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Good lens recommendations?


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16 replies to this topic

#1
Bill

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I have a D3200 with the basic kit lens. I shoot mainly weather scenes including nighttime lightning. What is a good 3rd party lens that can be my all around lens? One that I can just leave on. Maybe a focal range of 18-135 or something. Thanks in advance!

#2
Adam

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The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 C is simply a joy to use.   I've posted a review of it here:

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

 

Here's the product page:

http://www.bhphotovi...EG&Q=&A=details



#3
Bill

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Thanks Adam that looks perfect. Now it's time to save some money lol!
Oh but I see that's for a Pentax. Is there a Nikon version?

#4
Vyolater

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http://www.bhphotovi...4_DC_Macro.html

 

That should link to the lens for Nikon. Same price.



#5
Afterimage

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I have 3 Tamron lenses that are also worth considering:

 

17-50 f2.8 SP DII VC 

70-300 VC

60mm f2 macro 

 

I think all 3 are quality pieces with a budget friendly price tag. The VC works really well on both the 17-50 and the 70-300.

The 70-300 is a really sharp lens, maybe one of the best in it's class. The 60mm is just incredible; it scales up to 90mm on a crop body, is seriously razor sharp, has internal focusing and that f/2 ... the bokeh, the DOF! I really love that little lens.



#6
scoobymax

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I was going to ask the same question on third party lenses so thanks that saved me the effort!

What about opteka? I aw one of these on amazon...500mm for less than £100....really?
Has any any experience with opteka lenses?

#7
Afterimage

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They are cheap and, to be honest, not THAT bad... but buyer beware!

They are not going to give you anything close to "good" image quality. They will be muddy, low contrast and straining for sharpness. Also if you are talking about the 500mm reflector highlights will be doughnut shaped. 

 

Other than that... they work and they aren't horrible. You can clean up the files pretty effectively in Photoshop and for very little money you get  a 500mm f/6.3 (or f/8) lens.

It works much much better than having a 200mm  lens and cropping in 2.5x, that's for sure!



#8
scoobymax

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Thanks for the heads up Afterimage! Great advice as always. :)

#9
Afterimage

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No problem! I just happen to love all kinds of cheapy lenses and filters. They create some really weird and unique effects most people try to avoid ... but then add in later during post process for Instagram and the like LOL

 

Here's an excellent example of what a good image looks like from an Opteka 500mm f/6.3 (not my image). Not bad at all, actually. Notice the donut shaped bokeh highlights?:

 

original.jpg



#10
scoobymax

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Just ordered the Tamron 70-300mm which I notice you also have and are pleased with so that gives me some confidence! I like you go for the cheaper lenses, mainly because I cannot afford most official nikon lenses on my budget. :( but as long as they are sharp and good quality I don't see any problems. Should be here in a week so I'll post some test shots here when i get the chance. :)

#11
Afterimage

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You'll love the Tammy 70-300. It's an incredible lens for the price.



#12
scoobymax

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Cool! Only paying £70 for it. What's the macro function like?

#13
Afterimage

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Wow, you got that one cheap! They usually go for $350+ here. Even used ones are around $300.

 

The macro is mediocre compared to a dedicated macro lens. Not a true 1:1 but zooming in past 200mm with it's 8" focal distance will provide good results.



#14
scoobymax

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What about the Sigma 70-300? I've seen great reviews and also not so great, but I could say the same about the reviews for the Tam?

#15
Adamwesleyo

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Did you get the one without VC because that one new is around $120 I think. Decent lens. Nothing I'd write home about but good for just tooling around with.



#16
klh4runnin

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I'm curious what the difference is between that Tamron 70-300 & the Nikon 55-300 as far as the quality when using it at the max 300mm? I bought the Nikon for use with my D5000, & I'm not sure if it is me or the lens, not getting that much clarity with it. Maybe I'm just not very good...:)



#17
Afterimage

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I can't speak for the Nikon but I do have the Tamron 70-300 and like it very much. Here's 2 examples of this lens at 300mm, the sharpness is fantastic to my eyes:

 

adrift-L.jpg

 

cw10-L.jpg