My lack of knowledge >_<

[mdboo]

Hey guys....need some help again

Sorry for my "noobness" but can you guys tell me what would this lense be good for shooting??

- Nikon AFS DX Zoom 12-24mm lens f/4G IF-ED

and would it be worth getting over the 24-120 VR??

Cheers

=BlackWater=

[avkomp]

without knowing what you wish to shoot, you make it hard to comment,
But

I am guessing that you want it for everyday shooting and suggest the 24-120 vr.

The other is an ultra wide angle lens and would probably be of limited value to you unless you are going for landscapes or wide angle trickery.

[Nnnnsic]

It's a different sort of lens, isn't it?

Which do you want?

A true 12-24 for your APS sensor that won't work too well on a full-framed camera or a 24-120 x 1.5 (so 36-180) with Vibration Reducation that'll work on a full-frame Nikon...

They're very different lenses.

What's your poison... a wide lens or a replacement for your kit lens?

[mdboo]

without knowing what you wish to shoot, you make it hard to comment,
But

I am guessing that you want it for everyday shooting and suggest the 24-120 vr.

The other is an ultra wide angle lens and would probably be of limited value to you unless you are going for landscapes or wide angle trickery.

Yes thats what i was guessing too...just making sure

Nnnnsic: well im actually looking for my first lense....no kit lense as yet

Ps. Anyone got kit lense laying around, im interested

Cheers

=BlackWater=

[Nnnnsic]

Wait, so you have a body and no lens?

If it's your first lens and you have no kit lens, then either get the 24-120 as your kit lens.

The 12-24 isn't really a kit lens qualifier... it's good for being wide... you can't really use it as a general purpose lens.

[Antsl]

Hi Blackwater,

Kit lenses are normally in the mid range of focal lengths, they start at the mild wide angle range the and then go through the "normal range" to the start of telephoto. In the film formats such lenses were normally in the 35-70 and later the 28-85mm range. Given the digital lens conversion factor these lenses are now likely to be an 18-55mm (mulitply by 1.5 and you get the equivalent). For most recreational photographers will be the only lens they will ever use.

A wideangle lens like the 12-24 is good for landscape work, architectural and reportage type photography although these lenses do require a degree of skill from the photographer to get the most out of.

My advice is, if you are using the Nikon digital SLR, get yourself a midrange lens like the 24-120 and work it for a while. When you discover you are making great images at the 24mm setting all the time and you wish you could go wider, then you may be ready for a wider lens.

If you do feel the need to go wide soon, have a look at getting the Tokina 12-24mm. It is half the price of the Nikon and sharper. Theres a review of all these lenses in the latest Australian Photography... the pics speak for themselves.

Antsl

[MattC]

Hello Blackwater,

I have read this and your other threads with interest.

I suggest going with the kit lens if you are buying the d70s (dunno what to suggest for the d50 - maybe the d50 kit). Use it for a while and make up your own mind as to what you need based on that experience. This is the only way that you will know for sure.
This lens will probably cover the majority of your shooting needs in the short term. Wide enough to be useful, long enough to be useful. From there you can go wider, longer, faster, macro, whatever meets your needs.

If I was to do it again from scratch my kit would go like this: D70s with 18-70, SB800 (SB600 if money is tight), 50/1.8 (or 50/1.4 if the budget allows) and a decent tripod (Benro looks good atm) in that order.
From there build up with whatever you **need**.

[mdboo]

Hello Blackwater,

I have read this and your other threads with interest.

I suggest going with the kit lens if you are buying the d70s (dunno what to suggest for the d50 - maybe the d50 kit). Use it for a while and make up your own mind as to what you need based on that experience. This is the only way that you will know for sure.
This lens will probably cover the majority of your shooting needs in the short term. Wide enough to be useful, long enough to be useful. From there you can go wider, longer, faster, macro, whatever meets your needs.

If I was to do it again from scratch my kit would go like this: D70s with 18-70, SB800 (SB600 if money is tight), 50/1.8 (or 50/1.4 if the budget allows) and a decent tripod (Benro looks good atm) in that order.
From there build up with whatever you **need**.

Hey thanks for the suggestion...

Well i think i've decided on getting the 24-120 VR as my first lense becuase i wont be getting the kit lense.

After that i would probably go with the 50mm f/1.4.....

Do you guys think this is a good idea or should i just find the 18-70 and start off with that??

Cheers =BlackWater=

[MattC]

Seems you are dead set on the 24-120VR. I wont talk you out of that Go for it as it would make a nice walk around lens. As Antsl pointed out, you can get the 12-24 later if you need it. I think that you probably will. The difference between 18 and 24mm is a lot bigger than it sounds (~16degrees FOV from memory) and sometimes 18mm is not wide enough.

My earlier suggestion of the 18-70 was only suggested because it offers most of everything. BTW, which body do you plan on buying? I recall the D50 being mentioned somwhere, but not sure.

[mdboo]

Well i was meant to have it by the end of this week but cos the guy game me the wrong bsb number, i have to wait at least another 4 working days before my money bounces back into my account. (i could just send more noe but i want to make sure my money actually comes back ^^)