If I was to get body only...

Zoomboxer

Zoomboxer

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Steve
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Yes
...what lens should I get?

Mind seems to have got set on a D5100. Some say the kit lens is good some say not.

So if I got a body only what should I go for? Something that would cover nearly every eventually would be good. Thinking along the lines of the squirrel that comes to the back door, Mrs Z's birthday cake, group shots, shots of the beach, the odd shot of something further away.

Hope this makes sense - will get there one day. :clap:
 
Nikon 18-200?
 
i use the d5100 and tamron 17-50 combo its a lovely setup for such a modest outlay.
 
Second on the Tamron 17-50 2.8, albiet I shoot with a Canon, they're a fantastic lens for the money and make a good walkabout lens!
 
Guessing a 18-200, although with a lens of this type you are going to lose out on image quality despite the range gain. Personally (and for similar costs) I would look at either a Tamron 17-50 or 28-75, and something like a 55-200 or 70-300VR preferably.
 
cambsno said:
Guessing a 18-200, although with a lens of this type you are going to lose out on image quality despite the range gain. Personally (and for similar costs) I would look at either a Tamron 17-50 or 28-75, and something like a 55-200 or 70-300VR preferably.
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I thought that too but you don't. Its tac sharp at both ends of the range and the VR is really good. Its also surprisingly sturdy as far as construction goes! I'd definitely get the 18-200 for the types of shots you have in mind. Also the MFD on the lens is really small at 200mm, making it not far of macro usability :D
 
Kit lens + 55-200 VR. Cheaper than 18-200 with IQ a bit better too.
 
Depends on your budget?

But combining indoor shots with long shots and a portrait or 2 thrown in, you really need either a 70-200mm f2.8 and / or combination of lenses. A 18-200mm a budget lens for the holiday snapper
 
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pete.rush said:
Depends on your budget?

But combining indoor shots with long shots and a portrait or 2 thrown in, you really need either a 70-200mm f2.8 and / or combination of lenses. A 18-200mm a budget lens for the holiday snapper
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Ideally, you'll need a 3 lens solution, an Ultra Wide Angle (UWA) like the Nikon 12(Dx) or 14(Fx) - 24 or the Sigma 12-24, a 24-70 f/2.8 and a 70-200 f/2.8 or 70-300 VR if the large aperture isn't imporant to you.

The 18-200 I recommended earlier is indeed a budged Jack of all trades and master of none but, if bought 2nd hand,should be cheap enough for reselling losses to be bearable.
 
the Nikon 18-200mm is fantastic, as long as you don't use it at 135mm, every other focal length it is easily sharper than 18-55 and 55-200mm kit lenses.

and it doubles as macro lens (considering Tamron and Sigma are calling their lenses macro)
7783960376_cb6937a6a0_c.jpg

Flower by wuyanxu, on Flickr
 
Given the requirements the 18-200 would be a good option. As is usual, you get provided loads of options which don't actually meet you requirement :)

You want one lens so people suggesting 3 or 4 have missed that point
You want far away so people suggesting 17-50 have missed that point

But only you can decide if the IQ from the 18-200 is good enough.
 
wuyanxu said:
the Nikon 18-200mm is fantastic, as long as you don't use it at 135mm, every other focal length it is easily sharper than 18-55 and 55-200mm kit lenses.

and it doubles as macro lens (considering Tamron and Sigma are calling their lenses macro)
7783960376_cb6937a6a0_c.jpg

Flower by wuyanxu, on Flickr
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I am the owner of Wuyan's 18-200mm now :)

It isn't quite as sharp as the 18-55 or the 55-200mm but that would be wide open. Anyway, the difference is marginal, they are all super sharp lenses. Stopped down to f8 you can't tell them apart at all...unless shooting at 135mm in which case it's a poor show for corner sharpness.

It's quick, sharp, light, VR works great, doesn't creep, focuses silently and down to 50cm to give you 1:4 (good enough for flowers and nice closeups etc).

Downsides: 200mm is more like 170. 135mm soft at corners.

Here's a few shots from me since owning it.

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S0059440_copy.jpg
 
Sorry i miss read your opening message, with something that covers everything. Yes the nikon 18-200mm is the best of its kind, but no where near the quality you could get for the money buying 2 lenses. They are convenient though.
 
rjbell said:
Sorry i miss read your opening message, with something that covers everything. Yes the nikon 18-200mm is the best of its kind, but no where near the quality you could get for the money buying 2 lenses. They are convenient though.
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Again, to be fair to the lens, it is exceptional IQ for a superzoom...actually got any lens for that matter!
 
I've had the Nikon 18-200mm on my D5100. I found a second hand one for less than £250.

Some prefer the 16-85mm, smaller, lighter and maybe slightly better IQ.

If I was doing it again on a budget, I'd probably go for a second hand 16-85mm as I tended to shoot at the widest angle most of the time, so the extra 2mm would be welcome, and a 35mm f/1.8 to drop in my pocket for anything general really, lower light shots especially or where I want a wide aperture.
 
awesome shots Phill, looks like I've been wasting that lens's potential!

with faster AF, better VR and similar sharpness to 18-55 kit lens, I am more than happy to use 18-200mm all day long.

in fact, I often miss the extra reach now using a 24-105mm on my full frame. (18-200mm => 28-300mm full frame equivalent). 18-200mm is a proper walk-about lens.
 
Perfect thanks everybody - just what I needed to know especially as a 5100 fell into my lap at the weekend :D It comes with the 18-55 VR but, no worries, gonna take it all one step at a time.

Actually the most difficult bit I have had with it so far is fitting the camera strap :lol: it was a tight fit getting the ends through the bits!
 
Zoomboxer said:
Perfect thanks everybody - just what I needed to know especially as a 5100 fell into my lap at the weekend :D It comes with the 18-55 VR but, no worries, gonna take it all one step at a time.

Actually the most difficult bit I have had with it so far is fitting the camera strap :lol: it was a tight fit getting the ends through the bits!
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Why they cant come with simple locking clips is beyond me! Good luck with it ;)
 
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