Upgrading Kit Lens.

DMcL

Senior Member
Hi :D

I feel as if I am outgrowing my 18-55 Nikkor kit lens that came with my camera.

I was interested to know if anyone has any ideas on what lenses I should consider next. I like shooting mainly landscapes but also group photos and sometimes closer shots. Sadly I have yet to really find my niche. I have been researching the Tamron 16-300 lens but am concerned that the image quality might not be much different from what I already have.

All help is greatly appreciated.
 

Jerry_

Senior Member
There are a number of good lenses on the market that might be interesting for you.
However, whatever lens you take, consider that the optical compromise (while keeping a consumer acceptable price) that the engineers did when they designed it, is related to the range that the lens covers (Ratio between the high and the low end (55/18=3, 300/16=19); i.e. the bigger this ratio the less good is it at both ends).
While I can understand that, until you found your "niche", you are tempted by a zoom that covers it all, this might not be the best choice for a long time consideration.
I'd suggest that you first go for an 18-105 or the more recent 18-140; if you find that this doesn't give you sufficient range you can add a 55-300.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
Why do you feel you are outgrowing the 18-55? What is it the 18-55 will not do? Can't get close enough? Can't frame all the scene you want to frame? Can't enlarge to a wall size print???

If you are not sure what you need, then likely you will not get what you need.
 

TedG954

Senior Member
I get excellent results from my D3300 with the 18-55, and my "standard" camera is a D800.

Over the years, I've learned one thing.... there's no magic lens, magic camera, or magic combination.

I've found that if I do my part, as the photographer, good photos will be produced whether it's with my D3300/18-55 or my D800/24-1.4

We are all hunting for the set up that produces a great photo no matter what we point our cameras at. We think it's the equipment that will make the difference. It may. But rarely.

It's your money. Spend it as you wish.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Many years ago, if you bought a camera kit, including a lens, it came with a 50mm f1.8. I believe that there was good reasoning behind that combination being so popular for so long, and that everyone should consider getting a fast prime lens for their camera.

Its speed (f1.8) opens up a lot of photo opportunities that don't exist with slower lenses, and you can purchase one fairly inexpensively. While I've singled out the 50mm, I'm really pointing out the aperture, so I recommend any XX mm f1.8 as an addition to the one you currently have.

However, as stated above, what do you need or want the extra lens for? That should drive your purchase decision...

WM
 
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paul04

Senior Member
Many years ago, if you bought a camera kit, including a lens, it came with a 50mm f1.8. I believe that there was good reasoning behind that combination being so popular for so long, and that everyone should consider getting a fast prime lens for their camera.

Its speed (f1.8) opens up a lot of photo opportunities that don't exist with slower lenses, and you can purchase one fairly inexpensively. While I've singled out the 50mm, I'm really pointing out the aperture, so I recommend any XX mm f1.8 as an addition to the one you currently have.

WM

I have a 50mm F1.8 lens, and really like it, And like Whiskeyman said, you can purchase one fairly inexpensively.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I get excellent results from my D3300 with the 18-55, and my "standard" camera is a D800.

Over the years, I've learned one thing.... there's no magic lens, magic camera, or magic combination.

I've found that if I do my part, as the photographer, good photos will be produced whether it's with my D3300/18-55 or my D800/24-1.4

We are all hunting for the set up that produces a great photo no matter what we point our cameras at. We think it's the equipment that will make the difference. It may. But rarely.

It's your money. Spend it as you wish.

There is a lot of truth to that, but for some photographic situations, not having the right tool, i.e., equipment, means you don't even get a good photo, let alone a great photo. And there are nearly always tradeoffs in whatever equipment you have.

However, good techniques and knowledge of the craft, will work no matter what the situation.

WM
 

J-see

Senior Member
Hi :D

I feel as if I am outgrowing my 18-55 Nikkor kit lens that came with my camera.

I was interested to know if anyone has any ideas on what lenses I should consider next. I like shooting mainly landscapes but also group photos and sometimes closer shots.

For what you like, a longer lens isn't really going to do much. A longer lens might enable you to try other things but if your liking is in what you describe, you're already having the coverage. If you require shorter, sharper or faster, that's a whole different story. Or much closer if you have macro in mind.
 
I had the 18-55 and I agree that it can be limiting. I went to the 18-140 and it is my favorite lens. My wife shoots with the 18-200 Nikon lens and although it is a good lens I don't think it has the sharpness of the 18-140. I also have a 18-105 and I really think the 18-140 is sharper. The 18-140 came with the D7100 so that may be the reason I think that.

I finished out my lens selection with the 70-300 and the Tokina 11-16 and the 40mm Macro from a long time ago. This selection covers most of the range I need for now. Now that I have the range covered I may fill in with a prime or two. Looking at the 35mm 1.8 for low light situations now.
 

J-see

Senior Member
That's about what I did after the 18-55mm. I first got the 50mm 1.8 to conquer low light issues. Then I got the 70-300mm to get some more range.

Then err... I got lost and it didn't stop. But the next is the last lens I buy. Really. For sure.
 

DMcL

Senior Member
I feel that although I can get good images at times, I don't feel they are as crisp as they could be. I was under the assumption the kit lens is very basic and easily improved upon regards the quality of 'glass'. The more I think about it the more I feel I would like to have a shorter range as opposed to having longer.
 

DMcL

Senior Member
I had the 18-55 and I agree that it can be limiting. I went to the 18-140 and it is my favorite lens. My wife shoots with the 18-200 Nikon lens and although it is a good lens I don't think it has the sharpness of the 18-140. I also have a 18-105 and I really think the 18-140 is sharper. The 18-140 came with the D7100 so that may be the reason I think that.

I finished out my lens selection with the 70-300 and the Tokina 11-16 and the 40mm Macro from a long time ago. This selection covers most of the range I need for now. Now that I have the range covered I may fill in with a prime or two. Looking at the 35mm 1.8 for low light situations now.

Did you notice much a difference in quality and sharpish when you went from the 18-55 to 18-140? I am thinking now that 140 is more than ample for my needs.
 
I did some of that might have been the upgrade in the camera at the same time though. But I firmly believe it is a much better lens. The range is a nice range for a everyday walk around lens
 

DMcL

Senior Member
Folks, thanks for your help I have decided landscapes is the direction I want to go in and have taken the plunge and ordered a Sigma 10-20mm.

:D
 
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