Help with lens choice for a d5000 please?!

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plymman

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Hi all, I currently have a d5000 with 18-55 + 55-200 lenses. These were great but I now have a toddler and a baby and my time out with the camera has reduced and when I am out I have bags, prams etc.. And it's becoming a pain to swap lenses particularly when we're at some kind of event.

My thought was to get a sigma or nikon 18-200 but I'm not sure if I'll lose too much sharpness so also considered a 35mm prime when I'm at home with the kids. Then I started to think about just extending my range slighty to say 70mm or the 18-105.. and maybe picking up a 70-300 at a later date.

I've considered so much I now feel lost! I'd Appreciate any input from more experienced users. My needs are to take quality pics of the family, landscape and nature shots and pics of say outdoor shows where I might need a shot. Of someone on stage then one of my little ones a few feet away. I do very little, if any, post processing and want to keep things as cheap as possible ( I don't mind 2nd hand).

Thanks
 
That was my first thought but not sure if it's too much of a compromise in image quality?
 
dont buy a 18-200 when you already got the better and cheaper combo 18-55 + 55-200
btw, the 35mm 1.8 is a must have lens for your D5000, it's a no brainer :)
 
That's good to hear! Do you think as a 2nd lens the 35mm would be a good buy as a 'round the house' lens for sharper family pics?
 
Yes, I agree, the 35mm f1.8 for the around the house shots (and a lot more).

It zooms as well if you use your feet!!!!!!!
 
I have the same camera as you and to begin with i had a superzoom stuck on the front of it...the Tamron 18-270mm. The IQ iteslf was ok but what really frustrated me was the time it took to focus on something in anything other than very bright light....absolute nightmare. Now the Nikon 18-200 is I'm sure a much better lens than the Tammy but as with any lens with a large zoom range is going to be a compromise. The two lenses you have, according to all the reviews I have read, will give better results than the 18-200. I used to have the non VR versions of them on my old D40x. If you are looking to upgrade, then may I suggest the two lenses I currently use; Nikon 18-70mm and the 70-300mmVR. They are both much better built, with metal mounts, than the two kit lenses you have. IQ is fantastic on both of them and the VR on the big zoom works very very well. Both of mine were from ebay and i paid a total of £415 for both of them. The 18-70 doesnt have VR but at those ranges,in all probability you wont need it anyway. I am much happier now without the one-size-fits -all lens. You normally know beforehand if you are going to need the longer focal lengths so changing lenses hasn't been a worry for me.

Neil
 
Thanks for the responses, they keep coming thick and fast. I think the 35mm is now a given! I'm still struggling to decide on a single 'out and about' lens with more reach than the 55. Should it be the 70, the 105 or the 200. I'd like a little more reach than the 70 I think, but of these three lenses is there much noticeable difference in image quality (I realise they are all at the budget end)
 
The 35mm 1.8 DX is a great addition, you'll find the huge aperture quite addictive! If you just want a bigger range in one lens I'd recommend the 18-105 over the 18-200 and 18-70 - the 18-200 is just too expensive (and a step backwards quality wise) and the difference between 55 and 70mm is minimal. The 18-105 is a very good performer in terms of sharpness - it's better than you'd expect at the price. The only problem is the distortion at the wide end - it can be corrected, but it's still there.
 
I'm tending to agree with you jpw, I think with the 35 and the 105 I won't be making as much compromise on quality, I get double the focal length and if it's not enough for me I guess I an add the 70-300 at a later date.

I've been questioning whether the 35 1.8 was the right lens for me but everybody who has one loves it! I may even order one tonight......
 
thanks for all your suggestions, I actually picked up a 35mm 1.8 lens today, havent had much time with it yet but it looks very sharp so far. I now plan to pick up an 18-105 for general use and sell on my 18-55 + 55-200. Later on when i have the finances I might top it off with a longer zoom but i think these two will keep me happy for a long time.
 
plymman do you live in Plymouth by any chance? I might have your 55-200 VR off you if you do :D
 
Indeed I do. I'm looking around at the moment so if th right lens cones up I'll probably sell mine in the next week or two. I haven't got enough posts to list in the classifieds yet though.
 
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