what lens to buy for D80???

[numbercharm]

Im planning to buy my next purchase.....but i dont know what lens to buy....im currently just have the 18-55mm lens.

Im interested in taking pictures w/o being notice by my subject.

I also love shooting with wider angles and want to emphasize my subject with the wholeness of the back ground.


What lens would you suggest...BTW i just got limited budget......so i would go for less expensive lens hehehehehe (so pls kindly provide the average price of the lens) .....im also considering third party lenses ...your suggestion will be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.

 

[numbersyx]

Try the 18-200 mm VR lens. Good all round lens with great picture quality...

 

[rogersmj]

I disagree. The 18-200mm is $600-something. For just a little more than that, $650-$750 used, a little over $800 new, you can get the 80-200mm f/2.8 D. That's a fast, professional lens that will work great in mediocre lighting conditions. It's much sharper than the 18-200mm and can maintain a constant f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, unlike the 18-200mm which gets quite slow toward the end. So if you can afford the 18-200mm, you should consider the 80-200mm instead.

If that's too much for you to spend, then probably your best bet is either the previous-gen 70-300mm f/4-5.6 for about $150 (the newer VR version is about $450) or the 55-200mm VR for about $200. I have the latter, it's a decent lens, just slow. I'm jonesing for the 80-200mm f/2.8 myself.

 

[Cliff3]

I would look to the used market if funds are limited. Out of curiosity I searched Ebay constraining the search on Nikon lenses, f2.8 or faster, used or refurb, wide, telephoto or zoom and under $500 to see what came up. 120 lenses came back in the results including a couple of 20mm f2.8 AF-Ds, a fisheye or two, 80-200 f2.8 AF-Ds, 85 f1.8 AF-Ds, 180 f2.8 AF-Ds, 105 f2.8 AF-D Micros, 60 f2.8 AF-S Micros, 35-70 f2.8 AF-D zooms, and a few 17-55 f2.8 AF-S zooms (these last will probably be bid up over $500 before they close).

I bought my 80-200 f2.8 AF-S and 300 f4 AF-S in the used market - it's a great way to get great glass for less money.

 

[CTYankee]

a 50mm 1.8 is a must in any camera bag. At less than $100 it is easy to afford, will produce great quality, and the fixed focal length will teach you a great deal about composition and being creative.

 

[rogersmj]

a 50mm 1.8 is a must in any camera bag. At less than $100 it is easy to afford, will produce great quality, and the fixed focal length will teach you a great deal about composition and being creative.

The 50 is great for close and medium-close people shots, but if you read his post ("w/o being noticed by my subject") it sounds like he plans on being some distance from people when he's shooting them. As all good snipers do.