Lens Recommendations for Nikon D50

ows4428 · January 20, 2006

My brother is pretty much set on getting a Nikon D50. This will be his first SLR so he doesn't have any lenses as of yet. He is just going to purchase the body and buy two lenses for it. I only shoot Canon so I don't know what lenses would be best for his interests. He shoots baseball (from the stands), an annual Yosemite trip, and everyday social stuff.

His budget is roughly $1,000 and he can get the D50 body for $532. So, what two lenses do you think would be best for his needs?

I appreciate all the suggestions.

Thanks!

brian

Crispin · January 21, 2006

Having bought my first SLR (D50) a few months back and not knowing to much (actually, anything) about lenses, I bought the Nikon 70-300 the day after I got the camera. Reason I bought it - it had bigger numbers than the kit 18-55

Bigger must be better.

Truth be told, it's a good, maybe ok, lens. I am sure it will not win any compititions but for the mean time, it's fine for me.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=207359&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Or he could buy the Nikon 600mm f4 which is going for around £6500 ($11700).

My dream lens...:):

Why buy body only if he has no lenses? The kit 18-55 is a decent starting point for someone without oddles of cash.

Andy · January 21, 2006

His first DSLR, have him buy the kit lens and then get familiar with the camera. The Nikon kit lens is quite fine.

Mitchell · January 23, 2006

The kit lens that comes with the D70 is superior to the D50 kit lens. It is 18-70mm and a great value. I would highly recommend this lens on a D50.

DanielB · January 23, 2006

Mitchell wrote:

The kit lens that comes with the D70 is superior to the D50 kit lens. It is 18-70mm and a great value. I would highly recommend this lens on a D50.

jump for the 18-70

its plenty of reach until he figures out how to use it...

Harryb · January 23, 2006

Hey Brian,

What kind of photography is your brother interested in. Does he need more than the kit lens?

NHBubba · January 23, 2006

The new 18-200 would interest me personally. A truely universal lens. It might be worth a look.. if your willing to wait until it is openly available and you can find some feedback on it.

ows4428 · January 23, 2006

Harryb wrote:

Hey Brian,

What kind of photography is your brother interested in. Does he need more than the kit lens?

Harry,

He shoots baseball and our family's sporting events. Plus he would shoot the occasional social gathering and whatnot.

He would like a short-range lens (kit lens or 50mm f1.8) and a telephoto to get close to the action on the sports stuff.

I just didn't know if the Nikon equivalent to the Canon f1.8 was the same in terms of price and quality.

And I didn't know whether he should go with an indy 70-300mm f4-5.6 or spring for the Nikkor.

Thanks for the help so far, guys.

brian

ScottMcLeod · January 23, 2006

ows4428 wrote:

Harry,

He shoots baseball and our family's sporting events. Plus he would shoot the occasional social gathering and whatnot.

He would like a short-range lens (kit lens or 50mm f1.8) and a telephoto to get close to the action on the sports stuff.

I just didn't know if the Nikon equivalent to the Canon f1.8 was the same in terms of price and quality.

And I didn't know whether he should go with an indy 70-300mm f4-5.6 or spring for the Nikkor.

Thanks for the help so far, guys.

brian

I agree with 99% of teh comments above. The kit lens is just fine, but if he could score an 18-70 instead of 18-55 with the D50, that'd be a sweet combo.

Thought about the 55-200?

zigzag · January 24, 2006

55-200 is like the 18-55, a kit lens for the D50. I'd recommend the 18-70 kit lens that comes with the D70 as well. This lens is much higher in quality than your typical 'kit' lens. He can buy one used at around $250, which leaves money for a 70-300 zoom to accomodate his zoom desires.

Edit: note that the Nikon 70-300 comes in two flavors: the "G" version is ~$100 and is of medium quality, while the "ED" version is ~$250 and is of better, but not great quality. You might seriously consider a Sigma zoom as well for that glass, but I have no real info on that lens.

I agree that the 18-200 VR II is a great 'walk around' lens that I've been considering for a travel lens. But at $750+, we've just blown this guy's budget out. The 18-70 is a perfect starter lens that is good enough to take serious photos once you learn.

Brian, you mentioned the 50 f/1.8. This lens is only $100, and is widely considered one of Nikon's best and sharpest lenses. I love mine.

Mitchell · January 24, 2006

Someone is selling a "mint" 18-70mm lens on FM for $230. You may want to look into this. I love mine on the D70. It never leaves that body.

ScottMcLeod · January 24, 2006

zigzag wrote:

Edit: note that the Nikon 70-300 comes in two flavors: the "G" version is ~$100 and is of medium quality, while the "ED" version is ~$250 and is of better, but not great quality. You might seriously consider a Sigma zoom as well for that glass, but I have no real info on that lens.

I've seen great sharp shots come from the 70-300 ED quality. (better colour, sharper, and less CA) I pretty much never sell the "G" version of the lens.

True that the 55-200 is more of a "kit" lens, but last time I checked, it wasn't too expensive, and for the price, it's a great lens.

MrBook2 · January 24, 2006

zigzag wrote:

Edit: note that the Nikon 70-300 comes in two flavors: the "G" version is ~$100 and is of medium quality, while the "ED" version is ~$250 and is of better, but not great quality. You might seriously consider a Sigma zoom as well for that glass, but I have no real info on that lens.

I have the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II, and it is an ok lens. It isn't super fast and it is a little bit soft at both ends, but not terrible for a less than $200 lens. It is neither fast nor razor sharp. I am thinking of selling mine to help fund the purchase of the Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens.

stephcha@nmsu.edu · January 24, 2006

i would recommend a D70 kit lens (18-70) depends where you get it at, but b/w 220 (ebay) to 300 (b&h) I would also highly recommend a nikon 50mm 1.8 they are 104.00 at B&h. You can not go wrong with a prime lens like that. SO SO SO SO sharp and so fast. At the start i would stay away from "all in one lenses with high apertures) so slow and not worth it (IMHO)

Is this person coming from a simple Point and SHoot? is that why they have their heart set on a D50? i ask this because of the SD memory slot....... the D70 or D70s is a great camera and not much more and uses the "pro standard" CF cards

steve

Lens Recommendations for Nikon D50

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