much need for nikon 18-55mm VR?

Soldato
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Hi,

Currently looking at getting a XX-200mm lens for my D60.

I'd love the Nikon 70-200mm AF-S f/2.8 VR IF-ED but at £1600 they are far too pricey for me.

That leaves the following 2 lenses:

Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G Dx VR Lens - £549
Nikon 55-200mm f/4.-5.6 AFS DX VR Lens - £229

The 18-200 is still a little too pricey but I have the 18-55mm VR Kit lens and was wondering if a) This lens will totally replace the kit lense and b) if it does, is there much of a market for kit lenses so I can sell it on and recoup some of the costs?
 
Not looked at the 70-300mm?
I'm in the same situation, been looking around, and my friend whos been into this for years said he'd get a 70-300 next.
I think the 18-200, would completely replace your 18-55, unless you wanted a smaller lens for some reason on the odd moment.
I'd look up some reviews of the 18-200 and the 55-200, and look into the sharpness of them, to make sure people are recommending them :)
 
Hi,

Currently looking at getting a XX-200mm lens for my D60.

I'd love the Nikon 70-200mm AF-S f/2.8 VR IF-ED but at £1600 they are far too pricey for me.

That leaves the following 2 lenses:

Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G Dx VR Lens - £549
Nikon 55-200mm f/4.-5.6 AFS DX VR Lens - £229

The 18-200 is still a little too pricey but I have the 18-55mm VR Kit lens and was wondering if a) This lens will totally replace the kit lense and b) if it does, is there much of a market for kit lenses so I can sell it on and recoup some of the costs?

The 18-55 + 55-200 will give better quality than the 18-200, And is significantly cheaper. The 18-55 wont fetch much 2nd hand, oyu are best keeping it for a lightweight cheap general walkabout lens you don't care about, even if you buy the 18-200.

The alternative to the 55-200 is the 70-300 VR, more expensive but better quality and more reach.
 
the xx-200 lens is to be used at weddings for candid shots of guest etc, I was worried something like xx-300mm would make me stand out a little more.

Thanks for the info, I am off to read the links you've posted :D
 
The 70-300 wouldn't be THAT big, the 70-200 VR lens is huge due to the 2.8 aperture but the 70-300 would be relatively compact. Go for that, it's one of the best of the budget-ish lenses.
 
The 70-300 wouldn't be THAT big, the 70-200 VR lens is huge due to the 2.8 aperture but the 70-300 would be relatively compact. Go for that, it's one of the best of the budget-ish lenses.

You know photography is an expensive hobby when a £400 lens is classed as "budget-ish" :D.

Ive been looking at this lens myself and also something to fill the 18-70 range. I'll probably sell my 18-135 kit lens and a 55-200 Nikon lens my dad got me and buy the 70-300 and something else.
 
all i'd add is that if you're doing low light shots (and i'm talking indoor shots without a flash in daylight here) a longer lens will require a faster shutter to avoid blur, and the faster shutter will require a larger aperture to keep the levels of light high enough.

So a 300mm whilst having more reach, if its a small aperture will require a slower shutter which may introduce shake.

I only mention as a thought and if i could justify it i'd be buying the fastest lens i could afford with "enough" reach
 
So a 300mm whilst having more reach, if its a small aperture will require a slower shutter which may introduce shake.

I only mention as a thought and if i could justify it i'd be buying the fastest lens i could afford with "enough" reach

It's 5.6 on the long end, just like the other lenses he's looking at, and reaches 5.6 at a later point than the other lenses he's looking at.
 
It's 5.6 on the long end, just like the other lenses he's looking at, and reaches 5.6 at a later point than the other lenses he's looking at.

both valid points (skim read the 1st post and saw f2.8 mentioned)
 
I am getting the 50mm 1.8 for the indoor shots, thinking of the 200mm for outdoor mostly with the occasional indoor shots.
 
Why not look at third party lenses? A friend of mine is doing photo-journalism down in London and highly recomends the sigma 70-200 f2.8 mkII.

At ~£650 new its VERY expensive and out of budget, but the results are worth it imo because its built VERY well and has the constant f2.8 from 70-200mm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twilton/

The 2nd and 3rd shots were both taken with it, and I really like the quality.

Its certainly right up there with my Canon 70-200 f2.8 L [Non IS]
 
I've had a few of the lens talked about, the 18-200mm was my first ever lens on my D200 and was great for what I wanted at the time which was a walk about lens as I was still learning. Then when I got my D300 I sold it and went for a 17-55mm f2.8 and a 70-300mm, the 70-300mm is a cracking lens for the money but I wanted some fast glass so sold it and went for a 80-200mm f2.8 which was very fast and sharp. Then I was offered a 70-200mm f.28 VR for a knock down price which was to hard to refuse so I moved my 80-200mm on. Since I moved onto my D3 I seem to be using primes more and use my feet for the zooming if that makes sence so this is also a option.

So I would say have a look at the 80-200mm AF you might get one for £450-500 if you look hard but Nikon glass has gone through the roof of late so there are not many bargains about.
 
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