fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Martha - By now you've received recommendations for about 30 different lenses. Like you, I'm an "enthusiast" with a D5500. I started out with the Nikon 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses which offered a nice range of wide angle to telephoto capability but I was forever changing lenses. Based on UHH advice, I settled on the 18 - 200mm lens as my walk about lens and I'm very happy with it. On the other hand, my best friend with a D7200 opted for the 16 - 85mm lens which he loves. Both are considered Nikon "work horses" but I will admit that while I like the 200mm reach of my lens, it's not quite enough for wildlife and his 16-85mm results are ever so slightly sharper than mine. His lens is also considerably lighter and more compact, too. Check each lens on your camera for balance and weight. If you want a lens covering wide angle to moderate zoom, go with the 18-200mm but if you really need a good reach, consider two lenses covering wide angle for scenery, and 300mm for wildlife.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Hi Martha....I have the D7200 also. For my walk-around lens, I use the Tamron 18-270 (they have a newer model now). For my wildlife, I use the Tamron 150-600. I have had other lenses that didn't give me the "reach" that this one does and was never satisfied. Always wanted more reach! So now for me...this is the perfect set-up. I am thinking of upgrading to the Tamron 150-600 G2, but I'm really not in any hurry as mine does a pretty good job. Maybe get the walk-around lens first and then look for a good 150-600 used or refurbished. You can't go wrong with having these two lenses in your bag. If you click on my Flickr link, all the landscape photos were taken with the Tamron 18-270 and the wildlife with my Tamron 150-600. (Night photography is a totally different lens.)

Good luck...Marsha

bcrawf

Since your Nikon D7200 camera has the APS-C sensor (size), which we refer to as a 0.6-crop-factor sensor, the focal length number (or numbers, in the case of a zoom lens) of the lens you choose should be multiplied by 1.6 to find the effective view of the lens relative to that lens's use on a 35mm camera (e.g., 35mm film camera), a so-called "full frame" camera or sensor. For example, a 15mm lens for your D7200 camera would act like a 24mm (since 1.6 X 15 = 24).

If you get one lens for general use, you probably want a medium wide-angle for interior photos (i.e., in small spaces), but also with enough reach to take portrait views or just get a bit closer on general subjects, meaning you'd want at least an effective 110mm of focal length (which would require a 69mm lens (on your camera). Adding a but more reach is good, too, so if you choose a lens of, say, 15-85mm, it would act as if it were a 24-136mm lens on your camera--a nice working range.

Considering that, in optics, there is no free lunch, keep in mind that, in zoom lenses, the focal length spread (range) cannot be extended without some sacrifice in optical quality, hence do not expect to get a great lens which goes from very wide-angle to long tele. I hope this is helpful guidance.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

mlawl, I don't know where you live but, if it's South East Michigan The Seven Ponds Photo Club (In Dryden MI) will have Mike Moats as a speaker on this Friday at 7:00 PM and yOur welcome. With no commitment to join. PS any other hog is welcome.

DanielJDLM

Hi Martha,
Welcome! I have a Nikon D90(oldy but a goody) which I used the 18-200 VR Zoom Nikon for years. Great lens which in 35 speak was essentially a 27 to 300mm. Then I loaded a Sigma 10-20 for wide wide shots. Just recently got the D7500 with the 18-55 VR and the 70-300 VR. Believe it or not these new AP designated lenses are fantastic. So, depending on my planned shoot, I now mostly have the 18-55 or the 18-200 mounted; the D90 is now housing the 10-20 for the most part. As many have said, what your walk about lens is really a personal choice and is predicated on what you plant to shoot that day. Can't go wrong with the 18-200 IMHO. Best of luck and keep on shooting.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Hi Martha--Welcome to the forum. I think the suggestions so far have been good but for me I've wanted a little more in a walk around lens so I've used the Tamron 16-300 on my d7100 for the past number of years and have generally been happy with it. It does a good job on flowers and bugs and general landscapes and it quite good for animals and birds. Having said that I'm sure it's not as good as any of the more specialty lenses at any of those subjects. I also keep a prime 50mm for low light shooting but nothing else as I can't carry more lenses around when I travel or hike which is where I take most of my pictures.

I am considering upping it to the Tamron 18-400 as I could use a bit more reach and early reports on this lens are favorable. (It's going for $649 everywhere) I have found the 16-300 to be quite adequate in most situations but I am not a professional or very skilled amateur so I can afford to lose a few shots here and there. Good luck and stick with the one you think will cover your interests the best.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have the Nikon 18-200 for the kit lens on my D7000. I'm now walking around mostly with my Nikon 35mm F1.8. Be flexible. My other go to lens is my Sigma 10-20mm F3.5. Rarely will I hook one of the three on my belt.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

If this is a repeat suggestion, I second the motion.

Whether or not "all purpose" lenses are sharp enough is a personal decision. I recommend RENTING one or 2 (the Nikon 18-200 is probably sharper than the 18-300,400) to see if you are pleased.

I use the Sigma 18-300 extensively. I shoot small concerts a lot and use the wide angle to get the whole stage, and the tele end for individual performers. It is also my "walk around" lens.

Largobob

My recommendation? It's not the camera. It's the photographer and the lens (and of course lighting) that makes a great image.

Don't buy cheap glass! No matter what anyone says. There are those who will claim that their 3rd. party zoom images are sharp. Ask to see images to support that. (There are exceptions of course). There are reputable sites that test image quality of lenses. Go to them before you decide to buy.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

[quote=bcrawf]Since your Nikon D7200 camera has the APS-C sensor (size), which we refer to as a 0.6-crop-factor sensor, the focal length number (or numbers, in the case of a zoom lens) of the lens you choose should be multiplied by 1.6 to find the effective view of the lens relative to that lens's use on a 35mm camera (e.g., 35mm film camera), a so-called "full frame" camera or sensor. For example, a 15mm lens for your D7200 camera would act like a 24mm (since 1.6 X 15 = 24).

Nikon's crop factor is 1.5 for APS- C sensor. - dave

bcrawf

[quote=wilsondl2]

Oops, thanks, Wilson. I see the Nikon APS-C sensor is slightly larger than the Canon APS-C sensor and, as you point out, has a 1.5 crop factor. The Canon APS-C has the 1.6. So, applying the 1.5 factor to the Nikon D7200, a 15mm lens would effectively be 22.5mm and an 85mm lens, 127.5mm.

al13

My walk around (City walks)is the Nikon 16 to 80. I will also use
my 70 to 300 if in the country or wooded areas. The 70 to 300 is an FX lens my camera is a D500.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Welcome aboard Martha.

woodyH

Lots of good recommendations here. I opt for 2 bodies, 1 with a wide angle for the 'environmental', or as film makers say, establishing, shot, and a versatile, sharp telephoto like a 100-400, for the close-up. My personal long lens is a prime 300 which focuses so close, 1.5 meter, that butterfly close-ups are possible. An equally sharp tele-converter raises it to a 450 (and this TC works on my 100mm macro as well). I like the 150-600 zoom for quick change in framing but the 300 prime is surprisingly more portable. It travels on my monopod and is quickly at hand.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Please use “quote reply” so we have a clue what you are referring to. Posts go the bottom of the list, usually not below the message you are responding to,