Is there one ideal lens for all around use?
Dec 31, 2014 15:16:09 #
This is my first post, but I've been getting the Ugly Hedgehog daily newsletter for about a month now and reading many of the posts - I'm very impressed with the breadth and depth of knowledge I'm finding.
By way of background, I've been taking family snap shots almost all my 67 years, but didn't get more involved until I retired 10 years ago and discovered digital photography. Since then, I've graduated(?) from my original Canon point and shoot to a Canon zoom dslr looking camera, to a Nikon D80, then the D90, and just last month to the D7100. I've owned the original 18-55 kit lens that came with my D80, then the 18-200 VR AF-S, and most recently to the 18-300 3.5-5.6 AF-S VR. I also have a 50mm f1.8 D, but rarely shoot with it.
I shoot vacation photos, indoors and out - churches, landscapes, architecture, street scenes, and people - all without flash. I also take thousands of family photos, almost all candid - not posed, and then crop them mainly for portraits, which I hang all over my home office.
With each camera and lens upgrade, I've been striving for equipment which will give me sharper images in all light and action situations - kids sports and just playing - family interaction, etc. As I said, I prefer to get behind the camera, out of the way, and just photograph life as it passes my lens. I've gotten some great portraits of my grandchildren that way.
My dilemma is that I'm looking for one lens to use in all these situations. I'm a little paranoid when traveling about changing lenses on the fly (I find traveling enough of a hassle itself these days to not wanting to add reaching into my camera bag frequently to get the right lens for the right shot), or missing pictures I only get once chance to get. I thought the 18-300mm lens would be the ideal solution for this problem, but have found in the past year, that its low light capability in extended zoom gives me either grainy or soft pictures when I crop them.
I live near the Cameta brick and mortar store and was in there today discussing this. The salesman suggested I consider the Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 or the Nikkor 24-120mm f4 as improvements over my current lens. I know I'd be giving up significant zoom with either of these, but am wondering if the sharpness of the lenses would allow me to crop my images enough to mimic the zoom of my 18-300mm and still get sharp images. Or, is there yet another one lens does it all solution - perhaps just a prime that would give me enough versatility. As much as I enjoy my photography, I know I'll never get deeper into it than serious amateur, and I'm not looking to own a whole lot of equipment - one camera at a time seems to be my limit.
It's almost a case of the more research I do, the more difficult it's becoming to sift through all the information and make a decision. I've come to know this past month that this forum is the place to get sound, practical advice. Thanks in advance for all your help.
By way of background, I've been taking family snap shots almost all my 67 years, but didn't get more involved until I retired 10 years ago and discovered digital photography. Since then, I've graduated(?) from my original Canon point and shoot to a Canon zoom dslr looking camera, to a Nikon D80, then the D90, and just last month to the D7100. I've owned the original 18-55 kit lens that came with my D80, then the 18-200 VR AF-S, and most recently to the 18-300 3.5-5.6 AF-S VR. I also have a 50mm f1.8 D, but rarely shoot with it.
I shoot vacation photos, indoors and out - churches, landscapes, architecture, street scenes, and people - all without flash. I also take thousands of family photos, almost all candid - not posed, and then crop them mainly for portraits, which I hang all over my home office.
With each camera and lens upgrade, I've been striving for equipment which will give me sharper images in all light and action situations - kids sports and just playing - family interaction, etc. As I said, I prefer to get behind the camera, out of the way, and just photograph life as it passes my lens. I've gotten some great portraits of my grandchildren that way.
My dilemma is that I'm looking for one lens to use in all these situations. I'm a little paranoid when traveling about changing lenses on the fly (I find traveling enough of a hassle itself these days to not wanting to add reaching into my camera bag frequently to get the right lens for the right shot), or missing pictures I only get once chance to get. I thought the 18-300mm lens would be the ideal solution for this problem, but have found in the past year, that its low light capability in extended zoom gives me either grainy or soft pictures when I crop them.
I live near the Cameta brick and mortar store and was in there today discussing this. The salesman suggested I consider the Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 or the Nikkor 24-120mm f4 as improvements over my current lens. I know I'd be giving up significant zoom with either of these, but am wondering if the sharpness of the lenses would allow me to crop my images enough to mimic the zoom of my 18-300mm and still get sharp images. Or, is there yet another one lens does it all solution - perhaps just a prime that would give me enough versatility. As much as I enjoy my photography, I know I'll never get deeper into it than serious amateur, and I'm not looking to own a whole lot of equipment - one camera at a time seems to be my limit.
It's almost a case of the more research I do, the more difficult it's becoming to sift through all the information and make a decision. I've come to know this past month that this forum is the place to get sound, practical advice. Thanks in advance for all your help.
Dec 31, 2014 15:22:04 #
I recently purchased the Sigma 18-250 F3.5-6.3 DC Marco OS from B&H
I had the two kit lens from Nikon the 18-55 and 55-200. I too am a little paranoid about changing lenses on the fly. I have only had the lens a week but so far i am loving it.
I had the two kit lens from Nikon the 18-55 and 55-200. I too am a little paranoid about changing lenses on the fly. I have only had the lens a week but so far i am loving it.
Dec 31, 2014 15:24:09 #
With a crop sensor body you won't be able to do much better than the Nikon 18-300mm you already have. Up the ISO indoors and it performs well. Outdoors its very hard to beat.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
Dec 31, 2014 15:32:18 #
Of course, any camera store is going to lead you in the right direction, just hang onto your wallet. I'm not sure why the 18-300 is not working for you. When you say soft, is that at the high end? 300mm? As far as grainy photos go, depends on what you are setting your ISO at, flash vs. non flash, etc. For low light indoors without flash, you will need a fast lens for one and a camera capable of using high ISO features. Posting a few photo's will help determine exactly what is happening. I had the 18-55 and it is one sharp lens for a kit lens. However, indoors with low light, no. You mentioned you have the 50 f1.8. I would certainly be using this indoors for low light situations. Try using that lens more, especially for portraits, since you have a DX camera. Hope this helps you some.
Dec 31, 2014 15:35:31 #
Oh, and as far as changing lenses, I change daily between my wide angle, 70-200, 50 f1.2 and my 300 f2.8. When changing lenses, hold the camera down so as to not let debris get in. Never hold the camera pointed up with installing or removing one.
At some point in time, you will need to clean your sensor or have it done professionally. Don't be scared!
At some point in time, you will need to clean your sensor or have it done professionally. Don't be scared!
Dec 31, 2014 15:36:01 #
MT Shooter wrote:
With a crop sensor body you won't be able to do much better than the Nikon 18-300mm you already have. Up the ISO indoors and it performs well. Outdoors its very hard to beat.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
So true MT, so true!
Dec 31, 2014 16:06:38 #
jerrypoller wrote:
This is my first post, but I've been getting the U... (show quote)
There is no ideal lens. That's just the way it is! But is something to try -- if you are using software (like Lightroom) you can sort your photo files by focal length you used (including zoom settings). If you run such a sort and look at which you actually used it may be possible to narrow you choices down to your real as opposed to perceived needs. No guarantee this will help you but it might be worth a try
Dec 31, 2014 16:23:28 #
the 18-300mm you already have is about as close to being an all around lens as you will find. Why don't they make a 8mm-500mm lens? Would be nice, but would be extremely big and heavy and very expensive using current technology.
Dec 31, 2014 16:30:16 #
For general use, the 18-300 should give you a lot of flexibility. Generally where the superzooms fall short is in aperture, so the low light situations are tough for them. If you find yourself shooting a lot in low light, you might consider another lens just for that. However, unless you spring for either a fairly expensive lens or two or more lenses, you will probably lose a lot of the range you currently have. You will have to decide whether the wide angle or telephoto is more valuable to you in low light situations.
Unless you shoot a lot of dynamic scenes in low light, a tripod might just help you out. If there are people in the scene, they do move about when you don't expect it, so one possible approach is to use the tripod and take multiple shots of the same thing. Then you can pick the one that is clearest. You don't lose anything because after you get past the capital cost, the digital pictures are free (except for the time you spend sorting things out later).
Unless you shoot a lot of dynamic scenes in low light, a tripod might just help you out. If there are people in the scene, they do move about when you don't expect it, so one possible approach is to use the tripod and take multiple shots of the same thing. Then you can pick the one that is clearest. You don't lose anything because after you get past the capital cost, the digital pictures are free (except for the time you spend sorting things out later).
Dec 31, 2014 17:29:16 #
Hi! I am by no means close to a pro, but I joined a Photography group and used exactly the same eauipment as I di. The Canon 70-200 is the best! On eBay around 600, 4f.
If you want to go fo it, the 70-200. 2.8L With stabilizer and ultrasonic ......don't know the terms of that camera with f2.8, but lots of Milan! I don't know all the correct terminology , but mine is....awesome, so upgrade must be over the top. He says he uses the one I have, f 4.0....is great. Now, if you can figure out my correct terminology , you have your lens! Depends on the. $. My friend has more ne. :))))). I'm learning!
If you want to go fo it, the 70-200. 2.8L With stabilizer and ultrasonic ......don't know the terms of that camera with f2.8, but lots of Milan! I don't know all the correct terminology , but mine is....awesome, so upgrade must be over the top. He says he uses the one I have, f 4.0....is great. Now, if you can figure out my correct terminology , you have your lens! Depends on the. $. My friend has more ne. :))))). I'm learning!
Dec 31, 2014 17:34:29 #
I do know how to spell, sometimes the spell check makes me look.....well.....I went to dental school, not practicing , but not stupid! Wish I could have it all!
Dec 31, 2014 17:34:57 #
MT Shooter wrote:
With a crop sensor body you won't be able to do much better than the Nikon 18-300mm you already have. Up the ISO indoors and it performs well. Outdoors its very hard to beat.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
I was kind of thinking the same thing--my 18-250 is on my camera most of the time
Dec 31, 2014 17:42:00 #
Dec 31, 2014 18:09:57 #
MT Shooter wrote:
With a crop sensor body you won't be able to do much better than the Nikon 18-300mm you already have. Up the ISO indoors and it performs well. Outdoors its very hard to beat.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
Most of us are all still waiting for than magical 12-1200mm F1.8 VR lens that is in the rumor mill.
:lol: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jan 1, 2015 06:28:22 #
jerrypoller wrote:
This is my first post, but I've been getting the U... (show quote)
Simple answer - if you care about your images, no. You seem to be looking for something that is better than the 18-200, which is one of the only superzooms that actually produces decent images at almost all zoom levels. But to get better resolution and contrast, you'll have to step up to the better lenses, which are usually for FX cameras.
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