Just bought A Nikon D50

Wile E. Coyote · 31 May 2006 at 11:09

As title thread, i've just bought a D50 with the kit lens and I am looking to get a different zoom lens. Was wondering which lenses other people use and what would be a good buy on a budget, was looking for a 50-200mm zoom lens.

Thanks in advance

jhmaeng · 31 May 2006 at 16:42

If you're not in a hurry, I believe that Nikon is working on a 70-300mm AF-S VR lens which should be a relatively cheap way of getting long reach with fast(-ish) focus and VR which can be very useful when the conditions don't necessarily allow for fast shutters.

Otherwise, something like the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 is pretty popular but I'm not sure whether the price of roughly £500 is near your budget or not.

Wile E. Coyote · 31 May 2006 at 18:35

Thanks for the reply, the nikon lens sounds interesting. £500 may be a bit much at the moment as im just starting to get into photography and am waiting to see if I have the talent

Joe T · 31 May 2006 at 20:00

For a budget, give the Sigma 70-300 APO a look (approx £180 or less).

themask70 · 31 May 2006 at 20:40

Yep, go for the Sigma. I hope you have fun with it

woodsy2k · 31 May 2006 at 21:25

I third the sigma. A mate here at uni has just bought a sigma 70-300 APO lens (for the D50 as well

), really nice.

SCM · 31 May 2006 at 23:40

Another for vote the 70-300mm APO DG Macro lens here, as got it for my Canon and reasonably good lens.

SCM

Wile E. Coyote · 1 Jun 2006 at 08:27

Well it looks like the sigma it is then, thanks guys.

Bit of a noob question but will this lens be compatable with the auto focus on the D50? Sorry for being a pain

jhmaeng · 1 Jun 2006 at 12:16

Wile E. Coyote said:
Well it looks like the sigma it is then, thanks guys.

Bit of a noob question but will this lens be compatable with the auto focus on the D50? Sorry for being a pain

Yes.

However, because it's a screw-driven lens, it's going to be fairly noisy, and fairly slow. You either need AF-S on the lens, or a very good focus module like the ones found on D2H/X for the silent/quiet and fast focus.

Wile E. Coyote · 1 Jun 2006 at 14:03

Many thanks for the help

wsurfa · 2 Jun 2006 at 00:30

good budget lenses include

50mm 1.8 nikon - a must have
28-75 tamron di
10-20 sigma
18-50 sigma
28-300 tamron (if you must have a one lens solution)
70-200 2.8 sigma - excellent - £500
50-500 sigma brilliant for sports/birding especially at the price £500