All purpose lens: Having trouble deciding on a "one lens only". I'm just an amateur so the Nikon 18-200 is too pricey for my skill level. So, looking at Tamron 18-270 Or Sigma 18-200...

larrycain Loc: Scottsdale,AZ

Having trouble deciding on a "one lens only". I'm just an amateur
so the Nikon 18-200 is too pricey for my skill level. So, looking
at Tamron 18-270 Or Sigma 18-200 or similar, which is advisible? I have a Nikon D7000. Larry

briace Loc: liverpool uk

larrycain wrote:

Having trouble deciding on a "one lens only". I'm just an amateur
so the Nikon 18-200 is too pricey for my skill level. So, looking
at Tamron 18-270 Or Sigma 18-200 or similar, which is advisible? I have a Nikon D7000. Larry

i have got Tamron 18-270 for the canon great walk around lens never off the camera :thumbup: :thumbup:

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

I am becoming very fond of my 18-105 mm Nikkor. I seems to have just enough wide angle with some tele reach for the kind of general picture taking that I do. I also carry a 50 mm prime and a 55-200 mm. A longer tele would be nice but I would rent one if needed.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

My camera is also a Nikon D7000. I have a Nikon 18-200 lens and highly recommend it, but my favorite for birds to bugs and all in between is my Tamron 18-270. You can read on Amazon reviews that the lens is "soft" at 270 mm, but I find it very sharp if I'm steady, the light is good, and the exposure speed in 1/1000 or faster. All my bird and insect photography is hand held.

The insect pictures below were shot this morning at with the Tamron set at 270 mm using Aperture Priority, F8, ISO 1000. The Black Crowned Night Heron was shot in High Park, Toronto, Canada May 28 on a cloudy day. Aperture Priority, F8, ISO 1600. My point, the lens is far better than I usually am, and is quite capable of taking excellent pictures in difficult situations.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Honeybee waiting for Bumblebee to finish

White Cabbage B'fly on wild mustard

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

I am very familiar with the equipment exceeding the owner's skill set, but I keep plugging along anyway.

Nice pics, especially the Blue Heron.

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

I am very familiar with the equipment exceeding the owner's skill set, but I keep plugging along anyway.

Nice pics, especially the Blue Heron.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

There is no one lens for all purposes.
I have a short lens (17-40) for close shots, a mid range (70-200), and a long (300 prime) with a 2x for extra reach.

Dave66 Loc: Vancouver, Canada

larrycain wrote:

Having trouble deciding on a "one lens only". I'm just an amateur
so the Nikon 18-200 is too pricey for my skill level. So, looking
at Tamron 18-270 Or Sigma 18-200 or similar, which is advisible? I have a Nikon D7000. Larry

I looked around recently for an all-purpose lens for my D7000 to cut down bag weight for casual outings. I settled on the Sigma 18-250 with Macro. It is working great and seems to cover almost all my needs.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

Larry,

To me, four things are the most challenging:
- learning how to set the camera and select the proper mode for conditions,
- proper lighting and exposure,
- composition,
- and especially hand holding the camera steady enough to consistently get sharp pictures. The heron picture included above was shot at 1/200 seconds.

None of the four things mentioned depend mainly on choice of camera or lens. You have a fine enthusiast's camera. I think you'll be able to take rewarding and satisfying pictures with the Nikon 18-200 (I use it a lot), the Sigma lens mentioned, the Tamron (my current preferred lens), or the Nikon kit lenses. None are perfect, but all are excellent and are good values.

David

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

larrycain wrote:

Having trouble deciding on a "one lens only". I'm just an amateur
so the Nikon 18-200 is too pricey for my skill level. So, looking
at Tamron 18-270 Or Sigma 18-200 or similar, which is advisible? I have a Nikon D7000. Larry

There is no such thing as "one lens does all."

All lenses and focal lengths are a series of compromises.

Having said that, someone else might be able to shed light on your Sigma vs Nikon question.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

there is no perfect all purpose "anything" that's why i have 5 cameras and over a dozen lenses. there are however " make do" lenses, that you make fit your needs. if they could make "my" all purpose lens i wouldn't be able to afford it. picture this. a carl ziess 12-450mm f 2.2G lens.it would be tack sharp at all apatures and focal lengths.

Al McPhee Loc: Boston, Massachusetts

I have the Nikon 18-300 on the D800 and a sigma 18-200 on a D300. While I have a number of other lenses for differing needs, these two are almost always mounted and are used for most of my everyday shooting. I get good results from both, and have several other Sigma lenses that I am very satisfied with.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

I have the Tamron 18-270 on my D-7000 and hardly ever use anything else

E. Crichton Loc: Coastal Alabama

I was confronted with just this same dilemma - yesterday, Tamron or Nikon product. My camera (d7100) went in the water on Saturday with the Tamron 18-270 lens on it. Both were replaced, I went back to the Tamron. I use mine for a lot of wildlife / outdoor photos - was pleased with results. Could not justify the larger heavier Nikon 18-300, nor the price for product.📷

jldeichman Loc: Rogers, Arkansas

The Tamron 18-270 is a great lens and now the price is even better, $449.95 with a $50 rebate for a final cost of $399.95 better than I paid for it 6 months ago at $649.95 with a $100 rebate. Tamron says the price drop is due to the foreign dollar exchange rate changes. Good for folks buying now.
No mater what I am very glad to have it and if you want to get more out of it try the Promaster 2X TelConvertor with it as that works great also so for less than $700 US dollars you have a 540mm lens.