I have Nikon D60 & i love it, im still a beginner at photography but, i would like a new lense for my Camera currently have 18mm-55mm Standard VR Lens
im also going away in weeks time so thought i could get it to use on hoilday
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Trouble is i don't know which one to get
i like to take of:
pictures of Landscapes
Buildings
Screnery
macro's
I dont know what mm to get so just spec me one for my needs please
Budget:<£500
There is no single lens that will do all of those, indeed its hard to imagine 2 lenses that do all those things well.
For landscapes ideally something like a the new Nikon 10-24, or a cheaper brand UWA like the Tamron 10-24 or Sigma 10-20.
Architecture is tough, you want a lens wit no distortion, has a wide angle, and preferably has tilt-shift capabilities. You are looking at a 2K lens on a full frame body like D700. So to be realistic you have to except a lens without tilt-shift. The problem with the ultra-wide angles, and even the standard walk about lenses is the distortion is too high for architecture. There aren't many options here on a crop sensor. The prime lenses are generally best for distortion control, the 35 1.8 DX lens would be good but not wide enough for large buildings. Nikon really need to sell a 16mm 2.0 DX and even a 12 or 14mm DX lens.
You can comprise further by using a walkabout lens like a Tamron 17-50 2.8, but distortion will be high.
Scenery: This is the easy option. Something like the Nikon 16-85 VR gives exceptional sharpness and A control, just a little vignetting. Goes form wide to moderate telephoto with no major optical problems. Small, well built (lots of metal). The 16mm is a massive improvement over the 18mm of kit lenses. The only real problem the ens has is slow glass (generally close to 5.6 over much of the foal range). For scenry this doesn't matter at all though, the lens is sharp from 5.6 so does not need to be stopped down. And 5.6-f/11 are preferred apertures for scenery.
An alternative is the Tamron 17-50 2.8, ot so great for scenery since the the focal plane suffers form a stronger field curvature. The lenses selling point is the 2.8 glass which makes it great for low light or portraiture. Optically, it is pretty close to the Nikon 17-55.
Macro. This needs a dedicated macro lens Look at Sigma 70mm, or 150mm. Nikon 60mm, 105mm. Tamron 90mm To keep within budget extension tubes would save decent money.
