Better starter lens?

[Josée]

Hi all!

I'm just about to purchase my first DSLR, but I was wondering which 'kit' would be best for a beginner...I'm getting the nikon D80, but should I get the kit with the DX 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 G IF ED or the DX 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 G IF ED...and what exactly do all those numbers mean?!?

Thanks for your patience with my newbie questions!! :biggrin:

Josée

[Jonathan]

Hi all!

I'm just about to purchase my first DSLR, but I was wondering which 'kit' would be best for a beginner...I'm getting the nikon D80, but should I get the kit with the DX 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 G IF ED or the DX 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 G IF ED...and what exactly do all those numbers mean?!?

Thanks for your patience with my newbie questions!! :biggrin:

Josée

The 18-70 is a phenomenal lens...no reason not to get it. This lens will give you an idea of the range you want or need. I would consider 35mm on a digital crop body to be about normal view. Most refer to this range as 50mm(film body). So with the 18-70 you will have a very wide view at 18mm(not extremely wide but nice) to 70mm(A nice portrait headshot range). DX is nikon's digital lenses. They are lighter in weight but are not compatible with nikon film bodies. IF is internal focusing which means the lens will not move in and out while it focuses. ED is nikon's nice glass..the exact definition escapes me.
F3.5-4.5 is the fstop range or aperature range. This describes the opening of the lens and how much light it allows in. the lower the number i.e. 1.8(larger aperature) the more light it lets in and the more "creamy" and out of focus the background is. A simply way of looking at this is that landscape shots are usually shot at F11+ (smaller aperature). Where as most bird in flight shots are around 5.6

[retief]

Jonathan gives a VERY good "techie" set of answers, but in my humble opinion there is one even much more important question you need to answer for yourself prior to making this decision. Simply, what is your primary subject? If your subjects are landscapes, or things "farily close to you", 18-70 is a good range of focal lenght. If your subjects are mostly farther away, and this is where the REAL tough part comes into play, you want to go with a "longer" lens in terms of focal length. I would recommend that, if you can, go to the camera store and try both lenses with your "typical" sized subject at the distances you expect to shoot.

The other wrinkle in this decision is, of course, that old friend The Budget. If your budget can stretch, the 18-200 is pretty darned nice and the reach is even better.

Another good way to get an idea of this is if you have a friend with a selection of lenses where you can get an idea of the different focal lengths you are looking at. This test does not require Nikon, or even digital, as you just want to see what the "view" will be. The last thing you want to do is to buy the 18-70 when it turns out that all your subjects are just little specks in the frame because at 70mm they are still too far away.

[Josée]

The 18-70 is a phenomenal lens...no reason not to get it. This lens will give you an idea of the range you want or need. I would consider 35mm on a digital crop body to be about normal view. Most refer to this range as 50mm(film body). So with the 18-70 you will have a very wide view at 18mm(not extremely wide but nice) to 70mm(A nice portrait headshot range). DX is nikon's digital lenses. They are lighter in weight but are not compatible with nikon film bodies. IF is internal focusing which means the lens will not move in and out while it focuses. ED is nikon's nice glass..the exact definition escapes me.
F3.5-4.5 is the fstop range or aperature range. This describes the opening of the lens and how much light it allows in. the lower the number i.e. 1.8(larger aperature) the more light it lets in and the more "creamy" and out of focus the background is. A simply way of looking at this is that landscape shots are usually shot at F11+ (smaller aperature). Where as most bird in flight shots are around 5.6

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all that to me! I actually understand now! Much appreciate the input! :biggrin:

Jonathan gives a VERY good "techie" set of answers, but in my humble opinion there is one even much more important question you need to answer for yourself prior to making this decision. Simply, what is your primary subject? If your subjects are landscapes, or things "farily close to you", 18-70 is a good range of focal lenght. If your subjects are mostly farther away, and this is where the REAL tough part comes into play, you want to go with a "longer" lens in terms of focal length. I would recommend that, if you can, go to the camera store and try both lenses with your "typical" sized subject at the distances you expect to shoot.

The other wrinkle in this decision is, of course, that old friend The Budget. If your budget can stretch, the 18-200 is pretty darned nice and the reach is even better.

Another good way to get an idea of this is if you have a friend with a selection of lenses where you can get an idea of the different focal lengths you are looking at. This test does not require Nikon, or even digital, as you just want to see what the "view" will be. The last thing you want to do is to buy the 18-70 when it turns out that all your subjects are just little specks in the frame because at 70mm they are still too far away.

Thanks! You've given me something to think about!

[stilllearning]

I second the 18-70. Then later add the 70-300 VR. A lot of bang for the buck.

[Chad Lane]

Good choice :) I went with the 18-135 kit myself, due to the fact I am more into macro shots, and senic shots, I believe this to be a semi decent learners macro, and a good learner lens all around. I am happy with it, but now I am saving up for the Tamron 90mm Macro.



Cheers,
Chad

[Jonathan]

Another good pick but a bit older is the 28-105 3.5-4.5 nikon and it has a macro switch. Most of my testing with this lens was an a film body though..but I liked it.

[Josée]

Another related question....so, if I get this right, the 18-135 reaches 'farther' in terms of zooming in than the 18-70...so in lookign at a pricelist I have from a Nikon rep, why is the D80 18-70 kit more expensive than the 18-135...or does price not necessarily go up with the quality of the lens?

[MiriamJ]

Just because a lens has more range, doesn't mean it's a better lens. There are other factors to consider, such as sharpness.

The 18-70 is a great lens at a great price, especially if you've only got one lens to start.

[flygirl]

I would second the idea of getting the 18-70 now and then adding the 70-300VR later. For the prices, you could not beat that combo. Examples of both below:

18-70

http://pnelwood.phanfare.com/show/external/352238/479032/22326482/file.jpg

70-300VR
http://pnelwood.phanfare.com/show/external/204393/267020/22518318/file.jpg


Cheers
Nancy

[Ak Photos]

I am a Canon user, but I have a good friend that has camera shop and I help him out a lot. If a friend of mine was to buy the D80 kit, I would also suggest the 18-70. Its a sharper crisper lens than the 135mm is. Just because a lens has more zoom does not mean its a better lens. The actual optics of it determine that. I would also 2nd the suggestion to save up for the 70-300 VR as that is a very good lens for the $.

For Chad, I see your 18. If you are a student, You should look into the Tamron student purchase program. It can save you some $$$$ There is info about it on their website. Hope this helps. I used the program about 18 months ago to get the Tamron 180mm Macro which I loved. Its a very sweet lens and a lot better if you like to shoot insects or such like I do as it allows you to not have to get so close.


Take care

Kevin

Good choice :) I went with the 18-135 kit myself, due to the fact I am more into macro shots, and senic shots, I believe this to be a semi decent learners macro, and a good learner lens all around. I am happy with it, but now I am saving up for the Tamron 90mm Macro.



Cheers,
Chad