Lenses Anyone?

[naznomore_92]

Ok, I just got my first DSLR and I am already in the market for a new lenes. I went out the other day it was nice so I decided to get some good landscape photos. I currently have an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. I love it I think it takes great pictures but what kind of photograpy is it best made for? I wanted to zoom in on some things a lot closer and that was not possible Honestly it kinda felt like my point and shoot, but with a little more zoom and a lot more control. I think this lens that I have might be good for portraits which I want to be my main focus in photography. So my question is first what is my current lens(Nikkor 18-55mm) good for? Secondly what 3 lenses are must haves for beginning photographers? I really want to focus on landscapes/nature and portraits. Thanks for all your help fam.

[Singletracklovr]

I really want to focus on landscapes/nature and portraits. Thanks for all your help fam.
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Snap It Up!!!
Naz

Lens hunting. One of my favorite things to do.
For landscapes/nature and portraits I would look at:
11-18mm with a CPL filter and a 105mm macro

hth

[jorgemonkey]

My wife has the same lens on her D70. It does pretty good for random snapshots of the kid. I don't think there is a set "must have" lenses for beginners since there is many different types of photography.

When I was first starting out, I bought a 28-70 lens which worked for portraits & some landscape. As I started figuring out what I liked to photograph, I added a 70-200 to the mix. It was a great lens for portraits & sports work. As my shooting style evolved, I picked up a 12-24 lens for wider portraits and landscape work as I wanted something a little wider for that.

[Frog]

Since you wanted to zoom in, rather than go wider, I think you might want the nikon 55-200 vr. Do not forget that third party lenses may have something similar for a lot less money but be sure to read reviews on any lens you settle on.
With your 18-55 you'll be covered from 18 to 200.
Neither of these are super wide nor super long but will cover your needs in most cases.
They both could actually work for portraits but you might also consider a 50mm f1.8 but be aware that if you have the D40, D40x, or D60 that it won't auto-focus unless you get the newer afs version. The non afs can be had for 100 or less(fantastic price for a prime)
I think the afs version in f/1.4 is 4 to 5 hundred.
Welcome to another Washingtonian....there's a bunch of us.

[jetrim]

The best deal out there for your stated purpose is that 55-200 VR and it won't break the bank either. If you want to shoot wildlife you'd be better off with the 70-300 (twice the price) or even a 200-500 which will let you really reach out and touch the subject. Your 18-55 is probably just fine at the wide end. Just a little bit wider and you get into fisheye lenses (lenses between 18mm and 12mm go up EXPONENTIALLY in price as well).

Your 18-55 is great for packing a ton of stuff into a photo - think of things like city skylines and mountain ranges or a whole city block. For portraits many suggest somewhere in the range of 80-100mm as it allows you to blur out the background nicely without having to jam the camera right in the model's face (personally I like the 50mm for portraits and my wife and son are not uncomfortable with the close proximity of the camera). As you get into the 200mm+ category, those lenses allow you to pick out the tweetybird WAYY over there, and bring him right up next to you, filling the frame.

Hope this helps you decide better, what lenses might be right for you. Also keep in mind that if you want the Auto Focus to work, you're going to be limited to AF-S designated lenses, as Frog mentioned - they cost more because they have the focusing motor built into the lens.

holy crap! 1001 posts I'm spending way too much time here!

[Franglais]

1. Your 18-55 is a good walk-around lens, meaning that you can go from moderate wide-angle to moderate telephoto and do most everyday subjects.

2. The other two lenses it most sense to have are:

a) a telezoom like the 55-200 AF-S. This will allow you to pick out detail in landscapes and get the close-in portraits you want as long as lighting conditions are good
b) an available light prime - the 35mm f1.8 AF-S. This lens costs $200, it focusses with your camera and it has a "normal" point of view, neither wide-angle nor telephoto, most closely resembling human perception. Not very exciting but I like it

[freygr]

For portraits a 50mm F1.8 or F1.4 will give the stand off and shallow DOF you wish for portraits, (works out to equalvant focal length of 75mm in 35mm film camera) Your F 3.5 jest will not give you the shallow DOF for protrait work.

I do a lot of panoramas and I have not purchased a wider lens but the 18-70 kit lens for landscapes I'm happy with.

I did purchase a 28-200mm but it's a F4 and a little slow for the indoor arena equestrian events but jest right for out door use. I also own a 70-300mm with micro function and again it's a slow lens for indoor arenas and it was to long to use depending my position but I like the micro function as I'm wee bit away from the subject and that makes a difference with insects.

Note for indoor sports look at the 80-200mm F2.8 nikon lens but it is not a VR lens, the new version (VR) is over 1400 USD

Now if you start birding you will want even longer lenses.

When look at lenses, make sure the cameras AF will work with the lens. You can make sure by checking this link: http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html