Lenses for Nikon D90

[shushh]

We bought our Nikon D90 this April for our trip to Europe, along with a 18-200mm as well as a 50mm f/1.8. We are leaving for WDW, NYC, DC and much more in 30 days and I am so confused about which lens to get next.

The prices in the US are much better than here in Australia and with the AUS dollar being so strong at the moment, I've been given permission to spend!

We use our camera mainly for holidays and for taking photos of the children and family. We have 3 little ones and hence the 18-200mm. We found that it worked well not having to change lens constantly. Now that we've had time to learn more, we're keen to expand our repertoire and our equipment.

I'm hoping to get some thoughts and opinions on what to get...

Some of the lens we're considering include:
24mm f/1.4 AF-S G
14-24mm f/2.8 AD-S
70-200mm f/2.6 ED-IF AF-S
105mm f/2.8

Also thinking about the SB600

Help?!!?! Please...

 

[AlbertZeroK]

The 70-200 f/2.8 is a HEAVY lens, not well suited for vacation use in my opinion. I will take my 70-200 f/2.8 on vacation with me but only use it at animal kingdom, the rest of the time, it'll stay in the bag. The 24mm f/1.4 is a nice lens, I love my 30mm f/1.4 and it's easy to carry. I don't know the 14-24 will buy you too much on the wide end, although, it's a VERY nice lens to have and sure would beat your 18-200's image quality.

 

[shushh]

Thanks for that!

I'm hovering between the 14-24 and the 24mm. Just wondering if these 2 lens are beyond what I need amd my skills seeing we're unlikely to upgrade to a FX camera for while.

The 35mm f/1.8 DX is starting to creep in...

Looks like we'll be at WDW at around the same time! We're arriving on Dec 9

 

[JoeDif]

I'm not a Nikon shooter but why the SB600 and not the SB800 or SB900?

 

[Experiment_626]

The 35mm f/1.8 DX is starting to creep in...

That was going to be my suggestion.

 

[shushh]

I'm not a Nikon shooter but why the SB600 and not the SB800 or SB900?

Mainly because of its size. But I'm open! I'll be honest here and say that I know very little about flash and their use.

I'm buying up and then learning to use them as the prices are about 40% cheaper in the states.

 

[BecBennett]

Sorry to hi-jack, but what's the picture quality like on you 18-200mm? Coz I want one of those, but have heard that the picture quality can be lacking in those sorts of lenses

TIA

 

[shushh]

I love my 18-200mm. I think the picture quality is fine. My 50mm is sharper but I don't think that the difference is that obvious. Having said all this....I'm not a pro!

For me anyway, with 3 young children, I'd rather take a photo than no photo when I'm holidays. The 50mm rarely comes out when we're travelling. Not for lack of wanting but we just don't get the opportunity!

 

[Gdad]

The Nikon 10-24mm is a great UWA for DX- I would skip the 14-24 since you are not planning to go to FX in the near future. I just downsized from the 14-24 to the 10-24 and could not be more happy.

Also +1 for the 35mm f/1.8- for the price you can hardly pass it up.

 

[mrcricket]

Here's another vote for the 35mm f/1.8. I love mine and its great in low lights and for those shots that you want beautiful shallow DOF.

I'd also look at the Nikon 10-24mm. I'd throw in another option to look at as well — the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. It gets great reviews and for a zoom its fast all the way through the focal range.

Good luck on your selection.

 

[C&B Young]

I'd also look at the Nikon 10-24mm. I'd throw in another option to look at as well — the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. It gets great reviews and for a zoom its fast all the way through the focal range.

This is what I was going to suggest also. I think an ultra-wide angle lens would benefit you with all of the locations you'll be shooting. I've got the Tokina and it's a great lens, we're taking our first trip to Disney with it in December and I can't wait to shoot wide at the World!

 

[mrcricket]

I've got the Tokina and it's a great lens, we're taking our first trip to Disney with it in December and I can't wait to shoot wide at the World!

I've got this lens on my wish list. So how is it? Can you post some pics that you've shot with the Tokina? Looks like a really nice lens, and the f/2.8 all the way through is definitely an attractive factor for me.

 

[C&B Young]

I haven't shot a whole lot of architecture with the Tokina yet, as there's not a whole lot of interesting things where I live to shoot (not as interesting as Disney World anyways!). I did find this one from a recent car show though.

I would also check out the Ultra Wide Angle thread here, there's a lot of good Disney examples there. I can only hope to do half as good as some of the shots posted there!

 

[mrcricket]

Nice. Did you do any lens correction on this file in Photoshop or Lightroom?

 

[shushh]

Thank you all for your input. Just a quick update. We've decided to go for the 35mm f/1.8 and SB600 and get that delivered to our hotel so I can use it for WDW. We'll play around with the other lens that you've suggested when we get to B&H in New York and decide then.