Can Someone explain in 'beginner terms' the difference between these nikon digital lenses?

Question

I'd like to know specifically what each one is better for and why/how its different than the other lenses. Also, if any type of these lenses doesn't work with a nikon d80 body, please tell me and which ones it does work with, if more than one. And since there are so many variations within in these broad categories if you have a fav I'd like to know and also, since each lens in these broad categories has their own individual differences please tell me those and they all have numbers like 18-200 or TC-201 what do they refer to? what is a higher number as opposed to a lower one? what would the difference be between 18-200 and 200-18? what do the placement of the numbers refer to? Which ones take bigger pictures or wider pictures or clearer pictures or have more pixels or brighter colors or better color and general picture definition? Thanks so much! I'd really appreciate it if all my individual Q's were answered. I'll defintely pick you as best answer for being helpful with all of them!!!

these are he general categories of lenses I'd like to know about:

***Wide-Angle Lenses

14mm f/2.8D ED AF Nikkor
16mm f/2.8D AF Fisheye-Nikkor
18mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
20mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
28mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
35mm f/2D AF Nikkor


***Standard & Telephoto Lenses

50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor
50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor
85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor
85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor
105mm f/2D AF DC-Nikkor
135mm f/2D AF DC-Nikkor
180mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Nikkor


***Super Telephoto Lenses

300mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S Nikkor
400mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II Nikkor
500mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II Nikkor
600mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II Nikkor


***Wide-Angle Zoom Lenses

17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF AF Zoom-Nikkor


***Standard Zoom Lenses

24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Zoom-Nikkor
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor
28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D AF Zoom-Nikkor
28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF Zoom-Nikkor
35-70mm f/2.8D AF

Answer 1

Your D80 is a great camera and will work the with vast majority of Nikon lenses, current and from the past.

An 18-200mm lens (I have one and love it) is a zoom lens that covers the viewpoints of a 18mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, 105mm, 135mm, and 200mm all in one lens body. Instead of changing lenses, all you need to do is twist a ring and the lens changes from one range to another. That particular lens also has the VR (Vibration Reduction) feature that steadies the camera & lens, allowing you to take pictures that might be ruined by camera/photographer movement.

A TC-201 is an adaptor that Nikon makes. It fits between a lens and the camera body, effectively doubling the focal length of that lens. A 50mm becomes a 100mm. An 18-200mm becomes a 36-400mm.

There is no such thing as a 200-18 as the norm is to refer to zoom lenses with the smaller focal length first. (eg: 18-200mm, 70-300mm, 24-85mm)

All will take the same size pictures, but the larger the focal length (200, 300, etc) the closer you will get to your subject. The lower the focal length (24, 18, etc) the wider view you will get.

Picture brightness is based on many settings, but cameras with apertures of f/2.8 or smaller numbers will pass more light through to the camera sensor. In any case, the internal camera meter can usually make adjustments for most lighting situations.

My personal favorites? I love my 18-200mm VR and plan to get a 70-300mm VR next. My 18-70mm is a nicely made 'kit lens' and is very compact. I have a Sigma 28-300mm that covers a nice wide range and use that often as well.

I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask, if you have any more questions. I currently have several Nikon film and digital SLR bodies and the following Nikkor lenses:

50mm 2.0
24-85mm
24-80mm
35-80mm
18-200mm
70-300mm
75-300mm

I've also got a collection of 3rd party lenses, but you were asking about the Nikon ones.

Here's a great article to read with links to information about many different lenses.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm#digital

And here are handson reviews about most recent Nikon lenses.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm

Answer 2

Since you are talking some serious money, it would be best to study the basics first. Start here first http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Optical/
and then you will be able to read the Nikon brochure and understand the specs about their lenses.

Then I would look at specific conparison reviews before getting each lens. Each lens has a different 'flavor' and you want to make sure you get the right one for you.

Answer 3

ummmmmm.........check the following site

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/best-digital-slr-lens.html

it's very easy and helpful .... one hour there and u 'll answer ur question

regards