What is the best lens brand for a Nikon DSLR?

Question

I am interested to get a Nikon D80. There's Nikkor, Sigma, Nikon, etc. What is the best lens for it?
Help please!

I also want to ask if a Nikon D80 is a good buy. I currently own a Canon 350D (Digital XT) and am quite happy with it.

Answer 1

If you're happy with your XT, why are you buying a new camera? And if you want to upgrade, why not get a Canon 20D for $50 LESS than a Nikon D80 and save yourself the trouble/ cost of getting new lenses. Or stick with your 350D and invest in better Canon lenses. The D80 is a great camera - better than the 350D/ 400D - but I don't get it, and I'm a Nikon guy (D200) !
Anyway, if you do get a D80, Nikon lenses (aka Nikkor) are your best option, provided you don't get the cheapest ones you can find. Their $150 zooms are just as bad as the cheap stuff by Tamron/ Tokina/ Sigma. Sigma EX lenses, etc. are better than the cheap stuff, and Nikon's pro lenses are as good as Canon's L-lenses.
For a nice starter lens, consider the $310 Nikon 18-70mm. This is the lens that came as a kit with the Nikon D70s. The kit lens for the D80 is a Nikon 18-125mm zoom - it's the same price as the 18-70, but you pay for the extra zoom range in terms of optics & build quality. More expensive options are the $900 Nikon 18-200mm for an all-in-one lens, or the $1200 Nikon 17-55mm for a pro quality photojournalism type lens.

Answer 2

I agree with OMG word for word. While I prefer Nikon to Canon, I have nothing against Canon. If you like your XT, build a Canon system. If you have no lenses, then jump ship now before you get in too deep.

Follow OMG's recommendations for Nikon lenses if you do get a D80.