Cheap lens enq.

akcron

akcron

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Paul
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Hello all.

I got asked a question this morning that i being a noobie good not give a definite answer to.

Ok the person in question has bought a D3000 body of someone at his place of work.

He wants a lens but only has a about 150-200 to spend, i said maybe a 35mm 1.8 or a used 18-105mm or maybe get the 18-55 kit.

He wants to do some portrait style work of his family and kids and use it as general walkabout lens.

What would you buy if you could only have one lens within that budget?

Cheers:thumbs:
 
I do not know nikon too much but if it was me it would be the 18-105, that way he gets to have a little bit of everything till he can afford some other lengths, the 35mm would be great for the portrates in a tight space but quite limiting everywhere else as a walkabout lens.

The 18-55 kit is ok but again the 18-105 gives just that little bit more.

spike
 
18-105VR over the 18-55VR every time for me. Why?

- increased focal range
- doesn't rotate on focus (good for using square filters or screw-in CPLs)
- manual focus override without having to flick a switch

But there are some reasons to choose the 18-55;
- sharper corners at 18mm than the 18-105 apparently (according to Ken Rockwell)
- smaller, lighter
- about £30 cheaper

For general photography and learning, I'd go for the 18-105VR first and then a fast prime, such as the 35/f1.8.
If wildlife photography appeals, perhaps leave the prime and save up for the 70-300 VR next.
If landscapes/architecture appeals, then a wider lens would be useful - such as the Sigma 10-20.

But for starting out, you can't go wrong with an 18-105. Once you know where you want to go from there, there's loads of lenses to choose from... ;)
 
Don't overlook the 18-70mm, it's sharper, faster and better built than the 18-55 and 18-105, doesn't have VR though...
 
He has just called me and he has bought a 55-200 vr and a 18-55 both second hand, he is very happy as he got both for less than his budget.

So thanks to all that replied.:thumbs:
 
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