Which 18-55?

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yosser

Senior Member
Just got myself a D300 along with a 28-75 Tamron and now looking or something wider. There seems to be a few different 18-55mm kit type lenses around for not much money and wondering which is best. I'm looking for overall image quality over things like VR, what do you guys suggest?
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
Get the newest possible. I have the 18-55mm VR, and I believe there is one out now that has a zoom-lock button on the barrel, I'm not sure of its full designation, but that is the latest one.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Seems the 18-55mm is so close to what you have already that it might not be what you are looking for. I guess it depends on just how wide you think you need to go. I do know that going wider will up the cost a good bit though and the 18-55mm is a good buy for its quality.

I had the 18-55mm G lens and, while it was decent, I find the 18-70mm "D" lens a whole league better and is just as cheap. I am not sure if the D300 has the internal focus screw motor for these older lenses though.

I believe, that if I were in your position and could afford it, I would sell the Tamron and look for a good buy on a 14-24mm.
 
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yosser

Senior Member
There's a fair difference between 18 and 28mm Mike, though I wish I could get something wider and better but the 18-55 will do for now. What do third party lenses in this price/zoom range compare?
 
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yosser

Senior Member
SteveH said:
Rather than having two overlapping lenses, another option would be to ditch the 28-75, and get an 18-105?
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Fair point Steve but not a chance! lol The 28-75mm is a 2.8 :) That'll be my main lens for portraits, just want a wider lens for the odd shot really.
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
yosser said:
Fair point Steve but not a chance! lol The 28-75mm is a 2.8 :) That'll be my main lens for portraits, just want a wider lens for the odd shot really.
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Ah ok, fair enough - I didn't notice it was a 2.8! lol

Sigma & Tamron do good wides, but I'm not sure how cheap they come in - I have the 8-16 Sigma, which came in at £350 slightly used.
 
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yosser

Senior Member
Sorry, I should have said it was a 2.8! I'd love something like the Sigma or their 10-20 but that's got to wait for now :(
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
My suggestion: a prime 14/15mm. Why? Because, when you really need it to be WIDE angle, 18mm will not be enough (on DX camera, that is). And again - when you really need it to be wide, you wont be needing a zoom.
Feel free to get the one without AF, like my Samyang 14mm f2.8 - it's easy to get used to manual focusing, and this lens would make a perfect companion to your Tamron...
 
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yosser

Senior Member
Thanks for the replies, I'll see if I can pick up the newest VR one. I just wanted to check as I know the newest lenses aren't always the best. I'd love to have the money for a Samyang I could afford a Sigma 10-20mm then! lol I'm sure the Samyang are great lenses but I've had enough on manual lenses for a while, I was using them exclusively on my Fuji. Saying that though I'll probably be getting an adapter to fit my Rokkor 55mm f1.7, lovely for portraits if you don't mind it taking a bit more time.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
yosser said:
Thanks for the replies, I'll see if I can pick up the newest VR one. I just wanted to check as I know the newest lenses aren't always the best. I'd love to have the money for a Samyang I could afford a Sigma 10-20mm then! lol I'm sure the Samyang are great lenses but I've had enough on manual lenses for a while, I was using them exclusively on my Fuji. Saying that though I'll probably be getting an adapter to fit my Rokkor 55mm f1.7, lovely for portraits if you don't mind it taking a bit more time.
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The latest 18-55 is the best.

For landscape shots with wide angle, there is actually no point in having auto focus. You will be focussing 1/3 from the end and shooting at f6 or more to get the DOF. Some of the older MF wide angle lenses are pretty linear and sharp centre to edge with minimal distortion. The newer ones, especially faster ones are not. So do give a serious thought to MF wide angle lenses.

Regarding your Fuji lense, just check the sensor size. If it is less than DX then you will get severe vignetting.
 
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yosser

Senior Member
The lens isn't a Fuji it's a old Minolta Rokkor so it's full frame and very shape. Don't really do much straight landscape stuff, never had any interest in it! lol I want a wider lens for environmental portraits and the like.
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
I could be wrong, but my understanding is the II on this lens means second generation lens and the VR capability is pretty much the same.

I figured (but could be wrong) that second generation VR was VR with options, like tripod sensing,etc

Nikon seems to like confusing folks or it may be the vendors.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
The 18-55 is one of the most under rated lenses that Nikon makes! Either model...VR I or VR II is good. The VR has nothing to do with picture quality, it's all about the vibration reduction speed.
 
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John P

Senior Member
yosser said:
The lens isn't a Fuji it's a old Minolta Rokkor so it's full frame and very shape. Don't really do much straight landscape stuff, never had any interest in it! lol I want a wider lens for environmental portraits and the like.
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For environmental portraits your Tamron will be just right @ 28-35mm.
Nothing wrong with buying a wider lens. But for your listed need. You have the goods.
Nothing wrong with the 18-55, quite the bang for the buck.
You might als be interested in the Tokina 12-24 ATX-pro. I purchased mine used on Craigslist. Really a great lens. And fills a good gap in your current focal length.
 
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