Ditch my Nikon 18-200mm for new 16-85mm?...

[slick316]

I got my 18-200mm VR a few months back and love it. Its a great lens with great versatility. But I am still a novice, and at the time of purchase, I thought the lens would suit me well in discovering my shooting tendencies.

What I have noticed is that I rarely shoot above 85mm (mainly 18-50mm). I don't shoot specifics, just whatever. All I want to do is learn how to shoot so I am not taking junk pictures all my life. One day I went out, took 400 pics, all outdoor (park, downtown, industrial area), and noticed all my pics were shot at 50mm or wider.

Add to the fact that the 18-200mm on my D80 adds weight, it doesn't seem to be the best combo for everyday shooting.

I am having fun with my 50mm 1.8 prime, and was thinking about getting a 20mm and 85mm, but then I saw the 16-85mm. 16mm is relatively wide and I do take wide angle photos, and 85mm is probably more telephoto than I need.

So my question, should I sell my 18-200mm and get the 16-85mm? Or, given what I just wrote, what is possibly a better alternative? Not looking to spend more than what I would get for my 18-200mm.

Just looking for an opinion or voice of reason here

 

[deep diver]

keep the 18-200

Learning how to shoot means you have to make choices that take you beyond what you are already doing. Keep the 18-200 and use it above 50. Pay attention to composition, color, form, perspective, etc. Choose different subjects to shoot. Also, shooting too much can impede your learning. Don't shoot everything. When you go out, limit yourself (like we used to have to do with film) and shoot for quality technique rather than volume. The camera does not make the photographer. The photographer makes the camera.

 

[Doylem]

IMO, developing an 'eye' for a photo, and discovering your "shooting tendencies", means shooting pix rather than getting too hung-up on equipment. Find what really interests you, photographically. So I'd stick with what you've got and learn how to use it, especially since you say you love the lens.

 

[ChrisA]

The way to tell if you need a 16mm lens is if many of your shots are right up on the stops at 18mm. But if you seem to be shooting at 24mm and 50mm and so on and you are not even using 18mm then you don't need 16. So look at your collection of photos.

The 16-85 is still only an f/5.6 lens. I don't know that you gain a lot trading one f/5.6 lens for another.

THis does go to show what I keep telling people, that all beginners think they need a long 200mm or 300mm lens but most people find that don't as 200mm is to long for all but specialty subjects.

 

[Abstract]

The 16-85 mm isn't really much better or worse than the 18-200 mm, so I don't see why you need to switch. You have a lens with greater range, and possibilities if you DO need the range one day. In fact, I don't see why the 16-85 mm VR lens is on the market other than to be part of a kit lens package for a mid-level camera.

To add to this, I reaaaaally don't see why rumours abound that Nikon is going to release an 18-105 mm DX VR lens. Why bother?

 

[JKitterman]

Keep your current lens. It offers a great range of focal length. It is considered a very good walk around lens for all occasions.

 

[slick316]

You guys are right, sometimes I just need smart, reasonable people to tell me I'm being a fool and knock some sense into me.

18-200mm is staying. If it doesn't rain today, I think I will go out and shoot something (sounds like I am about to commit a crime).

Thanks for the help guys, always appreciated.

 

[OreoCookie]

Don't waste your money and get yourself a real upgrade, e. g. the 16-50 f/2.8 by Tokina or so. The wider aperture more than makes up for the VR.

 

[jag0009]

Not worth $600...

 

[wgilles]

I'd keep the lens, I wish I had it! Always better to have that extra zoom power if you need it.

 

[telf22]

If you were choosing your first lense, i'd say to chose the 16-85m. However, since you already have the 18-200 keep it even though it performs just a little under the 16-85.

 

[theSeaHawk]

If it doesn't rain today, I think I will go out and shoot something ...

Keeping in mind that there are many many great photos to be taken when it rains.

 

[NEiMac]

I agree with everyone else, keep that lens way to useful to not have it. I have found that a good way to learn your camera is to put it in M mode, at least with me it tend to slow me down and make me think about stuff more.