DSLR Lens
- Thread starter SCUD4LIFE
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I agree somewhat with coolsteel, at least on researching what you want before you buy something. Lenses can get extremely expensive very fast and buying the wrong one can ruin your day. I recommend abes of main and bhphoto. Amazon has some pretty okay prices sometimes too. There are sites that review DSLR lenses. You usually get what you pay for.
SOSTrooper
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There are a lot of reputable camera shops that also sell their items on eBay, and they provide warranty. Assuming you already know which lens to buy, you can easily find the prices on eBay cheaper than e-tailers like Amazon. Plus now there is a 14% cashback going on with eBay/Paypal/live.com so you save even more money that way.
it depends what you want it for. for general purpose id try and pick up one of the many kit lenses that people dump. the 18-55's, 18-135, 18-70, the lens that came with the d90 i forget offhand.
all of them are decent and ive seen plenty of fantastic photos from all of them. for the most part you really do get what you pay for from model to model but overall the quality of the photo is in your hands.
id be most concerned with focal length in where youll be shooting and the aperature for lighting.
around the house i use almost exclusively a 50mm prime with natural light.
id suggest one of the kit lenses though. good luck
like others have said. bhphotovideo, adorama, amazon, and some ebay sellers.
also check aorund for a good local camera shop. i have a calumet nearby and theyre customer service is excellent, very helpful, and respectful to those of all abilities.
all of them are decent and ive seen plenty of fantastic photos from all of them. for the most part you really do get what you pay for from model to model but overall the quality of the photo is in your hands.
id be most concerned with focal length in where youll be shooting and the aperature for lighting.
around the house i use almost exclusively a 50mm prime with natural light.
id suggest one of the kit lenses though. good luck
like others have said. bhphotovideo, adorama, amazon, and some ebay sellers.
also check aorund for a good local camera shop. i have a calumet nearby and theyre customer service is excellent, very helpful, and respectful to those of all abilities.
What lens you get also might depend on how serious your photography is. If you know you will be at it for a while, investing some money in a better lens up front is a good choice, as the value of good lenses really holds up over time (and can be used over multiple bodies)- and the better performance will be well worth the extra cost. The camera body (especially true with DSLR) will depreciate as new technology comes out, but the lenses will hold good value (and more importantly good usage!) for much, much longer. There are people out there using 50 years' worth of Nikon glass, all of it performing (nearly) just as good as the recent modern stuff.
As a starting point, the 18-55 VRII kit lens is a great multipurpose lens. It's pretty affordable so the loss is not that great if you decide to move on from photography, but would still play a role as a very light flexible lens if you do stick with it. If you're willing to spend a little more, the 16-85 VR is more money but better optically than the cheaper DX zooms with similar focal ranges. Probably the best consumer DX zoom. The 18-200 (which I have) is a great versatile lens and performs very well in all categories but does not excel in any of them. It does not seem like you're in the market for the pro quality zooms but I could be wrong. In that case, a used 17-55 f/2.8 would be a great buy as many prographers are selling theirs used as they move up to FX bodies and glass. In general, for the consumer lenses, you can get an rough indication of the quality by looking at the lens mount. If Nikon used the metal lens mount, then it in general was intended to be a little better quality than the lowest priced ones with plastic lens mounts.
Personally I'd be wary about buying from eBay but I have not researched it much. You just want to make sure that whatever lens you get is a genuine Nikon USA lens, no grey market imports. Nikon will not warranty grey market imports, and typically doesn't even repair them for money. Genuine USA lenses have a 5-year warranty. IMO the usually small cost difference between a grey market import and a USA lens is worth it for the support and warranty it comes with. If a grey market lens gets damaged, you may be up the creek as far as repair goes.
I'd be doubly careful when buying used lenses off of eBay, make extra sure you know why the seller is getting rid of the lens, and not just trying to pawn off a lens he dropped for as much as he can get for it. I bought a used lens once and the seller guaranteed that if I was not satisfied with it after using it for a few days I could return it for a refund. That will let you know that they are a legit seller and that they are being honest about the condition/performance of the lens.
Lastly, some variation in individual lenses can exist. While this won't be as much of a problem for cheaper ones as the pro lenses, it can be worth your while to buy from a retailer or seller who will take it back if you are not satisfied. B&H photo, and Adorama, etc all have very good return policies from what I've heard, although I have not purchased lenses from them before.
Ruahrc
As a starting point, the 18-55 VRII kit lens is a great multipurpose lens. It's pretty affordable so the loss is not that great if you decide to move on from photography, but would still play a role as a very light flexible lens if you do stick with it. If you're willing to spend a little more, the 16-85 VR is more money but better optically than the cheaper DX zooms with similar focal ranges. Probably the best consumer DX zoom. The 18-200 (which I have) is a great versatile lens and performs very well in all categories but does not excel in any of them. It does not seem like you're in the market for the pro quality zooms but I could be wrong. In that case, a used 17-55 f/2.8 would be a great buy as many prographers are selling theirs used as they move up to FX bodies and glass. In general, for the consumer lenses, you can get an rough indication of the quality by looking at the lens mount. If Nikon used the metal lens mount, then it in general was intended to be a little better quality than the lowest priced ones with plastic lens mounts.
Personally I'd be wary about buying from eBay but I have not researched it much. You just want to make sure that whatever lens you get is a genuine Nikon USA lens, no grey market imports. Nikon will not warranty grey market imports, and typically doesn't even repair them for money. Genuine USA lenses have a 5-year warranty. IMO the usually small cost difference between a grey market import and a USA lens is worth it for the support and warranty it comes with. If a grey market lens gets damaged, you may be up the creek as far as repair goes.
I'd be doubly careful when buying used lenses off of eBay, make extra sure you know why the seller is getting rid of the lens, and not just trying to pawn off a lens he dropped for as much as he can get for it. I bought a used lens once and the seller guaranteed that if I was not satisfied with it after using it for a few days I could return it for a refund. That will let you know that they are a legit seller and that they are being honest about the condition/performance of the lens.
Lastly, some variation in individual lenses can exist. While this won't be as much of a problem for cheaper ones as the pro lenses, it can be worth your while to buy from a retailer or seller who will take it back if you are not satisfied. B&H photo, and Adorama, etc all have very good return policies from what I've heard, although I have not purchased lenses from them before.
Ruahrc
Treythalomew
CAGiversary!
I picked up a sigma 70-300 from amorama through amazon for 150 a couple of weeks ago. It has been an amazing compliment to my 18-55. They even sent me a lens cleaning kit free.
[quote name='SCUD4LIFE']I just picked up a Nikon D40x(body only) and im looking for a good/cheap lens. Does anyone know a place where I can get one for a decent price?[/QUOTE]
I just found out several of the Ritz Camera (The Camera Shop) are going out of business. I grabbed a Canon 55-250mm Zoom lens with image stabilizer for 40% off at the King of Prussia Court section. They had plenty of Nikon and Canon stuff. They have some stuff at 60% off.
I just found out several of the Ritz Camera (The Camera Shop) are going out of business. I grabbed a Canon 55-250mm Zoom lens with image stabilizer for 40% off at the King of Prussia Court section. They had plenty of Nikon and Canon stuff. They have some stuff at 60% off.
bread's done