Next Logical Lens (Nikon DX)

[richardirv]

I am just looking for some advice on what lens I should be looking at next.

I currently have the Nikon D5100 with the following lenses.

18-55 VR
55-200 VR
35mm F1.8

I received a 55-300 VR for Christmas which I can't test as it has some dust inside the lens so its going back and the only choice was a refund.

I am in 2 minds at the moment, get another 55-300 (great to have the extra reach + metal lens mount) then sell the 55-200.

Or Is there a better lens option that I am missing? I was thinking of selling the 18-55 & 55-200 for a 18-200 or 300 but I have heard these are technically not as good as the separate lenses due to the flexibility of the lens.

I really would like not to have to change lenses all the time but its also not the end of the world.

I was thinking about the 70-300 as its supposed to be a faster lens.

Budget is hard to work out really, must factor in the cost of selling other lenses + the initial cost of the 55-300.

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers

 

[richardirv]

Sell your 18-55mm & 55-200mm and buy a used 18-200mm?

Otherwise what are you finding limiting with the lenses you currently have?

I'm not really finding anything limiting apart from having to change lenses to be honest 90% of the time my 35mm is on the body.

Its just the fact I have been given the 55-300 as a gift so I need to decide if I should just get another after the refund and sell the 200. Or see if there is a better option?

I hear lots of people moan about the 18-200 in regards to distortion compared to the 2 separate lenses. Though I assume that can be corrected in Lightroom.

 

[richardirv]

I am still learning so I tend to believe what I read from respectable sources. As I said before I am only looking around as I have had a lens given that overlaps a lens that I already own. I kind of want to have the extra reach of the 300 rather than the 200 but the 18-300 VR is a little bit out of my price range at the moment. I am kind of leaning towards Amp34's suggestion which was what I was thinking of to begin with. Although that 18-200 is very tempting for flexibility.

 

[richardirv]

Curveball = 105mm F2.8 macro VR

Its a good telephoto lens and one of the sharpest lenses nikon has ever made, plus is a dedicated macro lens (so 1:1) which is something you can't do with that kit to anywhere near the same standard.

Certainly on for the future i think but again the price is a bit much for me to justify at the moment.

 

[richardirv]

Reach is certainly handy and if you are wanting it for wildlife etc then the 70-300VR is where I would be looking.

Just make sure you buy what actually want and don't make the mistake buying for the sake of it and end up regretting it a few weeks later.

I will bud, I'm trying not to rush into anything that's I posted here, always good to get some other views.

I was lucky enough to spot the Avro Vulcan XH558 a few months ago while camping, I was lucky that I had the 55-200 on but I would love to have had a 300 back then just to get the big closer.

 

[richardirv]

How do the Sigma's compare to the Nikon, They do seem much cheaper. I have been trying to stick to Nikon to guarantee I am getting the best glass for the camera plus with the camera not having a focus motor I know were I stand with the Nikon AF-S lenses, is it just the same with the Sigma's etc?

 

[richardirv]

Well, I ended up just going for the 55-300 VRII again for now, I'm looking forward to testing out the extra reach. I will be selling the 55-200 VR. The extra cost of the other lenses in question just wasn't feasible right now. Saving up to move house is slightly more important unfortunately.

I may consider a non Nikon lens at some point but for now I'd like to stick with the Nikon lenses. Hopefully I will get a chance to test some sigma/tamron glass at some point.

When I win the lottery I'll be able to buy all the lenses I could ever want! hehe

Cheers for all the advice.