Looking for opinions on some lenses

[dr_zero]

Looking for opinions on some lenses.
I have a 28-80 and a 35-70 and a 70-210 F/4 that I use the most but was looking at maybe something with VR to help with shake some in low light.
I saw these 2 for $300
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S

but thought also about the
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S

or maybe this one as a kind of do it all lens
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S

Then again could just look at a 2.8 zoom minus the VR hmmmm

 

[handicap18]

Ah yes, the great lens hunt.

I have the 70-300mm VR lens and LOVE it. It is very sharp, especially for its class and the VR works great.

The 18-55mm VR's are good, not a lot of zoom focal length. It would get you wider than you already are. 28mm on a crop sensor isn't very wide.

The 18-200mm VR is another good lens. Great for an everyday walk-around/general purpose lens. Not very fast aperture wise, but it takes real nice shots, has a great focal length and VR. If I could have afforded it, I would have gone that route instead of the 18-135mm.

The trade off with the f/2.8 zooms is you get better optical quality (the vast majority of the time) and the f/2.8 thoughout the entire zoom, but you lose on a long focal length. Based on what you are already shooting with you can look at Tamron's 17-50mm f/2.8. Not a steep price and it gets great reviews. Sigma also has a similar focal length with f/2.8, but I've read a lot more bad reviews of this lens. Still, when a good copy is had, it is very good.

Good luck.

 

[Quicklabs]

I have the 18-200 lens. I think it is the perfect walk around lens, especially for daylight excursions. I'm very happy with it. I'll probably just take it and my 30 mm 1.4 with me to Disney in December.

 

[Coach]

I also have the Nikor 18-200 VR lens. I love it! Out of all my lenses I own I use the 18-200 about 85% of the time. I used to take 3 to 4 lenses with me to Disney. Now all I take is my 50mm 1.8 and my 18-200 VR. I leave my other 2 lenses at home. I have to say, for what this lens delivers, it’s a bargain at $749.00.

Good shopping!

 

[mrsbug]

Another one who loves the 18-200 VR! Awesome lens and the convenience can't be beat. Can't wait to take it to Disney!

 

[RodneyB]

Now all I take is my 50mm 1.8 and my 18-200 VR.
Good shopping!

Same here, 18-200VR + 50 1.8 + SB800 flash. Perfect.

 

[dr_zero]

Lots of folks like the 18-200!

Has anyone noticed a spot in this zoom where it gets soft? I was reading about a tamron 2.8 and at 135 it was just about blurry it was so soft.

I'm going to rent some of the different Nikon 2.8 for events coming up over the next few months and see how they do to see if I really need that in a zoom.
As you all know they are very cost prohibitive.

Does anyone remember the thread with all the vendors that rented lenses again?
I have one book marked but there was some folks here used and liked also.

Oh I also have the 50mm 1.8 AF and a 1.2 manual but don't use them too much, guess I should get them out more often but I'm usually shooting distant shots.