Which of these 3 walkabout lenses to buy?

beercan

beercan

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Steve
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Hi all,
In advance of my holiday next weekend, I want to get a walkabout lens for my D90 (no mega zoom needed). I don't want to carry multiple lenses. I cannot decide on which of these to get...

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di IF II Macro
£99

Tamron 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Di II Lens
£134

Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
£144

I see the Nikon has VR, but a much shorter range. I certainly don't think I need over 200 but I read the 18-250 was better than the 18-200 so included it here for consideration.

Any thoughts please?
 
If I was you, get a used Nikon 18-70mm, brilliant quality and you can get them for around £70. Really sharp and has a good focal range.
 
Not sure exactly where you are but you could see what Mifsuds have in their cabinets at the moment and possibly save a few quid... (Then again, a visit there always seems to cost more in the end!!!)
 
My vote would be the nikon 18-105. It has much better glass quality than the other two and the image stabilisation is much better in comparison to the Tamrons.
 
I have the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di IF II

I bought mainly for travelling when I need to keep things light, the lens does not produce perfect images but at budget price and compared to some of the high end nikon lenses the image quality is actually very good.

It does suffer with lens creep and the lens hood is a joke but at budget prices this is a very good lens.

Have you looked at a used SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS N/AF HSM
 
I'd also vote for the Nikon 18-105 - it's a cracking lens and cheap as chips too. Designed to go with the D90 too so balances very well.

I've had both the 18-105 and the 18-70 and I would probably take the 18-105 as the extra reach is handy and VR is very useful.

I wouldn't buy a cheap Tamron mega-zoom - too many compromises.
 
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Thanks guys. I think it'll be the 18-105. Would you pay £150 used in good condition, or £200 new (split from kit at my local store)?
 
beercan said:
Thanks guys. I think it'll be the 18-105. Would you pay £150 used in good condition, or £200 new (split from kit at my local store)?
Click to expand...

For a difference of £50 you would be better buying new, however if you are in no rush and have the time to look around and wait, the 18-105mm can be had second hand for far less than £150, I managed to get a mint example boxed with everything for £100, cracking little lens for the money and far better than most "kit" lenses.
 
Sadly I must have it with me by Friday at the latest. I had a bit of spare cash that I wasn't expecting in advance of the holiday.
I'm tempted to rent something and wait for a good example, as you suggest.

EDIT: Although, having been looking around at various reviews I'm sorely tempted to splash out £290 on a used Nikon 18-200 with VR...
 
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Have a look at the nikon 18-135mm. It light and reasonably cheap and to be honest its one of the sharpest lenses I own, often think of selling it but then I use it and realise just how bl**dy good it is.

Andy
 
Thanks. So much choice, and price creep becomes a major factor every time I look at another lens!
 
The 18-135 is nice but it suffers from poor CA performance (not necessarily an issue if you shoot JPG as the D90 auto-corrects it in JPG) and also doesn't have VR and if you're going for a lens without VR then the 18-70 is far better.
 
Following a visit to my local independent camera store I picked up a Tamron 18-270 F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD.
A little more length than I had expected to buy (but the wife says a little extra length makes all the difference!)...

I had a look at the Nikon 18-105 VR (I was concerned it wasn't long enough) and also a used 18-200VR MK2 which they wanted £500 for, but it was well used, so definitely not worth buying.

We took the dog out on the Common today so I had the opportinuty to give it a good test.
The VR really does make all the difference and came to good use. We found a Labrador that had lost its owners but was very timid and wouldn't let me near it to put our Lab's lead on it.
I was at 270mm and shot its tag with VR on and it was clear enough to read the details on my D90's screen. A phone call later and dog was reunited with owner, so big plus all round!

Thanks for all your help with the advice guys!
 
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