Nikon D40 / D90 walkabout (18-200mm) help!

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Hey guys,

I currently own a Nikon D40 (looking to get a D90 in the future) with the stock 18-55mm lens and a Tamron 18-300mm lens. I'm looking to sell both for a 18mm+ VR walkabout lens but need some help ensure i'm getting the right stuff. I'm aware cropping can affect different bodies, so therefore could buy a good or bad lens for my D40 / D90.

I'm also a little concerned that having a VR lens it will 'vibrate' my camera when on a tripod. Is this a real concern? I sometime take shot of landscapes in HDR.

I got a max of £250 to spend, pref under £200. What do you think my options are? Can anyone help!

Cheers for looking
:bonk:
 
I use the 18-200VR which I get on very well with as a flexible lens for walkabout (almost all my posts here are shot with it). It also save the need to keep swapping lenses which is a plus for me. The VR function can be switched off using a switch so that you can use it o na tripod with no problem.
 
The ultimate Nikon walkaround lens is the 18-200 but that is out of your budget and will also completely throw out the balance of the D40.

For me, the next best thing is the 18-105 VR (the kit lens on the D90) which can be picked up well within your budget. However, even this feels a little heavy on the D40.

edit: oh, forget about cropping factor and VR can be switched off.
 
Right i'll get cracking on those two and see how much I can get the price down. If anyone sees hears of a cheap one please give me a shout. Should I also be looking at Sigma/Tamron equivalents? or not bother?
 
Personally I wouldn't bother with the Sigma or Tamron offerings although I think the Tamron 28-250 is supposed to be the best of the bunch, 28mm isn't wide enough for me though.

The Nikon 18-200mm goes for around £400 second hand so there's little chance of getting one in your budget.

The 18-105mm can be had for £120-150 and has slightly better all range IQ than the 18-200 and to be honest, I've never missed the extra 95mm so the extra cost really doesn't stack up for me.
 
Nawty said:
Personally I wouldn't bother with the Sigma or Tamron offerings although I think the Tamron 28-250 is supposed to be the best of the bunch, 28mm isn't wide enough for me though.
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That Tamron is 18-250, not 28-250mm. They do also have a 18-270 with optical stabilisation (OS), Tamron calls it VC, and it's supposed to be even better than the 18-250 in the 18-200mm range. It's just hearsay, not first hand experience, so you might want to check that.
Here's their list of such lenses (including 28-*mm lenses):
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/all_in_one_zooms.asp

Sigma also has an 18-250mm model with OS, here are some useful links:
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/reviewsamples/albums/sigma-18-250mm-dc-os-hsm-review-samples (links to full size photos are below images in single image view mode)
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1242/cat/31
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/lens_review/2009/05/14/10821.html (pretty good site for full size jpeg samples).
 
i have the nikon 18-200mm and have used the tamron 18-270mm which is great, about the same focus speed and the vc is better than the vr on the nikon,
but then i found the shake reduction better on my pentax k200d and 18-200mm at 200mm than i did my d300 and nikon 18-200mm at 200mm at slower shutter speeds.
as for image quality there is nothing in it, the only downside to tamron lenses is they suffer form purple fringing(easily removed)
(this is all my views)
hope it helps.
 
ERU said:
If anyone sees hears of a cheap one please give me a shout.
Click to expand...

There is a Sigma 18-200mm non OS for sale HERE not sure if the member is willing to split now, but originally he wanted £130 for the lens on it's own, maybe worth dropping him a pm :)
 
ERU said:
I've found a few other lens to keep an eye out for. Anyone got any comments on these?


Sigma DC 3,5-6,3/18-200 OS HSM for Nikon for £294.76 ish RRP.


Nikon R715 (AF-S DX 18-105G VR) for £216.90 ish RRP
Click to expand...


Look at the classifieds here ;)

Just browsing a camera mag here and in Jan 2010 they gave the Sigma 18-250 OS (/VR) a great review.

I'd still go for the Nikon though, it gives you so much for the money - buy one second hand and if you ever come to sell it on you won't lose money, which is nice...
 
I have the Sigma 18-200mm OS. I have access to a Nikon 18-200mm at work and I have compared them remorselessly. Maybe I have to improve my Pixel-peeping skills but I really can't see a difference (except that the Sigma comes up a bit short). The Sigma build feels better than the Nikon. The handling is better - NB the reverse action on the zoom.

The big difference is the £300 extra for the Nikon for that extra 1/2 stop - is it worth it?

I've just bought a Nikon 18-105mm on here and will see how that compares to my Sigma. Who knows, the Sigma may be for sale soon!:) And they tend to go for a reasonable price.
 
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