Upgrading from 18-140 mm f/3.5 -5.6 G ED DX Lens ?

Alansin

Senior Member
So, this is my first post. I bought a D7000 that came with the 18-140 mm f/3.5 -5.6 G ED DX Lens, sb-300 Flahs, and a Bag, ( and gave me store credit ) that later i traded for the 50mm 1.8 D

Im uber happy with everything, but im wondering what would be an upgrade or the next lens for me? if i've got the 18-55mm kit, the answer will be some 50-140 or 50-200mm. to extend the range, but ive got the amazing 18-140mm... so im kind of wondering through the universe of the internet. i know that the "right" answer doesnt exist, or its is always, "what are you shooting, what do you want to shoot". Answer = everything, Weddings, Landscapes.

I know its not a "Great" or "Pro" lens, but i do think its ok. i know its not a super fast lens, and something like a F/2 will be better. but i think its good for what it is.

As that lense has a wide range, i dont know what should be "the next lense" i was thinking that i should go uber wide, almost fish eye. i was looking at some 50-200, older 18-210, and everything else. but as they are on the same range i dont know what to do, i do know if i get a faster lens, i can shoot with less light and more bokeh, but. man! those things are expensive.

i think one advantage of having the d7000 is the built in AF Motor on the camera, so that means i can buy older "manual" lenses, and have them on AF. con my camera, right? like that 18-210 D lense, but maybe its more or less as the same as the one that i already own... dunno, dunno...

So im over chatting, sorry for that. i do want you to do the same here, and share some experience, advice or just chat. :D

Thanks in advance
 
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J-see

Senior Member
You're already at 18mm with your lens which is reasonable wide. If you want even wider, you can always go to the 10/11mm range and there several options, the Nikon 10-24mm being one but not the cheapest.

Fish eye is something that might be great for some shots but be prepared to have it more in your bag than on your cam. A wide lens that has a "normal" view you'll end up using a lot more than a fish-eye.

For lenses with a longer range, faster is indeed more expensive. There are used ones out there and if they are AF, the cam can focus them if it has a motor but they need to be AF at least. True manual lenses always remain manual.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I'd suggest a prime lens; either the 35mm f/1.8G or the 85mm f/1.8G to get started and for two reasons: 1. You'll never how just how sharp your D7000 can shoot until you try one of those lenses and, 2. Shooting with a prime lens will change HOW you shoot. It might seem superfluous to have primes in focal lengths already covered by your zoom, but I assure you, it's not.

If you just want to buy more glass, then get the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G. If you want to improve your photography, get the 35mm f/1.8G or the 85mm f/1.8G instead.
....
 
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Alansin

Senior Member
I have a prime lense and the Aperture is crazy beautiful bokeh, and low light shooting woow. its the 50mm 1.8 D, "The nifty fifty" i did research this before buying it, and i found it to be a "Must" ( actually it was a discussion betwen the 35 mm and the 50 mm )

Indeed i was looking for the 70-300, as it will give me more zoom, with a lil overlaping, but i was looking at the NO VR version (Cheaper) what do you think about that one, "dirt cheap zoom lens" ?
 

AC016

Senior Member
18-140 will be a great travel lens or a lens that you can use on walks where you are not sure what you will shoot. This is how i would build my lens arsenal: a 10-24 (Nikon or tamron), a 35mm, 24-70 f/2.8 mid range zoom (or equivalent) and then a 70-300 (Nikon or Tamron @ around $450-500). Get VR on the 70-300. Don't totally cheap out on your lenses, you will regret it further down the road.
 

richarddacat

Senior Member
Seems like a macro lens needs to be in there somewhere?

A prime range macro lens would be my next purchase.

+1 on the older non-AF lenses, scooped a 70-200 up for $60.00 off my local CL.
 

Alansin

Senior Member
i was thinking lately, that i should wait forever and save money for a 20-70 f2.8 as a main lens, for everything, with good bokeh...

or maybe i should go the prime lens route?
i already have the 50mm 1.8D and i do find it hard to use indoors...

so thats why the 20-70 will be very usefull... but its also very expensive.
and what about going the tamron route... i dont know!!

oh sweet and dangerous GAS
 
Just re-read your original post. Stay away from the 55-200. It is cheap but does not really look at good on the D7000. You also might look at the Tokina 11-16. A number of people here including me shoot that lens and love it.

I have the Nikon 18-140, the Nikon 70-300 and the Tokina 11-16. Those three pretty much give me the ranges I need to most shooting.
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
Just re-read your original post. Stay away from the 55-200. It is cheap but does not really look at good on the D7000. You also might look at the Tokina 11-16. A number of people here including me shoot that lens and love it.

I have the Nikon 18-140, the Nikon 70-300 and the Tokina 11-16. Those three pretty much give me the ranges I need to most shooting.

I think you misspelled Tokina.;)
 
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