A good camera lens that professional use (Page 2): What will you be using it for? Different photography genres can use very different lenses with a big difference in $$$$$. *Will you...

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

What will you be using it for? Different photography genres can use very different lenses with a big difference in $$$$$.

*Will you shoot in a lot of low light situations (wedding or sports "under the lights)? Then you need a fast lens (f/2.8 or faster) and the size of the lens will be different for weddings and sports.
*Will you shoot landscapes? You don't need a fast lens if you use a tripod and this can save you $$$$$.
*Another thing: don't misunderestimate just how good your kit lens(es) are. They produces very sharp and acceptable photographs. I would only "upgrade" my lenses (and I have upgraded them) when I find that they are deficient in the genre(s) of photography I am most interested in.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Kmgw9v wrote:

The lenses that professionals use are usually, relatively expensive. So, tell us why you are not crazy.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

jdiscala wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, tcanera abd lenhis guy is crazy.

Which camera and lens? What do you plan on shooting?

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto: "Of course, a lens may make your camera more capable of getting better images, but the important thing is the user."

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Which Nikon and what kinds of things do you want to shoot? Of course, a lens may make your camera more capable of getting better images, but the important thing is the user. Photography is about light. If the quality of that light sucks, no lens is going to fix it. Do you have any lighting equipment? That’s something a lot of newbies overlook.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Kmgw9v wrote:

Or the Nikon 16-35 f/4?

Not cheap either. $1097.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jdiscala wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, this guy is crazy.

Generally speaking, the higher the price, the better the lens. Of course, if you are buying used, that goes out the window. When you narrow down your choices, try some comparisons.

http://lensvslens.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.diyphotography.net/this-website-helps-you-choose-your-next-lens-based-on-the-photos-you-like/
https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/
http://lenshero.com/comparison/Nikon-AF-S-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-vs-Nikon-AF-S-200-500mm-f5.6E-ED-VR

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

TJBNovember wrote:

Neither the camera or lens will take a photographer from a amateur to a professional level.

Damn! Why did you not tell me this $15K ago?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jerryc41 wrote:

Generally speaking, the higher the price, the bett... (show quote)

I disagree with generally speaking the higher the price the better the lens. Tha Nikon 35 1.8 D is one of the best Nikon ever made and also one of the cheapest. The Nikon 85 1.8 G is as sharp as the Nikon 85 1.4 at a fraction of the price. There are many more examples I could use but I am tired of hunting and peaking.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

jdiscala wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, this guy is crazy.

Full frame = 24-70 - preferably f2.8

Crop frame = 17/18 - 50 preferably f2.8 .....

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

jdiscala wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, this guy is crazy.

No lens can do that, and a professional uses many different lenses depending on the job. They are tools just like any tool a contractor uses to build a house. You use a hammer or a nail gun for framing and a screwdriver for other jobs. Become proficient with what you have and make your choice of a lens when the subjects you are most into photographing need a different tool to capture them. When you need it you will know it.

geodowns Loc: Yale, Michigan

I remember from a long time ago when I first got that blue twin boom big enlarger. With the lense that came with it... And.. one day I got a Nikon enlarger lense... Whooe what a difference it made. Lenses do mater.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Honestly, no professional lens will make you or anybody else a professional. A lens or a camera body are only tools. If you are not doing well now with your present kit lens it only means that you are lacking basic photographic knowledge and if so do not focus your attention on a professional lens or a professional camera. That is not the solution to better photography.

clickalot Loc: Chicago area

If you want excellent image quality consider the older Nikon lenses that have low element count. For example, the Nikon 105mm f2.5 AI or AIS is an excellent lens. Yes, it requires manual focus. It can be purchased used for less than $200. Also, the Nikon 200mm f4 AIS is another example as is the Nikon 28mm f2.8 AIS. And of course the 50mm f1.8 auto focus. If you want very high image quality and want to keep cost down, this is one approach. I own all these lenses.

I am not saying that some newer lenses cannot match the image quality of these lenses, but there is a cost. And not all similar focal length newer lenses achieve the same or better image quality (my opinion of course).

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Designdweeb wrote:

Who, what where, when why. WHAT is the question.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

jdiscala wrote:

I am looking for a lens for my Nikon camera that I bought a couple of months ago that came with the kit. I am looking for a lens that can bring me form amateur to professional in the future, that is not expensive. I know you are saying, this guy is crazy.

I suggest you post some pics that were taken with your kit lens. The lens doesn't make the photographer or the camera. Buying an expensive lens will not make you better. Practice does. I have lenses that cost thousands and if I didn't know what I was doing, they are just expensive piece of glass.