New D-SLR Camera advice? - Page 2

You should get the 16-85VR instead and if you need a tele, the 70-300VR is nice. I have never used the 18-200 but you could be a bit short at 200, and 18 isn't wide enough.

!luc

The 18-200 is a great piece of glass. It's fast, quiet, versatile and takes great pictures with minimal distortion. There's a reason there was a waiting list almost a year long to get one when it was new!

So how many drinks do I owe you if you're dissatisfied?

I'll second the 18-200. I currently have that one, the 18-70, and 17-55 2.8, and while the 17-55 2.8 is by far my favorite, the 18-200 definitely sits on my camera most when I'm walking around town.

I've got 560mm with my gear and I still think it's not enough! I think superzooms are a bad idea though. If you get a decent camera bag it's not a big deal to change lenses. Get the 17-55. and then get the nikon zoom (don't know the nikon range that well. it's ~1800)? You can thank me later for just spending 3600 of your money.

Based on what do you think superzooms are a bad idea? That's like saying all prime lenses are bad because there are a few shitty ones of those, too. Read the reviews on the 18-200. The ones by photographers, not camera fetishists!!

Either Canon or Nikon, whichever one feels best in your hand and has the easiest-to-navigate menus for you.

The only caveat I'd add to that - if you plan on shooting primes (consumer or pro), Canon has the best lineup. Zooms, they're equal. Flash, equal. Software, I never used the OEM stuff from either, just get yourself a copy of Lightroom.

I would agree, either stick with Canon or Nikon for an SLR. They both provide good feature sets and you can get the best choice of lenses. As for whether or not to get a D90 or a 50D, go to a store, try them both and see what feels better in your hands. The camera has to be comfortable when shooting. I currently use a 5D so I am partial to Canons, but that is because I find them more comfortable for me. The real investment in a camera comes with the lenses you choose.

Look for the 18-200mm VRII. It just came out. The original one was probably as good of a "walk-around" lens as you could find. The new one is better (and of course, a bit more expensive). Try this first, then figure out what you like to shoot, then invest in appropriate lenses for those purposes.

I still think 18 is not wide enough, and 200 is too short. But it's a very nice all around zoom. Get the new version which doesn't slide down when you carry your camera on your shoulder.

I am partial to prime lenses. The nikkor 50mm f1.4G is just perfect, albeit slow to focus.

!luc

In a perfect world, Nikon would make a 10-300mm f/2.8 VRII that weighs less than a pound and costs about $300. Until then, we all just have to make do with what's available.

If you require a 200mm lens for "walking around," you're doing something wrong.

I wrote above what I would use. !luc