need advice on good starting lens(s) for D100

[androbus]

Hi! i am new(well hadn't logged in for six years..)to photography review...I finally decided to join the modern Nikon world and picked up a D100 after not using my old trusty manual film nikons for too many years as i have been using a Lumix FZ20.
I realized on receiving the D100 the only lens i had that would work on it is a quantraray 70-210 i had laying around from an old 4004s from a decade ago plus. To tell the truth it really isn't that bad a lens, but.....

anyway to start i could use some advice on what to pick up for a good wide angle lens. it doesn't HAVE to be nikon, but i really don't want to be picking up a low-end lens(unless it's one of those sleepers) either so all and any suggestions would be great! I have been happy using secondhand equipment for years as it lets me spread the $$ around more...
and i think suggestions for something to replace the quantrary's as well.

thanks for any input!

Paul

[another view]

Hi and welcome - Nikon's 18-200 VR lens is probably my next purchase (it's been out for awhile) but it's around $700. They have a new 16-85 VR coming out soon but it isn't much less expensive. Another good and much less expensive option (however without VR) would be the 18-70.

VR is vibration reduction; similar to Canon's IS. This will allow you to handhold at a much slower shutter speed than without - anywhere between one and four stops depending on a lot of things. Since the D100 has five focus points, VR will work.

[Axle]

Tamron and Sigma both do great Nikon lens. I use the Sigma 18-50 EX Macro f/2.8 and Tamron 11-18mm lens.

[androbus]

Tamron and Sigma both do great Nikon lens. I use the Sigma 18-50 EX Macro f/2.8 and Tamron 11-18mm lens.

Thanks! I have been looking at versions of both these lenses already but wasn't sure how they were regarded?? and wanted feedback before i tossed money out there on something i may regret later. I think i may just have to look around and sell off something I'm not using anymore to finance my getting back into photography(especially as i am also bringing the manual/film nikons back out of storage too)
now to decide which to get first? I was thinking the 11-18, but...

what about the Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6???
or the Tamron AF19-35mm 3.5-4.5
I notice they are really inexpensive, and assume for a reason, but is it true? anyone?
thanks!

[androbus]

Hi and welcome - Nikon's 18-200 VR lens is probably my next purchase (it's been out for awhile) but it's around $700. They have a new 16-85 VR coming out soon but it isn't much less expensive. Another good and much less expensive option (however without VR) would be the 18-70.

VR is vibration reduction; similar to Canon's IS. This will allow you to handhold at a much slower shutter speed than without - anywhere between one and four stops depending on a lot of things. Since the D100 has five focus points, VR will work.

hmm! looks interesting. I had gotten used to the "anti'shake" I have on the FZ-20 and do notice it does help a lot. you can actually get good crisp shots while running even. I assume the Nikon 18-200 VR is similar...I will have to look at these indeed.

Another question is the true quality of the lenses...I have always trusted my old Nikkor lenses, but recall hearing that some of teh lower end Nikon lenses out now are actually not as good as the comparably priced sigma and tamron ones?


Paul

[deckcadet]

Well, you have to look at intended use. Some of the f/2.8 Sigma and Tamron glass is priced comparably to some high end consumer Nikkors.

Low end nikkors today are, unsurprisingly, stellar, and often some of the best buys you can find.

[elrosarino]

You can choose between Nikon 18-200 VR o 24-120VR. Both are great lenses
Marcos

[Grandpaw]

I have the Nikon 18-200VR lens and think it is great. One thing you need to keep in mind when changing over to digital SLR is the crop factor. Whatever lens you buy will be actually 1.5 times that in comparison to what it would be on a film SLR. My 18-200VR lens is the equivalent to having about a 35-300mm on a film SLR. If you want a wide angle and purchase a 35mm lens for your D100 it will be like using a 50mm on your film camera, Jeff