1st lens/What to do? Quandry.....

N

New d90 owner

New member
Topic: G type 18-55mm Nikkor or Tamron f/2.8...Which one would you (or do) use?

Here's the lens this post is about:

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Nikon Digital CamerasZoom Super Wide Angle With Built-In Motor. Mfr# AF016NII-700 Current cost is about $450 USD on average.

The D90 is my first DLSR ever & brand new to me.... a huge jump up to what I did have & need sage advice please. I need to make a prompt, educated and informed decision & finalize on a suitable lens. This is my first post here.

Should I upgrade/upscale from the rather pedestran and basic/cheapAF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm 1-3.5-5.6G VR DX lens to the Tamron as given above? Yes, the Tamron has no IS but from reading around the net it seems to offer a sharp picture at a reasonable price if you get a good copy. I was told the Nikor G types are not all that great.

What would you do in my position and who wants to do it right the first time without going overboard in terms of cost? How easy is it to blur and shake the picture with this lens seeing that it has no image stabilization built in?

Love to hear from this forum especially owners of the above lens so I can get suggestions and recommendations in regards to how to proceed. Experiences welcomed.

The cons given by users from reading around seem to be considerable which I won't list here. Most of them seems to be door to getting bad copies..ones that got by Tamrons QC/QA checks.

Look forward to hearing from you as I need to make a decision fast so a return-swap can be made if necessary.

Thanks in advance!
 
If you are using it for video. Get manual focus primes. You will save lots of money, be able to get 1.2-1.8 apertures, and have some control over your aperture.

You would also be able to get 3-4 manual focus primes for that price, with no video-quality difference.
If anything it would mostly be better since you'de have more control and less noise.
 
Since I'm so new to the DSLR world, please would you care to offer some examples that I should seriously consider as manual primes?

Thanks. Looking to become as educated as possible and don't want to unnecessarily waste $.
 
I think the Nikon 18-55 af vr lens is awesome for the price. I bought mine off of ebay (a nikon demo) for $120. I feel its sharper than the kit 18-105 - which I sold on ebay for $250. I would also get the nikon 55-200 af vr. These are great "walk around" lenses. Both great for still photography and general easy video - kids, bday parties etc.

For serious video I use primes only. You need the aperature control and they are much sharper and faster. I have a 50mm 1.8 Af, a 28mm 2.8 Af, and a 50mm 1.8 series E (gives me a different look from the other 50).

You can go with total manual lenses and get them cheap off of ebay but I like being able to use the autofocus (if I'm shooting wide open) outside in the sunlight or inside in low light situations - its a b i t c h to focus that lcd in bad light. The 50mm Af was only $125 and the 28mm af was only $150.

Hope this helps!
 
The real question is - what are you going to be using the camera for?!

Fixed or prime lenses typically have lower f stops and because they have fixed focal lengths (less pieces of glass are changing relationship to each other), they tend to be more precise optically, though I'm really not sure this matters that much for 720p video images. The lower f-stops do, however, make a difference, as does the more straightforward repeatability of a shot you have taken using a fixed lens.

You want to have a nice spread of focal lengths - a 24mm or 28mm, a 35mm or 50mm, and a 100mm or 150mm. That gives you a good range.

Specifically:
The 50mm f1.8 Nikkor is an incredible bargain. It's the first lens I bought. It's bright and it's razor-sharp. It'll give you a very short telephoto on your D90. The 24mm f2.8 is also a great bargain. If you can get one (and I note that siskelsghost mentioned the series), pick up a Nikon Series E 100mm. This is another bargain.

You will still be able to produce nice images and learn a lot if you picked up a zoom lens.

Buy lenses new (no problem with the 50mm, 24mm) or from a source you trust. If the lens elements are not aligned or the barrel is distorted or there is a deep scratch, you will need a specialist to repair it!

Edit -

This guy
http://www.kenrockwell.com/
has reviewed many, many Nikkor and Nikon lenses. It's worth browsing the reviews if you have the time.
 
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damon is right on, except that I think Ken Rockwell is off his rocker half the time, and often fail to agree with his assessments.
 
Ken is right sometimes. I bought a Canon point and shoot. He said the best he every used. It is a great little camera.
 
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