Recommend a lens for me!

[StreetDoc]

I'm going on a trip in december to Belize and Cozumel and I'd like to get a new lens for it. Hopefully going to shoot some Mayan ruins down there and other landscape photography. I'm looking for a new lens I can use as a 'walk-around' lens. I really don't do portraits, mainly landscape stuff. My budget is around $500. Right now I have only the 18-55 kit lens. Oh ya, I have the D40x.

[StreetDoc]

Sigma AF 17-70mm HSM F/2.8-4.5 $429
Tamron 18-200mm F/3/5-6.3 $389
Nikon 18-200mm $750
Nikon 18-135mm $299

Are some of the ones I've had in mind. What do you guys think?

[Franglais]

I have the Nikon 18-200 VR. That is a true walk-around lens. On Sunday I used it on the D200 with the SB800 at the races at Longchamps. Had to dress smartly so I took the Slingshot bag to avoid ruffling my blazer. I was amazed at how the camera + lens + flash all fitted into the little Slingshot and let me walk around in the crowd without a bulky backpack.

However you already have the 18-55. Many would consider that a walkaround lens. Add the 55-200 and you have a combination covering the same range as the 18-200 for much less money.

[Tel]

My dad has the Tamron, and uses nothing else. Literally. He bought an older Nikkor 70-200mm, Never uses it.

[fx101]

What you want is the Nikon 18-200vr. That will get you pretty much any photo you want. I accidentally left mine at home on my trip to peru a few months ago, and I ended up buying a Sigma 15-30mm. A great lens for about $300. Other than that I would look at the Tokina range of lenses, they are great in build quality and lens sharpness.

[StreetDoc]

Is there anywhere I can get the 18-200VR for less than $750?

[Frog]

Cameta camera on ebay has one for 714 http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-18-200mm-D...QQcmdZViewItem.

A few other ebay sellers have them for a little less but I don't know how trustworthy they are and personally I won't buy from J&K.
I will vouch for Cameta.
Not much less but every bit helps.

[StreetDoc]

thanks, I'm going to pick one up before my trip to Mexico in december.

[StreetDoc]

Well I went to Ritz Camera today and played with one. Very nice! The lens does creep but I don't think that will really bother me.

[NewD80User]

I have heard so much good about the Nikon 18- 200 VR.

I only have the 18-135 Nikon right now, so I hope the 18-200 VR will be a big step up from the kit lens, because that's what Im saving for

[Franglais]

I have heard so much good about the Nikon 18- 200 VR.

I only have the 18-135 Nikon right now, so I hope the 18-200 VR will be a big step up from the kit lens, because that's what Im saving for

I don't have the 18-135 but from what I've heard it's a decent performer. The 18-200 adds some extra reach at the telephoto end, VR and more metal but I wouldn't expect it to be very different from the 18-135 in real life. It's remarkable because it does so much so well but it's not as good as the high-end pro zooms.

[elearn07]

Hi,

I am rejoining the SLR world again. Several years ago I dropped my SLR when trying to set up my shot of a waterfall. I lived to tell this story but my camera did not.

I am purchasing, at least at last check, a Nikon D80. Unfortunately I am a cannot quite make the difference for the price point of the D200. Which is too bad since it is better in inclement weather; and I have been known to push my point and shoot camera.

Also, I am considering purchasing a Camera package through Cameta Camera. They seem to have the best price and reputation of many online camera businesses.

Question

Is it better to purchase a camera body and lens separately? I am wondering what the difference would be between an equivalent lens with a f 3.5 vs f 2.8?

I am thinking that it may be better to purchase a body and lenses separately.

Would anyone recommend a Nikon Factory Demonstration model camera? If so, perhaps I could enter the camera world of the D200.

Thanks for your advice.

Scott

[deckcadet]

Cameta has a great rep, and have great service in my experience. their factory demos are almost universally praised as top notch, oftentimes you wonder why they call them that.

The lens issue is more sensitive to what lenses you're talking about. I'd suggest buying body only in most cases as the lenses in kits can many times be poor quality.

[elearn07]

Thanks for your speedy reply! :thumbsup:

As you can tell I am in fact a newbie. Your continued assistance is greatly appreciated.

I would like to rule-in/out the potential lenses as part of Cameta's kit.

• re there different classes (quality) of lenses that Nikon makes?
• Are there brands of lenses that I "should" be considering and others I should not?

What do you think about these lenses included as part of a kit?:idea:

Information has been cut and pasted from Cameta's website

All Brand New & Factory Sealed
Complete Package with ALL Manufacturer's Supplied Accessories
Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera Body
Tamron 28-80mm Lens with 6 Year USA Warranty
Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Autofocus Zoom Lens with 5 Year USA Warranty
[B]
Tamron 28-80 Lens[/B]
Lens Construction: 7 elements in 7 groups
Angle of View: 30°-75°
Minimum Focus Distance: 27.5 in. (0.7m)
Macro Magnification Ratio: 1:8
Focus Modes: Autofocus and manual focus
Aperture: f 3.5-5.6
Filter Size: 58mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 2.8 x 2.8 in. (72mm x 70.4mm)
Weight: 8.4 oz. (237g)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Nikon Lens

Lens Type: G-type AF Zoom Nikkor lens having built-in CPU and Nikon bayonet mount
Focal Length Scale: 70, 100, 135, 200, 300mm
Focus Distance: 4.9 ft. to infinity
Distance Information: Output to camera body
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 9 groups
Maximum Aperture: f/4-5.6
Picture Angle: 34°20' - 8°10'
(27° 40' - 6°40' with IX240 system cameras, 22°50' - 5°20' with Nikon D1)
Zoom Control: Manually via seperate zoom ring
Maximum Reproduction Ratio (Macro Setting): 1:4
Diaphragm: Fully Automatic
Exposure Measurement: Via full-aperture method with cameras having a CPU interface system
Filter Size: 62mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 2.9 x 4.6 in. (73.6 x 116.8mm)
Weight: 16.5 oz. (467.8g)


Best regards,

Scott

[Frog]

I'm not sure about the quality of those lenses but the tamron overlaps the nikon lens on the long side and doesn't give you much in the way of wide angle as it would equal a 42mm with the d80 1.5 sensor magnification. I'd want something at least 18mm wide.
I bought a package from Cameta...d80 with lens and was very pleased with their service but I would not buy a pacakage from them that includes the cases and tripods and cards and stuff as those items are usually low quality and you can find better for same or less.

[deckcadet]

Apart from the focal length of the tamron being a poor choice for an all around lens, both of those are very low quality lenses. You can reach a bit higher and get some really great ones.