Trying to get a new lens?

[gtsiawd96]

I saw this lens the other day for sale. What do you guys think about it, will be going onto my D60. I think I am outgrowing the 18-55mm, and would like something with more zoom and more able to really play depth of field on a bigger scale.

Nikon - Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom Lens... Price 299.

I also saw a Nikon - Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF Lens. Can someone explain this lens for me. When to use it. Its benefits etc, it was pretty cheap like $140.00. And I think I might get one of those too.

Thanks guys.

[gpzjack]

i just bought a sigma 18-200 with OS for $360 shipped off ebay....i love it.....haven't changed lenses in forever and works great on my d50

[cszakolczai]

50mm 1.8 is a nice classical style lens. And 140 is a rip off if its used. If you want to play with depth of field, then the 50mm 1.8 is what you want.

[CleanNeon98]

the 50mm 1.8 is just an awesome lens, you will not regret it but thats seems overpriced

[!Funny]

$140 is extremely high priced for a nifty fifty.

the 50mm lens is superb for shallow DOF shots. The fixed lens gives it an added crispness that you will not find with a zoom.

the problem with a 55-200 is the sharpness of the lens. you will sacrifice quality in such a large focal scale. however, that large of a focal length could prove useful in certain long distance circumstances.

i have a nikon and i use my 50mm 1.8 all the time. (bought it for $80) and i use a kinda old nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 that i got for about $100 dollars. It's not fancy and new, but its glass and i can see through it. so it works for me.


hope this helps you. . all in all, if you are a beginner, i would get the 50mm 1.8 and keep the aperture at 1.8 all the time. you will love it!

[!Funny]

Examples of mine:
50mm f/1.8 there was absolutely no "blur tool" used in post production (photoshop). this is basically straight from the camera.

70-300mm f/4-5.6

[sisforsurfing]

The 55-200 is a great consumer tele. Also a good travel lens since it's so light and small. It's decent wide open and super sharp stopped down. VR is also nice, especially at that price. It's no f2.8 lens, but anyone who compares the two is off their rocker.

Some samples from when I shot the 55-200 more frequently;




3200 ISO, 84mm, 1/60s (not possible without VR), f4.2 (wide open)


400 ISO, 1/1250, 165mm, f6.3


The 55-200 can be had for increeedibly cheap used. I made the mistake of buying mine new, but even then it's still a cheap lens.
And yeah, the 50mm is the bargain sharp lens. You just wont be able to autofocus on that body.
Edit: Agreed that the 50mm is a great step into primes, but at f1.8 it's not sharp. Doesn't matter though, at $80 (or even double that) it's unbeatable.

[i like rice]

The market price on a new Nikkor 50 1.8 should be around $100. If you buy it used, around $75-80. If you shop around you won't have to the pay $140 that you saw.

[jb1830]

If you can, find an 18-200 Nikkor VR lens, its a bit pricey but totally worth it (the sigma will also do). Won't have to worry about ever changing your lens. Plus if you have an 18-55 lens you can just sell it and make some money back cause you wont be needing it.

[jspek]

id def. recommend the 50 1.8, however i would never pay that much for it. i paid 104 bucks for mine brand new.

more examples

[gtsiawd96]

Wow. Thanks for the replies guy. Alot of good information. So, I shopped around alittle more from the 50mm for $104 shipped new. So i'm going to be getting that probably order it tonight when i get home. I'm excited now after the pics you guys posted up. Jspek, the third pic down is incredible. Those are the types of pictures I would like to take.

As for the 55-200mm, I'll will continuing to shop around. I was on BNH.com and I saw what seemed to be the same lens for 150 less dollars. 170 less used through them. Free shipping also.

From BNH.com - Nikon Zoom Normal-Telephoto 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens for Select Digital CamerasUSA. Is this the same lens as I posted in my first post? I do like the idea of a 18-200mm and not having to change it around too much.

Also one more question with out making myself sound too dumb, Can you still adjust aperature on the 50mm? Will you have to do it manually? Or still through the camera?

[i like rice]

Originally Posted by gtsiawd96

Also one more question with out making myself sound too dumb, Can you still adjust aperature on the 50mm? Will you have to do it manually? Or still through the camera?

Adjustment will be made on the camera.

[tredvento]

i shoot with both they are great lenses, but i suggest the 50mm its cheap, fun and a great lens to have and the dof is to your likings

[TurboV]

Originally Posted by jb1830

If you can, find an 18-200 Nikkor VR lens, its a bit pricey but totally worth it (the sigma will also do). Won't have to worry about ever changing your lens. Plus if you have an 18-55 lens you can just sell it and make some money back cause you wont be needing it.

Word.

I love my 18-200, I can do damn near anything with it. I love not having to change lenses... although I do now have a 70-300 and a 12-24, but those are more "specialty" for me, and I'll probably still do the majority of my stuff with the 18-200. I really hate owning more than one lens honestly...