Nikon Lense - the $64,000 dollar question

[Baldwin Jazz]

Just bought my first serious DSLR , A Nikon D200 so I need some good advice for a lense to go with it , My photography will be mainly the walkabout and shoot variety - everything from landscapes ( UK Lake District) casual , candid , buildings , shows and carnivals and family portraits and fun photos .
I want either a single lense or 2 lenses so not to have much to carry around as I will be carrying a backpack with tripod and the obligatory water proofs , lunchbox and flask
The lens - lenses I have in mind are :

Single lens setup : Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
Two lens setup : Nikon 18-55MM F3.5-5.6G AF-S DX and Nikon 55-200MM F4.5-5.6G AF-S DX
whats is the 18-135 lens like on the whole , does anyone use it ? any other recommendations also welcome

thank you for your time replying

[Ironman]

if u r going for a single lens setup, i would definately recommend the 18-200mm. suitable for most occasion. and u can minimise changing of lens and furthermore, reduce weight as ur intension is to travel overseas.

i have not tested the 18-55 nor the 55-200. so i can't really comment on it.

anyway, i had the 18-200 and the main intent for this lens is travel.

[Hobbesyeo]

I would suggest you consider the 17-55 f2.8 instead.

[Fotophilic]

I think 18-200 VR may be more suitable for u. Simple, no need to think of changing lenses. Range coverage is pretty good for most stuff. It's good to stick with one lense first and explore ur camera.

[Umeiko]

18-135 is ok for a start but I would suggest you consider 18-200 if you have the budget for it.

I am contemplating to change my 18-135 to 18-200 after using 18-135 for only a month. A bit regretted that I did not get 18-200 from the start. :P

Oh btw, why is this a $64,000 question?

[DeadEnd]

How about a 17-55mm & 70-200mm VR since you just mentioned 2 lenses without emphasis on the weight.

Orh, by the way, the above recommendation cost u less than $10K. You can channel your remaining $50K+ question to somewhere else.

[huggable]

Guess S$64k is just a figure of speech. I'd suggest the 18-200 if you're looking at single lens, and in fact, 12-24 f/4 with 18-200 if you're considering taking 2 lenses. You can cover lots more with 12-24 for landscapes and buildings.

[zaren]

another vote for the 18-200 VR. not the best, professional lens, but arguably the most versatile with decent image quality.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by Baldwin Jazz Just bought my first serious DSLR , A Nikon D200 so I need some good advice for a lense to go with it , My photography will be mainly the walkabout and shoot variety - everything from landscapes ( UK Lake District) casual , candid , buildings , shows and carnivals and family portraits and fun photos . I want either a single lense or 2 lenses so not to have much to carry around as I will be carrying a backpack with tripod and the obligatory water proofs , lunchbox and flask The lens - lenses I have in mind are : Single lens setup : Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Two lens setup : Nikon 18-55MM F3.5-5.6G AF-S DX and Nikon 55-200MM F4.5-5.6G AF-S DX whats is the 18-135 lens like on the whole , does anyone use it ? any other recommendations also welcome thank you for your time replying

You sure you're on the right track?? You wanna use a 18-55 and 55-200 on the D200? Go for the better ones dude.

Landscapes : 12-24 or 17-35 or 17-55
Street, candids, general : 17-35 or 17-55
Telephoto : 80-200 or 70-200

[Baldwin Jazz]

Originally Posted by Umeiko 18-135 is ok for a start but I would suggest you consider 18-200 if you have the budget for it. I am contemplating to change my 18-135 to 18-200 after using 18-135 for only a month. A bit regretted that I did not get 18-200 from the start. :P Oh btw, why is this a $64,000 question?

In the UK the $64,000 question is a term of speech meaning , you dont know the answer to the question , its the one your most likely to get stuck on , and you need help

Ive been looking at all kinds of lenses for sale on the net and in the local shops , theres a BIG choice and since this my first Digital SLR , what better place to get good advice as Clubsnap , thanks for the info on the 18-135 I can afford the 18-200 I just want to know what others views are on what they think will be the better setup .

Originally Posted by DeadEnd How about a 17-55mm & 70-200mm VR since you just mentioned 2 lenses without emphasis on the weight. Orh, by the way, the above recommendation cost u less than $10K. You can channel your remaining $50K+ question to somewhere else.

If I did have $64,000 I would hire somebody to take the photos for me

Originally Posted by huggable Guess S$64k is just a figure of speech. I'd suggest the 18-200 if you're looking at single lens, and in fact, 12-24 f/4 with 18-200 if you're considering taking 2 lenses. You can cover lots more with 12-24 for landscapes and buildings.

I only want to take one or two lenses at most , due to weight and traveling distance ( might be a 10 mile hike ) I didnt consider the 12-24 f/4 but I'll check it out as an option thank you .

[hohoho32]

Not a guru, but i'll recommend
nikon 18-200 ( single lens setup) +
sigma 10-20 ( 2 lenses setup).

For 1 lens only, the 18-200 is versatile for most of your photos.
For 2, just add in a sigma 10-20 to complete the range.
Of coz if money is no issue then get nikon 12-24.

[Baldwin Jazz]

Originally Posted by Fotophilic I think 18-200 VR may be more suitable for u. Simple, no need to think of changing lenses. Range coverage is pretty good for most stuff. It's good to stick with one lense first and explore ur camera.

Thank you Fotophilic , I was thinking along those lines when I mentioned the 18 -200 VR , one camera , one lens , one flash unit (SB800) and a not too steep learning curve ( I hope ) .
If I decide I like the camera and want to keep it , I can allways keep any replies for reference and add to the kit later

[Benji77]

17-35mm & 105mm
street & close ups!

[pingo]

17-55mm F2.8 and 50mm 1.4

and since you have the budget, throw in a 10-20mm

[posez]

I don't know what your budget is, but I usually carry the 18-200 VR with me while travelling. I would add a wide angle to that though, especially if you are shooting lots of landscape. The Nikkor 12-24 is probably the top of the range right now. Sigma and Tokina offer chearper choices

[David Chin]

I usually carry most of my lenses with me when I travel. These include the Nikkor 18-200, 12-24, 10.5 Fisheye, 50f1.4 and the Sigma 30mmf1.4. The 18-200 is not the sharpest or fastest lens but it is certainly the most versatile and it is mounted on my camera at least 80% of the time. This is especially useful when you need to take candid shots and have no time for switching lenses. If you were to go with one lens, it should be the 18-200. I will probably need a second body so that the 12-24 can stay on it.

[ortega]

18-70 and a 105 micro

if budget allows and weight is not a problem
17-55 and a 105 micro

[wind30]

Originally Posted by pingo 17-55mm F2.8 and 50mm 1.4 and since you have the budget, throw in a 10-20mm

mine vote is for something similar

12-24 tokina (cheap if you buy 2nd hand or grey) and 85mm f1.8.

I went travelling with 12-24, 35mm f2, 85mm f1.4 and 70-300VR once and I realised the most useful lens I like is the 12-24mm for landscape and 85mm f1.4 for portraits, "I was here" shots.

The 12-24mm tokina and the 85mm f1.8 is probably around $1k together if you buy 2nd hand. Value for money and gives the the shallow DOF and compressed perspective for portraits, + the wide angle for dramatic shots.

[itsybitsyspidy]

I guess the $64,000 saying came from Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Anyway, like most have stated, the 18-200 is a good pick. But i'd strongly recommend the 17-55 and a 85mm f/1.8 prime. I think most people don't shoot on the tele end when they are on a trip. that being said, if you are certain what you will be shooting, then get the specific lens for it. Else just the 18-200 and leave your worries behind.

[buddy]

Originally Posted by Baldwin Jazz Just bought my first serious DSLR , A Nikon D200 so I need some good advice for a lense to go with it , My photography will be mainly the walkabout and shoot variety - everything from landscapes ( UK Lake District) casual , candid , buildings , shows and carnivals and family portraits and fun photos . I want either a single lense or 2 lenses so not to have much to carry around as I will be carrying a backpack with tripod and the obligatory water proofs , lunchbox and flask The lens - lenses I have in mind are : Single lens setup : Nikon 18-200MM F3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX Two lens setup : Nikon 18-55MM F3.5-5.6G AF-S DX and Nikon 55-200MM F4.5-5.6G AF-S DX whats is the 18-135 lens like on the whole , does anyone use it ? any other recommendations also welcome thank you for your time replying

If I had your 64k dilemma (heck I dont even have your D200!) I would go for

Single lens setup - AFS 17-55mm F2.8 DX
Two lens setup - AFS 12-24mm F4G DX and AFS 105mm F2.8G VR