D90 owners.......twin VR lens combo or just the 18-105VR?

[old dog]

Look I know it`s been done almost to death but......

my son wants an dslr and has settled his mind on a D90. I was telling him that more than likely the 18-105VR would be a better starting point than the 18-55 and 55-200VR combo kit. My mate has just got a D90 and 18-105 and loves it as it does deliver great pics. I said...get the body and use my 18-135 that I got as a D80 kit. Then you can see from using that what focal length lenses might suit better. What to do...

[reaction]

18-105VR is better than the 18-55 and 55-200VR combo kit
all 3 lenses are not stellar

if you have the 18-135 , it's as good as the 18-105VR.
Since you shoot Nikon, then definitely he should get the D90 body only.




Then, you may consider whether you want a 16-85VR as a travel lens, or just use your 17-55 and be done with it.
The 70-300VR is great, you can share that with him or buy a spare, but don't get a 55-200VR.

[ving]

...or a 18-200 one size fits all

[Photophil2010]

Hi Graeme
I've had the D90 with the 18-105 for2.5 yrs and have been very happy with it, until I fell while on some ocean rocks and broke the lens.
This combination of lens and camera is versatile. I initially added a 70-300VR lens when I wanted more reach. I believe that investing in better quality lenses is the way to go because it does make a difference in the quality of my photos. I ended up replacing the broken lens with a 16-85VR lens and am really happy.
The 18-105 lens is about $350 on the net, how much do you save when buying the body only compared to the twin lens kit?

[old dog]

thanks guys for your thoughts. I don`t think he can stretch his dollars to get the 16-85 which I`d also recommend or the 18-200 which I`d also recommend. I`ll try and convince him to use my 18-135 for a while until he gets more of an idea of what he really wants. Regarding buying the 18-105.......get this. I`m getting the D7000 in about a week or so (excited...yes). If I get it as a kit with the 18-105, it`s $250 extra,nikon warranty, pick up in Sydney. If I get his D90 at the same place, as a kit the lens works out $340 extra......go figure. I guess you can work out which way we will probably go...if he wants the 18-105....

[reaction]

if u get the D7000, wouldn't it make much more sense you giving the D80 to him?
u wouldn't charge your son for it right
let him use it for at least 6mth b4 buying anything.

[old dog]

thanks r.....he is going to be a daddy for the first time in about 4-5 months and he wants video too so my D80 wont do. Pity....

[arthurking83]

.....he is going to be a daddy for the first time in about 4-5 months and he wants video too so my D80 wont do. Pity....

But then again, your D7000 could!

[reaction]

then buy the D90 in 4mths time...

[old dog]

yes, that could work. It`s up to him about the camera....I was curious as to what lens kit/lens would be the best as a starter. I think he will get the D90 and use my 18-135 until he gets some more money and also decided which lens to get. At this stage I think the 16-85vr and save some more for the 70-300vr. I think that would be a great twin lens set.

[super duper]

I agree, the 18-50 + 50-200 is bad bad bad. If you're going to be photographing a baby, all you need is the 30-70mm region. I had the twin lens kit, drove me crazy changing lenses all the time, I always wanted something around the 50mm mark. Plus the 50-200mm has a min focus distance of 1.5m.

[wolffman]

If he really wants good baby shots use your 18-135 but get a 50 f1.8 as well. Great for lower light portraits, cheap and narrow dof. Plus it gets the buy a new lens fix all sorted straight away. There's some on eBay or digitalrev for less than 150. Sorted

[old dog]

thanks guys. Well he hasn`t bought a camera yet. He`s going o/s tomorrow for a couple of weeks and has taken my D80 with 18-135 and a 35f2 for low light night stuff. I think I`m talking him into waiting a few more months and getting the D7000 instead of the D90. I`m really impressed with mine. He will probably get the 16-85vr too. So thanks to all who inputted..