I will be traveling to Norway to hopefully see the Northern Lights in November. I am thinking of buying the Nikon D5100 and need advice on lenses. I need a wide angle lens with a large aperture f2.8 or wider. I will be traveling to Norway to hopefully see the Northern Lights in November. I am thinking of buying the Nikon D5100 and need advice on lenses. I need a wide angle lens with a large aperture... » Read More I will be traveling to Norway to hopefully see the Northern Lights in November. I am thinking of buying the Nikon D5100 and need advice on lenses. I need a wide angle lens with a large aperture f2.8 or wider. « Show Less
1120721
I would recommend the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR is quite expensive $ 1200 + but is best for landscapes.
1120722
AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G: Not a wide angle lens, but for the price ($200) you really cannot beat it for speed (f1.8), weight, and sharpness. I have much more expensive lenses but the 35mm lives on my camera body at least 50% of the time.
1120723
I agree with Aaron on the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 lens. Beautiful results at the cheapest cost you could possibly ask for. I have the D5100 body as well, and after I got the 35mm lens, it didn't leave my camera for months!
464457
I absolutely love this lens. It's by far the best glass fuji did so far. That zoom is now in the drawer for ever. Using that lens in full aperture is a delight. I strongly recommend to get a good BW ND filter 1.8 so you could use it at full aperture in daylight. Go for it, you won't regret!
672479
It all depends on what you do. We find it versatile and will probably pack this one for all trips as it can take the whole range from 18mm to 300mm. It is a heavier lens so plan on a monopod or tripod. We have been using a monopod as better for packing on trips and lighter but get a sturdy one. This is mainly when shooting wildlife at 300mm zoom range. We would have preferred to get a lens all the way to 400mm for wildlife but it is much more pricey....So, there is no simple answer - we looked at the Nikon site when selecting as they show a lot of technical data and pictures as well. Then you may want to look at reviews or get on some forums where people ask questions and get extra answers. It all depends on what you do. We find it versatile and will probably pack this one for all trips as it can take the whole range from 18mm to 300mm. It is a heavier lens so plan on a monopod or tripod. We have been using a monopod as better for packing on trips and lighter but get a sturdy one. This is mainly when shooting wildlife at 300mm zoom range. We would have preferred to get a lens all the way to 400mm for wildlife but it is much more pricey....So, there is no simple answer - we looked at the Nikon site when selecting as they show a lot of technical data and pictures as well. Then... » Read More It all depends on what you do. We find it versatile and will probably pack this one for all trips as it can take the whole range from 18mm to 300mm. It is a heavier lens so plan on a monopod or tripod. We have been using a monopod as better for packing on trips and lighter but get a sturdy one. This is mainly when shooting wildlife at 300mm zoom range. We would have preferred to get a lens all the way to 400mm for wildlife but it is much more pricey....So, there is no simple answer - we looked at the Nikon site when selecting as they show a lot of technical data and pictures as well. Then you may want to look at reviews or get on some forums where people ask questions and get extra answers. « Show Less
301036
If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in your shot when using the flash. If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in... » Read More If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in your shot when using the flash. « Show Less
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
681557
My recommendation is Tokina 11-16mm (sharpest UWA lens)+ 18-55mm + 70-200mm f/4 IS for most of traveling and hiking in the mountain, kit lens is actually very good and light. If you are in vacation you also need fast prime for indoor activity like 50mm f/1.8 and dedicated flash like 430EX or bigger. If you only need to bring 1 lens, get 18-200mm IS, very useful and acceptable sharpness in whole range compared to any third party superzoom lenses.
1408820
This lens is equivalent to Nikon's 55mm f 1.8 lens. It is considered a "Normal" lens meaning it 'sees' like the human eye. While it can used in daylight and low light it is NOT a wide angle lens. If wide angle is what you are interested in use the 10 mm N series Nikkor lens or one of the zoom lenses such as the 10 mm to 30 mm zoom or the 10 mm to 100 mm zoom, which is my preference.
928325
If by nature you intend to shoot landscapes, this lens is ideal. It's perhaps the sharpest wide angle zoom Nikon offers today. It is not what I would use for birds or distant objects that need tele zoom. There I typically use the 28-300 on full frame cameras and for your D60 DX camera the 18-200mm is great.
1239597
Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this helps. Good luck. Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this... » Read More Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this helps. Good luck. « Show Less
423677
If you are going to stick with a DX sensor Nikon for a while, then I think the 18-300mm is your best value. The image quality is going to be very comparable to the 28-300mm, plus the 18-300 has these advantages for the DX shooter: - It starts at 18mm, so you have much wider coverage for landscape shots or tight spaces - It's smaller and lighter. Since this is going to be an all-purpose travel lens, this will be very helpful - It's about $150 less - If you ever go up to FX / full-frame, you can always sell this lens down the road and recoup about 65-75% of the original cost Enjoy!
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!
766814
I started with the two lens, 18-50, & 50-200. I liked them both, but found I always had to travel with both and was constantly changing back & forth. Recently I bought the 18-135 lens just prior to a trip and loved the fact I could leave it on for almost everything. It replaced the other two lens, which made traveling so much nicer. Quality is the same, but the convenience was great. It will become my primary lens.
1774591
I would suggest a Nikkor lens. I have heard Signa are good. As long as you buy a DX lens it should work.
76727
I used it when I traveled in Alaska and it worked great. i took many pictures with it and they turned out beautiful. I love this lens.
873524
Hey, a hockey fan! You will love this lens. My husband and I each have one and it is all he ever shoots. He does a lot of close up flower and wildlife pictures. If it is your only lens you may not be happy with landscapes but otherwise you will love it.
684751
Well, considering your ranges, I think for you it would be nice to have some more options in the wide angle range. For you I recommend the Sigma 10-20mm DSH. This one actually comes at about $470, which is more than half for the comparable Nikon 12-24mm and it is wider by 2mm; which is a lot at this range. Sigma is of course, a third party lens manufacturer. But I assure you that with some research and inspection, you can find a copy that meets your satisfaction. They are other wide angles, but so far sigma comes with the widest of the wide for your camera body. By the way, if I was you, I would trade in your 28-80 and 18-55, keep the 50mm lens and if your 18-200mm happens to be the Nikon 18-200mm DX VR, of course keep it too. When you first start out with SLR systems, you think you want a bunch of lenses, but in reality, you don't. You will be more than satisfy with a set of tree or even two lenses that meet all your photographic needs. Finally, I will state that there is no nicer artistic tool than the exaggeration of perspective that wide angle lenses may provide you.
1856382
Derek, It is an excellent lens for landscape assuming you like to use wide angle (I do). Very practical range. There are other lenses out there that are technically better ( nikon 14-24) but you will be hard pressed to see the difference. One of the things that I love about lens is that it is light so it is easy to hike with. In addition, it has the 77mm filter size that other quality Nikon glass uses.