suitable lens for beginner

[tnzz]

This is probably a dumb question but I'll ask anyway.

Is there lenses or types of lenses more suitable for beginners to the field of slr? I don't mean in terms of price but certain design aspects or features.

[huynhie]

Matey,

get the best lens you can afford for whatever type of photography your into. There is no one specific lens for beginners and professionals.

[boxerboy]

If you're looking at a D70, you can't go past the kit lens as a starter for the price (<$300). The quality of the lens is excellent for the price and gives a good spread of focal length. Just my opinion.

Cheers
Peter

[Greg B]

Definitely the kit lens, you won't be sorry. Anything else can come along later.

There aren't really better lenses for beginners as such, it is more a case of coverage and versatility. If you are going to have one lens, make it the kit lens.

[Oneputt]

I agree with the previous posters. It is a very good allround lens at a very reasonable price.

[dooda]

If you have the need for a little more length, but don't quite need telescopic, the 24-120 VR is a really useful one...one that I wished I had as the lengths are so useful...and of course the VR might come in handy every so often. If you do want a lot of focal length then the 80-400 VR would be quite useful as well.

I also recommend the 50mm fixed 1.8 if you'll ever find yourself doing portrait stuff, the 1.4 if budget isn't a prob, and you can manipulate DOF a lot easier. None of these sell at real premium prices.

[tnzz]

thankyou everyone for your prompt response.

I'm just doing some research right now and trying to inform myself what using a dslr involves. I didn't think any lens would be designed particularly for beginners but the thought that I've been missing something just popped into my head.

Currently I plan on getting D70 and 18-70 kit in a couple of months and latter on, if I have more money, the Sigma 70-200mm HSM. I really want the Nikkor 70-200mm VR but there is a HUGE price tag on it. The 24-120 VR seems a little strange. From what I've read, it's not that great at each end and VR isn't that useful for much of the range. Seems like it would be more suited to a digicam than to a dslr where you have the option of changing lenses.

[kipper]

That is what you get with a 70-200VR. Yes it's very pricey, but very much worth it.

[Onyx]

The 24-120 VR seems a little strange. From what I've read, it's not that great at each end and VR isn't that useful for much of the range. Seems like it would be more suited to a digicam than to a dslr where you have the option of changing lenses.

Tnzz, while I wholeheartedly agree with you - thems be strong words: you're bound to stir up the emotions of a large number of members on here that have that lens that don't share your opinion.

Welcome to the forums BTW. Consider the Nikkor 80-200/2.8 with or without AF-S if the Sigma is in consideration. The HSM does nothing for focus speed; and I still feel the Nikkor is better quality optically.

[birddog114]

Hi All,
The Nikon 24-120VR is one of the lens which people in this forum like to have or substitute for the kit len 18-70Dx.

[gstark]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

The concept of a "beginner lens" doesn't really exist. It's more appropriate to think that the lens is designed to do a job of covering a given focal length (or range), and then to consider how well that lens addresses those objectives.

As a starter lens, it's difficult to go past the kit lens; it represents exceptional value for money.

That said, I've sold mine because it's been replaced by the 24-120VR, which is, quite frankly, one of the nicest lenses I've ever had the pleasure to use: it's light, fast, pin-sharp, and contrary to what you may have read elsewhere, the VR is in fact quite useful through the range of focal lengths covered by this lens. When you've made a photo, handheld, with a shutter speed of 1/2 second for the exposure, you'll begin to understand exactly how useful the VR is even at these shorter focal lengths.

Regarding your purchase timing, remember that the Nikon $200 rebate offer ends iat the end of this month. That may (or may not) be a consideration for you.

[redline]

i think the best thing you should ask yourself is what type of photography
you plan on doing and how much your willing to spend. and even if a d70 is really the best choice for you, perhaps a film camera may suit your budget. you can probaby pick-up a film camera simliar to the d70 (f65-f75) for less than 500$

[tnzz]

Welcome to the forums BTW. Consider the Nikkor 80-200/2.8 with or without AF-S if the Sigma is in consideration. The HSM does nothing for focus speed; and I still feel the Nikkor is better quality optically.

Hi Onyx,
The second lens is likely to be a long way off and I will look much more closely at my options when my finances allow. Can I ask if your recommendations above are based on personal experience with all three lenses? and did you spend a decent amount of time with each?

Thanks.