K.V.Rajasingham

Dear Hogs, I have Sigma 18-250 micro, Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300/ 4-5.6G and Tamron AF/LD 200-400 /1:5.6 ( 3) lenses for my Nikon d7000. I am a hobbyist taking photographs of insects, birds,sports and landskapes. I would like to know whether these lenses are OK or I have to buy any other lenses to develop. By the way I am very new to digital. I am seventy yrs of age,and now I am in India. Your kind advice will be much appreciated. Thank you.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

You might consider looking at extra wide angle lens (Sigma 10-20mm) and a macro lens in 100mm category.

amehta Loc: Boston

A 100mm macro would be good, a 200mm macro would be better, gives you more space for the same 1:1.
Also agree on the ultra wide angle, another option for that is the Tokina 11-17mm f/2.8.

pauleveritt Loc: Erie, Colorado

I would consider the Nikon 35mm 1.8G prime to for low light portrait work. This lens is only $200 in the US.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Yes put down all those zooms and come on over to the prime side..Ha!! I have the 200 and it is one beast of a lens...extremely heavy and can be very hard to get used to. Now the newer 85 and 105 G version...very nice and also has VR....comes in handy. The 35 would be an excellent choice...or go even bigger...maybe a 20.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

What you have is very basicly OK. Although, for my taste it would make sense to ditch the Sigma 18-250 in favor of a Sigma 17-70. I would also think about a 2 element close up lens for the front of the 70-300. The Tamron 200-400 is quite dated and barely OK.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I would welcome you to visit the UHH Macro forum: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html

There's a section on set-ups used by contributing photographers on the site. There are many fine choices for macro lenses. Of course, the Nikkor 105g is a fine lens--and a beast. Sigma, Tamron, & Tokina all provide some very nice alternatives-- and are generally less costly. The Sigma 150 is used by several.... For insects, I would avoid the shorter macro lenses: 40, 60, etc. MWD becomes an issue....

There's also some alternative: reversing lenses, extension tubes, bellows, supplemental lenses. The Raynox is a budget alternative... and of course Nikon makes a high quality close-up diopter (supplemental lens)-- the 6T, for example....

Best....

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

More lenses will not help you develop faster. Practice with what you have. Pick a subject, any subject. Now photograph it every day for 30 days in a row. Try to approach from a different aspect each day, or different time of day (hence position of the sun). One day wide angle, one day macro, one day intermediate focal length, etc.

Then repeat with the focal length fixed at say 50 mm.

This will help you learn much more than simply acquiring a new lens or two.

The first lens alone should allow growth in your skills.

And then you will know what you feel most comfortable using. Now go out and buy a lens that you will love to use and be able to use with good results!