Need Nikon User opinion: I am a newbie who purchased a Nikon D3200. It came bundled with a Nikon 18-55 VR and 55-300 VR. I would like to purchase a 18-125 or 24-150 image stabilized...

cjones132 Loc: Lake Jackson, Texas

I am a newbie who purchased a Nikon D3200. It came bundled with a Nikon 18-55 VR and 55-300 VR. I would like to purchase a 18-125 or 24-150 image stabilized lens to give me more flexibility. I would like some recommendations on compatible lens brands, does anyone shoot other brands that they really get good results with? I know Nikon is the first choice but just entertaining the thought of adding a different brand if I can get favorable results and save some money.
Thank you!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Why buy what you already have??? This makes no sense to me.

cjones132 Loc: Lake Jackson, Texas

I was just thinking it would give me more range and I wouldn't use my 18-55. Is there a lens you feel would suit me better? Most of my photography is travel landscape and wildlife photography and Grandchildren.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Buying lenses in the same range as you already own will never gain you any "range". You already have a great range from 18-300mm with only 2 lenses, thats a pretty good package.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

You have the 18-300 range covered. Nikon makes a 18-300 if you need to purchase a lens, that way you would not have to change lenes. Enjoy your new camera.

cjones132 Loc: Lake Jackson, Texas

What is your opinion of teleconverters? Will they work with zoom lenses if you take off autofocus? When I am in Alaska I need max zoom but can't afford the huge lenses. I know they sacrifice f-stop.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

cjones132 wrote:

What is your opinion of teleconverters? Will they work with zoom lenses if you take off autofocus? When I am in Alaska I need max zoom but can't afford the huge lenses. I know they sacrifice f-stop.

On your lenses they are not worth the money, you lose more than light. TCs are designed to work properly on specific lenses, and while they may "work" on other lenses, the results are usually less than acceptable.
Take a good look at the Sigma 150-500mm CS zoom lens if you are serious about wildlife with your D3200, best lens on the market for that use at the price.

jim1522 Loc: Norman, OK.

I use Nikon lenses. I do have one sigma and it has been a good one. 100-300 telephoto.

jim1522 Loc: Norman, OK.

I use Nikon lenses. I do have one sigma and it has been a good one. 100-300 telephoto.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I use the NIKKOR 18-200mm as my walking around lens. Nikon recently came out with an 18-300mm, but I don't know anything about it. If you are a newbie as you say, maybe it would be better to use the lenses have now for a while before you get something else. Of course what type of photography you want to do will be the major determining factor as to what kind of lenses to get.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Mac wrote:

I use the NIKKOR 18-200mm as my walking around lens. Nikon recently came out with an 18-300mm, but I don't know anything about it. If you are a newbie as you say, maybe it would be better to use the lenses have now for a while before you get something else. Of course what type of photography you want to do will be the major determining factor as to what kind of lenses to get.

I just upgraded to the new 18-300VR lens. As far as I can tell right now, it's a pretty sweet piece of glass for the money. I'm not shooting on a full frame sensor so this lens is more like using a 27 to 450mm. This is a huge range to be walking around it! The only other lens I carry in my bag is the 12-24mm.

brianjdavies Loc: Gloucester

cjones132 wrote:

I am a newbie who purchased a Nikon D3200. It came bundled with a Nikon 18-55 VR and 55-300 VR. I would like to purchase a 18-125 or 24-150 image stabilized lens to give me more flexibility. I would like some recommendations on compatible lens brands, does anyone shoot other brands that they really get good results with? I know Nikon is the first choice but just entertaining the thought of adding a different brand if I can get favorable results and save some money.
Thank you!

I have Nikon cameras and a number of Nikkor lenses, which are all pretty good as you might expect. The only experience I have of an inedependent lens maker (apart from a Zeiss 25 mm Nikon fit) is with a couple of Sigma lenses on my Pentax K-5. I use the 12-24 mm f4.5-5.6 and 17-70 mm f2.8-4 and I am very pleased with their performance. They are, of course, available in Nikon bayonet fit.

subroto mukerji Loc: New Delhi, INDIA

I use a Tamron 18-270 PZD on one body (either on a D3100 or a D5100) and a Nikon 18-105mm on the other. Both give me quite pleasing results for the kind of photography I do (mainly street and portraiture). I own both the 18-55 kit as well as the 55-300 lenses, but rarely use them.

mlj Loc: Anderson, SC

MT Shooter wrote:

Buying lenses in the same range as you already own will never gain you any "range". You already have a great range from 18-300mm with only 2 lenses, thats a pretty good package.

MT Shooter could not have said it better!!

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

cjones132 wrote:

I am a newbie who purchased a Nikon D3200. It came bundled with a Nikon 18-55 VR and 55-300 VR. I would like to purchase a 18-125 or 24-150 image stabilized lens to give me more flexibility. I would like some recommendations on compatible lens brands, does anyone shoot other brands that they really get good results with? I know Nikon is the first choice but just entertaining the thought of adding a different brand if I can get favorable results and save some money.
Thank you!

The only non Nikon Lens I have is the Tamron 18-270. I am happy with it, it does have a well known creep problem. I use the lens lock and release it when in use. I would have been very interested in the new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. However it was not available last year.
Something completely different I have and use a lot the Nikon 10-24 wide angle zoom. It is a great piece of glass and useful for the pictures I like to take.
I am not a fan of Kit Lenses. Maybe I am misinformed but I believe they are built to a lower standard.
Lens choice for me is a tough balance of budget, what I want to do, and how much gear am I willing to carry.
Fortunately I have no professional needs to meet and I only have to please myself.