Best all-around lens for Nikon d90

[nanoguy]

I'm in the market for a Nikon D90. I was planning on purchasing the kit from costco which will include a 18-105 mm and a 70-300 mm Nikon VR lens. A buddy of mine told me to purchase the body only and to purchase the lens separately. He recommended a Nikon 18-200mm VR lens instead. He said that it's a good "all-around" lens. What are the pros of purchasing this lens over the kit? Would it yield clearer pics? I usually use the camera to take pics of the family and of course the fish tank. Well, I have an $1800 budget for the camera and lens......any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[VoidRaven]

The 18-200mm is a decent "all around" lens but it has a tendency to have wicked lens creep which can be troublesome. The 70-300mm VR is an outstanding lens and comes highly recommended for its class since it focuses very quickly and has very good image quality.

I can't comment on the 18-105mm though. Seems OK but it is what it is. For family, pets (minus fish), and "general" work that kit would be just fine for starting out. For tank shots though you may want something a little different in the lens department.

[xtm]

I had the 18-200 for about 6 months...then I sold it. It's a good travel lens.. it's versatile, and has VRII. However, my experience with it isn't very nice. I tried to love it, but as soon as I put on a Pro glass (17-55 f2.8) the 18-200 found itself on craigslist asap.

I will narrow it down to these points:

PROS:
-This lens is very compact considering the focal range (18-200)
-If you're not critical with your image quality, It can very well replace most of your lenses
-A "do it all" lens.. jack of all trades, master of none
-A perfect travel lens. It stays on your camera most of the time, which means less chances of dust getting in the sensor
-Has metal mount and rubber gasket
-Excellent resale value (as with most Nikkors)

CONS... and it aint pretty
-Image quality..... um.... sucks. And that's being nice. Images just don't have that "pop".
-SLOW. Hunts in low light. I had TONS of non-keeper shots with this lens.
-Fully zoomed in, the lens barrel extends almost twice its size. When fully extended, the lens "wiggle" and feels like it will break easily if say, another photographer accidentally bumps it.
-Lens creep. I was on top of the rock climbing wall, shooting DOWN below while my son is rock climbing... and this damn thing keeps creeping down.. it makes focusing extremely difficult and almost impossible.
-72mm filter?? Who uses that? Most Nikkors use either 67mm or 77mm for pro glasses. This is an oddball filter size.
-With an 11x zoom, you HAVE to expect some compromises.. and there's TONS. My shots pretty much looked like they were shot from a point and shoot with this lens. They look flat. (and yes, only with this lens)
-Terrible barrel distortion at the wide end and slight pincushion at the 200mm end. Go figure.

Did I get a bad copy? maybe. But maybe not. I borrowed my coworker's husband's copy and it's the SAME. I hated this lens. (there I said it!)

If you have an 1800 budget, and are pretty much set with the D90, I would go with the D90 ($899 at B&H) and a 17-55 f2.8 ($999 used at B&H or Adorama) This is pro glass... trust me, you will NEVER look back.

A more sensible choice (budget-wise) are: 18-70 ($200), 16-85 VR (replaced the 18-70... $600) 18-55 non-VR (about $150) coupled with 55-200VR ($200) or that 18-105 and 70-300VR combo. All good choices.

This is what I would buy:

D90 body ($899 at B&H)
18-70 ($200)
Tamron 90mm Macro ($400)
Manfrotto CX3 and 486RC2 ballhead (~$300)
Total = $1800.00 :D

good luck!

[TitusvileSurfer]

Burned

[jthao]

I have the 18-200 and love it. it's not the best lens, but going to the museum, theme parks, etc... this is the lens that I take. I also have the 80-200afs, but hate it cuss it weighs 1,000,000lbs!!! different lens does different things, having all pro lens is nice, but this lens also has a place in my camera bag also.
If you just want an all around lens, this is the lens I'd go with. you won't be disappointed unless you're a pro photog that demand more quality. Don't get me wrong, I want good quality photos too, but this lens is good enough for me when I'm out and about.

[nanoguy]

Thanks for the great input everyone. This gives me a good starting point for my purchase. I will have to do a bit more research before diving in. This is a lot more difficult then I thought....so many options!

[VoidRaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789656#post14789656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Burned

Huh? What'd I miss?

Now the 17-55/2.8 is a lens I do own and LOVE. Worth every penny....HOWEVER, it can only be used on DX bodies (for full effect) since it is a DX lens and loses some performance on the newer full frame bodies (some of the FF bodies have a "DX" setting but it reduces the sensor resolution to a lower MP value). If you are ever thinking of going full frame you may want to look for the 17-35 (discontinued I believe but you can find very nice copies on websites like KEH or others). The 17-55 is my "all around" lens that lately is constantly on my D200. Make no mistake, it's a solid, heavy, quality piece of glass and while expensive you will use it so often you'll be glad you went for it.

Talking about the 18-70....this is a sleeper lens that a lot of folks love for light-weight traveling while still getting pretty decent IQ. Is it "pro"? No. Does it perform well for the price? Surprisingly well! I was originally going to go with this lens before coming into a small amount of $$$ that allowed me to go the 17-55 route instead. I may still pick one up for my wife for her Fuji S2 Pro since it is so light weight and the S2 is very light weight.

Either way....have fun shopping! Nothing like that "new gear" smell!

[kmu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14773638#post14773638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanoguy
I'm in the market for a Nikon D90. I was planning on purchasing the kit from costco which will include a 18-105 mm and a 70-300 mm Nikon VR lens..

I was also looking at this D90 kit from costco, would any o fthe 2 lens provided take decent reef pictures?

What is the difference between the 2 lens on the kit?

THX

[cadillaking]

I also bought from COSTCO. $1299 for d-90 with 18-55 and 55-200mm lense.

[kmu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14815069#post14815069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cadillaking
I also bought from COSTCO. $1299 for d-90 with 18-55 and 55-200mm lense.


Are there 2 different kits from costco? Ive just seen the one that runs for $1,299

[kmu]

which camera kit do you guys think is better for all around picture taking for the D90

Costco $1299 with 18-55 and 55-200mm
Best Buy $1230 with 18-105mm AF-S

THX guys

[cadillaking]

i like the one i bought from costco. it also comes with a carrying case and memory card.

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828108#post14828108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmu
which camera kit do you guys think is better for all around picture taking for the D90

Costco $1299 with 18-55 and 55-200mm
Best Buy $1230 with 18-105mm AF-S



This one
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580422-REG/Nikon_25448_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

Best Buy = $1230 x 9.25% tax = $1343.00

Same kit above from B&H.... $1149.95 and free shipping.

I just saved you $200.

Now go get a tripod with that $200! :lol:

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14789656#post14789656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Burned

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14807983#post14807983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VoidRaven
Huh? What'd I miss?


It's a pro photographer lingo. He's talking about the black Nikkor glasses. Burned = Black. When you hear pro photographers say "raw" they are actually referring to the white "uncooked" Canon lenses... ;)

[VoidRaven]

Please, no offense intended at all.....but that is the goofiest thing I've ever heard.

[kmu]

I just saw a nikon D90 kit at my local costco for $1,299 with a 18-55VR & a 55-200VR lens

are those good lens?

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14833370#post14833370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
It's a pro photographer lingo. He's talking about the black Nikkor glasses. Burned = Black. When you hear pro photographers say "raw" they are actually referring to the white "uncooked" Canon lenses... ;)
Hahaha yeah that is pro photog lingo, keep with it nubs!