Lenses

[Troop o' Goofs]

I am planning on buying a DSLR camera in the near future. Either Nikon D80, D60 or Sony A300 and even perhaps Canon Xti or Xsi.

I am looking for a website or somewhere I can review lenses to figure out what would be a good purchase to go along with whatever camera I buy. I am a complete nooblet with DSLR's and I am a bit dense

Recommendations for a nooblet?

 

[YEKCIM]

www.photozone.de

 

[fitzperry]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Also, in case you're not already aware of this, the D60 does not have an internal focus motor, so if you want to autofocus, you need lenses with a focus motor. This is not an issue on the D80.

 

[Code]

For Sony/Minolta, check out the Dyxum lens database..

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

 

[mabas9395]

Don't be afraid to ask on a board like this for advice. Honestly, many of those review sites are run and used by professionals. So their standard is professional quality, which may be a bit higher than your average user needs.

 

[ukcatfan]

www.photozone.de

I like that one as well. Here is another. http://www.photodo.com/

Kevin

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Also, in case you're not already aware of this, the D60 does not have an internal focus motor, so if you want to autofocus, you need lenses with a focus motor. This is not an issue on the D80.

Yes, I know, that's why I am leaning towards the D80 if I go with Nikon.


Are there "Must Have" lenses that a nooblet would need? I understand that an extra battery, super fast media card, bag and sensor cleaning kit are needed.

 

[YEKCIM]

Yes, I know, that's why I am leaning towards the D80 if I go with Nikon.


Are there "Must Have" lenses that a nooblet would need? I understand that an extra battery, super fast media card, bag and sensor cleaning kit are needed.

A lot depends on your budget but, if you choose Nikon, the 18-135mm kit lens is a good starter lens. It is not a "fast" lens, aperture-wise, but very sharp and versatile, giving you the equivalent of a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film camera. After using this lens a while, you will get a feel for what other lenses, if any, you need. As you probably know, you can get into some serious money, very quickly, with glass. Nikon does make a number of very good "consumer" grade lenses, the 18-135 being among that number. I own this lens and the also-very-good 70-300VR. The two of them make a very good two-lens combo. Those two lenses work fine, too, on the D40/D40X/D60, since they are AF-S (focus motor in the lens). The D80 has the in-CAMERA focus motor and will AF with older screw-drive lenses, such as the excellent (and cheap!) 50mm f/1.8. The 50mm *will* work on a D40/D40x/D60, but focus will be manual only.

Hope that helps.

~Ed

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

A lot depends on your budget but, if you choose Nikon, the 18-135mm kit lens is a good starter lens. It is not a "fast" lens, aperture-wise, but very sharp and versatile, giving you the equivalent of a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film camera. After using this lens a while, you will get a feel for what other lenses, if any, you need. As you probably know, you can get into some serious money, very quickly, with glass. Nikon does make a number of very good "consumer" grade lenses, the 18-135 being among that number. I own this lens and the also-very-good 70-300VR. The two of them make a very good two-lens combo. Those two lenses work fine, too, on the D40/D40X/D60, since they are AF-S (focus motor in the lens). The D80 has the in-CAMERA focus motor and will AF with older screw-drive lenses, such as the excellent (and cheap!) 50mm f/1.8. The 50mm *will* work on a D40/D40x/D60, but focus will be manual only.

Hope that helps.

~Ed

Yes, that helps. I am new to photography, and DSLR's. Once I finally decide on a camera and make the plunge, I will probably have more specific questions. I appreciate the kind advice everyone has been so gratious to give.

 

[MonoManBlue]

www.dpreview.com


best site of them all in my opinion. Reviews about everything. Forums are great too.

 

[ukcatfan]

www.dpreview.com


best site of them all in my opinion. Reviews about everything. Forums are great too.

No offense to you, but their lens reviews are downright pathetic. As the OP is talking about lens reviews, I do not think DPReview is the place to go.

 

[cpbjgc]

This is a site I often use: www.slrgear.com.

I also enjoy their newsletter.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

fyi I added these lens website recommendations to the Learning Curve thread lens section, and I also extracted an article from slrgear on buying your second lens. Thanks

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

I have had a couple of days to mess around with my Pentax K200D and I am contemplating a second lens before I am on summer vacation in 2 weeks.

I figure with the 3 kids and lots of school functions and the such I would need a low light lens. I have not been able to find a 55mm f/1.4 (I think that is what it was on the other threads) on any of the online sites.

I was also contemplating a lens that will get me closer to what I am photographing, thinking of the DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED lens, mainly because of the price and since I am still a nooblet with the camera I figure I can play around with it and not really worry too much.

Any advice on a decent second lens to learn with?

Thanks guys!

 

[ukcatfan]

I have had a couple of days to mess around with my Pentax K200D and I am contemplating a second lens before I am on summer vacation in 2 weeks.

I figure with the 3 kids and lots of school functions and the such I would need a low light lens. I have not been able to find a 55mm f/1.4 (I think that is what it was on the other threads) on any of the online sites.

I was also contemplating a lens that will get me closer to what I am photographing, thinking of the DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED lens, mainly because of the price and since I am still a nooblet with the camera I figure I can play around with it and not really worry too much.

Any advice on a decent second lens to learn with?

Thanks guys!

Here is the 50mm:
http://www.adorama.com/PX5014AFA.html

For WDW, you will get more use out of this than the 50-200mm. I actually have both. These with the kit make a nice three lens kit that covers many situations.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Here is the 50mm:
http://www.adorama.com/PX5014AFA.html

For WDW, you will get more use out of this than the 50-200mm. I actually have both. These with the kit make a nice three lens kit that covers many situations.

I must have missed it. I looked, I swear, though it was at about 6 this morning. Daughter is a bit under the weather and I was up early with her.

Thanks, now to make the decision. lolz

 

[dcns4]

I have a Rebel XT with three lens. 28-90mm, 85mm (f1.8) and a 70-200mm f2.8. We will be going to WDW, SeaWorld and Kennedy Space Center. I'm torn on bringing the 70-200mm. It's heavy, but also worry about leaving it in the hotel if I don't bring it with me.

Any input?

 

[Groucho]

ToG: I agree with Kevin, the 50mm is almost a must-have for low-light photos. My first WDW trip with it, when I got it just a month or two before the trip, I used it for about 49.5% of my ~2,500 photos.

The 55mm F1.4 is an upcoming DA* lens - ie, it will be pretty expensive, especially when first released. The 50mm F1.4 is a bargain compared to other comparable lenses from other manufacturers, only $200.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have a Rebel XT with three lens. 28-90mm, 85mm (f1.8) and a 70-200mm f2.8. We will be going to WDW, SeaWorld and Kennedy Space Center. I'm torn on bringing the 70-200mm. It's heavy, but also worry about leaving it in the hotel if I don't bring it with me.

Any input?

I cannot see it being used too much at Sea World, but it might come in handy at Kennedy and AK. Does your room have a safe? I personally find that having a comfortable backpack makes a big difference and you would not even mind carrying it. It is not like it weighs twenty pounds. If you plan on any dark ride shots, you might consider the 50mm f/1.8. It is ~$100 and would be more useful than the 85mm. That is just a little too much focal length inside a ride.

 

[dr_zero]

DIY project for gear storage.

One of the selling points of my new truck was that is came with a truckvault in the back a great place to safely store gear. Before when we took a trip there was no place to keep some items in the car that was really secure or that I could remove like for a rental car.

At wal mart in the sporting goods section they have a small metal safe like box you can mount in a car in a closet for storing valuables that will hold a body a spare lens flash etc.

To adapt it for my need I took and got a steel cable with a lock and expanded two of the existing mounting holes but the lock inside and ran the cable out and back inside. The lock is inside the box for more security.

You can now run the cable around the seat track or a baby seat mounting point and all your stuff is safe and secure. Since its not a permanent mount you can use it in a rental care or you can also put it in your hotel room with the cable wrapped around a pipe or something not easily removed.