The Lens Thread!

[Stan the Man]

Lets use this thread to discuss SLR lenses please. What lens is good for a lightweight daily shooter, what's a good telephoto to shoot people, etc., etc.?


I'm currently looking to up my photo reach, what's a good size lens I should be looking for and do you have any lens recommendations?

 

[spressomon]

I am just an amateur photo taker and although I typically carry a number of different lenses I seem to take 99% of my photos with my AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm ED VR lense (27-300mm 35mm equiv) on my D300. It just covers most of my needs in one lense. I do carry and use a Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 for wider shots along with a macro and 400mm too. But, again, its the 18-200 that gets all the work.

 

[Stan the Man]

Good information. It looks like I can get a Canon EF 75-300mm IS USM for ~$150 on sale, but that just seems way too cheap to me to be a decent lens. What would be a good Canon budget-friendly lens for me?

 

[Scott Brady]

When I shot Canon, my go-to lens was the 24-105 IS F4L. Jonathan now shoots with it.

On my Olympus, it runs the 12-60mm F2.8-4 (2x factor). I also run the 9-18mm frequently.

 

[Sexy6Chick]

On my Olympus I run the standard 14-45mm and I have a longer one that is 40-150mm. I tend to use the 14-45 more but I love using the 40-150 when I get a chance.

I am looking to upgrade to another lens so any suggestions are welcome.

 

[mountainpete]

I am just an amateur photo taker and although I typically carry a number of different lenses I seem to take 99% of my photos with my AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm ED VR lense (27-300mm 35mm equiv) on my D300. It just covers most of my needs in one lense. I do carry and use a Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 for wider shots along with a macro and 400mm too. But, again, its the 18-200 that gets all the work.

Similar here in that a Nikkor 18-200mm is my main travel lens. It doesn't do anything perfect, but it does everything very well. Excellent range, excellent VR and it's a good size/weight. Overall, it's a 5 star lens for me.

I also carry a 35mm f1.8 for low light situations and an awesome Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro, but only take those out for planned photos.

Pete

 

[Tucson T4R]

I'm not sure what camera base body you are using but....

I shoot with a Cannon 50D and the lens combo I started with is:

Primary lens for landscape, night shots, and daily use. EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM (not an L lens but is has great reviews on the glass and IQ)

Telephoto zoom for sporting events and wildlife use - EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

So far I have been very happy with both lenses. If you going to shoot in any low light conditions I recomment shelling out the extra cash for f2.8 and the higher quality pro glass like in the Cannon L type lenses.

You can see some of my pics at http://bgarland.smugmug.com/

Also here is the thread where we discussed this when I was making the purchase decision.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24158

I still have a lot to learn but I'm glad I took the more experienced photogs advise and invested in the lenses I did.

Good luck in your decision, the options are endless. :elkgrin:

Example with the 70-200 in sports mode shooting my son working out:

And with the 17-55 at Monterey bay aquarium:

 

[Benw]

the 18-200 was my default walkabout lens for a couple of years, but was sold when I moved to full-frame. I think others have summed it up well, its a cracking lens for the ££ - the new VRII version is supposed to be even better.

Nowadays, its the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 all the way - awesome glass but they certainly dont qualify as lightweight and they're in a differnet price league to the 18-200!

 

[Michael Slade]

Nowadays, its the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 all the way - awesome glass but they certainly dont qualify as lightweight and they're in a differnet price league to the 18-200!

I have those two lenses, the12-24, 17-35, a 60mm macro, a 300 2.8 and a 1.4 TC. That stable of lenses has been able to fill my needs nicely. The only lenses I really wish I had are a longer macro - 150mm-ish, and a tilt-shift lens...probably a 24 would be nice.

I have quit buying lenses for my DSLR system several years ago. The last lens I bought was that 12-24. Before that I hadn't bought a lens for about 9 years.

 

[Scott Brady]

On my Olympus...

I am looking to upgrade to another lens so any suggestions are welcome.

The 12-60mm is a gem:

 

[smbisig]

My most used lenses are Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 and then Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR, but I am a sports photographer.

If you are shooting a non full frame Nikon, then I would go with the 18-200. If you are shooting with a full frame Nikon (like me) then I would go with the 24-70 f/2.8 Nikon.

Cheers and keep shooting!

Steven b~

 

[DesertBoater]

Tamron 18-250
Canon 14mm Fisheye

I've spent more time with the fisheye lately as it's a new lens, but the 18-250 is a great starter lens...does everything pretty well. Excellent field lens, and I think they now make it with IS, and also have come out with an 18-270 (maybe even 300) offering...could be a better alternative. It's also not all that expensive (cheaper by a couple hundred than my fisheye)

Cheers,
West

 

[Sexy6Chick]

The 12-60mm is a gem:

I want a Christmas bonus! haha

Thanks for the help. It's on my list of lenses to search for!

 

[Sexy6Chick]

Example with the 70-200 in sports mode shooting my son working out:

I would have killed to of had shots like that when I swam. Not a bad lookin butterfly he's got goin

/threadjack

 

[Stan the Man]

I'm not sure what camera base body you are using but....

I shoot with a Cannon 50D and the lens combo I started with is:

Primary lens for landscape, night shots, and daily use. EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM (not an L lens but is has great reviews on the glass and IQ)

Telephoto zoom for sporting events and wildlife use - EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

So far I have been very happy with both lenses. If you going to shoot in any low light conditions I recomment shelling out the extra cash for f2.8 and the higher quality pro glass like in the Cannon L type lenses.

You can see some of my pics at http://bgarland.smugmug.com/

Also here is the thread where we discussed this when I was making the purchase decision.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24158

Good information and great pictures. I'll take a look at your others later today. I'm using a Canon T1i for reference, so those lenses will work with my camera too. I think I need to get out and rent a couple of lenses to figure out which one I really like.