Topic: Comments on the choice of lens

[John Allen]

Hi guys,
As most of you may already know I had an unfortunate accident on my Tasmanian voyage in december and broke my 55-200 Nikon Lens. The insurance has finally come through, and they have agreed to pay for the step up to a 55-200VR. My issue is: while the money on the table is not strictly mine do I want to instead upgrade further my camera being a Nikon D40.

So what I was looking at:
70-300mmVR f 4.5-5.6G IF-ED   which is 500$ excess.

I am looking for peoples opinions with regards to the selection of a lens: I dont really want to go too high on price at this point (not much more than a 1k sort of lens). Would this lens be appropriate for storm photography (ive never had a lens of that quality, and currently have been shooting with a 18-55mm). Any help or comment would be appreciated with regards to the aforementioned lenses and any others that would be appropriate or better for use with this camera.

Thanks.
John

[wol]

Not really sure how much you would use the 200-300mm end of the lens but for your budget the 18-200 would be a better choice. A quick search on ebay turned up this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MELB-Nikon-AFS-DX-VR-18-200mm-f-3-5-5-6-IF-ED-D300-D80_W0QQitemZ290213414889QQihZ019QQcategoryZ30067QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In my experience you'd mainly use wide lenses for storm chasing and unless you need the 200-300mm for something else
I'd go for the 18-200 which will be more than enough for your needs.

[Michael Bath]

Yes - for Nikon I'd recommend the 18-200 VR then you wont have to change lenses at all. I got one a few weeks ago from this mob (under $900):

https://www.camerasdirect.com.au/index.php/lenses/nikon-mount/nikon-vr/nikon-18-200mm-f3.5-5.6g-if-ed-af-s-dx-vr.html

Review:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

It's the first new lens I've got for my D70 since it was purshased in June 2004 with the 18-70mm kit lens. The 18-70mm has been ideal for most situations but just lacks the extra zoom.  My previous film camera had a 35-200mm lens so it had always been a bit of a pain not having some more zoom without changing lenses.

MB

[Mike]

Just on the topic of lens'.   Some members also have Canon  EOS units (350 or 400D) what lens' do you use on yours that elminate the need for changing lens' for different captures?  Standard is the 18-55mm which Iv'e always used, but would stepping up to say a 125 or 200 be the most ideal lens to use which would give me the range up close and for those storms that require just a tad zoom  rather than swapping to the 300mm which I hardly use?

[Rodney Wallbridge]

Gyday Mike, I did use a 300D with 18 to 55mm for a few years and decided on focusing on a new Lens which would go great on a full frame down the track(my sister was getting married so wanted improvement as well). I Purchased a 24 to 70mm F2.8L which suited my style of chasing really good.On the other hand when in company with others and being closer i found some stuff with the 1.6 crop factor to have trouble fitting it all in.This Lens is amazing for lightning photography at night and has that extra reach to get closer without getting that scorching feeling of burnt hair when that stepped leader hits the ground 50mtrs away

I also recently purchased a 17-40mm F4L for some other photgraphy work which will help in chasing as well.The quality of the better glass as opposed to the standard 18-55mm kit lens in colour and sharpness is amazingly good.I am not suprised why L Lens attract a big price and a certain Fan club of L series in your gear
90% of the time I'll be using the 24-70mm but it will be good to have the 17-40 in the bag now for those closer up close and personal experiences.

[Mike]

Thanks for the tips.  I used a 'something' - 125 VR once and I liked it - a bit heavy trying to keep it steady, but the photos turned out quite nice for the time i used it.  I'm still a bit green in relation to what size lens' to use and don't want to spend the exhorbant money on L series lens's which I can't afford anyway!