One Lens or Two

[shanky]

Hi Guys,

I am new here. I was wondering if I should get a 55-200 mm lens to go with the standard 18-55 lens (that came with the camera) or the 18-200 to get one lens with me while traveling. The only constraint with 18-200 is that it is out of my budget (for the Nikon lens) and hence I will have to go for the TAMRON LENS AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD.

Please help me out here!

 

[RockyNH_RIP]

Hi Guys,

I am new here. I was wondering if I should get a 55-200 mm lens to go with the standard 18-55 lens (that came with the camera) or the 18-200 to get one lens with me while traveling. The only constraint with 18-200 is that it is out of my budget (for the Nikon lens) and hence I will have to go for the TAMRON LENS AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD.

Please help me out here!

I am sure there will be plenty of more intelligent reply's.. but as a rookie who recently bought a D5100, it came with the same lens as yours and offered me a 100 off on the 55-200. I bought it, use it and like it.. I keep the 18-55 on most of the time, switching when I need a bit more reach. I would opt for the Nikon set... My only regret, wish I had gone a bit longer for the 55-300 Nikon AF-S over the 200..

Pat in NH

 

[Rick M]

I agree with Pat. I think the IQ of the two nikons is better than the 18-200 Tamron. Everything is a trade-off in photography, in this case it is IQ for ease of use. At some point in your photographic journey you will have to decide which is more important.

 

[baza30]

I got the two lens kit when i brought my d3100, overall it depends what your going to photographing, i wish i had the funds to fork out for the 70 - 300 af-s.
But unfortunatly thats along way off.
I take some wildlife, dogs at home, landscapes but i spend most of my time at the tracks photographing drifting ( controlled sliding of rear wheel drive cars ) for those unfamilar with the sport. So for the most part the 200 just about has enough for my needs.
If your buying a cheaper 3rd party lens eg non nikkon, chances are that it wont be af's which means it wont auto focus, just manually. something to bear in mind.

 

[shanky]

Thanks for the replies!
baza30 - Same is the case here, given the money I would love to get the 18-200mm Nikon And also the Tamron is non-Af as well I believe.

So, two is better than one I guess.
I will be mostly photographing nature, landscapes and few portraits - mostly during my travels

 

[baza30]

For what im guessing will be open landscapes or landmarks the 200mm would do the job nicely. There are some decent second hand lens places to be found on the net, which might offer you a slightly cheaper way of getting the af-s 200mm lens rather than fighting with manual focusing.
If you were talking about bird photography then the 300mm would be the way forward.

portraits well the 18 - 55 standard lens will handle those nicely. Its a matter of preference.

My only advice would be think about what your taking pics of now and what you think you may be taking 12 months down the road. it may influence your lens choice more than you think.
try the london camera exchange i think its called they might have what your look for.

 

[Rancher_RIP]

Since I was gifted my D3100 along with both the 18-55 and the 55-200, I figured I could buy a little more myself. I got a factory refurbished 55-300 at a good price and was never sorry. So, one lens or two...three for me most of the time.

 

[RockyNH_RIP]

Since I was gifted my D3100 along with both the 18-55 and the 55-200, I figured I could buy a little more myself. I got a factory refurbished 55-300 at a good price and was never sorry. So, one lens or two...three for me most of the time.

Rancher, how much do you use the 55-200 now that you have the 55-300?? Do you find the image quality comparable in both?

Pat in NH

 

[Rancher_RIP]

Pat, I use them all. I back off a little at the outside ends of all as well. Seems to work better. Not an original thought as I have seen that advise repeated over and over here. It seems I shoot a lot of landscapes with the 18-55 but then I might pull up on a bird and be using the 55-300. I keep the 55-200 on a lot of the time. How's that for a non-answer, answer?

Dave

 

[nikonpup]

18-55mm & 55-300mm get a used or refurbished 55-300mm saves you money and gets you the extra 100mm.

 

[RockyNH_RIP]

Pat, I use them all. I back off a little at the outside ends of all as well. Seems to work better. Not an original thought as I have seen that advise repeated over and over here. It seems I shoot a lot of landscapes with the 18-55 but then I might pull up on a bird and be using the 55-300. I keep the 55-200 on a lot of the time. How's that for a non-answer, answer?

Dave

Hahaha.. Dave, that was a relatively good Non Answer!! I was curious what (and how much) I would use the 55-200 if I bought the 55 - 300?? I will do some more research... I was thinking if I got the 300 I may be further ahead to sell the 200... Got time...

Thanks Dave..

Pat in NH