Lense recommendation

GemGem

Hi everyone!

I am upgrading my D50 to a D90:clap . I have the 50mm 1.8 lense and would like to get another one.
I mostly shoot, people (babies, children, teens, and family). I borrowed the 18-200mm nikkor from a friend. I used it with my D50 and was not impressed. Didn't like the colors and it was slow. Of course, as it goes, I may not have been using it correctly. My friend and others' reviews rave about this lense.

Suggestions would be great! Thank you!
GG

ziggy53

GemGem wrote:

Hi everyone!

I am upgrading my D50 to a D90 . I have the 50mm 1.8 lense and would like to get another one.
I mostly shoot, people (babies, children, teens, and family). I borrowed the 18-200mm nikkor from a friend. I used it with my D50 and was not impressed. Didn't like the colors and it was slow. Of course, as it goes, I may not have been using it correctly. My friend and others' reviews rave about this lense.

Suggestions would be great! Thank you!
GG

I think your instincts and perceptions of the Nikkor 18-200mm, f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX are correct and while it is very convenient it is not a lens I would recommend for serious people photography.

The Nikkor 17-55 mm, f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S DX is a very high quality and flexible event lens and would be my first recommendation. A very good value lens is the Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF).

GemGem

ziggy53 wrote:

I think your instincts and perceptions of the Nikkor 18-200mm, f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX are correct and while it is very convenient it is not a lens I would recommend for serious people photography.

The Nikkor 17-55 mm, f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S DX is a very high quality and flexible event lens and would be my first recommendation. A very good value lens is the Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF).

.
Thank you ziggy53 for the recommendation, I will check that lense out

swintonphoto

I agree with Ziggy.

jrmyrnsm

ziggy53 wrote:

... A very good value lens is the Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF).

I agree! I have this lens and have loved it for portraits. The Nikon version will probably be better built, faster focus, etc. but for the money I've been really happy with my Tamron. Like Seymore said, the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 should also make a good portrait lens if you don't need the wide end so much and will save you ~100 over the 17-50mm. Most of the 2.8 wide(r) zooms are awesome for portraits so you should be good with any of the lenses mentioned above. Check them to see what falls in your budget and try them out if you can to see how YOU like them!

davidweaver

Do I dare Bump Ziggy on the Tamron.

Go get it. You'll love it. it's 1/3rd the price of the Nikon. I've shot thousands of published pics with it too. My editor even commented about the shots I've taken with it! Now the Nikon is 'weatherized' but for my money I'd rather sink 3 tamrons for each 17-55 Nikon. I also come from a mindset of underwater photography which is: It-will-get-flooded, you-will- have-to-toss-it cost-benefit analysis.:D

Cheers,
David (just paid nikon repair almost 300 bucks last month) Weaver

slrshooter

My most used Nikon lens is the 28-70mm f2.8. Have owned it for about four years and it has never disappointed me. Some shooters have said the colors of the new 24-70 are not as good as the 28-70 and actually went back to the older lens.

My other Nikon favorites are, in no order because of shooting situations:

70-200mm, 17-35mm, and my newest lens - the 300mm 2.8 VR.

My only non-Nikon lens, and which I like very much, is the Tokina 11-16mm.

Art Scott

I love the SIGMA 24-70 f2.8 ..... but long for a wider lens at times and I am looking at going with the 17-70 f2.8-4.5 ....... I have never had a "bad" copy of a Sigma lens.barb:ivar:ivarthumb

GemGem

Art Scott wrote:

I love the SIGMA 24-70 f2.8 ..... but long for a wider lens at times and I am looking at going with the 17-70 f2.8-4.5 ....... I have never had a "bad" copy of a Sigma lens.barb:ivar:ivarthumb

Thank you all for your suggestions and reviews on your lenses.. Today, i went to the store with one purpose in mind.. to check out the Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL.. they didn't have it so I asked to see the D80, the price was awesome!! sooooo. I came out with a new set of thoughts..

Should I get the D80 a Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL and compliment with my 50mm 1.8?
Or, should I get the D80, go totally different and the the 85mm 1.8 to compliment my 50mm 1.8?
or keep to my original plan. Upgrade to the D90, but get the SIGMA 24-70 f2.8(The D90 comes in a kit with 18-105mm VR Lens)

What do you all think about my rambling thoughts?

Thank You.

Scott_Quier

GemGem wrote:

Should I get the D80 a Tamron AF 17-50mm, F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL and compliment with my 50mm 1.8?
Or, should I get the D80, go totally different and the the 85mm 1.8 to compliment my 50mm 1.8?
or keep to my original plan. Upgrade to the D90, but get the SIGMA 24-70 f2.8(The D90 comes in a kit with 18-105mm VR Lens)

What do you all think about my rambling thoughts?

Thank You.

I'm not a Nikon shooter and my exposure to that breed is rather limited. However, I have a friend who shoots with a D80 and has the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D. I've used it and seen some of the results. The bokeh this lens delivers is absolutely STUNNING!! If you use and like primes, you will absolutely love this lens.

GemGem

Update
Hi everyone!!

I got the Tamron 28-75/2.8 SP XR DI LOVE IT!! it is great! very sharp pictures, the focus is pretty good.
The motor makes a little sound, but I think I am the only one who hears it; now that I think about it, I already got used to the sounds.. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!

GG