Any Suggestion on Lens for D90 ??

T

the_shadow_killer

Member
I am getting a Nikon D90 with kit lens 18-105mm VR.
Thinking for extension.
Which lens should i go. I am on to Photography and Small screen film making.

And also got a question is those lens compatible with D90? and somebody might know whats the Least Price for the Lens.

Sigma Lens 70-200mm D F2.8 Dg Hsm
ED AF Nikkor 70-300mm 4-5.6 D
 
If you want a great affordable 70-200, go with the Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 LD iF Macro. It is incredibly sharp, fast and has a great build quality with really nice bokeh, plus the macro capability. I have used this lens personally, and would argue that it is just as good as the Nikkor, and at only $700 it is way lighter on the wallet. It will be the next lens I purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228971294&sr=8-1
 
Andrew Brinkhaus said:
If you want a great affordable 70-200, go with the Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 LD iF Macro. It is incredibly sharp, fast and has a great build quality with really nice bokeh, plus the macro capability. I have used this lens personally, and would argue that it is just as good as the Nikkor, and at only $700 it is way lighter on the wallet. It will be the next lens I purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228971294&sr=8-1
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I've read that the Sigma has better manual focusing, and slightly better build quality.

Check out both in a camera store before you buy one. The sigma might be around 800 USD I think. But I would buy the Sigma before the Tamron, IMO, if I was going for a sharp zoom. DPreview compares all the major 70-200mm lenses.

But I would rather put my money into old primes first. Eventually though I'd like to get a new 70-200 though.
 
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Yeah, sigma is not as bad as some people say. I was thinking about the 70-200 but it's a full format lens. The D90 has a DX sensor, so you could get the 50-150 from sigma. It's smaller, lighter and also very good for the money. I wanted to get one soon.
 
Unless your doing landscapes only a 70-200 or 70-300 4.5-5.6 will suit your fine. IF you are not using a tripod VR is a must with the telephotos. It really does make that much of a difference. The Nikon 70-300VR is a GREAT lens that is inexpensive. Although the 200-300 range gives you great coverage it is a tad soft at any pictures that are going to be BLOWN up, otherwise you wont notice at all.

Now, if your shooting moving subjects (sports, some nature etc..) you should invest in a 2.8 telephoto. The ability to max the ISO is always my LAST resorts therefore I feel if I could using faster shutters without changing the ISO I always do. I hate relying on ISO and some will tell you that you can get away with a 4.5-5.6 with a high 3200 ISO and still use those fast shutters, I personally do not agree.

The best of the best is probably the 70-200 2.8 VR by Nikon. Its a pro lens. But for ppl who actually dont make their living in photography, like me, the Sigma and Tamrons that were mentioned make great choices. Just make sure you go with the 2.8 you wont regret it.
 
hey, i have a really old lens from back when i had a Nikon n6000 -

Nikon AF NIKKOR 35-80mm 1:4-5.6D

will this lens work on a D90? i'm sorry to ask what is probably obvious to you all, but i haven't had the chance to use a DSLR of any kind yet, and i'm thinking of getting the D90.

thanks...
 
If you really a want a zoom lens the vivitar series 1 lenses are very good and pretty cheap 2nd hand. You should be able to get a 70-210 for under $100.

Personally after comparing the image quality of zooms versus my nikon ai/ai-s primes I'm only shooting with primes now. You won't get a very shallow depth of field with a slow zoom.

If you buy an old lens make sure it is ai or ai-s. earlier lens don't fit and need to be converted or they can damage the mount.
 
squig said:
If you really a want a zoom lens the vivitar series 1 lenses are very good and pretty cheap 2nd hand. You should be able to get a 70-210 for under $100.

Personally after comparing the image quality of zooms versus my nikon ai/ai-s primes I'm only shooting with primes now. You won't get a very shallow depth of field with a slow zoom.

If you buy an old lens make sure it is ai or ai-s. earlier lens don't fit and need to be converted or they can damage the mount.
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well for video the primes are perfect...but I think the OP or someone asked about for photography as well and the older ai or ai-s lenses are a waste as they wont meter on the camera and unless you are very good metering yourself (takes patience) you need to go with the modern lenses....
 
I'm using my ai-s primes for stills.....the metering isn't an issue for me.....I just use live view or take a few test shots to get my exposure right.....but I'm not using it for professional work, just getting some really good quality shots of my kids and some art photography. I have my D90 setup for full manual shooting....I've never liked auto anything
 
squig said:
I'm using my ai-s primes for stills.....the metering isn't an issue for me.....I just use live view or take a few test shots to get my exposure right.....but I'm not using it for professional work, just getting some really good quality shots of my kids and some art photography. I have my D90 setup for full manual shooting....I've never liked auto anything
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i agree...the only time ill use auto is in P mode where it finds the exposure for me auto and auto-iso...otherwise I set everything on my own...But the newer lenses have many other pros than just auto-iso and auto-exposure.

Anyways more power to you....whats your favorite wide-angle? im in the market for a wide angle (maybe zoom) for my D90.....I like the tokina 11-16mm (impossible to get in the USA now) also the Sigma 10-20mm(last resort) or tokina 12-24mm....i have the 18-105 kit lens and a 50mm 1.4
 
NJ3118 said:
i agree...the only time ill use auto is in P mode where it finds the exposure for me auto and auto-iso...otherwise I set everything on my own...But the newer lenses have many other pros than just auto-iso and auto-exposure.

Anyways more power to you....whats your favorite wide-angle? im in the market for a wide angle (maybe zoom) for my D90.....I like the tokina 11-16mm (impossible to get in the USA now) also the Sigma 10-20mm(last resort) or tokina 12-24mm....i have the 18-105 kit lens and a 50mm 1.4
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so far my nikon 28mm f/2.8 is the best wide.....i have a sigma 18mm f/2.8 but it's really soft, i'm gonna sell it and get the arsat or a nikon 20mm f/2.8. from what i've read the nikon primes are sharper than the third party zooms with apertures wide open and my 28mm gives a better picture than my vivitar zoom @ 28mm, more contrast better color rendition and sharper.
 
squig said:
so far my nikon 28mm f/2.8 is the best wide.....i have a sigma 18mm f/2.8 but it's really soft, i'm gonna sell it and get the arsat or a nikon 20mm f/2.8. from what i've read the nikon primes are sharper than the third party zooms with apertures wide open and my 28mm gives a better picture than my vivitar zoom @ 28mm, more contrast better color rendition and sharper.
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hmm interesting, thank you for the info....Have you experienced any matrix metering issues with the ai-s lenses? Im thinking the 3D Matrix Metering on the D90 is a huge asset to have and not using it defeats the purpose of going digital....BUT then again I can buy a prime 3 lens kit (i have no issued switching lenses) for as much as one VR DX lens.....

Im going to test out the 28mm 2.8 at a local camera shop today they sell one used....i think im prob going to go after the 24mm 2.8 though because its 35mm on a DX sensor..although I would like to have a wider prime than 35mm (24mm on DX) I might mess around with the 24 or 28mm 2.8's and once I get better with manual metering step up to a 85mm 1.4 that heard is a great lens...
 
NJ3118 said:
whats your favorite wide-angle? im in the market for a wide angle (maybe zoom) for my D90.....I like the tokina 11-16mm (impossible to get in the USA now) also the Sigma 10-20mm(last resort) or tokina 12-24mm....i have the 18-105 kit lens and a 50mm 1.4
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Hey people, this might be my first post (can't remember).

Regarding wide angle primes, I plan on getting the fast aperture Sigma 20mm f/1.8 Macro or the 24mm version.

I decided to give up on the famed Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 due to its lack of a manual aperture ring (necessary for tricking the D90 into less noise, etc).

I have also considered the Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 (because it has a manual aperture ring).


Do you guys and girls find f/2.8 bright enough for indoor video of people?
 
Manual aperture ring...great, just because the camera doesn't allow manual settings, the whole lens roadmap goes down the drain? I don't think so. Tricking the D90 works without manual aperture on the lens. Just quit LV for 1-2 sec. and change the aperture, then switch LV back on.

The Tokina 11-16 ist a fine lens. I got it and I think that f2.8 is great for indoors!
 
I've shot indoors at night with the 28mm f/2.8, it was a bit noisy but usable. I like some noise anyway. I'm planning on upgrading to the 24 or 28mm f/2. The sigma 20mm f/1.8 is really fast but I've heard it's really soft wide open, I'd want to test one out first. I've heard good things about the Tokina 11-16mm but they've become hard to come by lately and cost a fortune. The Zenitar 16mm is a semi-fisheye on the D90 so you will get a distorted image. There is a vid on youtube showing this effect. I'm getting one myself to shoot a scene depicting people on acid.
 
NJ3118 said:
hmm interesting, thank you for the info....Have you experienced any matrix metering issues with the ai-s lenses? Im thinking the 3D Matrix Metering on the D90 is a huge asset to have and not using it defeats the purpose of going digital....BUT then again I can buy a prime 3 lens kit (i have no issued switching lenses) for as much as one VR DX lens.....

Im going to test out the 28mm 2.8 at a local camera shop today they sell one used....i think im prob going to go after the 24mm 2.8 though because its 35mm on a DX sensor..although I would like to have a wider prime than 35mm (24mm on DX) I might mess around with the 24 or 28mm 2.8's and once I get better with manual metering step up to a 85mm 1.4 that heard is a great lens...
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I haven't really taken any decent photo's since I had the use of a nikon FM2 and a few prime lenses many years ago. I'm really liking having the ability of using those lenses with full manual control plus the ability to see the results immediately. Taking a few test shots to get the exposure right makes metering unnecessary for me. It's a bit slow and tedious this way (just like setting exposure for video is) but I'm getting really good results and the D90's photographic abilities are a great addition to it's primary filmmaking use.
 
squig said:
I haven't really taken any decent photo's since I had the use of a nikon FM2 and a few prime lenses many years ago. I'm really liking having the ability of using those lenses with full manual control plus the ability to see the results immediately. Taking a few test shots to get the exposure right makes metering unnecessary for me. It's a bit slow and tedious this way (just like setting exposure for video is) but I'm getting really good results and the D90's photographic abilities are a great addition to it's primary filmmaking use.
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exactly...thanks for the info....just a quick lens update.....I swung by my local camera shop today after work and sitting on the counter was a used Sigma 70-200 2.8 (non-macro version). Someone had just traded it in earlier in the day for something.

Anyways, at this point my D90 was home so I asked if she could put this on a nikon body for me. She had a Nikon F100 laying around and hooked it up. The autofocus would not work on the lens/camera. She tried everything to get it to work and exhausted herself saying how it just worked a few hours ago when the lady dropped it off.

So being a sly fox I remembered reading that this happens alot with this lens and other sigmas and the only thing to correct it is either turn switch off/on the camera and or reattach the lens. I offered to purchase this lens at a discount given the fact the AF wasnt working and a few very minor scratches on the lens it self.

She offered $400. I immediately countered with $200 noting the non-working AF and scratches. She then countered $250 with a slight grimace knowing something isnt right and she might be letting a damn fine lens go for cheap.

So I said if you throw in a UV filter, soft lens case and front and rear caps Ill do $250. She said how about $200 and no caps or filters? I agreed. When I got home I was sweating because I figured the D90 wouldnt have this issue (as I read on dpreview) So I attached the lens and it worked perfectly. AF works fine and the scratches are so minor they make no impact on the picture.

Long story short I nabbed a killer lens for a great value.....
 
squig said:
The Zenitar 16mm is a semi-fisheye on the D90 so you will get a distorted image. There is a vid on youtube showing this effect. I'm getting one myself to shoot a scene depicting people on acid.
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Well with the D90 DX sensor 16mm is gonna look like 24mm. It won't be that distorted. For example here is a Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 on a D50 (DX sensor size):

188261431_5a4a0601c4.jpg



Here is an example of the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 wide open (using a DX sensor), with the photographer claiming its a a sharp lens. I guess I'll have to test drive the lens to make sure its not one of the soft ones.


2454530542_d121a79533.jpg


I'll probably go for the Sigma 24mm f/1.8. Here is a sample of it wide open on a DX sensor:

121447535_2a5905f735_o.jpg
 
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