I'm about to buy my first dslr camera . Should I buy this lens or the 18-55 and 55-200mm .will this be enough zoom for softball games?
1270620
I own all three of those lenses, and personally I prefer the 18-140 for my D7100 as my walk-around lens for DX. I have not used either the 18-55 or 55-200 since purchasing the 18-140mm. When I need more reach than the 18-140mm can provide I use the 70-300mm which has very fast focusing on a DX body.
1270621
This is enough zoom if you are on the bleachers watching your child play. Not enough zoom if you are on the stands at a big stadium. This lens is higher quality than either 18-55 or 55-200.
1270622
The 18-140mm lens is a very good lens. I did trade mine for a 16-85mm lens that fit my work better. Also I have used the18-200mm lens which is also a very good lens. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these lens. The choice remains on what you want from your lens.
1270623
Hi, before buying this 55-200 I would rent the lens and try. After checking if this is enough for softball games, I would decide what to buy.You might be able to find similar prices for the 100-300mm as well.
2034642
I would not use my 85mm for sporting events, I would use my AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. And use the sports mode on the dial. I am not a pro though.
1872898
I ordered mine with the 24-120 f4, for a walk-around prime lens. The 24-85 is a good choice, too. As for the other zooms you mentioned, it depends entirely what type of photography you are going to do. The 80 to 200 f2.8 is a very good lens - it's expensive, tho. The other zooms are fine, but the quality seems to go up with the price. Also, go to dpreview.com and find their test info on the lenses you want. They are a great source for valid info on all things digital...both cameras and lenses. I love my D610.
1873696
If you really want an all purpose lens, this is it. You can't photograph anything close to you with a 75-300mm. That lens is strictly a zoom lens. With it going down to 18mm, you can take a photo of someone sitting two feet away or 200 feet away. It keeps you from having to buy two lenses to replace this one, and that's where the savings comes in. Well worth it in my opinion. It never leaves my camera unless I'm doing a professional shoot with a prime lens.
52953
I need help deciding on a new lens for my Canon XSi. I have the 18-55mm that came with it and also a Sigma 100-300. I use the camera for high school sports and need something that gets good close up pictures when I'm not close.ThanksCR
369534
Actually I have the same question... However, based on the reviews I have seen so far, I think I will go for the 18-135mm. Everybody recomends the good range that it provides, and buying it individually it becomes an expensive lens. On the other hand the 18-55mm will force the need for having an extra zoom.
301744
Hi Anuj-Every photographer started out not knowing very much so no worries.I think you're really going to want the 18-55mm IS kit lens or similar. This is the lens you'll want to use in a room full of people or to take group shots or photos of wide landscapes or cityscapes. The 55-250mm won't be very useful in a small room, for example. Having both lenses will give you a lot of range so you can shoot everything from large and close things to objects that are farther away.
606484
I'm so glad there's something posted here - this is one of the lenses I'm considering getting my husband for Christmas. He has the Sigma 50-200mm lens right now and in my experience with it, it hasn't been too bad. Should he be happy with the 18-200?
2064344
Thanks for your reply. I need a good lens to photograph swim meets and football, both for children. Maybe I should consider the 70-300. I want sharp pictures.
2169342
One locks you in at 400mm. If you are only going to shoot birds or football, that's your lens. If you want to shoot something closer that a faraway bird, get the zoom. My 100-400 is a VERY SHARP lens. I am not familiar with the 400. The new 100-400 at a higher price might be better for you. The older 100-400 is made of a half-ton of iron and comes with two teenagers to help you carry it. It also zooms by pushing the barrel out, not by turning the barrel. Be sure you are ok with that. I love my push-pull lens.
284509
It is a good all around lens, however it´s not particularly a wide angle. If you are really into landscape photography and you already have a standard zoom lens, i recomend to go for a tokina 11-16 or a sigma 10-20. I´ve owned the second one, and if you get a good copy, it´s one of the best values in the market for DX cameras.
990749
I have a D5000 with the standard kit lens (18-55mm) and also the 55-200mm that you are considering. I do not use my 55-200 much for day to day shots. Unless you will be doing a lot of travel or outdoor shots where you need to zoom a lot, I would definitely go for the 35mm f/1.8g. I plan to buy one myself in the next few weeks and think it would be much more versatile for day to day shooting. I, too, have heard rave reviews about it, and speaking from experience, neither the 18-55 mm lens included in the kit nor the 55-200 are particularly good in low lighting situations. Go for the 35 mm, and let me know how you like it! I expect to order mine soon! I have a D5000 with the standard kit lens (18-55mm) and also the 55-200mm that you are considering. I do not use my 55-200 much for day to day shots. Unless you will be doing a lot of travel or outdoor shots where you need to zoom a lot, I would definitely go for the 35mm f/1.8g. I plan to buy one myself in the next few weeks and think it would be much more versatile for day to day shooting. I, too, have heard rave reviews about it, and speaking from experience, neither the 18-55 mm lens included in the kit nor the 55-200 are particularly good in low lighting situations. Go for the 35 mm,... » Read More I have a D5000 with the standard kit lens (18-55mm) and also the 55-200mm that you are considering. I do not use my 55-200 much for day to day shots. Unless you will be doing a lot of travel or outdoor shots where you need to zoom a lot, I would definitely go for the 35mm f/1.8g. I plan to buy one myself in the next few weeks and think it would be much more versatile for day to day shooting. I, too, have heard rave reviews about it, and speaking from experience, neither the 18-55 mm lens included in the kit nor the 55-200 are particularly good in low lighting situations. Go for the 35 mm, and let me know how you like it! I expect to order mine soon! « Show Less
1566532
The lens is quite sharp at f2.8, I have no hesitation to use it wide open. If it will work for your purposes will depend more on your lighting conditions and the maximum ISO you feel comfortable using on your camera gear. If the light level is really low, you might be better off with the Olympus 75mm f1.8, but the cost of that lens is much higher. The other question that only you can answer: Is this focal length long enough, at 120mm equivalent for 35mm, long enough for your sports needs? The Sigma is a terrific value for this focal length, very happy with mine.
183451
I shoot the same subjects and have been very pleased with the 18-250mm zoom. If you want a little more reach get the 55-300mm in place of the 18-250. With that choice I would then add the 18-55mm. I'm assuming you want to stay with Pentax brand. Neither zoom is "cheap" but then you get what you pay for. I chose the 18-250 because I hand hold the camera most of the time and here in the Pacific NW the light levels in the winter are pretty low. I doubt if I maxed out the 300mm (450mm equivalent) would I get a sharp image. Love the K20D by the way.
2027169
Thomas. This is your basic "kit lens" for many cameras. It gives you a 3X zoom and is relatively distortion free for most apps. I think for most of us an 18mm lens is wide enough for many landscape projects. In time, if you are a serious photographer, you may decide to go to a shorter focal length but that will be expensive.
1873695
These lens are totally different. With the 18-200 you are covering a large range of view. You easily can use it in your living room and take a family portrait and in a few seconds later go to your backyard and get a quickly close up of a bird without changing lens or exposing the camera and your lens to moist. So, if you a plan to shoot wildlife or subjects located far away you need the 75-300. Otherwise, i would recommend the 18-200. I hope this help ; )
990750
I'm glad someone posted this question! It really has helped me decide to buy this lense too. I have the double kit with the other 2 lenses mentioned. I haven't used the 55 200 yet!! The weather is terrible and I'm afraid to take out the new camera. I do a LOT of indoor shooting of my kids and this lense sounds like it will work very nicely. I'm still blown away by the D5000. The pictures in just Auto mode with the 18 55 kit lense are night and day above my other cameras. I'm in heaven!