is covered in beer..The lens is great for low light shooting at 18mm. I usually switch to a 50mm if I need a closer shot.
156326
Can't believe nobody took this on yet. I don't have all of these lenses below, but This list should get you started. FA 50mm 1.4 All purpose, fast, handy lens of good quality and respectable optical performance without paying too much: FA Limited 77mm f/1.8 Possibly a bit longer in the focal length than you would want permanently attached, but this is regarded as one of the best in-production lenses for the platform. FA* (Star) 85mm f/1.4 Impossible to find for a reasonable price anywhere, but this is also widely regarded as one of the best lenses ever made for the platform. FA Limited 43mm f/1.9 Hard to find for a reasonable price, a lot of folks swear by these lenses in the same vein as the 77mm. Not-so-much-sleeper primes include the FA 40mm and 70mm limited pancake lenses. They stop down to f/2.8 and have fast a/f and good image quality. If I were on a budget, it'd be between the 40mm and the 50mm. The 77mm is an eventual acquisition you pick up after some time.
1239597
Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this helps. Good luck. Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this... » Read More Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this helps. Good luck. « Show Less
2208953
I found the 18-55 a very useful lens, but both the bundle with 55-30 as an excellent second lens. I shot a lot of scenery and sports shots and it allows me to get some great close-up action shots. Also for mountain shots aI can bring in the mountain closer for some fine sunrise/moon rise shots. Not sure about the 3X but the lenses I have from Nikon meet my needs well.
1192317
I really like the 18-140. I also have the 55-300. At the time I was researching to purchase a new lens the 18-140 appeared to be the better choice. I went to the Nikon site and did a comparison between the 18-140, 18-200, and 18-300. The 18-140 was new, with the newer technology, lighter, and cheaper. For me, 18-140 focus quickly and it has the range I use most. I usually keep the 55-300 with me, so I'm covered in most situations.
923246
I too have the 45-175. Keep an eye out prices vary all the time. If you see a 'great deal' (especially used) GRAB IT. That is true for all items on Amazon. Now, you have three lenses and you must have a kit lens with your G5? If you have a bare G5 then none of these is my best advice, you will not like how 45mm (effectively 90mm) is not nearly 'wide' enough for close up shots... So, assuming you have a 14-42 and this is your SECOND lens you have price and age to decide. lowest cost (and low weight) is the newest 45-150 (2012). Best overall range, in my biased opinion, is the 45-175 (2011) Significantly older and middle of the three pricewise (and much heavier and larger) is the 45-200 (2008). Really, like someone else said, just keep checking (sometimes the price will change significantly during a day), I got my 45-175 for 192 and change last June. Best of luck!
824633
I find the 28 to 70 lens to be a really great lens, sharp, easy to use, fast focus but a bit heavy when used for an event such as weddings. I would recommend looking at 24 - 70mm lens by sigma.
1111390
I would just buy the 18-140 as it is the one you would use the most. Later you could consider what additional lenses you would like to buy. A 50mm is a mild telephoto on a DX body so you might be better off buying the 35mm f1.8 instead. The 70-300mm VR is a better lens and there is less overlap with the 18-140. You see quite a few good used 70-300mm VR's for sale at reasonable prices because a lot of people buy them and then later discover they don't have much need for a lens that long.
1324964
The Nikon D50 would be a perfect starter camera...just don't pay too much for it(150.00 of less). Pair it with the 18-70 lens and you will be able to take outstanding photos. If you like the results, you can always upgrade later. I've had mine for years and use it as a back up, but I love the quality of the pics from the D50.