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Lens Suggestions Falldog
Hey all. I hate to bug you but I was wondering if I could get some advice about lenses. I have an old D50 and was looking to get some new glass before taking a vacation to Montana next month. I generally shoot at a wide angel on my kit 18-55 but have wondered what it would be like to mess around with a zoom (especially if I encounter some wildlife on my trip, although I'm more likely to concentrate on the landscape).

I have been thinking about getting the Nikon 18-200 VR lens to get the best of both worlds, but it's fairly expensive. I also heard that there is a fair deal of distortion at 18mm, which wouldn't be good for me as I tend to enjoy shooting architecture and man made structures more than anything.

So anyhow, should I consider something cheaper like a 55-200 and a wider angel prime? (Correct me of I'm wrong, but a wide prime would be better for buildings, right?) I know the real benefit of the 18-200 is that it's only one lens to carry around, but never having to haul more than one around, I don't know how much of a benefit that is.

Here are a few shots that I might as well post for the first time...
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D50Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/3.6Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)33 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:11:23 03:34:31Exposure Time1/20 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating800Exposure Bias-1 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length22.00 mmComment(c)JudsonWeinsheimer @ Judsonian.comColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1055Image Height752RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlLow Gain UpContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Falldog
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D50Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)27 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:11:23 03:04:26Exposure Time1/6 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias-1 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length18.00 mmComment(c)JudsonWeinsheimer @ Judsonian.comColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width736Image Height1028RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Falldog
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D50Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)27 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:11:23 03:01:37Exposure Time1/5 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias-1 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length18.00 mmComment(c)JudsonWeinsheimer @ Judsonian.comColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width552Image Height773RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Falldog
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D50Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/5.1Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaFocal Length (35mm Equiv)63 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:11:23 02:34:41Exposure Time1/125 secF-Numberf/13.0Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias-0.7 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length42.00 mmComment(c)JudsonWeinsheimer @ Judsonian.comColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width643Image Height899RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
I think you have the right idea with a telephoto zoom and a wide angle prime. A 20 or 24mm, depending on how wide you want, would probably work well. Probably the 20mm. The advantage of a prime for wide angles- besides the general advantages of usually better resolution, subjective qualities to the image, less flare, and a focal length to grow with- is that they usually have less distortion, which, yes, is good for shooting architecture.

Avoid the 18-200. If you really need the extra 2mm on the shot, use your kit lens and correct the distortion in PS.
>> Falldog
Looking at reviews and prices a 20mm prime and a zoom are probably going to run me as much as the 18-200 :(
>> Anonymous
>>123679
You'll still be better off than with the 18-200. More bang for your buck.
>> Anonymous
>>123645
There's no sense getting a lens that will outright replace the kit lens unless it's faster, like the Tamron 17-55. Grab the Nikkor 55-200 VR for your zoom instead.

As for your wide angle, I'd be torn between a Sigma zoom (10-20mm or 12-24mm) and the Nikkor 24mm f/2.8.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
Just buy a 70-300 VR, Its great quality (read better than the 55-200 VR) and in your price range. And is much better than the 18-200 will be in the long end.
if you need a low light lens, the 50mm f1.8 is great on a budget (and great otherwise)
>> Falldog
I'm liking the look of the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D.

How much better is the 70-300 vs the 55-200? I'm thinking of the 55-200 just because it's half the price...