to buy D90 w/ 18-105 kit lens or w/ tamron 17-50 f2.8?

[circuitboy]

Hi! I am buying D90 soon. Do you recommend to buy the 18-105 w/ the D90 or buy the Tamron instead? The longer reach really attracts me to get the kit lens and it's cheaper( around $300). But my main concern is sharpness and image quality. if image quality and sharpness is really better in Tamron, I am willing to spend more and give up the reach of the kitlens.

[ronaldlee007]

i recommended Nikkor Kit len 18-105mm. It's a nice work around lens with good quality.
But as u said, u need more zoom, then, tamron will suit u more.

[tonski09]

Originally Posted by circuitboy Hi! I am buying D90 soon. Do you recommend to buy the 18-105 w/ the D90 or buy the Tamron instead? The longer reach really attracts me to get the kit lens and it's cheaper( around $300). But my main concern is sharpness and image quality. if image quality and sharpness is really better in Tamron, I am willing to spend more and give up the reach of the kitlens.

IMHO 18-105 not a bad lens actually, it also pretty sharp to be honest. you could use that lens as an everyday lens.

[cichlid]

Originally Posted by circuitboy Hi! I am buying D90 soon. Do you recommend to buy the 18-105 w/ the D90 or buy the Tamron instead? The longer reach really attracts me to get the kit lens and it's cheaper( around $300). But my main concern is sharpness and image quality. if image quality and sharpness is really better in Tamron, I am willing to spend more and give up the reach of the kitlens.

For me, the kit lens always got left behind in the dry cabinet and i will go out with my Tamron 17-50mm.

The Tammy has a constant aperture of f2.8 and it's sharp. The 17-50mm focal length suits me.

You will have to decide if you need the extra focal length most of the time.

[bigpond]

If this is your first DSLR and you have no other lenses, then I think the 18-105 is a better option for the following reasons:

1. It is Nikon (the Tamron sometimes gives expsoure problems, with or w/o flash)
2. Longer reach - much longer, double the focal length
3. Just as sharp (I think)
4. Less CA and flare wide open.
5. VR

What you lose is the constant f2.8. But I daresay the Tamron is not all that great at f2.8; you'd need to stop down to about f3.5 of 4 anyway -- so not much of a loss. You also lose a slightly wider angle of view (17 vs 18mm).

Up to you to weigh these pros and cons.

[JeffryZ]

Nikon kit lenses are pretty sharp (I have a D80 which came with their 18- 135mm). What I would suggest is to get it with the kit lens- yes, a bit slower than the Tamron (which I also own) but it will be more versitile with its larger range. This will cover you for a while as you decide what you really need (and can afford) in a next lens.

[Shin Howard]

Either one you won't be wrong, if it's me I'll go for the 18-105 VR kit lens.
Truely a great walk-abt lens on DX camera.
If really need wider aperture then get a prime 35mm f/1.8 or the normal 50mm f/1.8.

[Reportage]

do you need low light capability where no flash is allowed? Then the F2.8 is useful.

[Omega23]

Is this yr first DSLR.. if yes start with the kit lens.. Then slowly go to the faster lens then you will see and feel the differences.. With the kit lens you can also roughly see what are the focal length you always shoot and better understand yr upgrade path.

[AbangR]

Originally Posted by circuitboy Hi! I am buying D90 soon. Do you recommend to buy the 18-105 w/ the D90 or buy the Tamron instead? The longer reach really attracts me to get the kit lens and it's cheaper( around $300). But my main concern is sharpness and image quality. if image quality and sharpness is really better in Tamron, I am willing to spend more and give up the reach of the kitlens.

if you have to ask, then go with 18-105.

you will know whether or not you need the 17-50 f2.8 in time.

[pooQy]

18 - 105mm FTW!
Tried & tested...

[Emerpus]

I own both.

If TS is not sure of his/her preference yet (shoot more indoor or outdoor or just general walkabout, etc) ... it's better to go with Kit lens.

Both N18-105 VR and Tamron 17-50 are very good lens, quite sharp and value for money lens.

N18-105VR has longer reach, VR to help compensate our newbie, shaky hands, works well in broad day light. It will struggle indoor, especially at the 105 end (F5.6), if there isn't enough ambient light.

Tammy is a nice indoor lens, a little slower in AF, a little nosier, a touch soft wide open but still beat the hell out of N18-105 indoors. In broad day light, it's superb and reach 50mm only.

[cichlid]

Originally Posted by Emerpus I own both. If TS is not sure of his/her preference yet (shoot more indoor or outdoor or just general walkabout, etc) ... it's better to go with Kit lens. Both N18-105 VR and Tamron 17-50 are very good lens, quite sharp and value for money lens. N18-105VR has longer reach, VR to help compensate our newbie, shaky hands, works well in broad day light. It will struggle indoor, especially at the 105 end (F5.6), if there isn't enough ambient light. Tammy is a nice indoor lens, a little slower in AF, a little nosier, a touch soft wide open but still beat the hell out of N18-105 indoors. In broad day light, it's superb and reach 50mm only.

You are right on the noises the Tamron lens make, but for me, I can't get use to the AFS quietness. The Nikon just feel so quiet and smooth when focusing, I can't get used to it. But that's just me, and I'm not saying it's not a good thing though.

[Ninestar]

Thou both lens are good frm reviews. But i have only experience using the 18-105. I would say its more than an everyday lens. Its IQ is sharp and best part value for $$$$.

Since ur getting ur first DSLR, u shld try getting the kit lens. Maybe after using the kit lens u wanna upz to primes. I somehow believe that using the kit lens made the learning part of photography worthwhile. So far have never regretted getting the 18-105.

[circuitboy]

Sorry guys ig i have abandoned this thread suddenly. I am not new to dslr. I owned a canon 450d and just sold it last week. I originally planned to shift to Nikon, but I am also considering to updrade to Canon 50D. I am not satisffied w/ canon kit lens and if I buy a 50D, i would rather buy a tamron 17-50m f1.8. But if IQ and sharpness of tamron and nikon 18-105 kitlens is almost the same, i'd rather get a nikon d90 plus the 18-105 VR kitlens..

so it would be:

Canon 50D + GTamron 17-50 f1.8 ( $2349 )

or

Nikon D90 + nikon 18-105 kitlens ( $1699)


if the nikon kitlens is not bad compared to Tamron, i'll definitely get the nikon combi. but if Tamron really outperforms nikon kitlens interms of sharpness and IQ, i will go for Canon+Tamron combi. I never thought of getting Nikon d90+tamron combi coz it would cost me $2020 and I'd rather save up for the 50d+tamron cmbi. reason being canon 50d feels better in my hands(won't be in a hurry to buy battery grip) and I just read that there are issues about Tamron mounted on nikon bodies ( error msgs appearing and need to tirn off and on to resolve the prob)

I hope you can enlighten me!

thanks!

[circuitboy]

Sorry guys if i have abandoned this thread suddenly. I am not new to dslr. I owned a canon 450d and just sold it last week. I originally planned to shift to Nikon, but I am also considering to updrade to Canon 50D. I am not satisffied w/ canon kit lens and if I buy a 50D, i would rather buy a tamron 17-50m f1.8. But if IQ and sharpness of tamron and nikon 18-105 kitlens is almost the same, i'd rather get a nikon d90 plus the 18-105 VR kitlens..

so it would be:

Canon 50D + GTamron 17-50 f1.8 ( $2349 )

or

Nikon D90 + nikon 18-105 kitlens ( $1699)


if the nikon kitlens is not bad compared to Tamron, i'll definitely get the nikon combi. but if Tamron really outperforms nikon kitlens interms of sharpness and IQ, i will go for Canon+Tamron combi. I never thought of getting Nikon d90+tamron combi coz it would cost me $2020 and I'd rather save up for the 50d+tamron cmbi. reason being canon 50d feels better in my hands(won't be in a hurry to buy battery grip), better built, more MP and fater fps and I just read that there are issues about Tamron mounted on nikon bodies ( error msgs appearing and need to turn off and on to resolve the prob)

I hope you can enlighten me!

thanks!

[circuitboy]

help..

[cichlid]

Originally Posted by circuitboy help..

help? ok, tamron lens is f2.8 not f1.8

[circuitboy]

Originally Posted by cichlid help? ok, tamron lens is f2.8 not f1.8

obviously i mistyped it..look at my thread title brother..

[cichlid]

Originally Posted by circuitboy obviously i mistyped it..look at my thread title brother..

I'm just joking with u bro