A newb and his lenses.

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Mints

Senior Member
Hey guys, I wanted to get some opinions on some lenses I am interested in. First off I like a lot of landscape, architectural, and close up photography, but what I really love to do is automotive photography. So I am looking at a couple of lenses that I would like to eventually add to my arsenal. I have the 18-55mm Lens that the D5100 came with. Its not an either or type of scenario because I would like to own them all eventually. From what I have read I think these lenses will provide me with what I am looking for(at least I think they will haha) So I just wanna get your opinions/suggestions on them....

-Nikon 35mm F/1/8G AF-S DX
-Nikon 55-200mm F/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR
-Nikon 50mm f/1.8 g af-s
-Rokinon 8mm F/3.5 Nikon F (fisheye)

I just want what you guys think about these lenses in general and what I am looking to do with them. Also if you guys think I should get them in a certain order let me know or if any of them are redundant. All information helps! Fire away guys!
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
I think the best of the bunch is the 50mm 1.8G
I would sub the 40mm 2.8 micro for the 35 1.8, it is just more versatile and you can do macro with it.
Skip the 55-200 and go for 55-300vr or 70-300vr.

No advice on the Rokinon, never owned it.
If you want and ultra-wide go for the Nikon, Tokina or sigma UW
 
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Mints

Senior Member
Haha its always easy to spend others money :p Those lens that i talked about are in my price range. so the more we can stay around there the better.
 
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KWJams

Senior Member
It is difficult to recommend a certain lens not knowing what exactly you are trying to do.

The kit lens is a lens capable of doing a pretty fair job with the examples you listed above. Mastering the camera is more beneficial to taking awesome pictures than a high dollar lens. I know of some people that have high dollar lens and still take ho-hum pictures.

My first choice would be to lean to the 55-200mm only because you didn't list a 55-300mm. It will extend your range from 18mm in the kit lens all the way to 200mm or 300mm.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Mints said:
Haha its always easy to spend others money :p Those lens that i talked about are in my price range. so the more we can stay around there the better.
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The 55-300 is only about $100 more than the 55-200. A lot of people (including me) rush out and get the 55-200, only to upgrade shortly after, better to start out right and save in the long run.

The 40mm is only about $80 more than the 35, I think it's worth it for the macro ability, but it is 5mm narrower.
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
Mints said:
Haha its always easy to spend others money :p Those lens that i talked about are in my price range. so the more we can stay around there the better.
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The 80-200mm F2.8 wont AF on your camera..You will have to spend another $1200 and get the 70-200mm F2.8

Or buy yourself a backup D7000
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Mints said:
looks like the 55-300 and 40mm it is! and also the 50mm??
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I would start with one (40 or 50)and see if you need/want the other. If you ever move to Fx, the 50 is a Fx lens. As far as super zooms, the same holds true of the 70-300vr over the 55-300.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
cnyram said:
The 55-300 is only about $100 more than the 55-200. A lot of people (including me) rush out and get the 55-200, only to upgrade shortly after, better to start out right and save in the long run.

The 40mm is only about $80 more than the 35, I think it's worth it for the macro ability, but it is 5mm narrower.
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I am quite new and giving advice is not typically what I should do until I learn more... having said that, I really have to agree with Rick.. I bought the 55-200 with my kit and I wish now that I had spent the extra for the 55-300.

Just suggesting you consider it....

Pat in NH
 
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M

Mints

Senior Member
I dont plan on moving to an fx anytime soon. Maybe one day. So i think im gonna start with the 50mm dx and the 55-300mm. I definitely understand its worth it to wait a little longer and get a better a device. Same concept with the aftermarket auto world. Thanks guys i appreciate all the responses
 
M

Mints

Senior Member
Do you guys recommend lens off ebay/amazon? Or have any other sources...? and of course the fs threads are always a good place to look
 
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KWJams

Senior Member
I just bought a brand new D90 kit lens on eBay that turned out excellent. Be very cautious because there are a lot of good deals but I walked past 20 good sounding deals to get one that still had the factory warranty papers.
 
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joecap

Senior Member
Just get: 18-105mm VR & 55-300mm VR...
For now these are all you need for what you want to shoot..
Later on you can get a prime.. 35 or 50
 
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madcapmagishion

Banned
I've got the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my camera 1 month later I bought the 55-300mm AF-S f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and use it as my main walk around lens. Last month I bought the 50mm AF-S f/1.8G FX lens. I love the 50mm f/1.8. My next purchase will probably be the 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor lens to handle the creepie crawlie pics I like to take.
 
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§am

Senior Member
I'd get the 55-200mm (or 55-300 if you really think you'll need the extra reach), followed by the 50mm prime.
After that, you'll have a good range of lenses to learn with, and you can then decide whether you really need the 40mm or the fisheye lenses too :)

I have the 55-200 and am yet to find a situation where I've wished I had a reach up to 300mm... sometimes moving a little closer has helped, most of the time I've not even gone beyond 150mm probably.
It will all depend on what you end up photographing the most :)
 
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