Need lens recommendations for Nikon

[amandazen]

I want to get a new lens for my Nikon D300 and D200 and I am not sure what to get. Currently I have the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom. I want a lens that would be great for portraits. I am looking to spend somewhere between $200- $500. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[mSummers]

I don't do a lot of portraits, but I would look at the an 85mm lens if I did. The 85mm f1.8 is $400 new, but you can find a used one for less. Bjorn Rorslett rates that lens as a 4 out of 5.

Whatever lens you choose, I recommend going to your local camera shop and taking a couple of test shots with it on your camera to make sure you're happy with the lens.

 

[Roger]

Or maybe the new 50/1.4G, since it'll be about the same as a 75/1.4 on the APS dSLRs. I guess it depends on who/what you'll be taking portraits of.

 

[Grumpwurst]

Sorry, not to hijack amandazen's post, but I may be in the same boat.

So, Roger, do you think it would be beneficial to me to pick up the new Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 even though I already own the 50/1.8?

I found that when using the 50/1.8 at WDW this past December with my new D300 the pictures were far worse than with the 18-200VR even though it was a faster lens. It seemed that it had a hard time focusing compared to using it on my D80

 

[mPower]

Ray,

I'd say yes to the 50 1.4g. It's the first new design in 50s in over 30 years I believe. It will also be just as great when you upgrade from the D300 to FX (i know, hard to think about that now since you just got the D300! ).

As for the original question, unless you are doing studio work, I'd sell both and replace with the 18-200 Nikkor. Yes, it will not produce the creamy Bokeh of fast zooms/primes, and is no where close to the lens portrait purists would suggest, but it's the best bang for the buck right now for the Nikons. Plus, I've seen a few referbed lately IN YOUR PRICE RANGE!

Cheers!

 

[Roger]

It seemed that it had a hard time focusing compared to using it on my D80

That seems odd to me. Unless it's just one of those things that the 300 generation craves AF-S lenses, which I have read about, but it shouldn't matter...the 300 should focus better than the 80.

With that being said, I'm considering replacing my 50D with the G, but I'm thinking of the 85/1.8 first, at least a used one so I would have a better portrait lens to begin with. And another lens before that.

Who knows, maybe Nikon will release a few new lenses at PMA/WPPI this year. I'm still wondering if the D3X is what they are referring to as "BIG" for WPPI.

 

[Grumpwurst]

That seems odd to me. Unless it's just one of those things that the 300 generation craves AF-S lenses, which I have read about, but it shouldn't matter...the 300 should focus better than the 80.

I rode Haunted Mansion one time with my 18-200VR and another with the 50/1.8 and when I rode with the 50 I hardly got any shots because it never would lock onto anything. Yet, with the 18-200VR I didn't have that problem.

 

[prettypixie]

I just got the 50 f1.8 for Christmas and I am using it with my D80. I love it so far - great portrait shots! It all depends on how much money you want to spend also. I think my husband paid @ $120 for the new lens. The only possible complaint I have so far is it's a bit of a tight fit to put it on the D80!

 

[Grumpwurst]

Prettypixie,

Don't get me wrong. My 50 f/1.8 on my D80 is a dream. But for some reason, I wasn't getting the same performance out of it when I put it on my D300.

 

[mPower]

Ray,

Just curious, did you have the AF illuminator on, or off?

 

[Grumpwurst]

Ray,

Just curious, did you have the AF illuminator on, or off?

Michael,

I originally had the illuminator turned off as I always do in dark rides but even after turning it back on, I wasn't getting better focusing performance. But, I never have to turn the illuminator on with my D80.

The sucker just kept trying to focus. In the queue for Haunted it was so bad, that I had to use my little pocket LED light that WillCAD was handing out to illuminate the subject so it would focus

 

[Scottwdw]

As for the original question, unless you are doing studio work, I'd sell both and replace with the 18-200 Nikkor. Yes, it will not produce the creamy Bokeh of fast zooms/primes, and is no where close to the lens portrait purists would suggest, but it's the best bang for the buck right now for the Nikons. Plus, I've seen a few referbed lately IN YOUR PRICE RANGE!

First, I agree with this assessment for the replacement for the two lenses instead of getting another lens.

Second, i protest that the 18-200VR does not produce nice bokeh (see below).

Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 720, -0.3EV, 200mm focal length

 

[Roger]

Michael,

I originally had the illuminator turned off as I always do in dark rides but even after turning it back on, I wasn't getting better focusing performance. But, I never have to turn the illuminator on with my D80.

The sucker just kept trying to focus. In the queue for Haunted it was so bad, that I had to use my little pocket LED light that WillCAD was handing out to illuminate the subject so it would focus

Sounds like something isn't right between the lens and the D300. Did you try it on the D70 during the trip? Is it under warranty? If so - it couldn't hurt to send it in.

 

[amandazen]

This is so much help. Thanks everyone! I have been considering the 18-200VR and the 50 I am glad to see conversations both ways on them. Thanks Msummers for the recommendation of the 85. I am going to test all three and see which one I like.

 

[Grumpwurst]

Sounds like something isn't right between the lens and the D300. Did you try it on the D70 during the trip? Is it under warranty? If so - it couldn't hurt to send it in.

Roger,

My wife was sporting the D80 during the trip (she inherited like Dina inherited Craig's...haha) and we slapped the 50 on it and it was working as expected. My impression of the D300 is that it's much more temperamental with the auto focus in dark conditions than my D80. Or it could be that it's more accurate and not able to focus while my D80 would say it's focuses when it's not.

 

[Roger]

I'd send it in. It could be a contact isn't fully right so it's not communicating with the 300 properly...the 80 probably wouldn't notice it as much.

 

[Roger]

You know Ray, the more I think about it....there really is a chance that for some reason, the lens elements (probably the final one, but really at least one) are off parallel to the sensor just a slight amount, it could cause the phase detection system to go wacky since it won't line up...but you won't notice it except during very low light situations or extremely narrow depth of field.

You should be able to test the latter at home by focusing close to the min. distance and see if the lens is focusing all over the place (front one, back the next, etc. etc.)

You wouldn't have noticed it with a AF system that fewer points on the AF sensor to work with.

 

[Grumpwurst]

You know Ray, the more I think about it....there really is a chance that for some reason, the lens elements (probably the final one, but really at least one) are off parallel to the sensor just a slight amount, it could cause the phase detection system to go wacky since it won't line up...but you won't notice it except during very low light situations or extremely narrow depth of field.

You should be able to test the latter at home by focusing close to the min. distance and see if the lens is focusing all over the place (front one, back the next, etc. etc.)

You wouldn't have noticed it with a AF system that fewer points on the AF sensor to work with.

I'll have to test that. Does it make a difference that I always use just a single, central focus point? I don't have it setup to use the 51 points

 

[Roger]

I don't think it would matter because the central focus point, while cross-type, is about the same size as the rest. In the past you'd have more space in between the sensors.