Lens for D90: Sharp,fast

[ccyong]

[This is really an awesome forum!]

Hi,

I have been using my hall's Canon 40D with Canon USM EF 29-105mm f3.5.
Recently, or should it be from the start(some 1,2 years ago), I dont really treasure much of of the photos I took or how should I put it ,hmmm lets just say I found out that this is VERY probably due to the fact that I dont own the camera.

So I am planning to get a D90 since it falls in a comfortable price range for me,Canon range of models are not very suitable for my usage, either too low or too high end. been saving for it. I have played with the D80, it is light in comparison with 40D and doesnt feel as solid, I wonder if it will be the same with the D90, havent get to test out one.

The thing is I wonder if I should get the kit bundle. I felt limited by the Canon 28-105mm. I like taking portraits and landscapes. I enjoy playing around with night photography and shooting at particular angle to convey the rare feeling and perspective message.

I have tried a Canon L lens 70-200mm f2.8mm. The DOP is really really nice. (but my hand ache so much from holding it, gosh!). I have been trying to get the nice DOP from the canon 28-105mm. not very obvious tho. I really like the 2.8.

I wonder if I should get the kit bundle or invest in a 18-70mm lens as recommended in some of the threads here.

Really appreciate your comments!

cheers

P/S: I would really love to get those tack-sharp shots.It just looks amazing. That is something i wanted to achieve.

[Rurouni]

Well from what you've described, the D90 with kit lens might be a good place to start for you. The kit lens isn't the sharpest but its till good you can always shoot RAW and sharpen things up a little in the image editing. Mind you that even with a prime lens or prime zoom cropped sensors don't have the same quality level as a full frame sensor (though take this advice with a pinch of salt as the quality on DX sensors is great for most purposes already)

You can try pairing up the D90 with an 85mm/1.8 this should give you a nice medium crop portrait setup and would cost much less than the Nikkor 70-200/2.8VR. You have to be comfortable with prime lenses though.

Main thing is.. if you're not sure which lenses you want.. start your investment small first, then borrow and rent the lenses you think you'll need and try out. You'll save $$$ this way.

[nightwolf75]

btw, it is DOF as in depth of field.

welcome to CS. by and large, regardless of the brand, u can get sharp (subjectively speaking) pics as long as u observe the usual guidelines of handling a lens/camera. so, it is, IMO, not abt the lens or camera.

if u are getting the D90 and some other lens, then u can ask for the body-only package. u might save a couple of hundreds, tho the kit lens dat comes with the d90 is reasonably good for daily use. unfortunately, nikon has yet to come out with the canon-version of the 24-105/f4L 'walkabout' lens. if u are keen on the f2.8 lenses from nikon, my choice would be the AFS 17-35/f2.8 unless u got the moolah to splash for the fantabulous AFS 14-24/f2.8.

third party options can be either the tamron 28-75/2.8 or the sigma 24-70/f2.8.

[tc-95]

I do not have the D90....but I do have a D300....I would have to say drop the money on the 14-24mm AF-S like nightwolf75 stated...best all around lens...and with the 1.5x multiplier on the D90 (like the D300) you get a 21-36mm lens with the best DOF ever...I even know people with cannon's that use this lens...if you can't drop that kind of money..the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 is another good all around lens...for wide shots...

Tony C.

[PreciousP]

Originally Posted by ccyong I have been using my hall's Canon 40D with Canon USM EF 29-105mm f3.5. So I am planning to get a D90 since it falls in a comfortable price range for me,Canon range of models are not very suitable for my usage, either too low or too high end. been saving for it. I have played with the D80, it is light in comparison with 40D and doesnt feel as solid, I wonder if it will be the same with the D90, havent get to test out one.

It really is a surprise to hear this - usually the complain is the other way around - the Canon feels more like a toy is the usual comment.

Anyway you should consider D200 if you want a real solid camera, that in specs is slightly below D90 but built wise is the next level up.

Originally Posted by ccyong The thing is I wonder if I should get the kit bundle. I felt limited by the Canon 28-105mm. I like taking portraits and landscapes. I enjoy playing around with night photography and shooting at particular angle to convey the rare feeling and perspective message. I have tried a Canon L lens 70-200mm f2.8mm. The DOP is really really nice. (but my hand ache so much from holding it, gosh!). I have been trying to get the nice DOP from the canon 28-105mm. not very obvious tho. I really like the 2.8. I wonder if I should get the kit bundle or invest in a 18-70mm lens as recommended in some of the threads here. P/S: I would really love to get those tack-sharp shots.It just looks amazing. That is something i wanted to achieve.

The kit lenses, be it 18-70 or 18-105 will give similar limitations. The other forumers have suggested 85/1.8 being a possible investment, the other is 50/1.8 or 50/1.4 for portraiture being not exorbitantly priced and give abosutely top class performance. Another possibility is the AFS 60mm f/2.8 micro Nikkor, really nice lens that can be used for macro and potrait shots.

As you would be started out I would stay clear of 14-24, even if it is the best lens on the planet right now. It is expensive, huge with a protruding lens element, no option of using filter ... these are the reasons why I would stay shy of it.

I would probably opt for a second hand AFS 12-24/4G DX Nikkor or 12-24/4 Tokina, or HSM 10-20 Sigma for landscape. Personally I use 10-20 for WA landscape, 50mm f/1.8D (used to have the 1.4 version but sold a few months ago), AFS 60mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8 for portraiture, and keep my 18-70 or 18-135 (I have both) for general use. Maybe add a AFS 70-300VR to complete the set.

Starter recommendation -
(1) Keep 18-105 as general purpose, you know those event / memory shots

(2) or (3) as per your priority, portrait or land scape, or get 50 (like $120 second hand) and 10-20 (about $550 second hand).

(2) 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 new or second hand
(3) 12-24 Nikkor or Tokina or 10-20 Sigma, new or second hand.
(4) Top it up with 70-300VR

Add as fund permits.

Oh there is the danger that after using the f/1.8 and f/1.4 lenses the interest in a f/2.8 lens will wean.

Just be aware the DX lenses would not cover FX format and in the long run may drop significantly in value.

[KenBit]

IMO, the D90 kit lens is much better than the 18-70, D70 kit lens. I would recommend you get the D90 Kit, 50mm f/1.8 and the Tokina 11-16.
D90 Kit, play around with the lens, and son, soon you will find it a hell of a lens.
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 is great for portraits since you are into that subject.
Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, I have owned this before, and find it a real fast lens and sharp one, maybe I got a good copy but its pretty magnificent in low light coz of its f stop. And thats about all you need and you will have a pretty good set-up. If you need a tele, I recommend the Sigma 70-300 to start off, playing with it to see if you really need the range before you consider a better one.
So when you think you have out grown the lenses, can upgrade to the Nikon trinity lenses and I SWEAR you will love it, they are hailed as the best lenses out there and have a f stop of 2.8, what you love! Maybe consider a second-hand 17-55 f/2.8, I played with it and loved it will be getting one this christmas!

[ccyong]

Ruruoni;

The Kit lens is really good enough for prints and almost everything else?Because I am actually quite satisfied with the zoom range. Just that I might be using it for paid event coverage.

I dont really like prime lens, limitations for my usage and not good for travelling since needs to bring extra lens(if i have, lol). Long portrait shots.. Havent try it before. I have already felt constraint with another canon lens I am using with 40D ; 55-200mm Canon EF.

nightwolf75;tc-95;

ops, yea its DOF, I was gong through the film making section and the DOP(Director of photography) word stuck in my mind,
hmmm..18-35mm..zoom range a bit limited for all around usage,
tat 14-24mm and the 11-16, i guess its a bit wide for one for all lens since i am not gonna be able to buy so many lens at once..

I was wondering if there is some lens like between 18-100+ that is real good or at least better than the kit lens,
My senior used a D300 with a 18-200VR, but it cost like 1k or so,
Well if the kit lens is really good enough, i might just get the bundle

I have used the canon kit lens, there difference between the shots taken with the kit and the 28-105mm is quite obvious.

Thanks for your advice!

[Leykid1634]

Well, what i did was i went to the camera shop, ask permission to test the cameras with my storage card. When home download it and compare.
Think this is the best way for your to see the result of each kit package. As each have their own preferences.

Wish you get what you wanted.

[nightwolf75]

Originally Posted by ccyong nightwolf75;tc-95; ops, yea its DOF, I was gong through the film making section and the DOP(Director of photography) word stuck in my mind, hmmm..18-35mm..zoom range a bit limited for all around usage, tat 14-24mm and the 11-16, i guess its a bit wide for one for all lens since i am not gonna be able to buy so many lens at once.. I was wondering if there is some lens like between 18-100+ that is real good or at least better than the kit lens, My senior used a D300 with a 18-200VR, but it cost like 1k or so, Well if the kit lens is really good enough, i might just get the bundle I have used the canon kit lens, there difference between the shots taken with the kit and the 28-105mm is quite obvious. Thanks for your advice!

so far, u have only been exposed to the kit lenses of both brands... wait till u try the pro-series.

dat said, there is IMO no really outstanding walkabout/travel/all-in-one lens from any makers. these ultra zooms have to compromise somewhere, and unfortunately it is normally in the image quality. the sheer number of glass elements within these 18-something lenses dictates that. usually, the longer the tele-end, the worse it becomes IMO. so far, the only walkabout lens i had is the nikon AFD 28-105mm. on the DX bodies, it is not as wide tho. if you want a walkabout kit lens, i really prefer the AFS 18-70mm dat originally came with the D70, which is now kinda replaced by the AFS 18-105mm.

stick with the kit lens first, and mebbe get the AFD (not the latest AFS) 50mm/f1.8 (not the latest f1.4) to go. the 50mm shld set u back mebbe by under $150 (used). the best bang-for-buck lens ard.

[Blur Shadow]

Seems to me that you want a do-it-all lens at a cheap price. This segment is precisely what a kit lens is designed for - allowing maximum versatility at a low price.

Most modern Nikon kit lens, such as the 18-55, 18-55 VR, 18-70, 18-105VR, 18-135 and 18-200VR are very adequate for general use. You may also wish to consider the Tamron 18-200, 18-250, 18-270VC, Sigma 18-200, Sigma 18-200OS. As you can see, choices are aplenty.

There have been many online reviews and opinions comparing the above-mentioned lenses. Some lenses tend to out-perform the others. Yet, in my opinion, most of the lenses above are very suitable for everyday use. They deliver very usable performance at a great price.

I can understand your desire to achieve perfect sharpness. Yet, most conditions do not allow us to do so. Indeed, even the best lenses do not guarantee maximum sharpness for the entire zoom range, through every aperture.

In your case, you may be better of looking for a lens with your desired zoom range that fits your budget. In time, I am willing to bet that you'd prefer to use dedicated wide-angle or telephoto zoom lenses to replace your all-in-one lens. Don't get me wrong. A all-in-one-walkabout lens is an excellent compromise, and you'd probably keep the lens for a really long time. Yet, if there are specific photographic events or outings, you are most like to bring a dedicated wide-angle for a landscape outing, and perhaps a telephoto for say a sports event.

By the way, I notice your have assorted interests. Landscapes, potraits and events have different requirements that may be best handled by specific lenses. All the "walkabout" lenses mentioned above can certainly handle all 3 scenarios adequately. Yet, if you are looking for that something more, than you may be better off getting a large aperture lens for your events, and perhaps a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscapes.

[ccyong]

Thanks for all the response!

Very insightful!

I realised that considering my budget now, the kit lens would stay for sometime.
To have the complete set of lens will be awesome!

Thank you everyone. Appreciate it!
Everyone has been really helpful in CS!

Cheers!