Lens for Nikon D80 -- if money's an object, which general purpose lens with decent ZOOM to get?

Answer 1

Definitely some great lenses, but if you ever have to do any lower light shooting, e.g. indoor/night sports, then a faster lens is well worth the investment. As always, there are some compromises to consider.

While the focal range of the 18-200 is great, the maximum aperture varies from f/3.5-5.6. The Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 is a fast lens that will get you a 4x shutter speed setting at 200 mm vs. the 18-200 mm lens at 200 mm f/5.6. Even at 100 mm, the 80-200 f/2.8 is still a full f/stop faster, i.e. 2x shutter speed.

From my experience as a sports photographer, the fastest that I could shoot indoors or under the lights at ISO 3200 (which the D80 is capable of) was 1/125 at f/4.0. Any slower is a waste of film/flash memory, and ISO 3200 is really "out there" when it comes to pushing your sensitivity. At f/2.8, ISO 1600 will get you the same 1/125 shutter speed, or 1/250 at ISO 3200. If you ever shoot any gymnastics, 1/250 is the minimum that you can get away with. The 80-200 f/2.8 usually runs a little less expensive and they are easier to find.

Another to consider is the Nikkor 35-70 f/2.8 or the Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4.0. Both of these sell in the mid $300 range, and are light weight. Also the difference between 18 mm and 24 mm is very small. The widest lens I ever used was a 28 mm, and had no problems getting everything in the photo at close range.

I must also mention that I dislike using a flash, and prefer ambient light whenever possible. At any distance over a few feet, the flash takes too long to recycle if you need to shoot rapidly, subjects can wash out, you get the "walking in outer space effect" (subject well lit, but everything else very dark and hard to distinguish), and at the great majority of indoor sporting events, and many night time outdoor, the use of a flash anywhere near the action is forbidden because it hinders the athlete's sight.

Of course, your decision should be based on your needs and preferences as a photographer. You might not ever need the extra speed, or you might appreciate having the lens that enabled you to get that one fantastic shot everyone else missed because their lens was too slow.

Answer 2

Since money is an object, grab a used 18-55 and a used 70-300 and roll with that until you can afford something nicer. The 18-55 is one of the standard Nikon kit lenses, so it is easy to find them cheap. The current entry level 70-300 is affordable even new and it is not too bad, I swapped one today because I had no use for it.

This is of course assuming you already purchased the D80. If you haven't, you may consider grabbing a D50 and then you can probably afford the 18-200 VR.

Answer 3

I absolutely agree with the pony lover. I own all three lenses and, in fact, I only own one more lens for my "stable" of Nikon DSLR's, and that's a macro lens. The Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens is decent as a light-weight, all around lens, but you might not feel the zoom quite makes it for you. It's the lens I recommend to people so they can avoid the kit lens. The 17-55 f/2.8 fixed aperture is the nicest lens I ever owned, but - again - the zoom is not that impressive if you are looking for a lot of reach. It's great for indoor functions, because there is virtually zero distortion at any focal length and any subject distance.

The one we both recommend for you is the fabulous 18-200 VR zoom. You know the one. It's $1,200, if you can find it. The Vibration Reduction is for real. You can go for days without ever changing lenses unless you have some specialty work to be done if you have this lens.

Vote for OMG, as he was here with the information first, but buy this lens and you will never regret it.

Answer 4

The Nikon 18-70mm for about $300. (If money were NO object, the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8, for about $1200.)
If you need an all-in-one lens, get the Nikon 18-200, for about $800.
These prices shouldn't scare you. The D80 is an excellent 10 mega-pixel camera - it demands quality lenses!

Answer 5

gentle and small lenses could be the 18-fifty 5 or 35 and 50 mm primes, all interior the $a hundred to $2 hundred selection. The 18-one hundred and five would be reasonably hefty (supply it attempt at a photograph keep). you will desire to have stored the 18-2 hundred for those situations once you prefer the better attain and gathered the 18-fifty 5, or between the primes, for a mild weight/compact configuration.

Answer 6

There are hundreds of lenses for sale right now on Ebay. Go browse their camera category and put in Nikon Lenses