Help Advise with New Camera Outfit

[Dave W]

Ok i have been looking long enough.
I have about decided to get a SLR and I have about decided on the Nikon D90
I still don't know what to do about lenses. I was thinking of getting the 50mm 1.4 as a base lens and then the big 70-200 2.8 but thats a lot of weight and dollars.
I was also thinking about the 18-200 which is a good utilitarian lens but some say that I'll wish I had bought the 70-200.
What do you guys carry? what do you advise?

[Hillary]

Good choice on the D90, man, it is a sweeeeet little thing. That is what I shoot.

Here are my weapons:
Nikon D90
Nikon 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8
Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Macro


-The 50mm f/1.4 is a sweet fast lens, but I can't get over paying $500 for a nifty. I have the f/1.8 (I think Legdog does too) and it is pretty sweet, especially for saving $350
-The 70-200 f/2.8 speaks for itself. My theory: If you don't have it, you eventually will. A little on the heavy side, but I think it pairs with the D90 pretty well. I haven't shot a ton of images with it, but the ones that I did turned out sweet.
-My fisheye is the coolest thing in my bag, hands down. You either love them or hate 'em.
-The 105 Macro, again, amazing, very versitle lens. I have shot portraits, distance and close up images with it. But it is a VERY different lens, the DOF is paper thin and takes some getting "used to"

Personally, I have never been a huge fan of the 18-200, although I have seen some decent images come out of it. Just a personal preference, I don't like a lot of zoom, and I don't like a lens that extends while zooming.

The next item on my list is a wide angle. Which could be something to consider for you to grab images in the 50mm and under range. But again, it is all preference on what type on image you want to create.

Take a stroll through my Flickr, I have sets that are my pictures divided into what lens I used.
I will also be moving to Houston soon, and you are more than welcome to test drive a lens.

Good luck!

[bats21]

I have the D90 also, Awesome camera, I have had the 18-200 VR and really took some nice shots down in the islands, traded it for something. Wish I hadn't. Also had the 70-200 2.8 that was good also, traded it for the 18-200 VR then I bought the 80-400 VR and havn't really used it that much although itis a very good lens. just my thoughts.

[Dave W]

interesting, thanks for the input
The other lens I was thinking about was the 17-70?? with the 2.8.

[Hillary]

interesting, thanks for the input
The other lens I was thinking about was the 17-70?? with the 2.8.

I've never heard of that lens, and I can't seem to find it.
Do you have a link to it?

The only ones I know of in that format are
The 24-70 f/2.8 <--- the Queen standard zoom
The 17-55 DX f/2.8 <--- the King DX formated Wideangle
The 17-35 f/2.8<-- The prince windangle
THE 14-24 f/2.8<--- The King.

(wouldn't recommend getting the King on a DX sensor.)

[WyoBull]

I would agree with Hillary that they 70-200 2.8 is a lens you will wish you had down the road. It is tack sharp and fast, thus the price you will pay for it.
I just recently sold an 18-200 VR to one of our members here and for an "all purpose" walk around lens, it was the best one I ever owned for that purpose. For vacation, travel and general walk around photography, it is hard to beat.
A lot of what will drive you to any particular lens is the type of shooting you are going to do. I currently shoot the D700 and the only two lenses I own at this point are the 70-200 28 and the 35-70 2.8. I am itching to get the 24-70 2.8 to replace my 35-70 28 but it is a 1900 dollar lens so it might be a bit before I make that switch.
I have heard a lot of good things about the 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR but I have no experience with it. They also make the same lens in the non-VR version. It won't be a fast lens but I have seen some really nice shots made through it.
My general advice would be to get the best glass you can afford for the type of shooting you want to do. Good, fast glass will also hold it's value very well.