Topside Lens choice
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ferretchen
Contributor
1) Nikon AF-S 18-200/3.5 ED
2) Nikon AF-S 80-200/2.8 D
#1 is the nikon lens to have if you can carry only one. It is light, fairly small and the quality is very good (there is some distortion at widest angle, and some vignetting at highest telephoto, but it is minimal for a lens of this type).
#2 was the best I could afford at the time, to which I add extension tubes for macro, and a good teleconverter for widlife, or use by itself for portraits or things that are closer. It is a heavy beast but the quality is noticeably better than #1.
2) Nikon AF-S 80-200/2.8 D
#1 is the nikon lens to have if you can carry only one. It is light, fairly small and the quality is very good (there is some distortion at widest angle, and some vignetting at highest telephoto, but it is minimal for a lens of this type).
#2 was the best I could afford at the time, to which I add extension tubes for macro, and a good teleconverter for widlife, or use by itself for portraits or things that are closer. It is a heavy beast but the quality is noticeably better than #1.
What do you want to take pictures of?
My normal walking around lens is the 80-400 AF VR (I like to do wildlife
photography). I take about 90% of my surface pictures with it.
The other lens I use somewhat regularly is the 17-80 AF S that came with
my D70.
I've got eleven other Nikkors and and one non-Nikkor that don't get used
much anymore. The two I use pretty much cover the whole gamut.
My normal walking around lens is the 80-400 AF VR (I like to do wildlife
photography). I take about 90% of my surface pictures with it.
The other lens I use somewhat regularly is the 17-80 AF S that came with
my D70.
I've got eleven other Nikkors and and one non-Nikkor that don't get used
much anymore. The two I use pretty much cover the whole gamut.
18-200 3.5-5.6 AF-S G-ED VR I wish it were a little faster and a little sharper at both ends, but it's very versatile. I leave it on the camera 90% of the time. It's big enough that the onboard flash causes a shadow for close stuff when the lens is zoomed. Otherwise, with a close-up lens (Canon 72mm works nicely) it even doubles as a macro, beware VERY shallow DOF though. When I want to go longer, a 400 mf prime works fine. I wish I had Chuck's 80-400 VR, but at $1300-1400 new and at least $900 used, I'll stick with what I've got for now. 18-105 with 80-400 would be a nice combo.
What sits in my F-Mount is the AF-S 50mm/1.4G. Used to be the AF 50mm/1.8D (best bang for the buck lens in the world!!!)on the D80.
Second place is a tie between AF-S 14-24mm/2.8G and AF-S 70-200mm/2.8G VR.
I almost never use the "mid-range zoom", but I still have a AF 24-85mm/2.8-4D micro on my bag... And although I have dived with the latest, none has a place underwater!!!
The best thing in any (D)SLR is the ability to have the best glass for each occasion!!!
I don't find any sense in people looking for ONE good all-around lens for a DSLR, first because such a thing doesn't exist. Second is because if you don't want the weight you are better of with a compact or a digital ZLR.
Me, the radical.
Second place is a tie between AF-S 14-24mm/2.8G and AF-S 70-200mm/2.8G VR.
I almost never use the "mid-range zoom", but I still have a AF 24-85mm/2.8-4D micro on my bag... And although I have dived with the latest, none has a place underwater!!!
The best thing in any (D)SLR is the ability to have the best glass for each occasion!!!
I don't find any sense in people looking for ONE good all-around lens for a DSLR, first because such a thing doesn't exist. Second is because if you don't want the weight you are better of with a compact or a digital ZLR.
Me, the radical.
Tips for new DSLR shooter:
- Change bodies every 2 years.
- Add a new lens to your quiver every year at least, for the next 10 years.
- Only buy DX lenses if you REALLY need them (10.5mm is a good example for uw shooters).
- Change bodies every 2 years.
- Add a new lens to your quiver every year at least, for the next 10 years.
- Only buy DX lenses if you REALLY need them (10.5mm is a good example for uw shooters).
These will be my walkabout lenses, and I travel on buisness extensivly. I like wildlife, motor racing, mountains, big scenery, dawn and dusk, water. No more buildings, I have so many slides where I am not sure which city they are from.
I used to carry a large breifcase full of gear, 2x bodies, 35mm, 50mm, 80-200, 500mm, flash, motor drive, tripod, etc. Eventually I got fedup and the camera gear was left at home.
Now the C8080 has sparked my interest again but the autofocus is very poor in low light, lens is restrictive and it is so slowwwwwww to save, underwater the C8080 is very very frustrating and the housing is the size of a metal SLR's.
The only lens I will keep is the 500mm mirror.
For diving I am looking at the tokina 10-17 and either the 105 VR or the 60mm macro
Unlike Mariozi I don't plan to change my setup very often but I can see adding lenses. If the budget allows then I will get a D700 but I suspect a D300 is more likely with the other bits and pieces I will need.
I used to carry a large breifcase full of gear, 2x bodies, 35mm, 50mm, 80-200, 500mm, flash, motor drive, tripod, etc. Eventually I got fedup and the camera gear was left at home.
Now the C8080 has sparked my interest again but the autofocus is very poor in low light, lens is restrictive and it is so slowwwwwww to save, underwater the C8080 is very very frustrating and the housing is the size of a metal SLR's.
The only lens I will keep is the 500mm mirror.
For diving I am looking at the tokina 10-17 and either the 105 VR or the 60mm macro
Unlike Mariozi I don't plan to change my setup very often but I can see adding lenses. If the budget allows then I will get a D700 but I suspect a D300 is more likely with the other bits and pieces I will need.
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AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED. This one is my preferred lens. I use it for portraits and instead of a "normal" fixed focal length lens. Fabulous bokeh. I use this lens underwater with a flat port and have used the Ikelite zoom ring from another port for manual focus. Works very well.
AF-S Nikkor 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This one came as the kit lens with my new D90. It is very nice and has a good range of zoom. Don't take this one underwater since the zoom causes the lens to be fairly long.
My next purchase is going to be a super wide angle lens.
AF-S Nikkor 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This one came as the kit lens with my new D90. It is very nice and has a good range of zoom. Don't take this one underwater since the zoom causes the lens to be fairly long.
My next purchase is going to be a super wide angle lens.
AussieByron
Contributor
My favourite topside lens in the 18-200 VR. Great focal range. I would like something like the 80-400 also but recently upgraded from the D80 to the D90. I think topside the 18-200mm Vr is a great all rounder. Unless you need something more specialised for wide angle, Macro, telephoto.
Regards Mark
Regards Mark
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