Because I love DSLR threads

[ColleenSwerb]

So like 6 weeks ago, I found out I was gonna get a DSLR. Then Jordan and I death fought over Canon vs Nikon. Then he relented and said I could get whatever I wanted, but since the XSi was supposed to be coming out soon, I said I would wait and check it out.

Well the camera stores can't kep the XSi in stock! I've called every thursday (when the shipments come in) for teh past 6 weeks, and they never have it. Apparently so many people preordered it and are bum rushing the store, that they are gone within hours of getting them in. People have even been buying the display models.

So. I'm getting the D80. I need it (ie I REALLY WANT IT) for my brother's college graduation in 2 weeks. Now the only problem is deciding on what lenses!! HELP!

I know I'm getting the 50mm f1.8, no if's an's or but's.
But, do I get teh 55-200mm AF VR? Get the kit lens or skip it? What about an 18-200mm and then skipping the kit lens??

Help me out girls!!

 

[Joan]

I've read a ton about the 18-200VR, and it is supposed to be sah-weet!

 

[ColleenSwerb]

Amazon has it onsale for $678 right now!! 25% off!! SO tempting. Plus then I wouldn't need the kit lens. And I wouldn't need to switch between an 18-55 and a 55-200.....

 

[Angela Spangler]

I say skip the kit lens. They're usually not really great, and I hardly ever use mine.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

I say skip the kit lens. They're usually not really great, and I hardly ever use mine.

I've heard a lot of ppl say that. I'm just worried I'll miss shots if I don't have something to cover the 18-55 range. Do you think I will? Or should I just get the 50mm and the 55-200?

 

[Joan]

Oh, yeah, and meant to say def skip the kit lens.

 

[Angela Spangler]

Eventually you might want to get something to cover those focal lengths, but honestly, I rarely use anything but my 50mm. But then you have the option of getting a lens that's better quality than the kit lens.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

Then maybe I'll just get the 50mm and the 55-200 and save for a different lens down the road.

Thanks Angela

 

[Shawna]

I don't really have anything to add since I'm a Canon girl & know nothing about Nikon lenses but I wanted to say YAY for you that you're finally getting your DSLR!!! Woohoo!!

 

[DawnMarch]

yeah, I say skip the kit lens. I never take my 50 mm off, and if I do, it's only to use a long zoom.

 

[Joan]

Honestly, those are really good starting points, and you can never have too many lenses so saving for another one down the road is ultimately a good thing in my books! :thumbup:

Having a good 50mm is wonderful. There is a school of thought in photography, and it's one I strongly agree with, that if you want to become a really good photographer, pick one prime lens (i.e. one that's not a zoom) and use only that lens for a year. Force yourself to see everything through that perspective and find a way to make shots work with it. You'd be amazed at how good it is for you. Now, I do find it more difficult to adhere to this for spontaneous candid people photography, and have accepted that using a zoom with a versatile range in those situations is okay. However, when I'm gettin' artsy and really trying to work on my skills, I'm all about the prime lenses. My greatest love is wide angle, and I heart my old manual 20mm Nikkor. It's one thing I hate about my DSLR, that I lose so much at the wide end of my lens range.

 

[my3hens]

Congrats on the new camera!! Ditto on being a canon girl but omg having a dslr makes a world of difference!

 

[mrs_jb]

Oh Col I was just coming to tell you I got a new lens! I got a Tamron 28-75 mm. It came highly recommended and I love it so far. I have this baby in my B&H wish list.

 

[trudem]

I second the Tamron 28-75 lens! But have to say the nifty fifty won't let you down - I actually have the f/1.4 version, and ordered that at first (for my Canon XTi) instead of the kit lens and am hugely pleased with it! I ordered the Tamron zoom a few months later and as a devoted amateur, I really haven't felt the need thus far for any other lenses...except maybe a wide-angle. But as it stands I really feel covered! Plus carrying any more than one spare lens can really start to drag you down. My parents got the Nikon D40 and the kit lens, as compared to my lenses, feels really flimsy, and you can see the difference in the shots.

 

[Kat Stokes]

Okay, stupid question here... what exactly is the "kit lens" that comes with the D80?

Mine came with a Nikkor 28-80 1:3.3-5.6 which is on my camera *most* of the time and Nikkor 70-300 1:4-5.6 which I use for long distances and sports shots.

What exactly is the 50mm lens? Is it a fixed lens (i.e. no zoom)?

 

[mrs_jb]

Okay, stupid question here... what exactly is the "kit lens" that comes with the D80?

Mine came with a Nikkor 28-80 1:3.3-5.6 which is on my camera *most* of the time and Nikkor 70-300 1:4-5.6 which I use for long distances and sports shots.

What exactly is the 50mm lens? Is it a fixed lens (i.e. no zoom)?

My Canon Rebel kit lens is a 15-50 mm and I've just never been happy with the aperture with it.

You 28-80 sounds like the new Tamron I just bought, which I've heard many people say is all they use.

The 50 mm is a prime lens (fixed/no zoom). I LOVE it for portrait or artsy stuff!

 

[ColleenSwerb]

TOO MANY OPTIONS!!! Lol!!

You ladies are killing me

The Tamron huh......I didn't look into those. I was just looking at the Nikkor lenses. But I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna get the 50mm and the 55-200mm to start out.

 

[LivelyLaura]

I have the 18-135 on mine and I never take it off! I am getting a 50mm 1.8 for myself one of these days, but I really can't live without my zoom!

 

[juliemarie]

I hate to confuse you even more... but I have the nikon 55-200 VR. Its fine for outside or sneaking pics across the room of my 2 year old indoors, but if she's near me, 55mm is too zoomed in for me. I have a tamron 17-50mm 2.8 that I love, however I am getting tired of changing lenses, and am thinking about buying an 18-200.

BTW, congrats on the D80 - thats what I have and I love it!

 

[ColleenSwerb]

Now, what's the difference between a Tamron lens, and a Nikkor lens. Other than price, lol.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

No that's ok Julie! I need to know all the info.

I think I'll go to Ritz tomorrow, and see if they can put on different lenses so I can see where the 50mm puts me and whatnot.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

Now, what's the difference between a Tamron lens, and a Nikkor lens. Other than price, lol.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller.....bueller.....

 

[LeeAndra]

I use a Canon and have a Tamron lens. Maybe Canon and Tamron go together and Nikon and Nikkor go together?!

[I really don't know, but I felt bad leavin' you hangin' in the wind like a sheet on the line.]

 

[ColleenSwerb]

I think Tamron, Sigma, etc are "after market lenses". The guy at the camera store wasn't all about them. But I could be totally confused on that too.

Can anyone correct me on that?
I think tomorrow afternoon wil be spent at a Ritz store messing around, lol.

 

[juliemarie]

Tamron makes lenses, so does Sigma. But neither makes cameras.
Canon makes cameras & lenses. Nikon makes cameras & lenses (which they call nikkor).

I suppose it would be like having a hoover vacuum and having the choice to buy an expensive hoover bag, or buying a cheaper generic bag.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

That's what I thought Julie Marie, thanks

Cheaper doesn't always mean worse. I thinkI'll check out the tamron's at the store and see for myself

 

[juliemarie]

That's what I thought Julie Marie, thanks

Cheaper doesn't always mean worse. I thinkI'll check out the tamron's at the store and see for myself

Some of the professionals may strictly stick with nikon & cannon lenses, but I think for most of us here the money savings outweighs a tad better lens.

 

[ColleenSwerb]

I totally agree. I'm an amateur, and if getting a tamron means I can save more money for a better lens down the road when I know what I'm doing better, I'm all for it.