New starter - DSLR lense advice

[dan_yorkshire]

Hi all,

I am about to purchase my first DSLR and am stuck deciding which lense to use.

I have finally decided on the Nikon D60 and with quidco can get it for £330 from Jessops with the 18-55mm VR lens.

I am looking to take a big mixture of shots and instead of buying a second lens (i.e 55-200) I am toying with the idea of buying the Sigma 18-200mm OS lens (currently on hold for me in the local Jessops as its the last one) which is £199 down from £299.

I can also sell the original 18-55mm either on here or eBay etc to help fund the camera.

Its not worth getting body only as the lowest I can find it for is £319 so for an extra £11 I can get it with the lens.

Do you think as a starter to DSLR's that I will benefit having just one lens (the Sigma, which I've read has good reviews) or whether to buy a second lens to accompany the 18-55mm.

Any help and/or guidance appretiated.

Dan

[Crazy Guy]

Hi Dan,

I bought my D60 with 18-55VR lens from Jesops as well. I managed to get the 55-200VR lens for about £116 on line at simply electronics, I am now after the 50mm f1.8d (currently at £87 via argos!). I don't know much about Sigma lens as I am new to this as yourself. I am sure some of the more experienced members on here will be able to add more constructive comments. However I have learnt already that one lens can't cover all situations. Some members on here recomend the 70-300VR lens (I couldn't justify the price at the time). Also I have seen websites where you can hire lens for special occasions eg: safaris where you may want 400mm + and don't want to pay a fortune!!!!

[Crazy Guy]

Also forgot to say I have seen a lot of 18-55VR lens for sale on Ebay, so don't think you will get top price. I find it an excellent lens and will never part with mine. For £116 you can have a 55-200VR lens.......

[Dman77]

I got a 55-200mm lens for my D60, but am now getting a Tamron 70-300mm lens which is only about £170.

I highly recommend the 50mm 1.8, although you can only manual focus on the D60, it's the best lens I own. Argos have long sold out though at that price.

[dan_yorkshire]

Crazy guy, can you provide a link to the 55-200mm lens you spoke about.

The one I think you mention is the Sigma one currently at £149.95 at Simply Electronics.

Cheers for your reply. Think I'm gonna buy a secondary lens rather that use one.

Regards

[Munchkinn]

I think Simply Electronics are grey imports aren't they?

[senu]

Originally Posted by Munchkinn

I think Simply Electronics are grey imports aren't they?

Have a read of the SE thread in the camcorders Forum

[hilly10]

If it were me over again I would hang on to the 18-55 kit lens learn to use the camera and save some dosh, when funds allow buy the 18-200 you will never look back

[dan_yorkshire]

Originally Posted by hilly10

If it were me over again I would hang on to the 18-55 kit lens learn to use the camera and save some dosh, when funds allow buy the 18-200 you will never look back

I have made my purchase.

Got the D60 w/ 18-55mm VR lens = £330
Sigma 18-200mm OS lens = £190

I have got an absolute bargain with these, especially the Sigma lens which had £100 off in Jessops.

Going to have a play, and if I get on well with the Sigma, will probably look at selling the 18-55mm to help pull me back under my £500 limit.

Reading reviews of the Sigma it looks like I've got a cracking lens, just depends wether I'm comfortable with it always on the camera as its fairly hefty.

If anyone knows of any 55-200mm lenses with IS/OS/VR etc that might sway my decision please post them.

Cheers for your input guys.

[J_ustin]

Originally Posted by dan_yorkshire

I have made my purchase.

Got the D60 w/ 18-55mm VR lens = £330
Sigma 18-200mm OS lens = £190

I have got an absolute bargain with these, especially the Sigma lens which had £100 off in Jessops.

Going to have a play, and if I get on well with the Sigma, will probably look at selling the 18-55mm to help pull me back under my £500 limit.

Reading reviews of the Sigma it looks like I've got a cracking lens, just depends wether I'm comfortable with it always on the camera as its fairly hefty.

If anyone knows of any 55-200mm lenses with IS/OS/VR etc that might sway my decision please post them.

Cheers for your input guys.

You can get the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens from camerabox for £159.99

Link: Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6G VR AF-S DX IF-ED
Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6G VR AF-S DX IF-ED

Ive just got a D60 2 weeks ago with the 18-55mm from jessops in store. Then purchased the Nikon 55-200mm VR from there.

EDIT: Just read though your post again do you want an 18-200mm or 55-200mm?

[dan_yorkshire]

Thats the lens I've been looking at but thats a good price thanks.

Its just for me to decide whether I want the 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR as you do, or just have one 18-200mm, which is the Sigma one I have.

I just feel the Sigma is too large to have on my camera all the time and think I'll opt for the two lens method. Plus it works out £50 cheaper.

How do you get one with the two lenses, do you find you use one more than the other and do you use a bag that stores the spare or do you just take the relevant lens out.

Cheers

[J_ustin]

Originally Posted by dan_yorkshire

Thats the lens I've been looking at but thats a good price thanks.

Its just for me to decide whether I want the 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR as you do, or just have one 18-200mm, which is the Sigma one I have.

I just feel the Sigma is too large to have on my camera all the time and think I'll opt for the two lens method. Plus it works out £50 cheaper.

How do you get one with the two lenses, do you find you use one more than the other and do you use a bag that stores the spare or do you just take the relevant lens out.

Cheers

I have only used the 55-200mm at the moment. I brought the camera for motorsport really. So ill be using the 55-200mm mostly. Have yet to take it anywhere other than Chester Zoo and West Midlands safari park though. Planning on Mallory park this weekend and Silverstone in a few weeks.

However i will be going away at the end of the month for a few days and I think ill be using the 18-55 most of the time. Want to try landscape etc and some long exposures.

The only thing im bothered about with changing the lens is dust. But im sure i just worrying about nothing.

I have kept both lenses with me when ive taken it out just in case, keep one in the bag. (lowepro nova aw 180)

I read about a few lenses when i bought it, was going to go for the 18-200 Nikon. But read about the lens creep. Also i think i read that the two separate lenses were better.

[DPinBucks]

Originally Posted by dan_yorkshire

I have made my purchase.

Sigma 18-200mm OS lens = £190 ...

Good lad! I have that lens on my Canon 400D & love it (paid £296 btw, so you got a real bargain ).

Don't want to rain on your parade, but it's definitely the OS version, isn't it? There is a non-OS version at about £100 less.

My only caveat is the weight to lug about. For days out on your feet, such as walking around London, it gets a bit wearisome. My solution is the Canon 50mm 1.8 fixed length, which is a super lens weighing practically nothing. I don't think there's a Nikon equivalent, so you might like to hang on to the kit lens for those times.