What lenses for D90??

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SilentWater

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I'm looking at getting a Nikon D90, and I see that you can get them with different lens configurations. I know that I could just buy the ones I need as I go, but would like a couple good ones to start with, that would work just as well underwater as topside. I'm new to the DSLR world (other than using a friends D50 on occasion). Any experience, or suggestions as to what would be a good place to start would help. I'll take any advice or information. Thanks
-Ryan
 
I'm looking at getting a Nikon D90, and I see that you can get them with different lens configurations. I know that I could just buy the ones I need as I go, but would like a couple good ones to start with, that would work just as well underwater as topside. I'm new to the DSLR world (other than using a friends D50 on occasion). Any experience, or suggestions as to what would be a good place to start would help. I'll take any advice or information. Thanks
-Ryan

Hi Ryan.

I recommend the 60mm Macro (i prefer the AF-D Nikon 60mm AF-D Micro) and the Tokina 10-17mm as the first two lenses for you underwater. The 60mm Macro is also a great lens topside for portraits and the Tokina can produce so interesting shots. Another lens to look at is the 105mm Macro (Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR). Some people prefer this lens over the 60mm. It often comes down to where your shooting and how close you cam get to the subject.

I receommend the Nikkor 18-200 Vr lens (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm) as great choice for topside. Does about everything except if you like to go wideangle or telephoto more than 200mm. If your on a budget and dont mind two lenses instead only just one the Nikkor 18-55 and 55-200 are great inexpensive lenses and normally these lens come out in a camera kit.

Hope this helps

Regards Aussie
 
I receommend the Nikkor 18-200 Vr lens (Nikon 18-200mm) as great choice for topside. Does about everything except if you like to go wideangle or telephoto more than 200mm.


the Nikon 18-200mm VR is sweet.... I really like it. I got one for my father a while back and have used it some.

I replaced his 18-55mm and 55-200mm with one lens.

the only thing I'll say that is not great about it is that it does get a little heavy compared to the 18-55mm over a "long day".

sometimes for inside shooting or anything you don't need a "big zoom" on it's nice to swap back to the 18-55mm just because it's lighter.

You also might notice a small amount of "shading" at the bottom of the pic if using the internal flash when zoomed back to the 18mm setting. This is because the lens is a little longer than the normal lens. not a big deal and it doesn't always happen, but can...


If your on a budget and dont mind two lenses instead only just one the Nikkor 18-55 and 55-200 are great inexpensive lenses and normally these lens come out in a camera kit.


These are great lens, but will just leave you "wanting" for more. with the 18-55mm on you'll "zoom out" and all the sudden hit a "stop" and get tired of it. (when outside shooting). You'll want more "zoom".

You'll get tired of having to swap those lens back and forth.

getting the 18-105mm (regular or VR) or the 18-135mm or the 18-200mm will make you much happier.

I've gotten where I keep my 18-135mm on the camera most of the time now... but if I was buying the new D90 with the new 18-105mm VR, I'd prob use that. (I don't really see much difference in the 105mm setting and the 135mm setting on the lens. FYI).


Combine the 18-105mm or the 18-135mm with the 70-300mm is a better choice. (of course it's a lot more $$$ also)


Hope that's helpfull.
 
I agree with Byrong 100%. The first two lenses I would buy are the 60mm Macro as its more versatile than the 105mm. The 2nd lens would be the Tokina 10-17mm FE as it makes for some great underwater photos of both wide angle scenery and friends.
 
If you are planning on getting it as a kit and there is a discount on the lens combo, go for the kit with the 18-105VR & 70-300VR. That will give you the widest overlap and latitude on either side. The 18-55/55-200 combo is cheaper, but you'll be changing lenses all the time unless you do mostly portraits and change over for wildlife shots. The 70-300 will give you a 450mm equivalent at 35mm with VR, so you can get those whale and dolphin shots without worrying about a tripod. Otherwise, if there's no discount, I really like my 18-200 as well and I've seen it offered as a kit with the D90 (B&H, I think, or it might have been Adorama). I've got the 18-200VR, the 60AF-D, a Tokina 400mm manual focus prime and a 35mm f2.0 AF that I don't use much. The latter two were e-bay purchases. There are lots of Nikon lenses there, but I don't recommend it. They're typically about 75% of what you'd pay for a brand new one by the time you're done and you don't get the Nikon USA 3 year warranty. Sometimes for older, obscure stuff it works though. I paid $100 for my 400 prime and though it doesn't have the contrast of a Nikkor, it focuses really well and I've used it quite a bit.
 
getting the D90 kit with the 18-105vr is a great deal. i just got one less than a month ago. the 18-105vr is a very good walk-around lens one you won't have to remove it from the body much; less likely to get dust on your sensor. the 18-200vr of course is a very good lens albeit pricey.

as far as special lenses are concerned i agree with the other posters on 60mm & probably a fisheye.
 
Popular question if you do some searches you will find a lot of info on this subject.

Others have nailed it.
Nikon 60mm (Macro Under Water)
Tokina 10-17mm (Wide Angle, will need good strobes for best results underwater)
Sigma 17-70mm HSM or Nikon 17-55mm (don't know what you will see underwater lenses)
Nikon 105mm (Great macro lens for more shy creatures or if you want to shoot Super Macro)
Nikon 18-200mm (Strictly Dry land)
Nikon 70-200mm (Pricey but if you shoot animals or sports great lens. Most Pros would say must have)
 
Thanks to everybody for the input. I've been searching a little deeper, and looking into different cameras as well as lenses. I'm pretty set on staying with Nikon since I've already got 3 lenses that I can use from time to time. But, have been looking at a
D300 and comparing it to the D90. If anyone has any experience with these two underwater and could spare any info I'd appreciate it. I know i saw someone discussing this at one point. I'll look around and start a new thread if i need to.
 
one last possible lens, Popular Photography magazine has a review in the January 2009 issue of the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 di II VC AF (on page 100).

It's "street price" is $600, which is comparable to the cost of the Nikor 18-200mm VR


It gave a good review of it. You get a lot more reach with one lens up to 270mm.

It's not perfect, but any lens trying to cover that range is not going to be perfect.


I don't know anyone that has this lens yet, but might be something to consider.
 
I also have a d90. For underwater use, a nikon 14mm and their 60mm would be a your best bet. For land use, you can also use the 14mm and a 180mm. These three lenses are my work horses when i go on trips. Im not a big fan of zoom lenses. telephoto lenses in my opinion provides better quality.
 

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