Need expert opinion on D90

[Suresh Surendran]

Hi team,
I need your expert opinion, please. I am planning for D90.
And my primary intrst is for portrait shots and next to the rest. i have a budget of S$2k and i cannot invest more for the next 1 year.

I have finalized 2 options.

1) D90 + kit + AF 85mm 1.8d
2) D90 Body + 18-200 mm VR II

1) 85 MM for portrait and kit lens for the rest.
2) i was told that 18-200mm can play all role. Can this achieve wat 85mm can provide in terms of quality portraits?

Which one will you prefer if u r in my shoes?

 

[hotchoco1ate]

Hi team,
I need your expert opinion, please. I am planning for D90.
And my primary intrst is for portrait shots and next to the rest. i have a budget of S$2k and i cannot invest more for the next 1 year.

I have finalized 2 options.

1) D90 + kit + AF 85mm 1.8d
2) D90 Body + 18-200 mm VR II

1) 85 MM for portrait and kit lens for the rest.
2) i was told that 18-200mm can play all role. Can this achieve wat 85mm can provide in terms of quality portraits?

Which one will you prefer if u r in my shoes?

Why limit your options right there? U can get more bang for the buck if you dont mind 2nd hand items. In that case 2nd hand d90=800, 2nd hand 85mm= 550, 2nd hand kit=250, and you still have some spare for a flash unit (impt for portraits) and perhaps a sturdy tripod. All under 2k =D

Its what i would do if i were in your shoes. The 18-200 is more suitable for travel since it doesnt provide good bokeh being a variable aperture glass.

 

[wmayeo]

I'll for #1. 18-200 can't make best of portrait shots, since you mention quality. It's good for travel AIO type of lens.
I say go for the kit lens & 85mm, save money for the other accessories or future one year later items.

The 85mm is also one of the lens that I would like to own/keep.

 

[Suresh Surendran]

Why limit your options right there? U can get more bang for the buck if you dont mind 2nd hand items. In that case 2nd hand d90=800, 2nd hand 85mm= 550, 2nd hand kit=250, and you still have some spare for a flash unit (impt for portraits) and perhaps a sturdy tripod. All under 2k =D

Its what i would do if i were in your shoes. The 18-200 is more suitable for travel since it doesnt provide good bokeh being a variable aperture glass.

Thanks mate. But I am afraid of the 2nd hand. because i dont think i ll be able to choose the right one.

 

[Suresh Surendran]

I'll for #1. 18-200 can't make best of portrait shots, since you mention quality. It's good for travel AIO type of lens.
I say go for the kit lens & 85mm, save money for the other accessories or future one year later items.

The 85mm is also one of the lens that I would like to own/keep.

Thanks a lot.

 

[baggiolee]

D90 + kit + AF 85mm 1.8d if u prefer quality to convenience. 18-200 can never compete with prime in terms of IQ.

 

[windynites]

U can start to play with the kit lens 1st and understand its limitation.
Its limitation should be quite close to 18-200mm VR except a longer zoom range.
Then maybe u can consider the cheap 50mm f1.8 for portraits to see if u like using prime lens before deciding if it is necessary to get 85mm f1.8.
Btw, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is a good alternative to fit your requirement too

 

[cookieboy]

#1. At least you have a prime lense for low light/portrait.
The 17-50 F2.8 by Tammy as suggested by others is a good alternative too.

The 18-200 cannot really perform at low light unless with flash/tripod, though is a good walkabt lens in daylight for all the zoom range, but no nice bokeh compared to fast lens.

Most important, you have to know what you want to shoot.

 

[2100]

D90 kit, plus Sigma 50/1.4. Try to get the D90 kit 2nd hand, shd be no issue for sellers selling kit set (very new stuff).

 

[daredevil123]

For a APS-C based sensor, I suggest a 50mm for portraits.

So D90 kit
Add:
-Nikon 50/1.8 (if on budget)
-Nikon 50/1.4 AFD (if have a larger budget)
-Sigma 50/1.4 (if budget is no issue)

If you take a lot of headshots do consider to add on top of the 50mm:
- Nikon 85/1.8 (if on budget)
- Sigma 85/1.4 (big bidget)
- Nikon 85/1.4G AF-S (if budget no issue)

 

[NikF601]

I will go for option 2. Get it and learn and you can find your next choice of len in one year time.